Who are our National Council members and what do their roles involve? Our series will cover each of our heads of departments and their involvement in our sport from the time they first bowled to what’s in store for the future.
We continue with one of our hardest working members, Meet Daniel Bonfield
You rolled 300 this week with an old skool remake bowling ball and your 17th overall, it’s been a while since your YAC doubles win, could we see a retro basher bonfield win in 2026?
My last 300 was February 2020 when I went back to back (don’t like to talk about it) and a week later the world went mental, we had to ration toilet paper and couldn’t leave the house for 18 months… so I’m bit scared what will happen this time around. A win in 2026… I always feel there’s a big win in me ! – I think the sort of average player where one day it will come together and I’ll be a “dark horse” winner of something major…. perhaps the 2026 Senior London International tournament planned in August ! with £1,000 guaranteed first prize… stay tuned for that entry form !!
A long time bowler having started as a junior and now entering senior events, the first in the UK to start a bowling website and many local bowling events, what made you now decide to take the Director of BTBA membership services role?
Simply I was asked ! So I submitted an application for the role. It’s an important position within British Tenpin governance because it acts as the bridge between our rank‑and‑file members and both the National Council and Executive Council.
The governance chain works like this: your Local Associations are the BTBA. They feed into the Regional Officers, who then feed into me. So, if you ever need clarification, want to raise an issue, or have suggestions, your first point of contact should always be your Local Association. Most of the time they can answer your questions directly, and if not, they escalate it up the chain.
And of course it works the other way too. When the Council launches new initiatives, like the Community Member programme, we cascade that information down to the Local Associations, who then share it with their members.
It’s not too different from how England is governed: local councillors, then MPs, then Ministers, and finally the Prime Minister… or Geoff, as we call him.
I expect the role to be re‑advertised in the summer. I’m only covering it for now, because it’s far too important to leave vacant—and that was almost the case last year until I put my application in. So, if you see it advertised again and you believe you can help drive British Tenpin forward, please do apply.
Now for the incoming gear‑grinder… I speak to so many people who are passionate, enthusiastic, and full of strong opinions about bowling in this country. But when roles within British Tenpin are advertised, very few people actually step forward. And I genuinely don’t understand why.
Yes, it can be hard work at times, and yes, Council meetings can involve differing opinions. But it’s far from a toxic environment. Our chairman is incredibly supportive of what each department is trying to achieve and trusts us to deliver. He needs to be aware of what we’re working on so he’s not blindsided, but he doesn’t interfere in a negative way.
By the way that was my short answer !
Bowling has changed a lot in your lifetime, membership down, less sanctioned centres or many things in life to distract from our sport, how do you plan to get more people joining leagues, tournaments and the BTBA?
Wow… I’ve mentioned about the Community Membership above. It’s a free entry‑level membership designed for casual and open bowlers. They complete a simple registration form where we collect their email address and county. Once they’re signed up, I send them a monthly email. That email includes a list of coaches, sanctioned leagues, tournaments, and pro shops available in their county, along with a small piece of bowling trivia to help build their understanding of the sport. For example, last month’s email explained how handicaps work, to reassure new bowlers that they can join a league without worrying about being outclassed or “not good enough.” The whole aim is to identify the number of casual and open bowlers, educate them about the sport, and gradually guide them toward sanctioned play.
Alongside this, the regionals and I have built on the good work started by Neil Taylor and have developed a new approach to recognising the contribution of Local Associations. We’ve introduced Local Rewards based on a set of measurable targets for associations to work towards. We need Local Associations to take a more active role in driving membership locally and delivering initiatives tailored to bowlers in their own area. They’re essential to the sport’s growth, and I believe we need to empower them to make a meaningful impact on our future success.
You are certainly thinking outside of the box in some ideas, what are some of the bolder and wilder things you have thought of?
We have already rolled out the Local Association Rewards, which replaces the old rebates based solely on membership numbers in each county. The new REWARDS framework provides a transparent, fair, and motivating way to measure association performance in key areas that contribute to the sport’s health and growth: engagement, communication, and tournament activity. Local Association have performance based measurables and at the end of the year will be graded – Bronze, Silver, of Gold.
Another idea is to strengthen the sanctioned league proposition, and with the new appointment of the Membership Technical Co-Ordinator (Lee Cocker) we’ll be looking at how our Membership Portal is easier to use and update for our league secretaires. Ultimately, my goal is to strengthen Local Area governance by encouraging them to step up, take ownership, and lead the growth of membership within their own counties. The Regional teams and I will be there to support them every step of the way. As our membership grows, we’ll be able to expand and enhance the benefits we offer to all members.
I also want to highlight an important member of the Membership Team: Vicky Knightsbridge, our Head of Inclusion & Diversity. Vicky’s role is far more than a tick in the box. I’ve asked her to help us broaden bowling’s appeal and ensure our sport is welcoming to people of all ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and abilities. She’s already driving meaningful progress. Recently, she established a partnership with Parkinson’s UK, we have a Pride event planned for the summer, and she has produced a series of player profiles featuring bowlers with disabilities, demonstrating that bowling truly is a sport for everyone.
Bowling is very much a family sport, lots of individuals but they soon become part of the bowling family, you, your significant other and kids all bowl in leagues and tournaments, can you put in words what bowling can actually be for people?
At its core, bowling is a place where people can feel they truly belong. Our community is incredibly closeknit ,more like one big, occasionally chaotic family. I’ve got friends in bowling I’ve played with and against for over forty years. We’ve grown up together. We’ve celebrated marriages, supported each other through divorces, welcomed children and grandchildren. It’s not just a night out or just a tournament. It’s time spent in familiar, friendly company with people who’ve become lifelong friends. This sport has brought so many couples together in marriage because leagues and tournaments are mixed and inclusive. What other sport lets an entire family play on the same team? I can bowl a trio’s league with Alison and one of the girls, and thanks to handicaps, we can still compete and even win. Bowling is one of the few sports where every generation can play together, at the same time, on the same lanes. It’s a genuine community, built on connection, friendship, and love. I don’t know if them words actually do it full justice…
Where did it all start for you and how did you become a champion in the sport?
My journey in bowling started long before I ever realised it was a journey. As a kid, my grandparents used to take me along to their evening leagues at the old Hemel Bowl. I’d sit at the back, absolutely mesmerised, watching the likes of Steve Potts behaving terribly and loving every second of it.
Saturday mornings became practice sessions with my grandad, then YBC, and I won the house championship in my first year, right‑handed, no less. Then Hemel closed, and off I went to Harrow YBC, where we behaved terribly… but it was brilliant fun.
Fast‑forward a bit: in the late ’90s I built the first bowling news website. By the mid‑2000s I’d moved to Bedfordshire and, for the first time, felt like I had a true “home centre.” I joined the local association committee, became secretary, moved onto the National Council, served as a Team England selector, then stepped away to run tournaments and drop‑in leagues.
Then last year the Chairman lit the beacon. He needed a hero. He couldn’t find one… so I stepped up.
I’ve done the apprenticeships. I’ve done the roles. I’ve been out there, meeting people, listening, learning, and doing the miles. I relate to league bowlers, tournament bowlers, and all three generations in our sport, the Young Guns, the 30–49 crowd, and the seniors. I’m down with the kids, cool and relevant (obviously), but also old enough to respect the wisdom and experience of those who paved the way.
After more than 40 years as both a bowler and an official, I’ve built up a lot of ideas and opinions. Most bowlers have them, the difference is that when I get an idea, I have to test it to see if it’s actually any good. Sometimes that means asking important questions like: Can I spin a bowling ball on my head? (No.) Or Can I wear the same bowling shirt for a whole year without washing it? (Yes.)
I’m also pretty sure I have ADHD, though I’ve never been diagnosed, keep meaning to look into it, but then I get distracted. What it does mean is that I’m not great at relaxing. I need to be doing something. If I’m doing nothing, I feel like I’m wasting time.
Bowling has filled that time for over four decades — and it still does.
Let me tell all the readers who have made it this far about my next “amazing” idea… I’m bringing back the London International, but for seniors, and thanks to 3 generous sponsors, Qubica AMF, Sundon Model Shop and RBS pro shop I can announce that first prize is a guaranteed £1000 ! – There will be 4 days of qualifying August 27th through August 30th with the finals on BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY ! – just like the old days !
Am I champion of the sport – nah I’m just a bloke doing stuff.