Become a National Umpire
Provincial Officiating Coordinators (POCs) periodically hold rule book workshops on the proper interpretation of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls to encourage the general membership of Bowls Canada Boulingrin to become involved in the officiating program by becoming an active official.

POCs also conduct refresher clinics for Provincial Umpires to encourage them to progress to a national status in their role as an official.

Interested members can contact their POC to begin the umpire certification process.

National Officiating Committee

Paul Bugler (Ontario) - Chair

David Ball (British Columbia)

Alan Webster (British Columbia)

Margaret Fettes (Alberta)

Nick Watkins (British Columbia)

Head Umpire - Nick Watkins

Nick will be responsible for preparing all the championship draws.

General

The Umpire Certification Program comprises three modules

1. Umpire Certification Examination.
This standard and national open-book multiple choice examination administered by the appropriate Provincial Officiating Coordinator, or his/her duly authorized deputy, must be completed prior to engaging in Modules 2 and 3. This examination process ensures that the candidate becomes reasonably familiar with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls - Crystal Mark Edition 2007.

2. Oral Test.
This is a standardized verbal examination administered by the appropriate Provincial Officiating Coordinator, or his/her duly authorized deputy, and is designed to assess the candidate's ability to make and explain "on-the-spot" decisions.

3. Measuring Test.
A standardized practical test administered by the appropriate Provincial Officiating Coordinator, or his/her duly authorized deputy, to assess the candidate's ability to make accurate and correct measurements.

Upon satisfactory completion of all three modules, the candidate will be recognized as a Certified Umpire and will be entitled to wear the Umpire Pin and the Red Shirt when on duty.

Prerequisites
Candidates must;
- have least three years bowling experience
- provide a suitable character reference
- attend a Umpire Seminar (check with you POC)
- have a a copy of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls – Crystal Mark Edition 2007 (available from Bowls Canada Boulingrin)

Officiating Questions & Answers

Many bowlers experience situations that are not necessarily covered by the Laws of the sport of Bowls - Crystal Mark Edition 2007. Listed below are some frequently asked questions regarding the rules, and the National Officiating Committee’s response to those questions.                                                                        

Bowling Out of Turn

Question:

If you bowl out of turn but your bowl touches neither bowls in the head nor the jack, is this considered disturbing the head?  What is the rule on this and what procedure should be taken?

Answer:

Should a bowl played out of turn come to rest and remain “live” and it has not impacted any Bowl or the Jack, then the head has not been disturbed and the appropriate requirements of Law 47.1 will apply.                

Bowls in Motion

Question:

Is a bowl that wicks off a bowl or bowls in the head before hitting the jack still considered to be a toucher?

Answer:

Yes .In Law 24, we learn that “a Bowl, in its original course on the Green touches the Jack…shall be called a “toucher”.  Reference to Section I, Definition 15— “original course” a jack or a bowl from its delivery until it comes to rest, no matter how many times (for a bowl) it comes into contact with the jack or other bowls before it comes to rest or becomes dead.

It is very important to note however, that should the bowl that was just delivered knock another bowl that was at rest into the jack, the bowl that was at rest is not a toucher. 

Improper Delivery of the Jack

Question:

Can a jack that has been delivered by the first to play and has travelled 23 m. and within the boundary of play be challenged by the opposing player?

Answer:

Yes, Law 19.1 (3) states that if, after the jack has been delivered but before the first bowl is delivered, a player or the marker finds that the mat line has not been positioned within the distances described in paragraph 1 above, the opposing player should place the mat as described in paragraph 1 and re-deliver the jack, making sure that it is centred, but the opposing player should not play first.                                                         

Tie-Breakers

Question:

Two teams are tied at the end of a game.  They have to have a tie-breaker end or 5 end game, whatever the rules are for the tournament.  Skip “A” wins the toss.  He then states we will start from the other end of the green to play our one end tie-breaker or start our 5 end tie-breaker from that end.  Where does it state that he can or cannot select which end he starts the tie-breaker?

Answer:

Law 45 (3) speaks directly to this question.  The extra end should be played from where the previous end was completed. There is no provision for any alternative arrangement.

Lifting Bowls

Question:

My skips bowl is about to hit a bowl in the next rink.  I called to the thirds and they did not pay attention or hear my call.  It hit one of their bowls in the head near our boundary.

Should I have lifted their bowl so that our bowl can pass through?  Can I lift their bowl?

I called out but they did not hear me.

Answer:

Since Law 28.3 is specific to one head, it is my view that the phrase “the Marker or any player at the head” refers only to the head under threat.  No player is ever permitted to invade an adjacent rink for any reason except with the specific approval of the Skips playing on that rink, e.g. to retrieve an errant Bowl which otherwise has not created a problem or to retrieve a badly delivered Jack.  Further we must recognize that the lifting of a Bowl under threat of displacement is permissive and not mandatory – indeed if the lifting and replacement of the Bowl would influence the outcome of the head so moved, no action should be taken.

For these reasons, the writer was correct, in that, having failed to attract the attention of the players on the adjoining rink, he/she took no further action.

The consequent course of action would then be Law 28.3 .1 paragraph 3:

If the bowl was running on a bias that would have brought it back into the rink of play, is displaced outside the boundaries of the rink of play by a neutral person or neutral object and it has not disturbed the head after it is displaced, the bowl should be replayed.

Outdoor Variation – Groundsheets

Question:

I would ask you to comment on Law 19,Outdoor Variation (Groundsheets).  Will this mean that if groundsheets are to be used the back edge can be more than 2 metres from the back ditch and stay that way for the duration of the game?

Answer:

Law 19.1 (5) covers this issue. 

If one or more groundsheets are to be used (outdoor play only) the Controlling Body should consult the nominated greenskeeper and then decide where the groundsheets will be placed for the first end and every end after that to provide maximum protection for the green throughout the event and most, if not all greenskeepers would agree. The mat line should be placed on the rear edge of the groundsheet overlapping 2-3” for player safety. This way the mat holds the sheet down and prevents the player from tripping on the edge of the sheet.                                            

The Controlling Body and the greenskeeper must agree on how the groundsheets will be used and to place the sheet based on different mat positions would be the accepted norm. So place the mat first and then adjust the groundsheet. Once the last bowl of the end has been played both the mat and groundsheet should be removed and placed on the bank.  If the greenskeeper has asked that the sheet be in the same position throughout the event then the corners should be secured before the game starts. This would be part of the green setup and the umpire would need to check the position to ensure legal mat position.

Rules about the use of the groundsheets must be announced to all players before the event starts.                                    

Dead Bowl

Question:

In a shallow ditch we have the Jack and a toucher.  The next bowl is delivered and comes to rest at the edge of the green.  It has been noticed by the players that it is touching/resting on the bowl (toucher) in the ditch.  Is the bowl alive?   The umpire has been called in, and made a ruling that the bowl is dead as per Law 27(1). 

Answer:

Law 27 (1) states that a bowl is a dead bowl if it is not a toucher and rebounds onto the rink after contact with the face of the bank or with the jack or a toucher in the ditch.

Omitting to Play

Question:

Prior to the last bowl being played by team A, a bowl that is nearest to the jack is picked up by a member of team B.  This has occurred after a member at the head from team A has advised the member from team B “That’s one shot to you.”  Should team A be awarded a point because a bowl has been removed from the head prior to the completion of the end?  Or should the bowl be replaced and the end completed?  Or should team B have the point because the member from team A, having believed the end to have been completed, has declared that’s one shot to team B?

Answer:

The answer to your inquiry about the rule is covered in Law 47.4 (1) (2). Since the head had been agreed upon by the players from both teams, team B will count the one shot and the skip from team A forfeits the right to play his last bowl.                                                                                                        

Disturbing the Head

Question:

If you bowl out of turn into the head and your bowl does not touch any other bowls or the jack and is not the first bowl thrown, is this considered disturbing the head?  What is the rule on this and what procedure should be taken?  We have a copy of the latest rule- book but are a little unsure what disturbing the head means.

Answer: 

Law 1.3 (15) defines the Head as “the Jack and such Bowls as have come to rest within the boundary of the rink and are not  “dead”.”  (The emphasis is that of the N.O.C.).  Within the parameters of the question, “disturbing” the head means that the position of any Bowl or Bowls and/or the Jack comprising the head has been changed following impact by a Bowl which has been played out of turn.  It should be noted that the degree of the change of position is not a matter for debate.  Be it a millimeter or several metres change of position means that the object has been moved from its former position.  Should a Bowl played out of turn come to rest and remain “live” and it has not impacted any Bowl or the Jack, then the head has not been disturbed and the appropriate requirements of Law 47.1 (2) will apply.                                                                                                 

Players/Objects on the Green

Question:

Would you please be able to give me a definition or interpretation of whether or not a skip can give green?  It would seem that the rules indicate that a foot giving green could be an obstacle on the green.  However, the other side of the discussion is that the skip can give green and stay in that spot until the bowl has come to a stop.

Answer:

Laws 36 and 37.1 talks about players on the green.  From this law it implies that the person directing the head may stand any place on the green including in front of the head.  From this it is implied they can also place their foot where they would like the bowl to come to rest or to give the green.  You may not stand in an adjacent green to give the grass but must remain on your own playing surface.

Law 52 talks about objects on the green.  You cannot place an object such as your towel on the green or a bowls bag on the bank to assist in your grass line.  As your foot is part of the player, this is not considered an object on the green, so placing your foot is permissible.