Everything you need to know about how EBCS works, the coaching pathway, and how to get started.
The English Bowls Coaches Society is a national coaching body for lawn bowls in England. We qualify coaches, keep them compliant, and support them throughout their coaching career.
All EBCS coaching follows the National Coaching Programme — a structured set of methods, standards, and assessments delivered consistently across England.
Coaches progress from Level 1 (foundation) through Level 2 (independent coaching) to Level 3 (advanced). Experienced coaches can go on to become Trainers and Assessors.
Every EBCS coach holds a current Enhanced DBS certificate and safeguarding qualification. We track expiry dates and remind you before anything lapses.
Create your account, pay your annual membership, then tell us who you are and where you bowl. Registration is for coaches who already hold an EBCS qualification — if you are not yet qualified, start with the new coaches pathway instead.
All coaches need a current Enhanced DBS certificate and a recognised safeguarding qualification. Once you're registered, you can record both in your member dashboard — and we'll remind you well before either expires.
New coaches complete the Level 1 course with a qualified EBCS Trainer, covering the core principles of the National Coaching Programme — safety, session delivery, and working with new bowlers.
An EBCS Assessor confirms you've met the Level 1 standard. Once the EBCS team records your qualification, you receive your membership certificate and lanyard ID, and unlock your level's coaching resources.
Continue your development through experience or CPD, advance to Level 2 and Level 3, and — if you want to help develop the next generation of coaches — train to become an EBCS Trainer or Assessor.
Click Register and complete the three-step registration form:
Once you've submitted, the EBCS team checks your details and confirms your registration — you'll get an email as soon as it's confirmed, and the resources for your qualification become available. Memberships run 1 January – 31 December; pay between October and December and you're covered for the whole of the following year.
Already EBCS-qualified? Register today. Not yet qualified? Train to be a coach.