SIBC Winter Season Begins with World Championship Qualification

The winter season has barely begun, and SIBC members have already given the club plenty to celebrate.

As the new league programme got underway this afternoon, attention was not only on the opening fixtures at home. Solihull players have also been busy on the national stage already, with a standout result in the World Open Pairs qualifiers and several strong performances across recent events in Bromley and Nottingham.

The biggest news comes from Emily Kernick, who travelled to Bromley in Kent to partner Katherine Rednall in the World Open Pairs qualifiers. After beating five different opponents, the pair secured one of the first available places at the World Indoor Championships, which will be played at Potters in January.

It is a superb achievement at the start of the indoor season, and it gives SIBC members an early reminder of the standard being set across the club.

Emily Kernick secures a place at Potters

Emily Kernick’s qualification for the World Indoor Championships is a major moment in the opening weeks of the season.

Travelling to Bromley for any qualifier brings pressure. The standard is high, the margins are tight, and every match asks for focus from the first end to the last. To come through five rounds against different opponents takes more than good form. It takes patience, clear shot selection, and the ability to manage momentum when the match changes quickly.

Emily and Katherine Redial did exactly that. Their run through the World Open Pairs qualifiers earned them one of the first places at Potters in January, where the World Indoor Championships remain one of the sport’s most respected stages.

For Emily, this is not unfamiliar territory. Earlier this year, she reached the Semi Final of the Ladies Singles and the Final of the Mixed Pairs, showing her ability to compete deep into the biggest events. Returning to the championship setting in January adds another exciting chapter to that record.

At club level, results like this matter. They give members a clear sense of what is possible. They also show the strength of competitive bowls within SIBC, from league players building rhythm through the winter to those chasing national qualification places.

The timing makes it even better. With the new winter league season starting today, Emily’s success gives the club an early lift and sets a positive tone for the weeks ahead.

SIBC players are making their mark in national events

Emily’s qualification is the headline, but she has not been the only SIBC player representing the club in national events over recent weekends.

Solihull players have been involved across a number of competitions, with players travelling, competing, and putting themselves in contention against strong fields. These weekends can be demanding. Matches often come close together, and players must adapt quickly to different venues, carpets, and opponents.

Tom Holmes has had good runs at both Bromley and Nottingham. Having reached the last 16 last year, he will be hoping to make his way back to the World Championships through the remaining qualifiers.

Tom’s recent performances suggest he is again in the mix, and there will be plenty of interest around his remaining qualifying opportunities.

Several other SIBC members have also been working hard for one of the prestigious World Championship places. Those involved include:

• Matt Grundy

• Gary Langford

• Hannah Smith

  
  

Each of them adds to the sense that SIBC is well represented beyond its own rinks this season and we wish them all the best of luck in any upcoming qualification events.

The winter league programme gets underway

Back at the club, the winter league programme began this afternoon.

For many members, league bowls are the backbone of the indoor season. They bring structure to the week, give players regular competitive games, and create the shared rhythm that carries the club through the colder months.

A good league programme does more than produce scores. It helps new partnerships settle. It gives players time to build confidence. It lets teams learn how to handle close finishes, difficult heads, and changing match situations.

As the weeks progress, SIBC will aim to keep members up to date with the latest league results. That will help players follow the tables, track early form, and see which teams are beginning to find consistency.

County fixtures are next on the horizon

Alongside the club league programme and national qualifiers, Warwickshire County matches are also set to begin soon.

That adds another important part to the winter calendar. County bowls gives players a chance to represent beyond the club, meet different opposition, and be part of fixtures that carry their own tradition and pride.

Matches in the Liberty Trophy, Atherley, and friendly fixtures are on the horizon. Each offers something slightly different.

The Liberty (Men's) & Atherley (Ladies) brings a competitive county setting and asks for strong team performance across the board.

Friendly matches, while often more relaxed in tone, remain valuable. They help players gain experience, build links with other clubs, and enjoy county bowls in a welcoming setting.

Members interested in playing for the County in friendly matches should check the fixture list available on the ramp into the bowls hall and inform Tom if they are available to play.

Friendly fixtures are also a good step for players who may want to become more involved in representative bowls. They can offer a chance to gain confidence, learn the flow of county matches, and play alongside different teammates.

The social side should not be overlooked either. Indoor bowls clubs thrive when members take an interest in each other’s results. A good league match, a county call-up, or a strong weekend at a qualifier all add to the same shared story.

SIBC has already had a reason to celebrate. Now the task is to carry that energy into the league season and the fixtures ahead.