Members back bowls promotion as numbers drop
A proposed district-wide promotion of bowls to help offset falling membership is now official.
At the annual general meeting of the Selby and District Bowling Association, there was unanimous support for the proposal to hold open days at as many of the area’s 13 clubs as possible.
This would take the form of free taster sessions for those wishing to try the game on May 20.
And the association will also be ‘cashing in’ on the planned ‘Selby Olympics’ to coincide with the passing of the torch relay through the district.
A match against the Goole league had already been scheduled before news of the special sports weekend had been unveiled.
So it gives the bowling community two bites of the cherry, which will hopefully bear much fruit in the guise of new members.
Most clubs are experiencing a drop in numbers, partly due to ageing membership but also because there are just so many other activities now available to people – a phenomenon that has affected many traditional sports.
“Everyone was sympathetic,” explained association secretary Dennis Tredgett.
“This is something that clubs could do of their own accord, but we are just offering the extra inducement for those who are cash-strapped.
“We will try to co-ordinate with the media with leaflets and posters, and there are national and regional initiatives going on at the same time.
“Bear in mind that this was almost exclusively a men’s league, but the number of players being registered each year by various clubs has been dropping to the point where some are now having to play ladies to make up the teams.
“It’s not male chauvinism; it’s just that there used to be a natural separation. And every club has had to mix to fulfil their commitments.”
He said they had always planned to get involved with the Selby Olympics, but were worried they’d get lost with everything else going on, so have launched their own initiative as well.
“So when player registration takes place towards the end of next month, we’ll be asking all the clubs whether they’ll be able to stage some sort of function on May 20.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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