Clubs and Covid-19

Clubs make the most of lockdown

With clubs shutdown and many people stuck at home, the Bassendean Bowling Club took the opportunity to give their club a complete once over with fantastic results.

Club Secretary, Dave Snelgar had this to say on the clubs renovation. “Our president in particular, plus executive and our bar staff on Job Keeper have been the force behind this renewal.

We have seen it as a blessing as some of this bar work could not have been done without some period of shutdown.

A small contingent of people have been at the club during shutdown working in multiple areas.

Once the restrictions eased a little we had more members volunteering their time to improve the premises. The Town of Bassendean have worked with us to replace the bar flooring and future projects are being discussed.

There is literally too many people to thank individually regarding all the works done at the club. The atmosphere since returning has been fantastic and great to see the reactions of members and guests which makes it that much more worthwhile.”

Here’s a review of some items completed pre-covid, and during the shutdown: • Audio Sound system with music and messages to the entire club (including greens) – finalised pre-shutdown. • Bore refurbish program; new bore installed under insurance after we found old bore fused. • Bar refurbish program; removed water damaged MDF under bar counter, replaced with aluminium sheeting and capping, replaced Vinyl flooring behind bar, new storage cabinets behind the bar, installed additional cool room shelving, repainted the entire bar area (top to bottom) and back storeroom; re-sheeted and removed all rust from cool room fridge; Darts chalkboard repainted. • Office was stripped, repaired and repainted; New office furniture installed; • A history walk was created between the hall and the toilets area. All trophy’s, photos and historic documents displayed for all to see. Including the replacement of some pennant shields now displayed above bar area; • Hall area walls, skirting all repainted, blinds removed, heaters removed, area clean and tidy with the mens and ladies honour boards coming together for a more inclusive club feel. • Kitchen cupboard, stripped cleaned and repainted, Kitchen storeroom cleaned and repainted; • Men’s and ladies toilets completely repainted and any repairs made; • Boardroom was stripped, carpet cleaned, old documents destroyed and general tidy up; • Rear storeroom received new heavy duty shelving and cupboards donated by members

• Outside window frames all re-painted; fly screen replaced; high pressure cleaned under patio eastern side (top to bottom) • Pillars on all greens have been stripped, primed and painted by volunteers. • Bench seating renewed, cleaned and painted (included new seat footings)

Projects still to be completed of which some are already underway: • Two x BBC Signs on top of the building to replace fading sponsor logos; • Concrete walkway between A/B green to replace uneven pavers / also to reduce the step height for safety. (involved relocating greens reticulation pipes to under bench seating) • Bar flooring (Carpet tiles) to be replaced. • Bar stool replacement program underway with member assistance and grants. • Hall wood floors to be sanded and sealed. • R/C Air conditioning to entire premises.

Bassendean Bowling Club turned a tricky situation into a positive leading by example as to what can be achieved in during difficult periods.Other clubs who also made significant improvements during the Covid-19 period.

Kardinya Bowling Club

Bayswater through multiple busy bees were able to put together a fantastic outdoor playground area. Through donation of equipment and volunteers this club got busy during the break in order to cater to families visiting their club to make the experience more enjoyable.

Doubleview Bowling Club

Doubleview decided to give some of the clubhouse a fresh lick of paint during the break. Small things like this can breathe new life into a club and freshen up the area. Kardinya saw the installation of a new green over the break that

Bayswater Bowling and Recreation Club

was broken in quickly after restrictions were eased.

Tammin Bowling Club

The Easter Bunny delivered brand new sand-filled green to the Tammin Bowling Club. Evergreen completed the project under

the unusual circumstances.

Introducing Motobility as the Bowls WA over 60’s State Championships Sponsor

Broome Bowling Club

The renovation of the Broome Bowling Club began early in the year and were finalised during the break. The renovation of the outdoor patio with the addition of outdoor ceiling fans is a a great upgrade for a bowling club and the end result is fantastic.

Manning Bowling Club

Manning Bowling Club used the break to install a Blue Tree as part of the Blue Tree Project, a cause aimed at mental health and well-being by helping spark difficult conversations.

Because, it’s totally OK to have a blue day, particularly as the winter blues may hit. If you feel like you need some mental space, why not walk here, sit for a while and reflect?

The original blue tree is in Mukinbudin and since then another 514 have popped up all over the country, all painted the same 'blue tree' colour (yes, the paint has been registered with that name!). The trees are dead so no harm is done when they are painted as a public reminder that it is OK to feel blue. The tree here in Manning was transported from Mukinbudin, craned and concreted into place.

Wanneroo Sports and Social Club

Wanneroo attracted the attention of PerthNow as a result of all their efforts during the restrictions to upgrade their facilities. President Dennis Hampton said the committee and volunteers had been working to modernise facilities in the building, which had housed the club for more than 50 years. “Because we were closed down by coronavirus, we thought we would take the opportunity to upgrade it. We could never do some of the work that we are doing now if we were fully operational.”

Mr Hampton said the club had about 540 members and four sports sections, so there were people in it virtually every day.

The club received a $20,000 grant in January, which it had to match, to replace carpets that were two or three decades old.

It also decided to update the dance floor and with the club closed for several weeks, Mr Hampton said they decided to do more painting and renovations.

Mr Hampton said volunteers had been working on a roster

to maintain social distancing requirements and share the load.

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Contact Aaron Delaporte for further information. Tel: 08 9340 0800 or email: aaron@bowlswa.com.au or visit us on www.bowlswa.com.au

Are more changes needed for Bowls to survive?

As many long-term participants in the sport of bowls would be aware numbers of active pennant players continue to diminish season upon season.

These reduced numbers which began after the sport peaked in the 1980’s are now at a level where impacts are being felt, especially amongst the lower divisions which are the grass roots of the sport. As shown in the graphs included this is particularly evident in the Metropolitan Men’s Saturday Pennant and Women’s Tuesday Pennants Competitions.

The issues being felt in these lower grades are the number of byes and forfeits which can cause player dissatisfaction and the ever increasing preference by individuals to choose to play in more social competitions in which participants can pick and choose when they play and not commit to a full afternoon of bowls every Saturday, Thursday or Tuesday.

Anecdotal studies of player participation also show that less players now engage in all 18 games during a season with socio-economic changes in society relating to work and family commitments having a bearing on this which is hard felt in the selection committee room each week as clubs struggle to field regular sides.

Bowls WA and Bowls Australia have long been aware of this situation and have with club engagement attempted to look at various formats and changes to the way the game is played.

This is of course not unique to the sport of bowls with all major participation sports doing similar things such as looking at shorter format sports like T20 cricket and Fast4tennis.

The BPL and Jack Attack has proved relatively successful in the sport of bowls, but those changes are yet to really filter down to the traditional format of the sport.

Several years ago, Bowls WA initiated a subcommittee called Bowls 2025 which was tasked with looking into competitions run by Bowls WA.

It sought the advice of clubs who were asked to contribute with ideas and then put some of these into action with the changes to the Midweek Pennant Competition.

Unfortunately these changes proved ultimately unsuccessful with clubs almost unanimously agreeing to move back to the traditional format.

This committee will continue to look at how things can change as doing nothing will only result in the slow death of pennants in the long term.

As always Bowls WA welcomes the input of clubs in this process.

Clive Adams

Bowls Regional Manager – WA North Phone: 0408 136 831 Email: cadams@bowls.com.au

Steve Unsworth

Bowls Regional Manager – WA South Phone: 0418 890 680 Email: sunsworth@bowls.com.au

Clubs need to be prepared for challenges

The word 'unprecedented' gets bandied around plenty in the modern age, however it is perhaps fitting for what we have all gone through in the past few months. Clubs have shown remarkable resilience and strength in a time where positivity and planning have never been so important.

This year has presented challenges never seen before, and Clubs running Jack Attack continue to be pleased with the for us to think that this is over and things will simply become format and the outcomes they are getting, but we need more normal once more is perhaps a little naïve. Clubs that best clubs on board. prepare for what lies ahead, over the next twelve months, are We have some great community and corporate programs out the ones that will truly prosper. there, however to attract more new people to our sport, why

And if we think we have had it bad, having to sit at home, not try a different format – signing up to a Jack Attack program just think about what would’ve been the outcome had things gives you the tools you’ll need to get new people through the happened differently. What if the virus had struck in October? door. Finally, we have the Roll Back The Clock program. This What could that have meant to our season, but moreover program targets helping people in their senior years stay active what would’ve happened to our Clubs. and healthy.

In the RBM role, we strive to assist clubs to become more Our clubs host sessions that involve simply movement base resilient, more financially stable, to plan effectively and to exercise combined with information sessions on those health embrace change. Never have we seen those four attributes be topics that are important as we grow older. We have seen so important as now, and in the near future. firsthand the value of these programs to our club members and Why are we members of Clubs? the wider community. People become members of our clubs for many reasons – some because of a love for sport, and our sport; some for an outlet – they want to be challenged; but many join our clubs for the social aspect and the feeling of companionship and fellowship.

During the lockdown period we saw many clubs, and individuals, go above and beyond, to keep members informed and feeling part of their Club – our people are our clubs. We’ve shown that the club atmosphere can rise above the simple bricks and mortar that we often call our “Club”, extend beyond the surfaces upon which we play, and come right into our homes.

For those individuals and clubs that took the time to make a phone call, or organise a Zoom meeting (who knew what Zoom was three months ago), or simply find a way to reach out to their fellow members and mates, we say thank you – you are what clubs are all about. BPL Cup What an amazing run WA had in the BPL Cup. Over 160 teams competed for the right to head to Pine Rivers last November Bowls Australia Programs and play in the finals – amazingly South Perth claimed all three In an interrupted year, our programs have still been a great qualifying positions. success, and the suite of options now spans all age groups. They didn’t stop there however, as the Millers charged through Jr Jack Attack continues to provide school aged children with the finals field and presented an all-South Perth BPL Cup final a first look at lawn bowls. Record numbers of schools have to be remembered. been involved in the program nationwide through the Sporting Live on Fox Sports the two teams went at it, embracing what Schools Program. We are always on the lookout for more the BPL Cup is all about. coaches, so whilst thanking those that have been involved, we Despite some delays due to COVID the BPL Cup has returned do ask that anyone who enjoys working with children in the for another year and we expect WA can have just as big an sport that we all love simply gets in touch and we can gets influence on this season’s BPL Cup. Head to the Bowls Australia things moving to get you involved. website to find out where you can participate.

Engagement with your local council

Certainly over the past few years, as RBMs we have spoken to a number of councils regarding their attitudes to bowls, the health of their clubs, and the future of our wonderful sport.

Gone are the days of sitting back quietly in our clubs and just sliding by. More and more we are seeing clubs that get on the front foot with their council being rewarded with grants, opportunities and plans for the future. Congratulations to all the clubs that have received grants in the last twelve months and put them to good use – we’ve seen new synthetic greens installed, fantastic new lights and even some brand new clubhouses built over the past year. Certainly some exciting times amongst the challenging ones. To the clubs that have taken the time to give their headquarters a much needed makeover during the COVID shutdown period – well done. As members, make sure you comment to, and congratulate, all those involved.

Exciting times ahead

As we head out of the COVID lockdown times, hopefully for good, we have learned so many important lessons that will shape the future of our Clubs. We might even stop taking things for granted a little, and appreciate exactly what our clubs offer and provide.

As we move forward, we have a public that will be demanding opportunities to simply get out and enjoy life again. What part can we play in that, as clubs, and as a sport? We encourage all clubs to take the time to write down three things that they would like to achieve this year – they might be different things that you have never tried – they might be things you’ve done before but that you can capitalise on even more.

Make your list (you could even call it a plan), get in touch with us as RBMs, and you have our commitment to assist you in making those plans a reality.

Get us Involved

As RBMs we spend many hours phoning clubs to arrange appointments, however our roles work so much more effectively if it is you calling us.

You fancy applying for a grant, you want to attract more young people to your club, or you like the sound of the Roll Back the Clock program and what it might bring to your community?

Give us a call and we will be out to see you, meet with you in person, and go the extra mile to help you succeed.