Bowls: £1 development levy rejected by CCCGBA (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Bowls: £1 development levy rejected by CCCGBA

6:00pm Wednesday 14th December 2011 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

A PROPOSAL to introduce a £1 levy for bowls players across Cumbria was rejected at the Cumbria County Crown Green Bowls Association’s annual general meeting.

Many clubs and committee members had hoped the annual levy would create a development fund to ensure the longevity of the game, but the plan was defeated by a small margin.

President and treasurer for the association, Mike Tordoff, said he believed there was an underlying current of support for the levy and that if it was resubmitted at the next AGM it would probably be approved.

He added: “As an amateur association it has been very much hand to mouth in terms of annual expenses and we want to develop and broaden membership.

“By paying £1 per year per member to a bowls development fund, it encourages new members and more coaching opportunities while providing a contribution towards equipment.”

Mr Tordoff said a lot of sports clubs and bowls clubs in particular are under threat because of developers trying to take over green land and Barrow in Furness MP John Woodcock has put in a Private Members Bill to the House of Commons to make it more difficult to let planners develop sports facilities and to protect bowling greens.

Mr Tordoff, a member of Levens Bowling Club, added: “We wanted to ask the bowlers because it is for them to support their activity for the future. I know some members have said they would provide a voluntary donation.

“Some people think bowling is just for older people but the vast majority are under 40 and most clubs in Cumbria have a good collection of junior bowlers.

“Bowls is recognised by Sport England as one of few sports that can be played from the cradle to the grave and we want to ensure its future.”