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Bowls: Yorkshire bowls may be facing a watershed year
Bowlers at the Winter Pairs held at Potternewton Park.
With the attention firmly on the London Olympics for a large section of the sporting media in 2012, we see it as the duty of the YEP bowls column to keep the focus very much on local matters for the year ahead.
Which is why when the propaganda machine that is London 2012 is trying to promote the stars of the future, it can leave “minority sports” fans somewhat cold.
Fear not! A quick glance at the latest press release from the BCGBA will have the mind whirring overtime at the prospect of the number of decent money, open competitions there are out there – including the aptly-named, £4,000 Olympic Classic at Orrell, Greater Manchester, in August.
And we mustn’t forget the “international” class that will be travelling to our region for the competitions at Cleckheaton, South Leeds and Pudsey throughout the year.
Well, they’re international in the sense that any Welsh entrants have to cross one border to get here.
Although the calendar is awash with league, county and open competitions, there is a sense that 2012 is already being approached by some as a watershed period.
Whether it is on the back of sporting interest driven by the Olympics, with the hope that some of that “let’s get out there and take part” enthusiasm will rub off on all sports, there are a number of key drives designed to attract new members to the game.
The Yorkshire Bowls Partnership is just one organisation looking to boost the profile of the game in the county this year.
Consisting of representatives from each of the five codes within the game – Crown, Flat, indoor, short mat and Federation – the YBP will be hosting at least one event in the coming months which might be of interest to a number of people.
The purpose of the evening is to bring together local club officials and members, with the idea of presenting how the YBP can help clubs throughout the season.
The YBP is fully committed to supporting both the recently-formed Bowls Development Alliance (another cross-code organisation) and our regional bodies – particularly crown green in the West Yorkshire area.
The event, at Elland CA & BC (HX5 0QY) takes place from 7.30pm on Thursday, February 16.
The evening includes presentations from the likes of YBP and the bda, as well as from West Yorkshire Sport.
Clubs from the region are invited to send two representatives along to discuss the state of the game and the support that is available.
The event is free, with supper provided. All you are asked to do is confirm with Joan Wrigley, the 2012 Crown Green county president, if you are planning to attend.
You can do this via e-mail at joan.wrigley@btinternet.com.
This is an excellent opportunity to get across the questions you feel need to be asked.
If you are unable to attend, a second call for volunteers to support the YBP might be of interest.
The YBP, in association with the BDA, are looking for volunteers to help with their initiatives throughout the county this year.
You may be asked to drive a van, set up a stand or support taster sessions at clubs, schools or leisure centres – there really is a role for everyone as long as they are willing to support the development of the game.
If you would like more information on helping out in some way, contact Charles Clark (YBP Hon Sec) on 01642 484410 or Paul Humphreys on 07557 819569.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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