Development

Strategic Plan for the Development of Bowls - click here

Operational Plan for Club Development - click here

WORLD BOWLS

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

"BOWLS - A SPORT FOR ALL"

Social and Friendship
Enjoyment
Sportsmanship
Competitive

Principal Guidlines for the Development of the Sport
by National Authorities and Clubs
for use at "Workshops" conducted by the National Authorities

1.0 Public Relations - Image

1.1 Strive to become recognized and accepted as a serious sporting body in its country
1.2 Be represented in government sporting bodies
1.3 Be represented on key world committees of the sport
1.4 Participation in international competitions and bolster national pride
1.5 Maintain a physical record of the history and tradition of the sport
1.6 Improve the "image" of the sport by marketing it as a vibrant, dynamic and exciting leisure activity for people of all ages and socio-economic groups
1.7 Review relations with disability groups

2.0 Communications

2.1 Maintain an Internet Website
2.2 Maintain an up-to-date data base of all members
2.3 Build a detailed and informative data base for the Website
2.4 Distribute regular e-newsletters
2.5 The National Authority to be in regular communication with its centres and Clubs
2.6 Information sharing and dissemination
2.7 Advise centres, Clubs and members of the World Bowls Website and the updated information thereon - www.worldbowlsltd.co.uk

3.0 Playing the Sport

3.1 "Affiliate" all persons playing the sport - see World Bowls Website on this aspect
3.2 Regular review of competitions
3.3 Conduct post event survey of each competition
3.4 Promote training opportunities to Clubs and centres
3.5 Support and develop all levels of coaching
3.6 Undertake a world- class high performance programme for elite athletes
3.7 Participation at international competitions
3.8 Encourage visits to, and from, other National Authorities

4.0 Financial Considerations

4.1 Attract sponsors, key funding agencies and commercial partners
4.2 Increase the total revenue generated by the sport at all levels
4.3 Establish a position of financial stability and independence
4.4 Develop models for viable centres and clubs

5.0 Administration

5.1 Establish appropriate administrative structures, appoint personnel and develop all levels of administration systems
5.2 Keep committee members regularly informed of activities
5.3 Work with the management, staff and volunteers in developing their skills and competency

6.0 Club Development

6.1 Regularly bring to the notice of Clubs all aspects for the development of the sport at Club level with particular emphasis on the maintaining of existing members and the recruiting of new members, including the many examples given in the World Bowls Operational Plan for the Development of Clubs on the World Bowls Website, such as:
6.1.1 Open day
6.1.2 Promotional activities, such as shopping mall display
6.1.3 Marketing strategies
6.1.4 Regular communication between Club and its members
6.1.5 Newsletters, or better still, e-newsletters
6.1.6 "Buddy-system" for all members
6.1.7 "Member-brings-member"
6.1.8 Social gatherings
6.1.9 Hold regular "think-tanks"
6.1.10 Create talent identification programmes
6.1.11 Create and implement youth bowls development plans and strategies

6.2 Explore the opportunities of introducing the sport to all target markets, including to retirement villages

7.0 General

7.1 Create strategic plans for the next five years on an on-going basis
7.2 Conduct regular "workshops" on development
7.3 Review of the World Bowls Strategic Plan for Development on the World Bowls Website

Submitted by: The World Bowls Development Committee January 2007

ADVANTAGES OF "AFFILIATION"

From the various Development Conferences conducted by World Bowls it has transpired that in most of the National Authorities there are very many individuals who play the sport on a regular basis but have no desire to become affiliated to a club and there are clubs that have no interest in being affiliated to its Division and/or the National Authority.

What are the benefits of affiliation?

     1     World Bowls in its various forms was established very many years ago to protect and preserve the sport. Its responsibility is one of stewardship and trusteeship on behalf of, and accountable directly and indirectly to, all those who play the sport.

     2     World Bowls and its National Authorities, as independent bodies stand apart from all constituencies, commercial and otherwise of the sport and adopt policies that are in the best interests of the sport and for the enjoyment of its participants.

     3     Individuals who play the sport are benefiting from the infrastructure and the laws of the sport developed, improved and amended over very many years by World Bowls and through its National Authorities.

     4     World Bowls, its National Authorities and the Clubs cement a bond between the individual and the larger community of like-minded bowlers who recognise the need to nurture the values of the sport and ensure that they are passed on to future generations.

     5     The National and Divisional Authorities provide instructional materials and supplies on all aspects of the sport without which the sport would not exist.

     6     All bowlers benefit directly in the substantial "investment" made in the past. The "investment" must be protected and this can be done by becoming a member of a club and affiliated to your National Authority and by paying the nominal fee requested.

     7     Affiliation is not something that is linked to competitiveness and every bowler has a moral duty to support the required infrastructure of the sport, which is a club, the County/State, then the National Authority and the international federation, World Bowls.

     8     By supporting the infrastructure of the sport, a member will also have the benefit of advice on playing formats, receiving umpiring advice, participate in coaching schemes and the opportunity to visit clubs throughout the world.

     9     There is of course the very old adage "if you play then you pay", and in reality, the amount you pay is indeed very nominal in proportion to the substancial benefits enjoyed.