The Harlequins Bowls Association was founded in 1967 by two groups of individuals, representing Aberdare and Aberdare Town Bowls Clubs who were playing at Aberdare Park but wishing to compete at a more competitive level. 

Harlequins Bowls Association was granted permission to also use Aberdare Park as their home green and at this time they used the Beehive Inn as their meeting venue for team selection. These venues were used for the next 23 years. During 1969 the Harlequins Bowls Association was renamed to the Harlequins Bowls Club.

Harlequins Bowls Club became a member of both the Welsh Bowling Association and Mid Glamorgan Bowling Association in 1969 and began playing competitively in 1970. The Harlequins moved to their current club house located in Park Grove during 1981 after purchasing the premises from the Coliseum Theatre Group. This was solely funded by the Harlequins Bowls Club members although they still continued using Aberdare Park as their home green.

This set up continued until 1993 when the Harlequins constructed their own green which was located at the same site as the existing Club House.  An extension to the original Clubhouse was completed during 1995. 

Since our inception the Harlequins Bowls Club has been self financing spending in the region of £140,000.

In 2015 the Club was granted a £145,000 upgrade grant via the AMGEN Community Fund and a new roof and heating systems was installed. The club name then changed to The Harlequins Bowls and Community Club although the bowls club remains as the Harlequins Bowls Club.

The Harlequins have attained credible achievements and are a well respected club within the Welsh Bowling fraternity. They have been Welsh Club Champions and have won the Curruthers Shield on three occasions including many Cup Competitions and League. Many of the bowlers have achieved individual County, International Honours and British Isles titles at all age groups including our very own Ross Owen becoming runner up in the World Under 25 Championship that was held in Australia in 2018 along with selection in the Triples and Rinks for Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games Gold Coast Australia also in 2018.

It is also recognised that the bowling green has a very good playing surface and has been chosen over many years by the Mid Glamorgan County Bowling Association as the preferred venue to host County Championship matches.

The club house facilities are also used by both the Mid Glamorgan County Bowls Association and the Cynon Valley Bowls Association for their scheduled meetings. In addition to the Bowling Arm, the club also runs and hosts Male and Female Skittle and Crib Teams, weekly Bingo sessions a Quiz night and monthly shows.

The Harlequins currently have approximately 40 Bowling and 300 Social Members and any new members are welcome. Coaching will be provided free of charge for any new members and bowls can be provided if required.