End of lockdown bowling guidelines

26th March 2021 Steve Davies News 0

The BCGBA, along with the other bowling codes, has released guidelines for resumption of crown green bowls. I taken the liberty of copying some of the text and strongly recommend that the full document is studied and the guidelines followed.

The guidelines followed the publication of U.K. Government guidelines on Friday 26th March and the apply to English clubs only.

On Monday 29th March 2021, a four-step process will start and the timeline for them is:

  • Step 1: Begins on Monday 29 March
  • Step 2: begins no earlier than Monday 12 April (confirmation expected w/c Monday 5 April)
  • Step 3: begins no earlier than Monday 17 May (confirmation expected w/c Monday 10 May)
  • Step 4: begins no earlier than Monday 21 June (confirmation expected w/c Monday 14 June)

The guidelines for step 1 are split in organised sport and informal activity.

Organised sport

For the sport of outdoor bowls any activity organised under the jurisdiction of British Crown Green Bowling Association by affiliated clubs, counties and associate members is recognised as organised sport in accordance with DCMS guidance. This includes:

  • National Competitions (including County Championship qualifying rounds)
  • District and county competitions involving affiliated clubs only
  • District and county leagues involving affiliated clubs only
  • Club fixtures between affiliated clubs
  • Internal club events or organised sessions for club members
  • Coaching by a qualified coach is permitted in groups of no more than 6 plus the coach.
  • On green training provided by the Bowls Development Alliance
  • Open Competitions not currently permitted due to travel restrictions (further advice later)
  • Travel to participate in bowls is permitted but you are advised to ‘stay local’ wherever possible.
  • Spectators are not permitted at Step 1 – only those who are participating or required to be on site to manage a session should be in attendance. However Carers or someone in a safeguarding role may attend.

Any activity not listed above is not recognised as organised sport and will need to follow the guidance on outdoor legal gathering limits as this will be classed as informal activity or self-organised sport.

This includes any casual play (for example practice and ‘roll-ups’) and any activity involving clubs, leagues or associations not affiliated to BCGBA.

Whilst organised sport removes the restriction on legal gathering limits during participation, the relevant organising body (club, county, league or BCGBA) must consider the risks and set out ways to mitigate them so people can participate safely in accordance with this guidance. Informal or self-organised sport is not covered by any exemptions. (Only those involved in the match are permitted at the green).

I strongly suggest that the full document is thoroughly studied, and guidelines followed. The link to the full document on the BCGBA website is: BCGBA return to play guidelines

About Steve Davies 169 Articles
Throughout his bowling career Steve has always supported the admin side of the game as well as a keen player of the game. As a club secretary, association secretary, county delegate on the BCGBA (National Governing Body) Management Committee, Media Officer for the BCGBA, Merseyside champion in 2002 and Merseyside County President (2014-15) Steve has always been keen to promote the game especially through the broadcast of the game on TV or Internet. Steve set up the LIVE BOWLS YouTube channel which became the Bowls Observer channel and, through the LDBA, runs national competitions. Seeing an avenue to report on and promote the game Steve set up the Bowls Observer on-line magazine.