Guernsey to adopt new formats fully

The Guernsey membership held an extraordinary general meeting on Monday and voted to not apply for membership for either the men or women on the grounds that they can now move away from the old traditional formats locally and fully adopt the new formats – three-bowls pairs, two-bowls triples, and play less ends, which will support our elite athletes attending the European, World and Commonwealth Games.

‘Guernsey is very thankful to have been involved with the British Isles men’s events since 1995, firstly within the Channel Islands team between 1995-2002, and then in the championships only from 2003 in our own right,’ said Garry Collins, the Bowls Guernsey president.

‘Guernsey is not in a position to host the championships, so always have the expense of travelling away, with our players having to self-fund their own travel expenses.

‘With the reduction in duplications allowed, from two to one team event, Guernsey would have to send more players for maybe only one match.

‘Other new events like the European and World Bowls Championships and over-55 events offer better development value.’

Since 2003, Guernsey have won six British Isles titles and placed in many finals.

In all 16 players between them have 69 individual medals, with Matt Le Ber topping the list with 16 medals, Len Le Ber and Gary Pitschou with 10 each, followed by Collins and Matt Solway on six each.

‘On a personal note, I am very sad to discontinue with the British Isles, having been on the British Council for over 20 years myself, with having created the British Isles website back in 2006, as then website officer, which I held for four years and also held the presidency between 2014-2016, but the members have spoken and it’s the right time for Guernsey to move on,’ Collins added.