Corona Virus Continues

Posted Robin Staples

5th April 2020.

It is only 15 days since the last social games of bowls at Bowral Bowling Club.  Seems such a short time yet also ages ago.  I have talked to both Deputy Chairperson Elaine Jones and Bowls Secretary Dan Ticehurst and the message is that the situation is being monitored closely and bowls will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.  A email from Bowls NSW seemed to indicate that roll ups could resume under the guide lines layed down by the Federal Government.  However, this email was quickly followed by a joint message from both the Ladies and  Mens NSW Bowls saying no play was to take place.  I am not sure if every member of the bowling community receive these emails, but in case you have not seen them I attach them below.  So hopefully, we continue to self isolate and wait for things to get better.  For Club members who are interested in Facebook the Club face book page is now active under the guidance of our new manager’s wife and may be a source of communication.  Bob Edwards sent me the photos shown below which shows how at least one of the Club members are usefully spending their time with a splendid pagola to smarten his back yard.  Bob was one of the members who was having a stella season before corona.  In the unfinished Club Championship Singles he had excellent wins over David Coltman and past champion Jim Neely, as well as being skipper of the winning Chris Benton Memorial Shield.  Let’s hope his season is as good after we return to bowls.  Finally, there will not be much to add to “Bowls News’ without bowls, so if anyone has been completing any interesting projects please let me know at srstaples@tpg.com.au.  For my part I have filled my days with gardening and working on a Blurb Photo book of our last holiday to France, so I include a picture.  Cherry vendor from the Ardeche Mountains (below Bob).
Update from Bowls NSW Regarding CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19)

 

A new update from Bowls NSW regarding Covid-19 has been posted on our website.
Please click here for the update

 

Update 1/4/2020

Joint Advice from Women’s Bowls NSW and Bowls NSW Regarding Latest CLUBSNSW Circular

Bowls NSW and Women’s Bowls NSW are aware of a Clubs NSW circular released today concerning the news that bowling greens can remain open as long as the activity was limited to no more than two persons.

This Circular and the NSW Minister for Sport in an interview on 2GB (1st April 2020) did not specify if the two-person rule, in the case of lawn bowls, is meant to be two per rink or two per green, and further advice from the Minister’s office simply states that social distancing guidelines are to be adhered to.

Due to the uncertainty and lack of clarity surrounding our sport and its inclusion under this social distancing law, Bowls NSW and Women’s Bowls NSW continues with its stance that ALL BOWLS ACTIVITY be suspended at all levels as per regulations already in place.

We ask that all members and Clubs continue to practice responsible social behavior and adhere to all public health orders and restrictions as set out by the relevant authorities.

The enforcement of these restrictions has now come in to force as gazetted under the Public Health Act and released 30 March. This notice is very clear that licensed premises must be closed and does not have gazetted an exception for social sports activity, as an essential activity, which roll up/practice would fall under.

To view this gazette notice click here

 

To view circular 9/2020 Joint Advice from Women’s Bowls NSW and Bowls NSW
Regarding Latest CLUBSNSW Circular click here.
Official communication from Bowls NSW

 
Update from Bowls NSW Regarding CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19)

 

A new update from Bowls NSW regarding Covid-19 has been posted on our website.
Please click here for the update

 

Update 31/3/2020

All Clubs and members are reminded of the new social distancing measures in place, which are now enforceable.
All Clubs are shut down and ALL Social Sporting Activity is banned (this includes roll-ups/practices).

There have been numerous assistance and relief measures implemented over the last few days that could be of great benefit to clubs and members.

Bowls NSW strongly urges all Club Managers and/or Administrators as well as any staff, contractors and individuals to keep up to date by checking all available resources;

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE:

The Australian Government has introduced various stimulus packages, including:

  • Job Keeper Payment
  • Boosting Cash Flow
  • Temporary Relief
  • Increasing Threshold for Instant Asset Write off
  • Backing Business Investment
  • Job Seeker Allowance

You can read information on all these incentives by clicking on Australia Treasury and ATO links above

NSW State Government Deferral of Gaming Tax and Payroll Tax click here.

AUSTRAC advice regarding extension of Compliance Report 2019 to 30 June click here.

Many Club Suppliers have announced relief measures – to see list of suppliers and type of relief click here.

Bowls NSW advises that All Clubs whose year end is March, April or May 2020 will have payment of their 2020/2021 Affiliation Fee deferred until at least June 2020, at which a further review will be undertaken.

The Bowls NSW Board and Senior Staff are in the process of considering options regarding appropriate fee relief for all affiliated Bowling Clubs affected by forced shut down and will announce these as they are finalised.

Bowls NSW advises that the 2020 City v Country Series to be played at Cabramatta on 16 – 17 May has been CANCELLED.

Bowls NSW also advises that ALL Interstate Test Series for 2020 season have been CANCELLED.

These events are:

  • U18s NSW v QLD Series – scheduled to be played at Brisbane 5 – 6 July
  • NSW v VIC Test Series – scheduled to be played at Moama 7 – 8 July
  • NSW v QLD Test Series – scheduled to be played at Taren Point 30 – 31 July
  • NSW v ACT Test Series – scheduled to be played at Tuggeranong 12 – 13 September

The above series’ include all divisions (Open; Senior; O40s &/or U25s)

The Soldiers Point Classic Quadrangular Series weekend scheduled for 15 – 16 August is on hold, pending a decision to be made regarding The Nationals by Bowls Australia, (hopefully) to be made mid-April.

The following events are still suspended, pending further information and any return to opening of clubs and greens;

  • State Pennants
  • State Championships
  • State Champion of Champions
  • State Rookies
  • State O40s Pairs
  • Club Challenge
  • State U25 Singles
  • Junior 7 a Side

Bowls NSW reminds members of events already cancelled as notified in earlier release.
Bowls NSW Office is closed and any phone messages will only be intermittently retrieved.
Please contact enquiries@bowlsnsw.com.au if we can be of any assistance to any club or member.

For the circular 8/2020 COVID-19 Update and Affiliation Fee Notice click here.