Women’s pro tour to re-launch with USBC, BPAA commitment
October 10, 2014
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour will re-launch in 2015 with a three-year funding commitment from the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA). Preliminary plans call for a nine-event tour running from mid-summer through early fall.
“We have seen women’s bowling experience fantastic growth in the participation and skill development at the high school and collegiate level in recent years,” USBC president Andrew Cain said. “Now the USBC and BPAA are uniting to provide this talented next generation of women a professional tour to continue pursuing their passion for the sport.”
An initial framework approved by both the USBC and BPAA Boards of Directors calls for an equal investment by USBC and BPAA to support operation and guaranteed prize funds of the PWBA Tour for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. Events will have a Friday-Sunday format to allow PWBA members to bowl tour stops and have flexibility for family or job obligations during the week.
“The new PWBA Tour must fit the lifestyle balance today’s women need,” BPAA President Tom Martino said. “Women shouldn’t have to choose between pursuing their dream as a professional bowler and the stability of traditional home life. We want the new tour to be an option for as many women as possible.”
The initial framework for the 2015 PWBA Tour calls for eight regular-season tour events culminating in a PWBA Tour Championship as the ninth event. The regular season will be live streamed online with a broadcast partner sought for the PWBA Tour Championship. A search will be conducted to hire support staff with USBC and BPAA providing assistance until the structure is developed.
In the coming weeks, a process will be announced to identify host centers for the 2015 PWBA Tour stops. Additional information about PWBA membership, event format and tour structure will be released in the future and available on BOWL.com.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Leaders from USBC and BPAA will be available to answer questions from media outlets during a conference call on Wednesday, October 15 at 5 p.m. EST. Interested media members should email pr@bowl.com to request the call number and participant code.
“We have seen women’s bowling experience fantastic growth in the participation and skill development at the high school and collegiate level in recent years,” USBC president Andrew Cain said. “Now the USBC and BPAA are uniting to provide this talented next generation of women a professional tour to continue pursuing their passion for the sport.”
An initial framework approved by both the USBC and BPAA Boards of Directors calls for an equal investment by USBC and BPAA to support operation and guaranteed prize funds of the PWBA Tour for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. Events will have a Friday-Sunday format to allow PWBA members to bowl tour stops and have flexibility for family or job obligations during the week.
“The new PWBA Tour must fit the lifestyle balance today’s women need,” BPAA President Tom Martino said. “Women shouldn’t have to choose between pursuing their dream as a professional bowler and the stability of traditional home life. We want the new tour to be an option for as many women as possible.”
The initial framework for the 2015 PWBA Tour calls for eight regular-season tour events culminating in a PWBA Tour Championship as the ninth event. The regular season will be live streamed online with a broadcast partner sought for the PWBA Tour Championship. A search will be conducted to hire support staff with USBC and BPAA providing assistance until the structure is developed.
In the coming weeks, a process will be announced to identify host centers for the 2015 PWBA Tour stops. Additional information about PWBA membership, event format and tour structure will be released in the future and available on BOWL.com.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Leaders from USBC and BPAA will be available to answer questions from media outlets during a conference call on Wednesday, October 15 at 5 p.m. EST. Interested media members should email pr@bowl.com to request the call number and participant code.