Warwickshire County Bowls Association

Important Update Regarding Fixtures and Competitions

Details

Published: 20 March 2020

Following on from the decisions / guidelines issued by Bowls England. The WCBA Executive Committee have agreed to the position we will adopt in relation to this year’s planned program.

County Competitions leading to National Championships
Bowls England have advised that that the National Championships will be cancelled and the entry fees will be refunded to County Associations. They (BE) also suggested that each individual entrant should be contacted to determine if they wished their entry to be carried over to the 2020 season rather than receiving the refund.
WCBA response: All competitions in this category will be cancelled. When we have received the Bowls England refund, we will in turn refund the full competition entry fees received to club secretaries for onward refund to the individual entrants. It is not our intention to contact individual entrants with regard to next season but will issue Competition Entry Forms in August in line with our normal practice.

Other County Competitions – Wardrop Cup, Ivens Cup, Unbadged Singles and Mixed Pairs
These competitions will be cancelled for 2020 and all entry fees will be refunded to club secretaries for onward refund to the individual entrants where applicable.

Affiliation fees
Bowls England have advised that the affiliation fee paid for 2020 (5.00/member) will be refunded to County Associations for onward refund to affiliated clubs.
WCBA response: WCBA affiliation fees paid by clubs for 2020 (£2.50/member) will be refunded to affiliated clubs at the same time as passing on the refund from Bowls England.

Additional comments on refunds
WCBA intend to make a single payment to cover the refunds listed above. Ideally this payment will be made by bank transfer. Can you therefore please provide the County Secretary with the bank account information to which payment can be made, alternatively the name and address to whom cheque payments should be sent. Please note, the Bowls England refund will be made to the Warwickshire Bowls Association, who in turn will refund the Warwickshire County Bowls Association (us) and Warwickshire Women’s Bowling Association (the ladies) so there will be a delay while payments are cleared at the various stages. Be patient, you will be paid.

Benevolent Fund
As a large proportion of our members fall into the ‘at risk’ category, we anticipate that there will be a higher than average requests for help from the fund this year. Would your club therefore consider making a donation out of the refunds you will receive, suggestion £25? If yes, could you please indicate permission and amount when providing the details for repayment as requested above.

Other County decisions

Inter-County Friendlies
These will be cancelled for 2020. Work has already started with other counties to make arrangements for next year. We would like to thank all those who had agree to play for the county this year, we value your support and hope that you will continue to do so in the future.

Celebration Matches (Presidents Matches)
These will be cancelled for 2020. Affected clubs will be offered the opportunity to carry these over to 2021.

Secretary’s Match (Royal Household)
This will be cancelled for 2020, hopefully arrangements will be made for next year.

Secretary/ Treasurer’s Meeting
Due to be held 28th March 2020, already cancelled.

Annual Luncheon and Presentation of Prizes
Due to be held 22nd November 2020. This will be cancelled this year.

Annual General Meeting
Due to be held 7th November 2020. Will be review nearer the time.

Final Comment
The Executive Committee will provide support if we are able to do so and keep you up to date with any developments, we are made aware of.