Monday 26 October West Gippsland Bowls Division Board Meeting Report
Chairman Chris Ward opened the meeting at 9.30am. Also present were M Holroyd, R Stephens, I Wilson, P Hiriart and J Goldie
Pennant was the main agenda item.
The Board has agreed the following commencement dates for Pennant:
Saturday Pennant
14, 21, 28 Nov, 5, 12 19 Dec, 16, 23, 30 Jan, 6, 13, 20, 27 Feb, 6, 13, 20, 27 March
Division 1
Newborough, Traralgon, Morwell Club, Trafalgar, Longwarry, Traralgon RSL, Drouin, Warragul
Division 2
Newborough (2), Traralgon (2), Garfield, Drouin (2), Traralgon RSL (2), Moe, Morwell, Neerim District
Division 3
Traralgon (3), Traralgon (4), Boolarra, Yinnar, Thorpdale, Morwell (2), Moe (2), Warragul (2)
Division 4
Newborough (3), Garfield (2), Drouin (3), Morwell (3), Yallourn North, Trafalgar (2), Yarragon, Warragul (3)
Division 5
Neerim District (2), Morwell Club (2), Morwell (4), Newborough (4), Traralgon (5), Churchill, Traralgon RSL (3), Moe (3)
Division 6
Newborough (5), Longwarry (2), Morwell Club (3), Yinnar/Boolarra combined, Trafalgar (3), Drouin (4)
Division 6 is rather weak with only 6 teams. Clubs are asked to consider if they have sufficient players to add a team in Division 6.
Midweek Pennant
Division 4 is in need of more teams with only 6 teams. Clubs are asked to consider if they could enter more teams in this Divisions. Some Clubs seem to have lost a lot of players over the winter.
Pennant will be played on
10, 17, 24 Nov, 1, 8, 15 Dec, 19. 26 Jan, 2, 9, 16. 23 Feb, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 March
Division 1
Drouin, Traralgon, Warragul, Morwell, Morwell Club, Newborough, Trafalgar, Traralgon RSL
Division 2
Newborough (2), Morwell Club (2), Traralgon (2), Warragul (2), Neerim District, Yinnar, Moe, Morwell (2)
Division 3
Yarragon, Traralgon RSL (2), Drouin (2), Drouin (3), Moe (2), Newborough (3), Traralgon (3), Garfield
Division 4
Drouin (4), Yinnar (2), Yallourn North, Morwell (3), Longwarry, Trafalgar (2)
Annual General Meeting
The West Gippsland Bowls Division Annual Meeting will be held at Morwell BC on Monday 9 November at 10.00am. This venue was chosen due to the large amount of undercover available.
Annual Elections
Nominations closed on Friday 23 October and the following nominations were received:
Chairman Chris Ward Traralgon, Deputy Chairman Joan Goldie Newborough, Secretary Michael Holroyd Newborough, Treasurer Ian Wilson Morwell, Male Committee Member Rob Stephens Traralgon.
The position of Female Committee Member did not receive any nominations with Pat Hiriart deciding to retire after many years of service to bowls. Expressions of interest for this position are requested.
EnergyAustralia Classic Singles at Newborough BC was changed to 4 – 7 Jan 2021 due to a clash with the Bowls Victoria Championships to be played at Warrnambool from 10th January which also made Saturday Pennant not playable on 9th Jan.
The Treasure reported a balance at the end of $8694.39 with term deposits of $15,000.
The Division has set the annual affiliation fee at $3 per player and invoices will be sent to Clubs shortly.
Clubs are encouraged to get people bowling and Championship events completed.
Dates for State Events will be announced shortly as advice is received from Bowls Vic.
Michael Holroyd
Secretary
27/10/20
Monday 5 October West Gippsland Bowls Division Board Meeting Report
Chairman Chris Ward opened the meeting at 9.30am. Also present were M Holroyd, R Stephens, I Wilson, P Hiriart and J Goldie
Pennant was the main agenda item.
It was agreed that Covid 19 is creating many problems for Clubs and players. Garfield Club is in lockdown and a number of other players live in lockdown areas.
Clubs are faced with stringent rules regarding social distancing and cleaning requirements. Food delivery is restricted and there are restrictions on players travelling together in cars.
The Board has agreed that we are aiming for the following commencement dates for Pennant:
Saturday Pennant
14, 21, 28 Nov, 5, 12 19 Dec, 16, 23, 30 Jan, 6, 13, 20, 27 Feb, 6, 13, 0, 27 March
If we were to start on 21 Nov we would play on Sat 9 January.
Midweek Pennant
10, 17, 24 Nov, 1, 8, 15 Dec, 19. 26 Jan, 2, 9, 16. 23 Feb, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 March
If we were to start on 17 Nov we would play on Tues 22 Dec.
Notes for Pennant this season
Pennant is a rock up, play and go home game due to Covid 19 requirements.
Players should bring their own food and drink together with drink bottles. Self Serve tea and coffee will not be available at Clubs due to the stringent cleaning requirements with providing refreshments.
If a raffle is held it must be held prior to play. Pre-game assemblies must be held outside. Rain delays must observe Covid 19 restrictions.
All players must wear a mask. Car travel is currently restricted fo eligible bubbles which would not include 4 bowlers travelling to bowls in the one car.
Saturday Pennant will be held over 25 live ends with the same number of players as last year and a break of 10 minutes during the afternoon. If both managers agree play can be straight through. If multiple games are at a venue breaks should be staggered to reduce demands on toilets etc. There will be no afternoon tea.
Midweek Pennant will be held over 21 live ends with play straight through.
These changes have been made with consideration of the effects of Covid 19 and the upcoming absorption of West and South Gippsland Divisions into Strzelecki Region although it is anticipated that Pennant will remain area based.
Other Divisions and Regions throughout Victoria are planning to suit their regions. North Gippsland are starting shortly, East Gippsland is looking to start after Christmas for example.
Annual General Meeting
The West Gippsland Bowls Division Annual Meeting will be held at Morwell BC on Monday 9 November at 10.00am. This venue was chosen due to the large amount of undercover available.
Annual Elections
Nominations open on Friday 9th October and close on Friday 23 October. The following positions will be available Chairman currently Chris Ward, Deputy Chairman currently Joan Goldie, Secretary currently Michael Holroyd, Treasurer currently Ian Wilson, Male Committee currently Rob Stephens and Female Committee currently Pat Hiriart. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman should be of different gender as should the two Committee members. Current Board Members have indicated their intention to renominate.
If an election is necessary, it will be a postal ballot with votes received by Monday 2nd November.
Energy Australia Classic Singles the application from Newborough BC was approved for 11 – 14 Jan 2021.
The Treasure reported a balance at the end of the financial year of $$6900 with term deposits of $15,000.
The Division has received a $2000 Government Grant, and this is not included in the above figure. We will not be printing a booklet so we will be looking at having a reduced affiliation fee for this year. We will also negotiate with Strzelecki Region who have also received a grant and they did not spend the $1 levy for players selected in their representative teams last season.
The Board will be meeting again on Monday 26th October when we anticipate more information regarding Covid 19 being available.
Clubs are encouraged to get people bowling and Championship events completed.
The following events will not be held this season Opening Day, McGilton and Barry Shields and Kate Tilbury Shields.
Michael Holroyd
Secretary
9/10/20
Nominations for Elections to the WGBD Board Of Management
West Gippsland Bowls Division Inc.
NOMINATIONS ARE CALLED FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:
CHAIRMAN
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
SECRETARY
TREASURER
MALE COMMITTEE MEMBER
FEMALE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Chairman and Deputy Chairman should be of different genders.
Nomination forms should be completed with signatures from delegates from two separate Clubs and submitted by the closing date of 23 October 2020..
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Written applications are called for membership of the following Committees.
DEPUTY UMPIRES COMMITTEE
COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE
Members of the Competitions Committee must be prepared to attend State Championship Events, assist with WGBD events, assist with Pennant Organisation and select a representative team to play South Gippsland.
Applications should be sent to
Michael Holroyd
Secretary WGBD
PO Box 10
Newborough 3825
NOMINATION FORM, CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD
WGBD 29th SEPTEMBER 2020
It has been brought to my attention that some bowlers are not wearing face masks whilst bowling.
I have copied the latest advice from Bowls Vic regarding use of face masks:
UPDATE: Tuesday 22nd September, 2020.
Face coverings: in most cases, must still be worn when playing bowls. The DHHS directive provides for face coverings to be removed during strenuous exercise, therefore Bowls Victoria recommends that a player may remove a face covering when puffing or breathing heavily, however it must be replaced once a player has caught their breath. If the mask is removed, it should be kept on the person.
This advice from Bowls Vic is quite specific and Bowls in general is not a sport where participants are huffing and puffing continuously.
Clubs are requested to ensure that this direction is being followed.
Michael Holroyd
Secretary
WGBD 29/9/20
WGBD 23rd SEPTEMBER 2020
Questions are being asked as to when Pennant is starting and why are some Country Regions looking at starting in mid October when West Gippsland is not appearing to be making any progress.
Most Country Regions do not have Clubs within the Melbourne lockdown zone. We have Garfield situated within this zone.
There may be some players at other Clubs who live in lock down areas.
Travel is a problem with people in Country regions restricted to carrying people from their household or personal “bubble” within their cars.
Bowls Vic has given all regions and divisions until Easter to complete their Pennant and this may change if Melbourne has difficulties finishing prior to Easter.
In recent years we have received numerous comments that Pennant starts and finishes too early. This is the only time we have had the ability to continue pennant play throughout March.
We are conscious that many Clubs need to do a lot of work in
– getting their players financial. Nobody should be playing Bowls if they are unfinancial and many older bowlers are concerned for their long term health with their doctors advising them to stay away from other people and Clubs etc.
– ensuring they meet Covid 19 requirements with keeping a record of player attendance, cleaning jacks and mats together with maintaining social distancing requirements during play and whilst players are waiting to play or during any free time they may have.
– Clubhouse use is restricted and needs to be strictly observed with players being seated and observing social distancing.
We are hopeful things improve quickly.
Clubs need to be vigilant, a covid 19 case within a Club could result in the Club needing to close for a period and members and visitors at the Club at that time facing mass quarantines for 14 days. Clubs would also be faced with massive bills for a covid safe cleaning operation to occur. You only need 1 positive case for great difficulties to occur
I reiterate record keeping of Club attendances is essential as is the cleaning and sanitising of equipment such as jacks, mats and umpires equipment.
WGBD Clubs should be holding as many Club competitions as possible early in the season.
Use the next month to get as many Club championship games as possible completed.
We hope to be able to give Clubs at least 4 weeks notice of proposed starting dates for Pennant. The main worries at present are the Garfield lockdown together with the restrictions on personal travel to pennant.
We hope to have more information available in the week commencing Mon 5th October..
Michael Holroyd.
Secretary
WGBD 23/9/20
WGBD 31 JULY 2020
Life is quite difficult for Bowling Clubs with the present covid 19 situation.
The WGBD will not be attempting to set dates for Pennant etc until there is more certainty in the availability of Clubs for Pennant.
At the present time Clubs in Baw Baw and Latrobe are allowed 32 players on a single green and 20 people in each Clubhouse space providing social distancing rules allow this number inside.
Clubs in Cardinia Shire are in lockdown as are players living in that Shire and in Greater Melbourne.
The WGBD is confident that Pennant will be able to be played both Midweek and Saturdays, however, we need more information from the Government before we are able to make these decisions.
We are uncertain as to how willing players will be to participate in Bowls once the situation improves.
Michael Holroyd
Secretary WGBD
As per the Bowls Vic website there are relaxed restrictions on how many people can play bowls at a Club – social distancing rules still apply.
West Gippsland Bowls Division is still waiting on news from Bowls Vic and Strzelecki Region regarding the starting date for pennant and regional events. Bowls Vic has indicated they may make an announcement in mid-July. Many of these dates rely on information from the Government.
There is a $1,000 State Government grant available to Clubs who can demonstrate a loss of income over the last few months. All Clubs should be looking to apply for this funding – details on Bowls Vic website. and James Whitehead has information.
West Gippsland will not be issuing a fixture until further information is available regarding playing conditions. I would not suggest sending booklets to the printers without this information.
President Chris and I attended a meeting with Bowls Vic recently and were told that West Gippsland Bowls Division would be absorbed by Strzelecki Region for the 2021 – 22 season. This is non-negotiable according to Bowls Vic. It is anticipated that pennant would still be conducted within West Gippsland and similarly for South Gippsland. I will forward more information later.
We will give notice of our AGM in due course.
Michael Holroyd
The following information has been received from Bowls Victoria
regarding the playing of Bowls.
West Gippslnd Bowls Division has cancelled this weekend’s Men’s Champion of Champion Pairs at Traralgon and the following weeks Champion Fours is also cancelled.
After discussions with South Gippsland Bowls Division the Olney Cup on Tuesday 7 April scheduled for Yinnar has been cancelled and Strzelecki Region AGM has been cancelled until further notice.
Clubs are requested to heed the advice given by Bowls Vic and members are requested to look after themselves in the forthcoming weeks.
Michael Holroyd
0434 146 865
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