Prepare to be blown away with adrenaline fuelled hits and lightening quick action as a new format of lawn bowls revolutionises the game as we know it.

Later this year the Australian Premier League will be launched. An initiative expected to transform the way lawn bowls is played, viewed and perceived.

Bowls Australia chief executive officer Neil Dalrymple anticipates this competition will take the sport to a new level.

"We are confident the APL will become the world's most popular format of the game.

"The competition is sure to attract the best players from around the globe to Australia, where they will have the opportunity to vie for unprecedented prize money and exposure," he said.

World number two Brett Wilkie believes this new format of play will take the bowling world by storm.

"The APL will take the best elements of the game and mix them into a high impact, highly competitive and fast paced version of the sport in a City v City national competition," Wilkie said.

"The action-packed formula will provide today's fans with what they are craving - an avalanche of shots, pure match intensity and a game delivered with speed.

"I'm excited to be involved in the APL and look forward to seeing it take off amongst players and supporters," he said.

The evolution aims to broaden the appeal of the sport by developing commercial opportunities with television broadcasters and providing an alternative format of bowls, to drive an increase in participation at clubs.

Individual clubs, state associations, regions and private organisations will be given the opportunity to purchase licenses for the competition with benefits that include naming rights, shirt sponsorship, venue advertising and television exposure.

Stay tuned as we announce a launching date for this thrilling new competition.

To view a preview video on the APL visit http://youtu.be/sA9e2seTQzo.

A sneak peak at the APL:

*        Eight teams from five capital cities will lock horns over 14 rounds.

*        Teams will consist of three players and a coach, with a pairs play format of two bowls per player, with two sets of five ends and a one end tie-break if required.

*        Teams can call upon a Super Sub player rotation to play one shot in any end, lending the game to an array of tactical and strategic opportunities for specialty bowlers.

*        A draw card for the competition will be the Power Play ends, which allows the coach of each team to dictate one end per set where their shots are doubled.

For further details, please contact:
Katie Maynes
Communications and Marketing Manager
Bowls Australia
kmaynes@bowlsaustralia.com.au<mailto:malbert@bowlsaustralia