Bowling News
Our Poll has 34 votes counted to date and we will bring you the full result sometime soon. It still remains open for you to cast your vote. This Poll asks about your reaction to organisations seeking annual membership fees for 2021 when there remains so much uncertainty about any bowling at all next year.
Many responders were disgusted by the actions of these bodies drawing many comments from voters including JillRodney (see below) who believes that these organisations are conducting a scam in trying to trick early payment out of bowlers for a service that may not be there.
You can still vote in the Poll before we close at 2pm today but for now we leave you with the comments added by voters at the Poll.
This has to be a scam surely!! Asking for 2021 fees in November 2020 when the deadline for payment is four months away (end of March 2021). They are trying to trick clubs into making payments for a service which may or may not be available next year. Which club in its right mind is going to pay anything until just before the actual deadline when we may have a better idea if we are going to have any competitions at all. The BCGBA & YCCGBA got away with it this year because the impact of the disease wasn't really known until mid-March but they have no excuse this year. Even then they acted very dishonourably but this surpasses anything they have done before. Downright trickery. IT'S A CLASSIC SCAM!!!! JillRodney
I feel that we should wait for clarity. I am happy to pay my membership fees for my main club, but again feel that they should not be due until Feb/March 2021. I think many clubs will be considering a reduction in fees for 2021 - and so I think YCGBA and BCGBA should do so as well. I understand they didn't have as much revenue in 2020 - but neither did they do as much for bowlers. Glynis Philbin
Only the well off would ask for the fees. John Swallow
I've agreed with the local bowling club charge as our club does not take bowling membership until March. On another point the greenkeeper has to be paid for work done and also the quarterly green fee to Kirklees is to be paid and on yet another point members may be able to bowl allowing for social distancing as was the case this year. Thomas Broadbent
It's just greed by the governing bodies. More concerned about income than enjoying a game of bowls! Michael Pointon
As the tier system is likely to be until April (start of the bowling season) and Kirklees in danger of tier 3 it's not looking good at the moment. C Bartaby
For what we pay to be members of clubs and associations I think we should pay just to make sure the clubs and associations are available when we need them whether start bowling in April or not. Crown green bowling clubs are excellent value for money when you look at what you have to pay for other sports. Allen Chapman
A number of bowlers may have found alternative pastimes during the pandemic and may not come back to bowling so we need to keep fees to a minimum but no more than 50% to these bodies. Mike Thornton
These comments apply to all bowling organisations and so include the BCGBA, YCCGBA, Leagues and individual Bowling Clubs. I believe, that as a principle, these organisations should acknowledge that fees were paid in good faith for this year but services were not received because of COVID and so their starting point should be to aim to carry forward this year's fees to next year, as the Ladies League has done. We should be provided with TRANSPARENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION which as a minimum, should include- Estimated surplus ( or loss ) this year, Actual surplus ( or loss) last year, Estimated balances at the end of this year and Estimated surplus (or loss ) next year. This would then allow us to form a balanced view on whether this year's fees can be carried forward in full, or in part to next year. For illustrative purposes, if the organisation made a bigger profit this year than last year then I’d expect the increase to be used to offset next years fees. Also, if the organisation had very substantial estimated balances at the end of this year then the decision to carry forward this year's fees to next year should be an easy decision. This may apply to the BCGBA which has large balances which I understand just increase every year!! Where the above minimum financial information is not provided then I believe we should ask for it so that we can judge if there is a real intention to try to carry forward this year's fees to next year. Perhaps, a League or Leagues, if not provided with this financial information should join together to demand it. Hope this makes sense to bowlers. Philip Walker
You can still add your comments on this matter by posting your views below. You need to be a Member to do that but that is easy. How to become a Member