League News
Two of the four local leagues that have league fixtures for the day of the State Funeral have now made decisions about how they will handle the situation. The Heavy Woollen Afternoon League and the Brighouse Veterans League have now both made statements which are reproduced below.
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The statement from the Heavy Woollen Afternoon League has been issued which 'strongly recommends' the postponement of all their League's matches scheduled for Monday 19 September. This is the date for the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II which will take place at 11.00am on that date. A full fixture programme for all four divisions in the League is scheduled for that date. The full statement from the Heavy Woollen Afternoon League says:
It has now been confirmed that following the sad news of the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II that her funeral will be held on Monday 19 September.
As a mark of respect, The Management Committee strongly recommends that all HWDBA fixtures on Monday the 19th September are cancelled and rearranged on a different date, either before or after the 19th September.
Most other afternoon leagues have already completed their fixtures so there is plenty of opportunities to rearrange fixtures. Clubs will be given until Friday 30 September to play rearranged fixtures. Please inform the Secretary of any rearranged dates so that Bowlsnet can be updated.
COMMENT: This seems a very strange response from the League which leaves the way open for a disjointed and inconsistent answer from the clubs. It is clear that the guidance empowers leagues to make a decision to bowl or not. The Heavy Woollen League has opted not to make that decision. They have always had the authority to organise the fixture programme in the normal day-to-day running of the League but on this issue have passed the responsibility on to the clubs. I find that very strange.
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The Brighouse Veterans League has provided this statement on its Bowlsnet front page. FIXTURES CANCELLED ALL MATCHES ON 19 SEPTEMBER ARE CANCELLED
IT IS BEING DONE AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR OUR LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH.
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE
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News on this issue is still awaited from the Huddersfield Veterans 6-Man League and the Huddersfield Liberal League who both have fixtures scheduled for that date.
The official guidance on this matter issued by the BCGBA is below and this is clear that leagues (organisations) can make their own decisions about any postponement of matches.
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BCGBA Guidance Guidance on Sporting Events in National Period of Mourning
MAJOR EVENTS, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS
There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organisations.
As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral. They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.
If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.
As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.