Disk Bowls

1. History
2. Rules
3. SDDB Results
4. NDDB Results

1. History of GEMS disk bowls tournaments

In 1996, GEMS member Steve Nichols made a set of disk bowls equipment as a raffle prize for the Melbourne Gang Show Parents and Supporters Group (the precursor of GEMS). The game originated in caravan clubs. The raffle prize was won by another GEMS member, Tom Rolls, who kindly donated the set of Disk Bowls equipment to GEMS for use at The Tardis, a house in Inverloch owned by GEMS members Bernie and Margaret Brown.

The annual GEMS Disk Bowls championship comprises Singles and Doubles tournaments. Perpetual trophies made from driftwood are engraved with the names of the winners, who are obliged to take them home and display them prominently for the rest of the year. The competition is usually fierce, but is always accompanied by mirth and frivolity, not to mention vast quantities of food and great companionship.

In 2006, a second set of disk bowls equipment was made by Steve Nichols and donated by GEMS to Dave and Leigh Hanna at the Bridgewater Post Office. A Northern Division of the GEMS Disk Bowls Championship started in September 2006 at a GEMS weekend in Bridgewater. Competition was again fierce, with the usual blend of GEMS frivolity and friendship. Magnificent hand-crafted perpetual trophies were made by Dave Hanna for the Singles and Doubles (Northern Division) GEMS Disk Bowls Championship. These two events have joined the AGM as annual GEMS events.

2. Rules of Disk Bowls (GEMS adaptations in italics)

• The game of Disc Bowls is conducted betweeen two teams each of one or two players.


• Each team plays with a set of six DISCS, equally divided between players. The discs are approximately 180mm in diameter and 20mm thick, made of wood. If the discs are made of MD fibre board to the above specifications, the weight will be approximately 300g, with one edge rounded and the other square. Each set of six discs is to be a different colour. Both sides of the discs may be slightly waisted to provide a rim for better grip.


• The KITTY is a ball, preferrably white, approximately 75mm in dianeter and 155g in weight (eg a hockey or cricket ball or similar heavy, seamless ball).


• The ARENA is a rectangular area, 9m by 3m placed preferably on a flat grassed area and defined by thin ropes; markers or a rope at 4.5m signify the halfway point of the arena.


• In a competition two Officials, the Marker and the Scorer make up the official draw and control each game. They choose the end from which play commences.


• The game commences with the Marker tossing a coin or disc with the two Captains and the winner of the toss elects to throw first or asks the opposing team to lead off. The lead off player rolls the kitty into the roped off area and it must settle over the halfway mark. If the kitty does not roll clearly beyond the halfway mark or rolls out of the arena, the lead player of the other team then rolls the kitty. The Marker centralises the kitty between the two sides of the arena and if the kitty settles less than 1 metre inside the far end of the arena, the Marker is to locate the kitty at the 1 metre position.


• The lead off player tosses his/her first disc so as to land as close as possible to the kitty. Play continues with the opposing lead player tossing a disc, followed by the other team members alternately. If a player plays out of turn the end is to be replayed. When tossing the discs, the player has to stand between the sidelines and completely behind the base line.


• When all 12 discs have been played the Marker determines which disc is closest to the kitty, or how many discs of one team are closer than the nearest disc of the other team. One point is scored for each disc closer than the nearest disc of the other team, and the Marker advises the Scorer.


• The Marker will measure with calipers or a measuring tape, any disc that is not obviously closer to the kitty than another disc. Measurement is from the widest part of the kitty to the edge of the disc. If one or more discs lie(s) on top of the kitty, the Marker must estimate which disc has its edge closest to the edge of the kitty.


• Any player can ask the Marker to measure any disc which they consider closer. The Marker's decision will be final in all matters of dispute.


• The teams then transfer to the opposite end and the throwing sequence is reversed with the lead off player in the first end now throwing second. At the completion of each end the Marker advises the Scorer which disc or discs are closest to the kitty.


• A game is usually played over five ends or as determined by the Organisers. Finals and semi-finals are usually played over ten ends or as determined by the Organisers.


• The team with the greatest aggregate of points from each game played is declared the winner.


• In the event of a TIE after the final end has been played, the Marker places the kitty centrally in the second half of the arena, ie centrally both sideways and lengthways. The lead players only throw in the play off and play with three discs each. The Marker tosses a coin to decide which player leads off. The winner of the toss elects to lead off or asks the opposing player to play first. They then throw alternately until their three discs are played. The team whose player has the disc closest to the kitty is declared the winner. Alternatively, a tied result can be resolved by playing an additional end.


• If the kitty is knocked out of the roped off arena, the team knocking it out loses that end and the opposing team is awarded three points.


• If a disc or kitty comes to rest on the rope of the arena, it will be deemed to be still in play if any part of it is in contact with the rope. The Marker will be the judge of this situation.

Adapted from the Rules as discussed and passed at the National Rally of Caravan Clubs at Horsham, December 1995.

3. SDDB Results

compiled from newsletters, annual reports and score sheets

4. NDDB Results

compiled from newsletters, annual reports and score sheets