Giba gets the response it hoped

THREE senior umpires from the English Bowls Umpires Association (EBUA) have been in Guernsey to train a new team of local officials to national World Bowls standards.

It was urgently required, said Guernsey Indoor Bowls Association chairman Peter Harris.

'The number of qualified and able-bodied umpires had dwindled over the years, to such that the local umpires association was unable to meet its commitments to officiate at indoor and outdoor championships,' said Harris.

'Following an appeal to indoor and outdoor bowlers, we have been delighted with the response, especially from some of the younger experienced bowlers who have gained a lot from bowls and are now investing their time and effort back into the sport,' he added.

The training course was led by Andy Ewens, national development officer for the EBUA, accompanied by its president, John Davies, and Alex Duckworth, the examinations officer.

More than a dozen trainees had already passed a 100-question theory exam to qualify for the two-day course.