Commission backs governance review

The prospect of either or both the Northern Bowling Association or Guernsey Bowling Club falling by the wayside has grown after Bowls Guernsey threatened that if the clubs did not improve their own greens they would seek to develop their own which would, in all probability, put a club out of business.

Sharman, the commission’s relationship manager, continues to holds hope of a solution that keeps all three clubs alive and find new members.

‘We are trying to protect and enhance bowls on the island,’ he said last week before Bowls Guernsey went public with its plans to undergo a complete governance review and also point out that the Beau Sejour and Delancey greens were not up to international requirements.

Sharman is determined to press on.

‘The commission has been working with the three bowls clubs on the island over the past 18 months engaging in various ways to assist their current and future operation and will continue to do so.

‘We welcome the decision by the Bowls Guernsey Council to hold a governance review into the sport locally as we believe this is where the GSC can add significant value as this area of work forms a pillar of our Sportsmark Award that will be our method of quality assuring sports locally.

‘Once the terms of reference have been identified for this proposed governance review we would wish to engage with the Bowls Guernsey Council to offer our support.’

Behind the scenes, Guernsey Bowling Club has entered discussions with Vale Rec with a view possibly to move in at the Corbet Field and setting up a new home base on a grass green proposed to sit on the now disused artificial rink. They could then utilise the Vale clubhouse.

Negotiations have hit an early stumbling block however and Bowls Guernsey has suggested it may be necessary to develop the new green itself, which would probably have disastrous consequences for one or both of the GBC and Northern clubs.