The BCGBA is currently undertaking a period of significant transition to develop the sport to be “fit for the future.”

As a Governing body, they fully accept that there is a need for change, and want the input of the Crown Green Bowing Community to help facilitate this.

Throughout 2024, the BCGBA will be issuing a series of surveys to get feedback on what Clubs, and Bowlers, want and need.

Please support the surveys and be honest with your answers. The feedback will help drive change and the BCGBA intend to share this with you along the way.

Let’s start with where we’re at currently. This survey will remain open until the end of May. Click on the link below to answer the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHgnk-s0DyY80RdxAJqRaA7P6bf4KAkuJDLkdv_-X5N6Afwg/viewform

If you’ve not had a look at the Bowls Development Alliance courses on the ‘Week of Learning’ then you’re missing out!!!

Some great sessions being run throughout the week to give you lots of hints and tips to develop both your Club, and yourself.

….and there’s lots of advice to get you ready for the Bowls BIG Weekend 😎. Check out the link below.

https://bowlsdevelopmentalliance.com/education/

Sport England have just announced the following:

“New Movement Fund set to revolutionise funding applications. The transformational fund offers crowdfunding pledges, grants and resources to improve physical activity opportunities for the people and communities who need it the most. If your organisation and project are eligible for funding, and your project aligns with our goals, you could receive up to £15,000. We will especially welcome new projects that have not not applied to us before.“

Find out more: https://www.sportengland.org/…/new-movement-fund-set…

As of 8th April Graham Royles has the following update for you.

• 20 April – Rivington BC – 6 entries
• 21 April – Padgate BC – 6 entries
• 27 April – Atherton Botanic Gardens – 5 entries
• 28 April – Hindley Platt Lane BC – 0 entries
• 4 May – Hesketh Arms BC – 9 entries
• 11 May – Edgeworth BC – 4 entries
• 12 May – Leigh BC – 3 entries

In this day and age, when Comps pop up by the hour, the Lancashire Senior Merit is forgotten. To make it more efficient, when your entry has been recorded would you please follow up with your entry fee (£10 per person). All entries are 10am practice, 10.30am start.

Contact Graham Royles for more details on 07488 266 477 and there is further information on our Competitions page.

On Sunday 28th April, in conjunction with the Bowls Development Alliance and the British Crown Green Bowling Association (Official), North Lancs and Fylde County Bowling Association will be hosting the first Crown Green ‘Bowls’ Big Weekend Roadshow’. The event will be held at Frenchwood Social Club, Strawberry Gardens, Bence Road, PR1 4NP Preston. It will last from 10am-12noon.

The day will consist of everything Bowls!!! There’s going to be lots of short, sharp learning sessions about ways to develop your Club, engaging volunteers, growing membership, becoming inclusive, simple safeguarding, raising funds….the list goes on….along with a host of activities and FREE coaching sessions being done on Frenchwood’s green. In addition to all of this, there’ll be opportunities to try out different weights and densities of bowls, along with trying a vast selection of disability and inclusion aids.

For the juniors (and families), there’s going to be lots of fun activities in the morning with the Bowls Buddies products. Finally, from 12 noon, the juniors take over and there’ll be a County Junior get-together for all u18 bowlers to come along for some FREE coaching.

Everything on the day is completely FREE, and is open to all bowlers, Clubs and Leagues from anywhere in the crown green world!!! All that we ask is for you to register your interest in attending by emailing the North Lancs & Fylde County Development Officer at:

steve.clamp.bowls@gmail.com

This is the first event of its kind, and it promises to be a fantastic day of learning for everyone that attends.

Please note that any Club running an Open Competition must have an Open Certificate to run the Competition which can be obtained from the Lancashire County Secretary & NOT BCGBA as before.

At the 2022 BCGBA Annual General Meeting the green light was given to the Governance Review.

This was completed on Thursday 7th March 2024 by the formation of the BCGBA Board following receipt of the Five Regional Representatives from the National Council.

The structure of the Board, which has the right to operate with full authority in the Governance of the Association is as follows;

• Chairman – Alan Stephenson.

• Chief Executive Officer – Paul Ashmore.

• Financial Officer – Graeme Underhill.

• National Safeguarding Officer – Denise Noble.

• National Administrator – Jim McGurk.

• Competitions Officer – Yvette Gregory.

• Disciplinary Chair – Sue Todd.

• Region 1 – Steve Clamp.

• Region 2 – Vacant (Cheshire, Merseyside, Isle of Man and Wales)*

• Region 3  – Steve Cochrane.

• Region 4 – Calvin Jackson.

• Region 5 – Phil Scott.

• Independent – Graham Pickavance.

• Independent – Dan Peach.

*Region 2 is currently being advertised and the closing date is Friday 22nd March 2024.

The seminar being held on Monday 18th at Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Institute will be going ahead as numbers have picked up. You can register right up to the event or just turn up on the night.

However, only three people have registered for the event at Aughton Institute near Ormskirk on the 20th March so that event is CANCELLED.

Please register for the two club development seminars by close of play on Saturday (16th March). If numbers do not increase then there is a risk that the seminars will be cancelled due to a lack of numbers. Register by emailing Ian Gill on lancsbowlsdevelopment@gmail.com. Currently only two people have registered for the Aughton Institute Seminar.

The seminars are due to be held on:

• 18 March (7pm) – Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Institute (Meanley Rd, Ley Rd, Tyldesley, Astley, Manchester M29 7DW)
• 20 March (7pm) – Aughton Institute (Bold Ln, Aughton, Ormskirk L39 6SG)

There are two free Club development seminars being held in Lancashire by the County’s Development Officer (Ian Gill). Each one will start at 7pm with a presentation on a wide variety of matters, such as how to apply for grant funding and the best ways to attract new members to your club. Practical examples will be given of where clubs have had successes and if clubs would like to come along and speak about what has worked at their club they would be more than welcome. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and speak to Ian.

The sessions will be held on the following dates at two venues across the County and clubs from other counties are welcome to attend.

• 18 March (7pm) – Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Institute (Meanley Rd, Ley Rd, Tyldesley, Astley, Manchester M29 7DW)
• 20 March (7pm) – Aughton Institute (Bold Ln, Aughton, Ormskirk L39 6SG)

Please register to say you are coming, and how many from your club, by contacting Ian at lancsbowlsdevelopment@gmail.com.