HISTORY – Starting with just 6 clubs and 161 members in 1991 membership steadily grew over the next 15 years to peak at 48 clubs with over 1000 members in 2006. Since then, in common with most other counties, membership has contracted as can be seen from the table – Membership totals by year which shows the progression of membership since our foundation. The coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21 caused a virtual cessation of all bowling and membership plummeted to 431. By 2023-24, our 35 clubs had registered 712 players – a good recovery.
For a detailed breakdown of each clubs membership over the years, club see Club Membership History.

MEMBERSHIP – Any Short Mat club located within or close to the boundaries of the county of North Yorkshire can apply to join the NYSMBA by completing the following form – Club Membership Application – and sending it to our Membership Secretary. Each club pays £10pa plus £7.00pa for each of their members which includes affiliation fees to both the National Association (ESMBA) and the Northern England Association (NESMBA). Most of our current clubs are based in village halls allowing 2 or 3 mats whilst a few of the larger clubs meet in leisure centers that allow 4-6 mats or even more. Individual club membership varies from 6 to 46 (2024-25).

DEMOGRAPHIC – In 2019/20, the overall distribution by gender and age was 60% Male 40% Female with 76% aged 65+ and 7% under 55. In 2020/21,  the large drop in membership was due to the severe playing restrictions imposed on clubs by the government and ESMBA due to the Covid-19 pandemic membership. 2021-22 saw a substantial recovery in membership although it remains about 20% below pre-covid levels. The overall distribution is now 61% Male and 39% Female with 80% aged 65+ and 8% under 55.

For details of the nominated contact and the playing location for each club see Club Contacts & Locations

The map below shows the location of all our clubs.
Click on the indicators for more details and use the controls to zoom in/out and show street view