NCBA President & Captain Matt Hewitt address on 2020.

President’s Address

I think I can confidently say that my first year as your President has been like no other in history, due to COVID-19.

In such times it is important to realise that there are far more important things in life than bowls. I agree wholeheartedly with the postponement of all games as people’s safety cannot be compromised, especially as many of us that play the game are particularly vulnerable to the disease. I note that some clubs are now open for games which is pleasing but there are social distancing rules and measures in place and these must be adhered to for your own safety. It is important to realise that although some restrictions on our movements have been relaxed, the virus is very much still amongst us and I urge you all to be vigilant and stay safe.

Personally, I have missed the social side of our great sport more than the actual playing of the game – which to those of you that know me well will find surprising. I have really missed Newark and Skegness weeks in particular as I’m sure everyone who usually attends these events as a player, supporter or spectator has.

On a more positive note, I am very pleased to hear from Paul that Newton Bowls Club has affiliated to the EBF for the coming season. I hope that the club becomes an active one in our organisation, and very much look forward to seeing its players on the green competing for both county titles and places in county teams.

With hindsight I am very pleased that I agreed to be President for two years and sincerely hope that my second year is much more interesting than this one, and look forward to performing my duties to the best of my ability before I hand over the reins to Joseph Gowler.

Captain’s Address

As all of you who have been involved in the Newton Trophy games will already know it was my intention to be a strong enough county to also enter an Adams team this season. I felt that we fell slightly short of what I thought was the minimum number of players required to comfortably fill two sides, so it was agreed that only a Newton team would be entered.

COVID-19 has obviously meant that there have been no matches played at all this year. When we are up and running again, we will only enter one team in 2021 - in the Newton Trophy. I hope that with Newton Bowls Club members now being available for selection, and the continued support from other affiliated club’s members, we will be able to enter teams into both competitions in 2022.

As 2021 will (hopefully) be the last time we only enter one team I would really like to try and surprise a few counties (as we started to do) and qualify for Skegness as Newton Trophy winners. To do this I would need to pick our strongest side for each game but I can only do this if players make themselves available. Some of you may still be chuckling to yourselves at my optimism – but remember we were the first team to beat Northants 22-0 on their own green. We also beat Norfolk 16-6 before losing to Huntingdonshire (narrowly), Lincolnshire and Suffolk and finished a very respectable third in the league table, ahead of Northants, Hunts and Norfolk.

I appreciate that some of you might not be selected for matches you would like to play in, but being selected to play for North Cambs should be an honour and not a given because you make yourself available. No-one enjoys being thrashed every week or finishing bottom of the table each season and if that were still the case I’d certainly not enjoy being your captain very much!

Hopefully in 2022 there will be two teams playing each week which will mean that there are more spaces available. Remember that my selection of ‘our strongest possible team’ is only my opinion and not necessarily correct – I have made mistakes and will continue to do so. If you are not selected to play in a particular game, please continue to lend me your support by making yourselves available for other matches.

I very much look forward to seeing you on the green again very soon, but in the meantime stay safe!

Connie Cousins

3rd statement from EBF on COVID 19 ~ issued 29th June 2020

2nd statement from EBF on COVID 19 ~ issued 2nd June 2020

Further updates on playing Bowls received from the Government.

Following on from the Government opening more measures.  The Government guidance now allows clubs to consider alternative formats with reduced numbers per rink – for example singles and pairs – in order for social distancing to be more easily maintained. Rinks of 3 would be allowed but you must have procedures in place to maintain social distancing.

Clubs may wish to allow spectators, however their attendance must be in line with Government guidelines on social distancing and the ability of the club to accommodate the additional numbers

Bowls clubs will need to communicate clearly and regularly with members and participants setting out what they are doing to manage risk, and what advice they are giving to individuals to do likewise.

Ideally clubs should publish an action plan detailing their plans to re-open safely and the steps they are taking to avoid confusion.

Clubs should also communicate clearly opening times and how people can safely access a facility, if relevant, for example through a booking or queuing system.

It is more important than ever to consider inclusive guidance for people who need support to be active and organisations should consider this as part of their work to encourage people to return.

  The government is clear that sports participation should be restricted to participants exercising by themselves, with members from their same household, or in a group of no more than 5 other people from other households, while observing social distancing guidelines. The police have been given powers to enforce these measures.

To help everyone maintain good hygiene, consideration should be given to:

Sue Tolliday North Cambs EWBF Presidents Day video.

Click to open video ~  Sue presidents day video 2020.mov

Statement issued by E.B.F 13th May 2020 ref. COVID 19

Further COVID 19 information from Dave Woods EBF Secretary 14th May 2020

Further to my document yesterday, I have put together a further update from the government for which we must attain to when opening private or public greens.

Timetable for re-opening

Bowls facilities are now allowed to open.

Each venue, including council-owned sports facilities, will make their own decisions about when their facilities are ready to open and can be operated safely. Please check ahead on websites and social media to make sure before you arrive at a facility that it has reopened and what advice they are offering users, for example if there is a booking system.

You can play lawn bowls where facilities have reopened, but you can only take part in these activities by yourself, or with members of your household or with 1 person outside of your household, as long as you are able to maintain social distancing.

Changing rooms

Indoor facilities, apart from toilets and through-ways should be kept closed.

Maintaining hygiene, through hand washing, sanitisation facilities and toilets

To help everyone maintain good hygiene, consideration should be given to:

• Using signs and posters to build awareness of good hand washing technique, the need to increase hand washing frequency, avoid touching your face and to cough or sneeze into your arm

• Providing regular reminders and signage to maintain hygiene standards

• Providing hand sanitiser in multiple locations in addition to washrooms

• Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets to ensure they are kept clean and social distancing is achieved as much as possible

• Enhancing cleaning for busy areas

• Providing more waste facilities and more frequent rubbish collection

• Replacing hand dryers with paper towels in hand washing facilities

• Minimising use of portable toilets

• Sufficient provision of automated hand sanitising dispensers in public places

Sharing Equipment:

Equipment can be shared, but you should enforce strong hygiene measures.

This might be cleaning it rigorously in line with wider guidance on hygiene, for example by using antibacterial spray and washing hands thoroughly before and after use.

Communicating clearly and consistently. All Bowls clubs will need to communicate clearly and regularly with members and participants setting out what they are doing to manage risk, and what advice they are giving to individuals to do likewise.

Bowls clubs should also communicate clearly opening times and how people can safely access a facility, if relevant, for example through a booking or queuing system.

E.B.F. update on Outdoor Bowling 13th May 2020

Following Boris Johnson’s announcement on Sunday 10th May 2020

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (D.C.M.S) have now released instructions on when Bowling Clubs may re-open. Bowling green’s can now re-open from today Wednesday 13th May, You should only partake in such activities alone, with members of your household, or with one other person from outside your household, while practising social distancing. Competitions and competitive bowling will not be allowed at the present time. Clubhouses should remain closed and you should take particular care if you need to use any inside facilities. (E.g. Toilets).

Clubs should take all the necessary steps in order to facilitate their Club re-opening; some players are clearly keen to get back on the greens. It will be for individuals and Clubs to determine when they are ready to start bowling again. Inside facilities such as toilets should be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects e.g. door handles. Employers should provide hand washing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points and on the greens.

Equipment must be placed outside for members to use and cleaned with sanitisers and disinfectants. There will be no facilities for changing.