National Ranking Tour — Rules & Regulations and Selection Criteria

Ranking Tour Structure

The Ranking Tour is a series of at least 8 events carried out during the bowling season on a monthly basis to determine the current ranking of each bowler. It also assists the Selection Committee(s) and defines, when needed, who will be representing Ireland in a particular event each year.

Each season at least one event must be held in each of the Association's sanctioned bowling centres, where possible.

The Ranking Tour is comprised of three tours:

• Juniors (Under 15s and Under 18s) — age groups determined by a cut-off date of 1 September 2025
• Adults (including Under 30s)
• Seniors (over 50)

Note: from September 2024, Under 16s cannot compete in any sanctioned Adult event. Where a 16–18 year old competes in sanctioned Adult events they will not be permitted to travel as part of Adult Team Ireland, irrespective of the fact that they may have accumulated the required number of ranking points to be eligible for automatic qualification or selection.

Each season there will be at least 3 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze level events; without exception, the annual National Championships, Junior Irish Open, Senior National Championships and Irish Open will be Gold Level events. One Gold and one Silver event must be held in Northern Ireland. In addition, where possible, one event must be held outside of the Dublin area and Northern Ireland, to enable the promotion of bowling throughout the island.

Oil Patterns

In line with the Association's High Performance Plan, the following oil patterns must be utilised:

• Gold Level Events — an oil pattern of ratio 5:1 or under.
• Silver Level Events — an oil pattern of ratio between 5:1 and 8:1.
• Bronze Level Events — an oil pattern of ratio above 8:1.

Oil patterns are selected by the Coaching Sub-Committee at least 2 weeks prior to the event (a Coaching Sub-Committee member competing in that event must abstain from selecting the pattern). The Coaching Sub-Committee selects from two oil patterns sent to them by the applicable Sub-Committee prior to each event (patterns for selection must be sent to the Coaching Sub-Committee at least 3 weeks in advance of the event). The Coaching Sub-Committee will advise the bowling centre, applicable Sub-Committee, Press Relations Officer, and Webmaster of the oil pattern by email.

Event Formats

The format of each event is decided by the applicable Group Sub-Committee and will be published at least four weeks in advance on www.tenpinbowling.ie and social media accounts. Event entries will close one week prior to the event to enable planning to be finalised and lanes required confirmed with centres by the applicable Group Sub-Committee.

Each event should contest, where possible, a format of Finals, with qualification comprising of at least 6 games (5 games in the case of Seniors) — exception given to the Junior Irish Open and National Championships. The format of the finals is decided by the applicable Group Sub-Committee.

Ranking Events & Categories

The full event calendar can be viewed on www.tenpinbowling.ie. Examples of categories under which athletes can compete at each event:

• Male Scratch Section
• Female Scratch Section
• Male Handicap Section
• Female Handicap Section
• Overall Scratch Section
• Overall Handicap Section
• Under 30s Scratch Section
• Under 16s Scratch Section
• Under 19s Scratch Section
• Bantam Section

At each event athletes can also qualify for Handicap Finals. The handicap system and placings format will be advised by the applicable Sub-Committee for each event — Junior Team Ireland, Adult Team Ireland, or Senior Team Ireland.

Ranking Points

In each event, points will be awarded to both women and men, based on an athlete's scratch finishing position.

In the event of a tie on overall pinfall after qualification games, athletes in the tied positions — for example a tie for 7th position — will be awarded the points applicable for position 7 (47pts) and position 8 (45pts) combined (102pts), divided by 2 (the number of athletes in the tie), resulting in the tied athletes being awarded 51pts each.

If there is a combined division, women and men will be awarded points in relation to their final position relative to the other athletes of the same gender:

1. Points in Bronze Tournaments will be awarded to the top 50 of each gender according to the points table below.
2. Points in Silver Tournaments will be awarded to the top 50 of each gender according to the points table below, times two.
3. Points in Gold Tournaments will be awarded to the top 50 of each gender according to the points table below, times three.

In Senior Ranking Events, standard points will be awarded for all events regardless of status, other than for the Senior National Championships, where Double Points will be awarded.

Ranking Points Table

Standings & Rankings

Once a tournament is completed, the applicable Group Sub-Committee will create the Top 50 point lists in both sections — Men's and Women's — based on scores and standings provided. The standings will be published on www.tenpinbowling.ie and official social media accounts within 48 hours of the conclusion of the event.

If a tie needs to be broken for any deciding position at the end of the season, the athlete in the highest position is the one with the highest number of maximum points awarded in all tournaments, then the athlete with the highest number of second-highest maximum points awarded in all tournaments, and so on.

Tournament Rules & Regulations

Entry fees are determined by the applicable Group Sub-Committee, in line with the status of the event.

General Rules

• Registration for each squad will commence 30 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time and will close 10 minutes prior. Athletes will not be permitted to register or play after the closing time.
• Athletes must check in prior to going on the lanes.
• Resin bags/grip-sacks are only permitted to be used at the back of the players' area, kept on the table/platform area to the back of each players' area. All residue must be wiped/removed completely from the surface of any bowling ball used.
• The use of Easy-Slide or any equivalent substance is not permitted for use on bowling shoes at any time.
• Total games played are determined by the format of that specific tournament.
• Lane assignment is made randomly by the applicable Group Sub-Committee prior to commencement of the event (by random draw, not by entry times).
• Scores are required to be filled in on the official Score Sheets provided upon registration.
• To score points in a ranking event, the athlete must be a current member of Tenpin Ireland prior to the first ball being thrown in the first event they wish to avail of ranking points in.
• In the event of a tie for any position, the highest last game decides the highest positioned athlete; if a tie still exists, the highest second-last game, then third-last game, and so on.
• To comply with International Bowling Federation/Sport Ireland/Sport Northern Ireland Anti-Doping Rules, athletes will not be permitted to smoke (including e-cigarettes/vaping), consume, or be under the influence of alcohol at any point throughout the event. An athlete found to be in non-conformance will be disqualified from the event and will be subject to disciplinary action by Tenpin Ireland.
• Anti-doping procedures will be in place as stated in the Constitution; random checks may be carried out by Tenpin Ireland during any event.
• Attention will be paid to any athletes considered to be showing slow play; any slow play will be brought to the attention of the Tournament Committee, who will take appropriate action.
• All protests must be submitted to the Tournament Committee within 30 minutes of the game in which the infraction occurred.
• Complaint procedure: all complaints must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Committee within 48 hours of the event.
• Any individual whose conduct is considered derogatory or not in the best interest of the sport, on or off the lanes, during the event/Championships may be disqualified and will be reported to the Executive of Tenpin Ireland.
• Mobile phones must be turned to flight mode once practice has concluded (and at training sessions). Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
• The use of earphones, unless medically prescribed, is not permitted during training sessions or following the conclusion of the event's practice. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
• Decisions made by the Tournament Committee during the events will be binding on all parties.
• All bowlers are expected to comply with the members' Code of Ethics, Social Media Policy and Anti-Doping rules, all available on www.tenpinbowling.ie.
• Failure to comply with these Rules may result in loss of ranking points and loss of eligibility for selection. Serious breaches of the General Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics or Social Media Policy may result in loss of eligibility for selection and withdrawal of Tenpin Ireland membership.

"Tallaght Rules"

Where a Ranking Event is held in Leisureplex Tallaght, a Tournament Committee/Manager must be in place to monitor the lanes and change the score on the scoring system to reflect the pinfall left standing.

Equipment Rules

• Only bowling balls that appear on the latest United States Bowling Congress Approved Bowling Ball List may be used in each event.
• Once play has commenced, no alterations to the surface of any bowling ball by sanding/scouring (abralon, sandpaper, etc.) are permitted. Surface changes are only permitted during the practice period.
• Only approved bowling ball cleaners are permitted to be used once play has commenced.
• It is prohibited to use chemicals, solvents or other methods to change the hardness of the ball surface after it is manufactured.
• Spot checks of equipment will be in place throughout each season in Ranked events, to ensure weights, surfaces and general standard comply with USBC/IBF specifications. Penalties for a ball failing to comply:
  1. One non-compliant ball: removed from competitive play and the athlete receives a warning.
  2. More than one non-compliant ball: the ball(s) are removed from play and the applicable Sub-Committee may take further action under Tenpin Ireland's Constitution disciplinary procedures.
  3. If the participant continues to use balls deemed unsuitable after a warning, they are disqualified from the event without a refund of entry fee.

Dress Code

All athletes must adhere to the dress code requirements below. Failure to comply will result in zero ranking points for the attended event. These rules apply throughout each season in all Association-affiliated events including official training sessions.

1. Athletes must wear a bowling shirt, whether polo or dye-sublimated — a shirt directly affiliated within the Tenpin Bowling Industry. It is no longer a requirement for bowlers to have their full name or surname visible in print or embroidery on the back of a collared/sports shirt. The bowling shirt must not contain any logos which compromise the integrity of the Association.
2. Participants may wear plain-coloured dress slacks, tracksuit bottoms, sports leggings, tailored golf shorts, skirts or skorts. Skirts, skorts or shorts must be below the participant's fingertips when standing with arms hanging down at their side, and must be long enough not to expose the wearer's bottom area (even if covered by under shorts) at any time, standing or bent over.
3. Prohibited items include denim, jeans, combats, sleeveless shirts, t-shirts or V-neck t-shirts, large studded belts/straps/buckles, and street shoes.
4. Where a Team Manager or Tournament Committee has been ratified by the Executive, dress code details within the Association's overall Code will be advised to participants; the Team Manager will advise of dress code for international representation.
5. Members of the applicable Sub-Committee have the final say on whether attire is suitable for participation in a Ranked event. Queries and complaints can be sent formally to: [email protected] (Juniors), [email protected] (Team Ireland and U30s), [email protected] (Seniors).

Injury/Withdrawal Criterion

In case of an injury (a partial decision is made on site by the Tournament Committee, then validated at the following applicable Group Sub-Committee meeting) or an athlete withdrawing during the course of the event: the player shall receive points based on their final position in the event once any games not played have had a zero (0) score assigned for any games not played.

Tournament Committees

A Tournament Committee will be in place at each ranking event throughout the season, formed by the applicable Group Sub-Committee unless delegation is advised to the Executive of who is fulfilling this role. The Tournament Committee is responsible for:

• Enforcing the rules of the ranking tour at each event.
• Event registration (email/Google Form etc.).
• Lane assignments (by random draw, not by event entry time).
• Lane movements.
• Scores/results/scoresheets.
• Decisions on injuries and any dispute or eventuality occurring during the event.
• Monitoring lanes in Tallaght and changing the scores on the scoring system to reflect pinfall left.

Throughout each season there will be at least one member of the applicable Group Sub-Committee at each ranking event to uphold and enforce the Integrity Rules.

Integrity Rules

An athlete:

• Must adhere to the General Code of Conduct.
• Must carry themselves in a respectful manner.
• May not hit or damage any bowling centre property.
• May not use profanity while participating, whether in a positive or negative manner.
• Must treat other competitors, staff and proprietors with respect and will not be derogatory towards them in any way during competition.
• Must not distract other competitors while they are competing.

Penalties

(All penalties are subject to ratification from the Executive of Tenpin Ireland.)

• Verbal warning.
• Yellow Card — reduces earned ranking points by 25% (no refund of entry fee).
• Red Card — reduces earned ranking points by 75% (no refund of entry fee).
• Black Card — reduces earned ranking points by 100% and suspension for the following three ranked events (no refund of entry fee).
• Four or more Integrity Rule breaches in one event: removal from the competition and possible disciplinary hearing under Tenpin Ireland's Constitution, with either the applicable Sub-Committee or the Executive.

Appeals

All penalties can be appealed, but must be done formally by email to the applicable Sub-Committee no later than 24 hours after the penalty has been issued. This does not impact an athlete's rights of appeal as set out in Tenpin Ireland's Constitution.

Sponsorship

Any sponsorship secured by the applicable Group Sub-Committee is to be utilised for event prize funds, reduced entry fees to National Championships, and to reduce the costs of the applicable Triple Crown, Under 30s Euro Nations Challenge, European Men's Championships, European Youth Championships, or European Champions Cup.

Selection Criteria — 2026 Events (Transition Period)

• The Selection Committee is appointed by the Executive of Tenpin Ireland.
• The Executive, in consultation with the applicable Group Sub-Committee, will appoint a Team Manager and (if required) an Assistant Team Manager, who assumes responsibility over any teams selected. The Team Manager signs a Team Manager's Contract setting out duties and responsibilities before, during and after any event.
• The Executive, in consultation with the Coaches Sub-Committee, will ratify Coach(es) for Squad training sessions and/or to travel with representatives.
• Where selection is necessary to determine which athlete(s) shall represent Ireland, this is the responsibility of the Selection Committee in compliance with the Constitution. The Selection Committee confirms it will use the criteria in this document for any selection representation, including (but not exclusively) Triple Crowns, European Championships of Champions, and European Men's/Women's Championships.
• To be considered for selection for events held in 2026, an athlete must submit a Bowling CV to their applicable Group Sub-Committee (see below).
• To be eligible for a place on a Squad: (i) must be a current member of Tenpin Ireland and hold a current Irish Passport, or (ii) be a non-Irish passport holder resident in Ireland/Northern Ireland at time of application for a minimum of 2 years, and must not have represented any other country (other than Ireland/Northern Ireland) at international level within the last 2 years.

Bowling CV

Athletes who wish to be considered to represent Ireland at the events below in 2026 must submit a Bowling CV to their applicable Group Sub-Committee by 5pm on 31 October 2025:

• European Youth Championships (Junior Sub-Committee)
• Youth Triple Crown (Junior Sub-Committee)
• U30s Euro Nations Challenge (Team Ireland Sub-Committee)
• European Women's Championships (Team Ireland Sub-Committee)
• Adult Triple Crown (Team Ireland Sub-Committee)
• European Grand Senior Championships (Senior Sub-Committee) — deadline 1 October 2025
• Senior Triple Crown (Senior Sub-Committee)

The Bowling CV must include:

• Athlete name and date of birth
• Years bowling
• 24/25 National Ranking Tour average (top 6 qualifying pinfall)
• Medals and achievements (including notable performances in PBA/PWBA/EBTs/YETs)
• Domestic and international events where the athlete represented Ireland/Northern Ireland (World Cup, World Championships, European Championships, Triple Crowns)
• Bowling qualifications held (e.g. EBF Coaching Certification, I.B.P.S.I.A, lane sanctioning)

Following closure of CV submissions, the applicable Group Sub-Committee sends CVs to the Selection Committee, who review them and select the following squad sizes, to be ratified by the Executive:

An athlete can be on more than one squad — for example, on both the Team Ireland U30s Men's Squad and the Team Ireland Men's Squad. Players selected to represent Ireland must sign and return a Players Contract to the ratified Team Manager; under 5.5.5 of the Constitution, the applicable Sub-Committee Secretary sends a selection letter to the Squad Member, and the Selection Committee decides the deadline to accept or reject the place.

Wildcards & Exemptions

The 2025/26 Wildcard and Exemption criteria are covered on a dedicated page: see Wildcards & Exemptions.

Selection Criteria (general, all 2026 events)

The Selection Committee will utilise the following selection criteria for all international and domestic events:

• Athlete's adherence to Tenpin Ireland's Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.
• Athlete's attendance at Squad training sessions.
• Athlete's performance in Ranking Events — consideration given to previous season and current season's performance.
• Athlete's prior international and domestic representation and performance.
• An exempt athlete will earn an automatic place on any team.
• Athlete's ranking points — consideration given to previous season and current season's performance.
• Athlete's National Tour average as stipulated for each event (consideration may be given to league average).
• Feedback from Team Manager(s) and Coach(es) where the athlete has represented Ireland in January 2023 – December 2025.
• Wildcards will be considered based on the above criteria.

The European Championships of Champions will be represented by the Adult Tenpin Ireland National Champions for that season. In a season where there is a Commonwealth Championships, the Selection Committee will advise those eligible (only Northern Ireland residents) of the selection criteria, following Executive approval.

2026 Events — Dates, Team Sizes & Target Averages

Reformatted from the source's per-event prose sections into a single table; every figure below is transcribed exactly as printed. The European Grand Senior Championships row is flagged separately below — the source text's own ratification/selection months for that event appear to predate its event date, which looks like an error in the source document rather than something to silently correct.

Note on the European Grand Senior Championships row: the source document lists this event's dates as 30 January – 8 February 2026, but gives "End of October 2026" and "End of November 2026" as the Team Manager/Coach ratification and team-selection months. That is reproduced exactly as printed, flagged here because it appears internally inconsistent — do not treat it as a typo we've silently fixed.

2026 European Champions Cup: the Male and Female Champions of the Tenpin Ireland Adult National Championships in May 2026 represent Ireland at the 2026 European Champions Cup, Ankara, Turkey, 27 September – 4 October 2026.

Overall Summary & Anti-Doping

It is the responsibility of the athlete to ensure compliance with all the Rules and Regulations in this document. Queries about a rule or penalty should go to the applicable Sub-Committee: [email protected] (Junior Team Ireland), [email protected] (Adult Team Ireland), [email protected] (Senior Team Ireland).

These Rules and Regulations, ratified by the Executive of Tenpin Bowling Ireland, are intended to bring more integrity and professionalism into the sport nationally. Any rules in this document are in addition to the General Rules of Tenpin Bowling Ireland, and are effective as of 1 September 2025, covering all Association affiliated events including official training sessions.

All athletes must comply with Irish Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA 2025 code). Tenpin Ireland supports the Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Unit, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UKAD's anti-doping rules; doping can be reported via www.sportireland.ie.

Appendix A — 2027 Selection Criteria Onwards

The eligibility, Team Manager/Coach appointment and Selection Committee provisions are the same as the 2026 transition rules above, with squad qualification changing to a season-end, points-based system rather than a Bowling CV:

• At the end of each Ranking Tour season, the Selection Committee submits Squads for ratification to the Executive Committee for both men and women. If a Squad Member is not accepted by the Executive Board, the next available athlete is put forward. A Squad is only formed once the Executive Board has ratified it.
• To be eligible for a place on a Squad, an athlete must compete in a minimum of 5 ranking events within the relevant category, throughout the season, of which one must be in Northern Ireland (unless otherwise stated in the specific Championship selection criteria). Ranking points are not rolled over between seasons.
• Where more than 8 ranking events are held in a season, the minimum events required scales up (see "How to qualify for a Squad" below).
• All Squad Members will be invited to Squad training sessions throughout the season.

How to qualify for a place on a Squad

At the end of each ranking tour season, the following applies to determine who earns a place on the applicable Squad for the following season:

• 8 ranking events (standard): best 6 of 8 ranking point totals; must bowl in a minimum of 5 ranking events (one in Northern Ireland) and also in the applicable National Championships.
• 9 ranking events: best 7 of 9 ranking point totals; minimum 6 ranking events (one in Northern Ireland) and the applicable National Championships.
• 10 ranking events: best 8 of 10 ranking point totals; minimum 7 ranking events (one in Northern Ireland) and the applicable National Championships.

Only bowlers on a squad (unless meeting the Wildcard/Exemption criteria) can be selected for international/domestic events the following season:

An athlete can be on more than one squad. Qualifying for the applicable Squad at the end of each season enables international and domestic competition teams to be selected at least 6 months prior to the tournament, and enables squads to train together (with reserves) before the team for a specific tournament is selected. See the note on Appendix B below for the source's worked examples.

Wildcard / Exemptions (Appendix A)

Identical in substance to the 2025-26 Wildcard/Exemption criteria on the Wildcards & Exemptions page.

Team Manager & Coach ratification — by Championship

Not all of these Championships are held every year; participation is subject to Executive Board ratification each season.

Team/individual selected by — by Championship

Selection Criteria (Appendix A)

Same as the 2026 general criteria above, with one wording difference: feedback is drawn from "the previous two seasons" the athlete represented Ireland, rather than a fixed Jan 2023 – Dec 2025 window.

2027-onwards target averages by event

European Champions Cup (Appendix A): the Male and Female Champions of the Tenpin Ireland Adult National Championships represent Ireland at the European Champions Cup.

Appendix B — Example Squads

The source PDF (page 40) contains a section titled "Appendix B – Example Squads" that did not yield extractable text during PDF-to-text conversion — it appears to be a graphic or image-based table rather than text. Its contents are not reproduced here to avoid guessing at them. Contact the Executive for the source PDF if you need the worked examples.