Bowls Guernsey could fold if long-serving stalwarts are not replaced

Following the retirement of two long-serving stalwarts, treasurer Matt Solway and fixtures secretary Terry Brokenshire, the association now faces a race to fill these two important roles at an extraordinary general meeting on Monday.

Without them, there will be no island-wide competitions or internationals for Guernsey’s outdoor bowlers like Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Lucy Beere to target.

It echoes the events of nearly two years ago now, when stalwart Garry Collins’ resignation left Bowls Guernsey at risk of folding.

Robin Herbert, the man who stepped up as president to help save the association in spring 2023, would be disappointed to see it go now.

‘It would certainly upset a lot of our players,’ he said.

‘For instance, at the moment we are looking at the Island and Commonwealth Games. If Bowls Guernsey was to cease, there would be a problem keeping that up, which is a shame as Guernsey does extremely well.’

Herbert has highlighted Guernsey’s international outdoor success over the last 12 months or so, which included Beere’s European singles bronze and a mixed quartet’s gold at the Atlantic Senior Fours.

The current president has filled the best part of two years in his role and would be prepared for a third, but he admits: ‘We need more people coming on.’

This follows the retirement of Solway and Brokenshire.

Solway has served the association for well over a decade, but he will now be leaving his treasurer role to spend more time with his young family.

‘He has done a really good job, but nobody has stepped up to fill his post,’ Herbert added.

Now looking to spend time travelling, Brokenshire is moving on after around five years as fixtures secretary.

If their big boots are left unfilled, outdoor bowls will go ahead only as a social, club-level activity in the island.