ACLE Indoor Bowls Club, now recognised as one of the most progressive bowls clubs in the country, held their third annual School Bowls Festival – and it was the biggest yet, with 14 teams from seven junior schools taking part.

During the school year the Acle club coaches visit the local junior schools and introduce the pupils to short mat bowls as an after-school six-week activity. And the final event of this programme is the bowls festival.

Taking part this year were teams from Acle, South Walsham, Reedham, Cantley, Freethorpe, Fleggburgh and Lingwood.

The tournament is jointly organised by the bowls club and the local school sports co-ordinator, Karen Sillett.

Karen said: “We are so pleased to be involved with this magnificent bowls club here at Acle, and the children really look forward to this annual event.

“The club coaches do a magnificent job and all schools are very supportive of this initiative and very much appreciate all the time given up by the coaches,” she said.

“The club hope to see the benefits of all this work in the years to come” said club manager Denis Goodley.

“We have already produced 10 junior England internationals and we hope to discover more talent from among today’s competitors,” he added.

The teams were split into two leagues, Diamond and Platinum.

Winners of the Platinum League were Acle with runners-up South Walsham. The Diamond League winners were Cantley, and runners-up Acle, with overall champions being Acle. The most sporting team award went to Fleggburgh.

Local district councillor, Lana Hempsall, presented the prizes with the assistance of her guide dog, Charlie.

All those taking part were presented with an Acle IBC club badge by club presidents Ron and Gill Taylor.