Club History

The Freeling Bowling Club (FBC) was founded in 1922 on the northern corner of Hanson Street and Shepherd Street. The first meeting was held in the basement of the Freeling Institute on 22 April 1922, with the official opening taking place on Saturday, 17 February 1923. On 23 March 1923, the club decided to affiliate with the Royal South Australian Bowling Association (RSABA).

In 1922, there were 13 members, but no female members. During the early years, times were tough, and at some stages, only three rinks were needed due to low membership and wartime activities. Eventually, women began playing in some seasons, but they were not official members or associates. Fees were 10/6, with the condition that women could not play on the men's rinks (though men were allowed to play on the women's rinks).

In 1946, Freeling joined the newly formed Barossa and Light Association. In 1948, women were accepted as associate members, and in 1953, the women formed their own club, the Freeling Women's Bowling Club, under the umbrella of the South Australian Women’s Bowling Association (SAWBA). In 1960, the A green was re-levelled, and sixteen new lights were installed. In 1977, the B green was added. Night owls started in 1981 with the Adelaide Plains Association, playing at Pt Wakefield, Owen, Wasleys, Balaklava, Hamley Bridge, Mallala, Two Wells, Tarlee, and Gawler. In 1983, the club room was extended to include ladies' toilets and a kitchen area.

In 2003, the RSABA and SAWBA merged to form Bowls South Australia (Bowls SA). The Freeling women’s facility continued to operate independently until 2010, when the club was incorporated as one body, now known as the Freeling Bowling Club.

Over the years, Freeling has remained competitive within their association despite being considerably smaller than most of the opposing clubs. Since 1945/46, Division I has been won five times, Division II three times, Division III three times, Division IV once, Midweek eight times, and the Ladies' division twice.

Freeling has also produced many representatives in association and divisional games over the years.