Having first hosted the Championships in 1999, Potters has seen hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts arrive to watch the best players compete for the biggest titles. So we thought we’d dig into some stats and facts after 26 years of hosting the biggest event in bowls.
Judy’s Jacket raises thousands for good causes
Every year, Judy Potter keeps bowls enthusiasts on tenterhooks with a simple choice of jacket. Across 17 days, our stewards will invite visitors to enter the popular ‘Guess the Colour of Judy’s Jacket’ competition.
Those who predict the colour Judy will wear at the Open Singles Final enter a draw to win a break. But most importantly, valuable funds are raised for good causes in the wider Potters community.
Guess the Colour of Judy’s Jacket has raised over £20,000 for good causesBeneficiaries of over £20,000 raised during the World Indoor Bowls Championships since 2015 have included Guide Dogs, Gorleston and Great Yarmouth Lifeboat, and most recently, a Suffolk bowls club promoting visually impaired bowls.
The crew at Gorleston & Great Yarmouth Lifeboat have benefitted from new life-saving equipmentThe bowl seen around the world
The biggest winners from north of the border
While household names like David Bryant CBE, Richard Corsie MBE and Tony Allcock OBE graced the International Arena and their legacy is undoubted, the last 26 years have seen a different generation of bowlers making a big impression in the sport.
Alex Marshall MBE has led the way when it comes to the Open Singles Title. He’s lifted the trophy six times since 1999 (in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2015).
Alex Marshall MBE with the last of his six Open Singles titles in 2015His Scottish counterpart Paul Foster MBE is just one title behind however, having won the title in 1998 (the last championships held at Preston’s Guild Hall), before adding to his tally at Potters in 2001, 2005, 2011 and 2017.
They’ve made a pretty formidable partnership too, winning the Open Pairs title four times between 2011 and 2019.
Strengthening Scotland’s recent success, Stewart Anderson took home his third title in 2024, having also won in 2013 and 2019.
2024 Open Singles Champion, Stewart AndersonIn fact, across 26 years of the Championships at Potters, the Open Singles title has been won 13 times by these three Scots!
England’s finest
Meanwhile a broader mix of English champions has seen only Mark Dawes lift the trophy more than once. Tony Allcock OBE, Mervyn King, Billy Jackson, Greg Harlow, Andy Thomson MBE, Nick Brett, Robert Paxton, Less Gillett and Jamie Walker have also claimed a title in the International Arena at Potters since 1999.
Katherine Rednall has recently dominated the Ladies MatchplayEngland’s ladies however, have dominated the Ladies Matchplay title since 1999, claiming the trophy 15 times. Rebecca Field, Debbie Stavrou (x2), Carol Ashby (x3) and Ellen Faulkner (x3) are notable names. But it’s Katherine Rednall’s recent dominance that has seen her lift the Ladies Matchplay title a record-breaking six times.
A sporting event unlike any other
Many of those involved in ensuring the Championships run smoothly also stay on the Resort throughout the event.
Greg Harlow, Potters Resorts Bowls Ambassador & current World Number 15, says: “These Championships are unlike any other sporting event in the world. It’s a chance for bowls enthusiasts to experience the sport’s best venue, while enjoying the outstanding hospitality Potters is known for.
“It’s such a unique atmosphere with everyone bumping shoulders with each other. I can’t think of any other world sporting event where that happens.”
You can follow all the action from The Ambassador Cruise Line 2025 World Indoor Bowls Championships, including player info, daily schedules and live action, by simply clicking here.
And it’s not too late to get your plans in place for a brilliant day trip either. You can grab your seats here.
