(10 Jul 2020)
SPORT ENGLAND’S COMMUNITY EMERGENCY FUND
https://www.bowlsengland.com/2-4million-cash-boost-emergency-fund/
(6 Jul 2020)
COVID-19 MARKERS GUIDE
(6 Jul 2020)
ECBA EMERGENCY COMMITTEE MINUTES
The ECBA Executive Council (Emergency Committee) met on Thursday 2 July 2020 at 5 pm.
Minutes
(3 Jul 2020)
ESSEX COUNTY BC DOUBLE TRIPLES OPEN TOURNAMENT
Essex County is organizing a County-wide Club Double Triples tournament. Full details and entry form on link below.
(2 Jul 2020)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE SPORTS SECTOR
Bowls England COVID-19, Additional Guidance for Lawn Bowls Issued: 2nd July 2020
https://www.bowlsengland.com/covid-19-additional-guidance-for-lawn-bowls/
(30 Jun 2020)
REOPENING OF CLUB BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Bowls England has updated advice following the Government’s announcement that licensed premises, including bowls clubs, are allowed to open from Saturday 4 July in their capacity as bars and restaurants.
https://www.bowlsengland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/clubhouse_opening_FINAL.pdf
(27 Jun2020)
GRANT FUNDING FOR YOUR CLUB
Bowls England invites attention to a free webinar to assist clubs seeking external funding for their Club. Full details at https://www.bowlsengland.com/grant-funding-for-your-club/
(23 Jun 2020)
NEW PAGE COACHING
Following the adoption of the Coaching Strategy, the website has a dedicated page for the subject. This was one of the many recommendations in the report.
(18 Jun 2020)
MINUTES OF ECBA EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
The ECBA Executive Council (Emergency Committee) met via Zoom on Tuesday 16th June at 17.00. Those taking part were; Tony Ellis, Sandy Dron, Dave King, Richard Dodd, Alex Wightman, Stephen Hill, Pat Finney, Terry Mizen and John Tully.
The Chairman welcomed the members. There was new nothing to report from the Secretary or Treasurer.
The Competition Secretary asked for the support of the committee in running the three minor singles competitions (Secretaries, Benevolent and Unbadged). A full survey of the original entrants had taken place, with the great majority of players responding and as a result well over 50% of the original entrants indicated they wished to participate. (Secretaries - 66%, Benevolent - 61% and Unbadged 59%). There was a great deal of positive feedback from players. The committee agreed that the three singles would be played, providing the prevailing Government and Bowls England guidelines were adhered to. Questions were raised 1) concerning the award of Badges and a decision on this was deferred to the next meeting. 2) Green testing, it was agreed that this would not be necessary. 3) Refund of fees to those not participating, it was agreed after discussion that there would be no refunds. 4) Markers? It was agreed that markers were permitted so long as prevailing guidelines are adhered to. 5) Entries for next years competitions. The Competition Secretary indicated that there may be some scope to modernise the method of entry for future years and when there was a positive proposal he would bring it to the committee after any necessary consultation.
The Match Secretary asked if consideration had been given to possible clashes of fixtures in 2022 due to the dates of the Commonwealth games. It was agreed that enquiries would be made of Bowls England to clarify the situation.
The Chairman asked for the views of the committee concerning the previously circulated coaching strategy. It was unanimously approved that the strategy is adopted. There was a warm vote of thanks offered to the Chairman and all members of the subcommittee who had drawn up the strategy document.
The Chairman asked if members would give some thought to what questions might be posed to the new Chief Executive of Bowls England when he met with him. (Linda Mills ECWBA would be attending the meeting on 30 June)
Terry Mizen asked what the decision was with the wearing of bowls shorts, particularly if they were not BE approved. Further enquiries would be made, but it was thought that ECBA shorts could be worn, but not at National Championships.
Any other business:
It was agreed that entry fees held by the Treasurer for competitions not played during this season would be rolled over to next season, this with the Double Fours, Shield, North and South Essex Fours.
The date of the next meeting is 2 July 2020 at 17.00.
(16 Jun 2020)
COUNTY COMPETITIONS
The County Executive has approved the running of the Secretaries, Benevolent and Unbadged singles competitions. The draws have been posted on this website and appear on the Competitions page highlighted in RED. Copies will be emailed to club secretaries via the Group Secretaries along with a contact list. It must be emphasised that all prevailing Government and Bowls England advice and restrictions must be adhered to when playing rounds of these competitions. All winning competitors in each round should communicate the result to the appropriate result secretary no later than 10 pm on the day of the match. This is particularly relevant as there is often only 7 days between rounds. Club names will be appended to all the draws is due course.
(31 May 2020)
MINUTES OF ECBA EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
The Emergency Committee of the ECBA Executive Council met via the Zoom conferencing App at 5 pm on Thursday 28 May. Those taking part were Tony Ellis, Alex Wightman, Pat Finney, Stephen Hill, Sandy Dron, Dave King, Richard Dodd, Terry Mizen and John Tully
The Chairman opened the meeting with a welcome to all present and hoped they were keeping well and staying safe.
The Secretary had nothing new to report.
The Treasurer had nothing new to report.
The Competition Secretary had nothing new to report, as previously agreed on final decisions on which if any of the County Competitions would be run would be deferred until the end of June.
The Match Secretary had nothing new to report.
The Chairman asked if anyone had anything to report on the opening of clubs around the various Groups in the County. A general discussion followed where it was identified that parts of the County would not see any bowling due to local councils, not re-opening bowling green facilities, whereas in other parts greens were already open and some were planning to open. Consideration was given to BE guidance in that only three rinks should be utilised rather than six and the issue of spectators being allowed. It was resolved that this decision was in the hands of individual clubs and as a consequence, any liability arising from this would be a matter for the clubs.
BE membership scheme: The Chairman reported that this item was not on the agenda for the next BE Board meeting.
The Chairman reported that the Essex Coaching protocol document had been finalised and would be circulated to both the Indoor and Outdoor Executives for consideration in due course. Terry Mizen reported that his club had negotiated the attendance of John McGuiness and Kirk Smith to deliver a coaching session in the future when circumstances allow.
The Chairman stated that at the last meeting of BE (15 May) it had been reported that BE staff were still working from home until further notice. Unification of the British Isles Bowls Council and the British Isles Women's Bowls Council would be going ahead. It was confirmed that all clubs and counties would retain membership and affiliation to BE, irrespective of fees being refunded. The new CEO of BE would take up the post on 1 June.
Any other business:
It was reported that the Essex Ladies BA were beginning to refund some fees.
Clarification of Govt guidance around two members of different households playing bowls together was given, in that it would be permitted providing appropriate social distancing was practised.
It was agreed that if Groups wanted to receive County Handbooks they should be provided.
The committee will hold another meeting on 25 June. The meeting closed at 5.30 pm
(15 May 2020)
SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCE FOR LAWN BOWLS CLUBS
Covid-19: Bowls England Supplementary Guidance for Lawn Bowls Clubs Approved by Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) – May 14th 2020
(12 May 2020)
HOLDING STATEMENT ON REOPENING OF BOWLING GREENS
Bowls England have issued a Holding Statement which can be viewed on the Bowls England site:-
https://www.bowlsengland.com/holding-statement-on-reopening-of-bowling-greens/
(4 May 2020)
REFUNDS FROM BOWLS ENGLAND
Bowls England refunds are underway and Clubs will receive back the following.
Men’s £5 affiliation to Bowls England
Ladies £5 affiliation to Bowls England
Men’s National Competition fees that lead to Leamington Spa, at £4.70p per head (£2.50 under 25).
Ladies National Competition fees at £2.50p per head (ECWBA will be repaying their competition fees separately).
(24 Apr 2020)
BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANT
The County Administrator wishes to remind Clubs of the above Business Support Grant. If club Treasurers have not already applied for a Business Support Grant, they should do so as soon as possible. Application forms are via the Clubs local Council. It is a very easy form to complete all that is required are the Clubs Banking Details and their Business Rates Account Number. The grant is for the sum of £10,000 and is normally paid within five working days. The other stipulation to obtain the grant is that the Clubs Current Rateable Value is less than £51,000. Any further questions do not hesitate to contact Tony Ellis County Administrator. Tel: 01245 256730.
(1 Apr 2020)
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CLUBS
Sport England and the Government has put in place a number of initiatives to assist clubs and small companies during this period of uncertainty.
Full details on the link below.
(24 Mar 2020)
REFUND OF FEES
The ECBA County Treasurer informs that all Bowls England fees will be refunded as soon as possible though he does not yet know how soon BE will be making the refunds to the counties.
Will Clubs please provide your group Secretary with your banking details ie. Bank sorting code, name of the bank and A/c number to pass on to the County Treasurer for the refund. He will do this as quickly as possible, but he will have to process this for 140 clubs.
Concerning County Fees, he will decide this when the outcome of the county competitions is decided (Refer to item National Championships & County Competitions dated 23 March). On the affiliation fee. We will still have to manage the association, so will continue to monitor our expenses and make a refund either with the county competitions if they do not take place or possible reduce next year’s affiliation fee if our financial position allows.
(18 Mar 2020)
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Following an Emergency Meeting of Board members, Bowls England has announced the cancellation of all its domestic events ahead of the 2020 lawn bowls season in response to Government advice and growing concerns from bowlers about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will impact lawn bowls. The National Championships are cancelled in their entirety for 2020 (including all County Championship qualifying rounds). This decision has been taken because most County Associations hold their qualifying rounds leading to the National Championships from May to July and we believe it is impractical for these to be completed this season. The full statement is on the BE site