Dear Member
I promise these emails will not become too regular a feature – I know some of you feel that you hear enough from me as it is! However, in these challenging times I think it is only right we display some leadership and let you know that the Bowls Community won’t suddenly cease to exist even if our freedom to enjoy our greens is going to be delayed!
I’d like to thank you all for your positive responses to the Community Initiative we launched. For those who didn’t get the original email and know nothing about it you can find out more on the link below. We now have several volunteers and also several members who have requested some assistance – and we will be making plans to support you imminently. Please do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it – we genuinely will do what we can. To sign up to volunteer or seek support, please Click Here – there is no shame in asking for help in these difficult times even if its just someone to talk to!
The reason for emailing this time is a personal plea. I really need to ask for everyone’s ongoing support to your clubs. If as a collective membership we do not rally to the challenge of supporting our clubs who still need to make ends meet, the scary reality is for some clubs they may not open their doors again. The message all across the UK on bowls message forums and chatboards is that many hundreds of clubs run the risk of closure. I am sure you will agree, that we cannot let our treasured past-time be confined to history because we let COVID-19 beat us. The reality is, whilst there may be no set date currently, we will be allowed back on the greens and whilst the 2020 season may look incredibly different, there are still grounds for hope these restrictions on our way of life will be lifted for us to be able to enjoy some of our 2020 season.
There is no doubt we will need to be creative – to form new competitions and mini leagues as one-offs for the 2020 season but Bowls Jersey and your individual clubs will rise to the challenge. I am really heartened by how much engagement we’ve been able to enjoy with all the clubs – and I know that this will continue. It’s equally important to me that Bowls Jersey continue to engage directly with it’s members – some of whom would have felt no connection to us previously. We’ve already got some exciting ideas and initiatives to maximise whatever green time we may get this season and we know many of you will be keen to make up for lost time! I hope we get old and new faces taking up the opportunities that may arise.
Like all of us, your Committee’s are helpless in this situation but remain passionate to do the best for your Club and have transitioned to video conferencing supported by Bowls Jersey. From me, thank you to everyone involved in these meetings for your no fuss transition and I am delighted we have been able to at least keep club governance functioning in this way.
To my own Committee and all the Club Committees – you had invested so much time preparing for this season and I hope that not all of it will be in vain – I cannot thank you enough for your continued efforts for our sport.
As I finish, I’d like to advertise the first Bowls Jersey “Pub Quiz” which will be done online via Zoom. Instructions will be sent out in due course. I propose doing this on Thursday 16th April, as we will be half way through the first mandatory lockdown by then, from 7.15pm so everyone can have dinner first! If you’d be interested in taking part, please Click Here to Register Interest.
To close, it seems that most of you already will be adhering to all advice but I do ask you to follow instructions, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance and of course naturally, stay safe and healthy.
I’ll be in touch again soon and I look forward to seeing you all on the greens for what will be a very different but special 2020 season – but firstly maybe even on our experimental quiz night!
Yours in Sport,
Greg Davis
Bowls Jersey – President
Bowls Jersey 