Leamington law firm Berrymans Solicitors has won the contract to provide legal services and a members’ helpline for Bowls England, the sport’s national governing body.

Kevin Mitchell, a partner in the commercial department and sports unit, said the firm has been appointed to act for the national organisation, its regions and 2,500 clubs across 35 counties; and to provide a legal helpline. “Bowls England, which is in the process of moving its headquarters from Worthing to Leamington, is just the right organisation for our sports unit, which has considerable expertise and experience in acting for sports bodies and running legal helplines for members,” said Mr Mitchell.

In addition to Bowls England, Berrymans Solicitors acts for British Swimming, British Eventing, British Blind Sport, the national Rugby Coaches Association, the national Elite Cricket Coaches Association and Riding for the Disabled. It also represents international rugby players, county cricketers, athletics coaches and Olympic horsemen, as well such local concerns such as Warwick Boat Club and Leamington Cricket Club.

Tony Allcock, Bowls England chief executive and 15 times world champion, said: “Berrymans Solicitors came to us well recommended and we’ve got on really well with them. They speak the language that we want to hear and they have a great track record with other sporting organisations.”

Bowls England resulted from a merger in 2008 between the men’s English Bowling Association and the English Women’s Bowls Association.

The move means that regional, national and international men’s tournaments will now be played at Leamington; which has long been the national base for women bowlers.

Mr Allcock, who was awarded the MBE for services to sports and sport in the community (working with disabled and blind bowlers), said the move was primarily about economics and geography and would make Leamington the new ‘Wimbledon’ of bowls. “It makes sense for us to have our headquarters in Leamington as it is much more central than Worthing and it will make it easier and cheaper for players to get to tournaments at the Leamington club in Victoria Park, Archery Road.”

CAPTION: Bowls England chief executive and 15 times world champion Tony Allcock MBE with commercial lawyer Kevin Mitchell from Berrymans Solicitors