Bowling News
The BCGBA has finally woken up to the threat to our sport and the reducing numbers contributing to their income has finally seen them acknowledge the problem and seen them start some remedial action. But is it too late to save our sport from oblivion?
First of all is the acceptance, which is a first, of the current situation and the introduction from the BCGBA's new National Development Strategy helps to set the scene but fails to tease out the emotion that is key to stirring the masses into accepting the position and being prepared to do something about it.
For goodness sake introduce some emotion to make the threats real. It is a sensible start but seems more business-like and we all know there is more to the problem than statistics and facts. It fails to reach out to all by sharing examples of the decline and scaring bowlers into responding. Don't be ashamed of the emotion that can bring reality to the bowling community and stir them into action. Without grassroots support this strategy is going nowhere fast.
The problems in Leeds reported on earlier this week provides a real opportunity for our sports leaders to take centre stage in stirring up the masses and building up the resistance that these Councillors have riled. This is an excellent opportunity to build on this threat to our sport but are our leaders capable of doing that?
Whilst I have read of a number of actions proposed by Steve Clamp the Chairman of the North Lancs & Fylde County Bowling Association to counter this threat in Leeds I have seen nothing at all from his Yorkshire equivalents. This matches the experience of Greenhead Park in their fight to stay in business who appealed to Yorkshire for support and didn't even raise an acknowledgement of receipt falling far short of the help that they expected and greatly need.
Steve Clamp is becoming the mouth-piece of the Leeds fightback when he says that this threat to bowling clubs represents a threat to all of bowling as it equates to 10% of all the clubs in Yorkshire and is a real threat to the continuing existence of a number of leagues. So whilst some clubs will be relieved that their names aren't on the doomed list at present, the hit-list could still present a major threat to their fixture programme this season. Come on Yorkshire let's hear what you are proposing to do to counter this threat to your membership. We shouldn't be looking to our neighbours to lead this defence action. These pages have always been open to Yorkshire CCGBA to get their messages across but they have always been under-used.
At the foot of this page I have copied in one Facebook example of an emotional appeal against this decision speckled with factual suggestions that will stir the emotions of many. Feel free to add your own view in the Comments section at the foot of this page.
Going back to the National Development Strategy here is the first page of the strategy it is a start but falls short of tugging at the emotions of the masses that could make the difference.
Introduction
For many years the sport of crown green bowls has started to see a steady decline since its height of popularity in the late 20th Century. This decline in popularity, since the 1980’s, can be attributed to several factors.
During the 1980s, crown green bowls was a widely enjoyed sport, however, an aging demographic of players has impacted this. As older generations, who were avid players, have aged, there has been a lack of younger players taking up the sport.
Another contributing factor is the rise of alternative leisure activities. With the advent of digital entertainment, such as video games and streaming services, younger generations have more options for how they spend their free time. This shift in leisure preferences has drawn potential new players away from traditional sports like crown green bowls.
Additionally, the maintenance of bowling greens and facilities can be costly. Many clubs have struggled with funding and upkeep, leading to the closure of some venues. This reduction in available facilities has made it more challenging for people to find places to play and to be introduced to the sport.
Whilst acknowledging this, there is still as much demand, if not more, for people to be able to play the sport. We have seen in recent years, the growth in participation numbers within pockets of our Associations, and we need to build on the development work that has started.
As a sport, we need to break down the stereotype that the sport is there for ‘older people’ – the image needs modernising to enable us to attract a new audience. When you review our demographics, whilst grassroots Clubs have a predominantly older membership, the competitive aspect of our sport is much younger. As an Association, our challenge is to support our Clubs in developing their membership with this younger demographic.
The BCGBA has identified the lack of a National Development Strategy as a key priority in enabling us to grow participation and support our member Clubs and Associations. This strategy document will be updated on a regular basis to allow us to adapt to an ever-changing modern landscape and will be reviewed annually.
Our key aims are identified throughout the following pages and are supported by our ‘8 Point Development Plan’. By working collaboratively as a sport, we can sow the seeds of growth and start to see a return in popularity for many years to come.
BCGBA Board
Here is an example of a stirring of the emotions that is needed to rock the councillors' boat on peaceful waters that has a place in any structured defence of the proposed actions by Leeds City Council.
Daniel Fulleylove
They are not just pieces of grass. They are feelings of community, belonging and health. They provide exercise, self-worth and a purpose usually for the most elderly, financially challenged and vulnerable. This is an attack on equality and inclusion for the most vulnerable and and those least able to defend themselves. What would it cost the council if those people didn’t have the exercise and community that is highly linked with health, longevity and the long term financial burden on the NHS.
I would like to know LCC funding for all local sports and recreations and what other ones are being axed?
There are lots of other ways to fund these greens other than the 2 most drastic they have put forward. This is not a consultation.
Commenti