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    30

    Mar 2022

    Last Updated: 30/03/2022
    Community
    Community

    Bid to save ‘at risk’ Harrogate district bowls clubs

    by Calvin Robinson

    | 30 Mar, 2022
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    Sixteen bowling clubs in the Harrogate district have joined forces to find new players in response to concerns that some could close due to low membership.

    harrogatebowls
    Bowlers at the Black Swan Bowling Club, Harrogate.

    Bowls clubs in the Harrogate district have joined forces in an attempt to recover from the covid pandemic.

    All 16 clubs that play in the Harrogate league have come together after it became clear that some were at risk of folding.

    Dave Rowson, secretary of Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association, which governs the game in the district and coordinates its development, said the organisation had launched a drive to increase participation and retain players.

    Mr Rowson said membership in local crown green bowls was declining and some clubs were at risk of going under.

    He said:

    “Membership of many clubs is declining and of the 16 clubs in the district there are a number forecasting that without an increase in participation they could be at risk of being unable to remain in existence.”


    Mr Rowson, who is also secretary of Black Swan Bowling Club on Devonshire Place in Harrogate, pointed to Bilton Working Men’s Club as an example of a club which needed support.

    The club currently has 26 bowlers and needs more players to remain viable.



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    Paul Gill, who is a member of Bilton Working Men’s Club, said part of the problem was that the sport was regarded as an “old man’s game”.

    He added that people also did not know where the bowling greens are situated because they are often behind buildings or hidden.

    Mr Gill said:

    “They do not know they are there.
    “There are a lot of locations and a lot of clubs.”


    Grants and strategy


    After two years of the covid pandemic, the 16 clubs decided to come up with a strategy to ensure their survival.

    As part of that, Mr Rowson secured a £1,500 grant to set up a website for Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association.

    The site will enable each club to advertise open days for potential new members. The season runs from April to October so the number of open days is expected to ramp up shortly.

    Mr Rowson added:

    “The programme will be open to all. Bowls is a sport for everyone irrespective of age or gender. Everyone can compete equally.”


    Younger players, parents and people retiring from other sports such as cricket and football will be encouraged to come along.

    The association aims to get 600 new participants trying bowls. Mr Rowson added that there was capacity for 13 more eight-person teams in the Harrogate league.

    He estimates that the league would need 80 new bowlers for those teams and to cover any player holiday or illness.

    The association has also bid to North Yorkshire Sport for up to £5,000 in funding for equipment costs and coaches to help new players.

    For more information on how to get involved with your local bowls club, visit the Harrogate Amateur Bowling Association website.