Roade Rollers is a fairly new club in Northamptonshire Short Mat history.  The club was formed in 1994 on the initiative of Chris Perks, the manager of the Willison Centre at Roade School.

 

The school had received a large grant to build the centre plus the all weather outside floodlit sports facility area and one of the conditions of the grant was that the school should make all of the old and new facilities available to the local community.

 

The school purchased all of the equipment for two mats plus new sets of woods sized 0–5 and then undertook the advertising in the local area.  Response was slow at first.  Members of a neighbouring clubs, Hackleton and Beavers form Milton Keynes, attended the Sunday morning sessions to coach the new players who had started to play from Roade, Hartwell, Stoke Bruerne and Northampton.

 

In the first six months all fees were paid to the school but after six months the club, with 25 members playing on a regular basis on Tuesday and Friday evenings and Sunday mornings, formed an affiliated club with a constitution.  With help from local authority grants the club purchased all the equipment from the school.

 

As membership continued to grow to over 40, a third mat was purchased by the Club with the school paying for a fourth mat plus equipment.  Short Mat Bowls then became part of the school curriculum and the club began to flourish.

 

To become known in Short Mat circles, the club organised a Sunday competition with a good lunch for all the local clubs.  This event still continues and is very popular.

 

The club entered the Evening County League for the season 1996/7 and played in the very strong County League South against some well established clubs.  Wins were recorded against five of the seven clubs and Roade were well satisfied with their first season’s effort. 

The club had early successes in winning the South Northants D.C. Knock Out competition and the Silverstone Club shield.

 

Weekend trips to  Broadway in Somerset and a Bowls Drive at Drayton in Oxfordshire were enjoyed by many members.

 

Club nights are now held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Roade Village Hall starting at 6.45 pm.

 

Many of the original members remain with the club and a membership limit of 50 was introduced to avoid overcrowding. 

 

The club raises monies for a local charity every year.  Several social events take place during the year and the club also organises Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours competitions for members.

 

The club now has two day and two night County League Teams, for which home matches are played on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings.  The club also play in the South Northants League and Chrystal Cup competitions during the spring and summer months.

 

The club offers 3 free taster sessions and coaching to all new bowlers.  Equipment is provided and players just need to bring flat soled shoes.

 

Any enquiries regarding membership should be directed to Pat Brittle 01604 863423.