Inter County Championships

Every year, the British Tenpin Bowling Association (BTBA) hold a competition between eligible Counties/Area Associations of England to produce County Champions for Male and Female Teams at all levels.

To be eligible to bowl for Sussex, you must compete in the trials, bowlers must have BTBA Competitive Membership (Juniors require league membership), be born in or reside in Sussex. You can check your eligibility here.

We currently enter the following divisions; Under 13, Under 16, Under 22 (all mixed teams), Open Male, Open Female, Senior Male (50+), Senior Female (50+), Super Senior (65+)

🎳 Why should bowlers trial for the Inter-County Championships?
Trialling for Sussex is about far more than just bowling a few games. It’s one of the most rewarding and important pathways in English tenpin bowling.

🏆 1. Represent Your County with Pride

Being selected means you get to wear your county colours and represent Sussex Tenpin Bowling Association at one of the highest domestic team competitions in the country. There’s a huge sense of pride in bowling not just for yourself, but for Sussex.

📈 2. Test Yourself Against the Best

The Inter-County Championships bring together the strongest bowlers from every county. It’s a genuine measure of where your game stands and a chance to challenge yourself under pressure.

🤝 3. Experience True Team Bowling

County bowling is very different from leagues or singles events. You learn:

• Team strategy and lane play

• Supporting teammates under pressure

• Performing when every frame matters

These skills translate directly into better tournament and league results.

🌟 4. Player Development & Growth

Trials and county squads expose bowlers to:

• Competitive environments

• Feedback from experienced coaches and selectors

• A higher standard of preparation and discipline

Many bowlers see noticeable improvements in their game simply by being part of the process.

🛣️ 5. Pathway to Higher Honours

County bowling is often a stepping stone toward national recognition, including selection discussions at higher levels. Even if that’s not your goal, the experience itself raises your standard.

🧠 6. Mental Toughness & Confidence

Bowling for your county builds:

• Resilience

• Focus under pressure

• Confidence in your ability

Once you’ve bowled in an ICC environment, many other competitions feel far less intimidating.

👥 7. Be Part of Something Bigger

Trialling supports your county association and helps keep county bowling alive and competitive. Even if you’re not selected, taking part strengthens the sport locally and shows commitment to its future.

🎯 In short

You should trial for the Inter-County Championships because it:

• Pushes your bowling to the next level

• Gives you pride, experience, and growth

• Connects you with a passionate bowling community

• Opens doors you may not even know exist yet
  

Whether you’re aiming to make the team now or in the future, you don’t know how far you can go unless you put your name down and give it a go 💙🎳

The trials consist of bowling five games in a league format under BTBA rules.

The qualifying bowlers for each team will be selected from the top 15 bowlers in each category. The top two bowlers from each category are guaranteed to play two games at the Inter-County qualifying event (open and senior categories). Juniors and Super Senior teams go straight to the Championship event, with the top two qualifying bowlers also guaranteed two games.

• Under 13 (must be under 13 at any point during the year of the tournament) - 3 person team, plus 2 reserves

• Under 16 (must be under 16 at any point during the year of the tournament) - 4 person team, plus 2 reserves

• Under 22 (must be under 22 at any point during the year of the tournament) - 4 person team, plus 2 reserves

• Open Male - 5 person team, plus 2 reserves

• Open Female - 4 person team, plus 2 reserves

• Senior Male (must be 50+ at any point during the year of the tournament) 5 person team, plus 2 reserves

• Senior Female (must be 50+ at any point during the year of the tournament) - 4 person team, plus 2 reserves

• Super Senior (must be 65+ at any point during the year of the tournament)- 4 person team, plus 2 reserves

Bowlers are welcome to enter multiple divisions provided they are eligible.

The chosen players for each team will compete alongside bowlers from other counties in a qualifying event. Dates for 2025 are as follows:

Senior Inter County Championship Qualifying - 8th June 2025, Dunstable

Open Inter County Championship Qualifying - 6th and 7th September 2025, Hollywood Bowl Poole.