COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

Bowls Australia’s commercial operations were again guided by the commercial strategy completed in 2019, with the overarching goal to eventually obtain fifty percent of all commercial revenue through commercial sources by 2023.

Key priorities of the strategy included continuing to create and strengthen relationships with BA’s Commercial, Government and Tourism partners, expanding BA’s merchandise offerings and e-commerce presence along with growing the National Merchandise Program.

BA’s key commercial partnership with SEN entered its third year, with the highly valued relationship providing benefits from SEN’s support and expertise across key commercial areas of sponsorship, marketing and television/streaming production.

Work continued on expanding BA’s merchandise and e-commerce presence with sales steadily increasing, aided by the establishment of a third party logistics partnership to assist with warehousing and despatch.

The National Merchandise Program (NMP) continued to generate steady revenue throughout the 21/22 financial year, with focus areas being the continued emphasis on ethical sourcing and compliance, with a number of audits carried out.

Bowls Australia wishes to acknowledge the incredible support received from commercial partners throughout the past twelve months:

At home care and disability support provider, Right at Home expanded their partnership with BA, assuming the naming rights position of the Australian Jackaroos and associated feeder squads.

Over-50s insurer Apia entered its third year as BA’s Preferred General Insurance Provider, while pharmacy chain Blooms the Chemistcontinued their support of the sport broadly highlighted by their alignment with the Right at Home Jackaroos.

Optical retailer, Specsavers joined as the Official Optometrist Partner of Bowls Australia, providing bowlers across the country with access to a quality range of eyewear products and services.

BCiB (Bowls Club Insurance Brokers) continued their long-lasting support of the code at a National level, while Stockland Retirement Living continued their relationship designed to improve Stockland Village residents’ physical and mental wellbeing through a range of bowls-related programs.

Sports apparel supplier BLK continued to supply apparel for the national High Performance teams and key national events such as the Bowls Premier League, while Bowls manufacturer Aero Bowls maintained their association across all major events as BA’s Official Bowls Manufacturer.

BA again collaborated with not-for-profit organisation DrinkWise, in a relationship aimed at developing new, positive norms that encourage the adoption of a healthier and safer drinking culture within the sport of bowls.

As one of Australia's largest group of hearing healthcare providers, Audika continued to provide access to quality hearing healthcare across the Australian bowls community highlighted by event activations and community level incentives.

A market leader in Bowling Green shade products, BA’s preferred shade supplier MakMax’s impressive bowls portfolio continues to expand, whilst Australian lighting manufacturer Legacy Lighting collaborated with BA to offer their services to clubs across the country.

BA entered into a new partnership with LED signage specialists, VALO as our Preferred Scoreboard Partner, whilst beverage delivery service Club Connect continued their offering to clubs, providing access to their convenient services.

We thank all of these brands for their involvement and support across the past twelve months. The support of these partners continues to help solidify bowls’ position as a growing sport within the sporting landscape of Australia.