ACLE Indoor Bowls Club became the first bowls club in the country to be awarded the coveted Clubmark.Clubmark is an award scheme operated by Sport England and is awarded to clubs who operate to a set of consistent, accepted and adopted minimum operating standards.

ACLE Indoor Bowls Club became the first bowls club in the country to be awarded the coveted Clubmark.

Clubmark is an award scheme operated by Sport England and is awarded to clubs who operate to a set of consistent, accepted and adopted minimum operating standards.

It is now universally recognised and is promoted and carefully branded by Sport England.

Acle had to demonstrate that they are a club, which develops high quality, and has a welcoming and safe environment for young participants.

Acle encourage young people to take up bowls, improve their talents and gives them the option to initiate and maintain life-long participation in bowls.

To obtain the Award, Acle had to demonstrate it had a duty of care and safeguarded and protected children, it had a full programme of events involving children, enforced sports equity and ethics and had top quality management.

“We have been working hard over the summer period putting together our application for Clubmark and putting everything in place ready for the inspection,” said manager Denis Goodley. “We have always encouraged youngsters into the club and have been rewarded with national championship appearances in junior events.

“It therefore seemed appropriate for us to apply for Clubmark which is recognised by all the main sporting, youth and education agencies involved in delivery of sporting opportunities for young people.'

“This award is a fitting reward for all the hard work put in by our coaches throughout the season and to all those club members who assist with our junior bowls programme.”