Hello everyone, I would like to introduce myself as the new Development Officer for the Lancashire CCGBA. For anyone that doesn’t know me my name is Ian Gill and I have been a coach for many years at Ormskirk Bowling Club (as well as previous roles as Chairman and Secretary at clubs) and have just finished the Level 2 Coach Bowls coaching qualification. I was also recently a Club and Community Development Officer with the Bowls Development Alliance before giving that up to become a partner at Bowls Buddies LLP (you will see mention of that company in the new BCGBA Handbook). I also act as the Chairman for the West Lancs & Sefton Junior Bowls Forum and have run the local Junior League (currently awaiting a fresh influx of clubs) and the Ormskirk Federation Junior and Youth Teams.

I can’t admit to knowing everything but if I can assist your club in anyway then please get in touch. I have set up a new email address for any Lancashire Bowls Development enquiries – lancsbowlsdevelopment@gmail.com so please contact me via that. I will add my contact details on to the website as well.

In terms of other things, take a look at the Club Development and Coaching pages on this website. I hope to improve these and add to them over the next few weeks. I will also be doing a ‘Club Development’ presentation prior to the Bolton Leagues AGM in March and will post more details about this shortly. I will consider the best way to do such presentations in the future and will look to do an online session at some point.

I am happy to visit your club and meet you, time permitting, if you would like some more detailed advice.

Finally bowls is NOT a dying sport – there have been thousands of new registrations recently, including many in Lancashire, and there are some very simple things you can do to attract new members and make your club thrive. It just needs a bit of thought and effort.