THIS year signals a fresh start for crown green bowls in Warrington.

It is an exciting time for the sport with new facilities, an additional focus on youth development and a ranking table for the town’s crack shots all coming into play.

Bank Park’s £2.2million facelift includes becoming the first venue in the world to provide the sport with two floodlit artificial greens, with a new pavilion also a part of the plan.

An academy team has been set up for players aged 12 to 24 to help bring through up-and-coming talent in the town.

Also new is the Warrington Bowls Circuit and Livewire Ranking Table, with prizes to be paid out to the top three players at the end of the year.

The ranking table is open to anyone who plays in the Warrington and North Cheshire League, Warrington Catholic League or Warrington Parks’ League and is free to contest.

Ten competitions form the Warrington Bowls Circuit in 2014, and points will be awarded for anyone getting to the last 16 or better in those events.

Among the 10 will be seven open competitions offering £13,000 in prize money.

Making up the circuit will be the Warrington and North Cheshire League’s Cunningham Cup and Presidents Cup, as well as the Warrington Catholic Bowls League’s Individual Merit.

Circuits and venues:

Tony Smith Classic at Tetley Walkers

Supply Chains Open at Tetley Walkers

Warrington Catholic Merit, tbc

Cunningham Cup, tbc

Presidents Cup, tbc

Billy Bennett Memorial at Alford Hall

Mike Roach Memorial at Woolston Royal British Legion

Tom Helsby Memorial at Daten

Padgate T&B Classic at Padgate T&B

Ron Jones Senior Memorial at Red Lion

For more information about the Warrington Bowls Circuit and the Livewire ranking table visit warringtonbowls.com.