New Bowler’s Handbook
Welcome
The Bowls President, committees and members welcome you to our club and hope your time here will be enjoyable both on and off the green.
Please do not hesitate to contact any committee member if you need clarification on any aspect of the game or club procedure. You will find names and contact details of all our committees on the noticeboards in our clubrooms or on our website: www.bairnsdalebowls.com.au
Club History
Local businessmen with a need for a relaxing social activity formed the Bairnsdale Bowls Club (BBC), the third in East Gippsland. It officially opened on the 7th December 1901. BBC has been continuously affiliated with the Royal Victorian Bowls Association, now known as Bowls Victoria, since 1909.
In 1998 the BBC purchased the adjoining Bairnsdale Croquet Club.
In recent times the Club has been working on improving its facilities including:
Bowls Committees
You will find lists of committee members on noticeboards and in the club handbook
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Board
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Men’s Bowls Committee
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Ladies Bowls Committee
· Men’s Match Committee
· Ladies Match Committee
· Men’s Pennant Selectors
· Ladies Pennant Selectors
· Men’s Monthly Triples Committee
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Tournament Committee
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Social Committee
BBC Bowling Calendar
The BBC Handbook and Fixtures, issued each year, provides the member a list of events for the ensuing season.
· Opening of the season is around late August to September.
· Pennant practice on Thursdays from 4.00pm
· Pennant is played from October till the end of February
· Monday – No organised bowls, green keepers day for maintenance
· Tuesday – Midweek Pennant
· Wednesday – Men’s social bowls, Monthly Two Bowl Triples.
· Thursday – Ladies social bowls
· Friday – Twilight bowls (during daylight saving), Midweek Pennant (occasionally), RSL Bowls (monthly).
· Saturday – Saturday Pennant and Bankers
· Sunday – mixed social bowls including Scroungers
· Club Championships are organised at various times throughout the season (watch the noticeboards)
Where to find information about the club and bowls
Coaching
New members are required to take part in up to five sessions with a coach when joining the club. This will provide you with the basics of the game including protocols, safety on the rink, correct procedure.
Contact a coach, if they have not already contacted you, to organise the first session. You will find the names of the coaches and their contact details on the notice board in the men’s locker room, the main notice board in the members club room and on our website.
Coaches will help you sort out your game and give you the confidence to enter a social game, club event and put your name down for pennant. Remember, a champion will always go to a coach to check their stance, delivery or any other aspect of their game.
Practice (Roll Up)
You are encouraged to practice as often as you wish. Ensure you check the boards on the exterior walls of the club adjacent to the greens to ascertain which greens are open (available to use). Generally, if there is nothing written on the board the green is open.
Mats and jacks can be found inside the northern door to the clubroom. If they are available, you are permitted to practice with more than one jack (eg. 4 to practice rolling the jack).
You will find skill enhancing resources and coaching aids in the coach’s locker. Ask a coach if you would like to try using them.
Ensure you always wear bowls shoes when stepping onto the green.
Entering Events
As a bowling member you are entitled to enter club events (Club Championship singles, pairs, triples etc.) and social events. You are also able to enter an event at other clubs throughout Australia.
Entry lists for club events will be displayed from time to time on the club noticeboards.
Men’s Social Bowls (Wednesday) entry sheets are located by the north door of the clubroom (facing “B” green). Enter as a single entry or as part of a team.
Ladies Social Bowls (Thursday) entry sheets are located in the ladies locker room.
Participation in these events is a great way to get to know your fellow members and to improve your game.
If you are a new bowler ask a coach if he/she thinks you are ready to enter a competition – you will need to have an understanding of the protocols before participating.
Playing Pennant
The Club competes in both Midweek and Saturday Pennant. Traditionally ladies play midweek and men on the Saturday but ladies and men are permitted to put their names down for either day.
A list is posted on the locker rooms notice boards in the off- season asking for members to put their name down to play pennant in the upcoming season. Club selectors meet weekly during the season to pick teams from the list of BBC members to play in the various divisions of the East Gippsland Bowls Division.
Pennant practice occurs weekly on Thursdays from approximately 4.00pm during the season. Coaches will be available. Members are encouraged to attend as well as find other times to practice. The coaches run “Skills Sessions” at other times (check the noticeboards) to help members “hone” their skills.
Men’s and Ladies Tournaments
The men’s BBC Tournament Committees organise three events during the season:
Entry to these events is by invitation only.
Social Club and Members' Night
A Members' Night, organised by the BBC Social Club, takes place every Thursday and Friday evening in the Members’ Bar from around 5.30pm with a major members draw taking place at a random time between 6pm and 7pm. Members need to be on the premises to be eligible to win. Raffles are also drawn on the night.
Committees and Volunteers
If you wish to find anything out about your club please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Men’s Bowls Committee, Ladies Bowl’s Committee or the Club Board.
The club is always looking for volunteers to serve on a committee or help out in the club and its gardens. Look on the notice boards for information or ask a committee member.
Please lookout for opportunities to do the “small” jobs around the club such as putting out and taking in the flags, wind socks and scoreboards; setting up the rinks with mats and kitties and putting them away at the completion of the days play; washing, drying and putting away crockery in the kitchen; running a raffle on social bowls days etc.
Bowls Accessories
There is a limited selection of bowls grip, cloths and chalk available for purchase at the Member’s Bar
Dress (definitions)
Club competitions and events will stipulate specific attire to be worn. The notices of event should note the dress to be worn. If uncertain, ask a member.
Note:
Etiquette
If in doubt about anything in the club, don’t hesitate to contact the Men’s or Ladies Bowls Secretaries or other committee members and they will help you or assist you to find the solution.
The Bowls President, committees and members welcome you to our club and hope your time here will be enjoyable both on and off the green.
Please do not hesitate to contact any committee member if you need clarification on any aspect of the game or club procedure. You will find names and contact details of all our committees on the noticeboards in our clubrooms or on our website: www.bairnsdalebowls.com.au
Club History
Local businessmen with a need for a relaxing social activity formed the Bairnsdale Bowls Club (BBC), the third in East Gippsland. It officially opened on the 7th December 1901. BBC has been continuously affiliated with the Royal Victorian Bowls Association, now known as Bowls Victoria, since 1909.
In 1998 the BBC purchased the adjoining Bairnsdale Croquet Club.
In recent times the Club has been working on improving its facilities including:
- In 2000 the first green was converted to Tif Dwarf, with the others in following years.
- In 2003 the Club started a building program that included the addition of a bistro, main office and reception area.
- The Members’ Bar was renovated and enlarged.
- Since the renovations, membership has increased from 350 in 2002 to around 2000 members today.
Bowls Committees
You will find lists of committee members on noticeboards and in the club handbook
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Board
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Men’s Bowls Committee
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Ladies Bowls Committee
· Men’s Match Committee
· Ladies Match Committee
· Men’s Pennant Selectors
· Ladies Pennant Selectors
· Men’s Monthly Triples Committee
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Tournament Committee
· Bairnsdale Bowls Club Social Committee
BBC Bowling Calendar
The BBC Handbook and Fixtures, issued each year, provides the member a list of events for the ensuing season.
· Opening of the season is around late August to September.
· Pennant practice on Thursdays from 4.00pm
· Pennant is played from October till the end of February
· Monday – No organised bowls, green keepers day for maintenance
· Tuesday – Midweek Pennant
· Wednesday – Men’s social bowls, Monthly Two Bowl Triples.
· Thursday – Ladies social bowls
· Friday – Twilight bowls (during daylight saving), Midweek Pennant (occasionally), RSL Bowls (monthly).
· Saturday – Saturday Pennant and Bankers
· Sunday – mixed social bowls including Scroungers
· Club Championships are organised at various times throughout the season (watch the noticeboards)
Where to find information about the club and bowls
- The Bairnsdale Bowls Club Handbook and Fixtures is provided free to all members. It is published at the beginning of each season. It contains all information pertinent to bowling at Bairnsdale including a club event fixture and pennant draws.
- Members Area Noticeboards, where notices from the Men’s Match Committee and the Coaches are displayed.
- Men’s’ Locker Room Noticeboards display notices from the Pennant Selectors, the Men’s Bowls Secretary and various other club events and occasionally items for sale. A copy of the BBC Constitution is on the board.
- Ladies Locker Room Noticeboard displays all information pertaining to Ladies Bowls including the Ladies Match Committee, Ladies Pennant and BBC club games.
- Member’s Bar Noticeboard is where you will find the selected Saturday pennant teams and other notices.
- External Noticeboards (blackboards) on the walls of the club adjacent to “A” green and “B” green provide information on the availability of the greens for competition or practice. You need to check these boards prior to stepping on to a green.
Coaching
New members are required to take part in up to five sessions with a coach when joining the club. This will provide you with the basics of the game including protocols, safety on the rink, correct procedure.
Contact a coach, if they have not already contacted you, to organise the first session. You will find the names of the coaches and their contact details on the notice board in the men’s locker room, the main notice board in the members club room and on our website.
Coaches will help you sort out your game and give you the confidence to enter a social game, club event and put your name down for pennant. Remember, a champion will always go to a coach to check their stance, delivery or any other aspect of their game.
Practice (Roll Up)
You are encouraged to practice as often as you wish. Ensure you check the boards on the exterior walls of the club adjacent to the greens to ascertain which greens are open (available to use). Generally, if there is nothing written on the board the green is open.
Mats and jacks can be found inside the northern door to the clubroom. If they are available, you are permitted to practice with more than one jack (eg. 4 to practice rolling the jack).
You will find skill enhancing resources and coaching aids in the coach’s locker. Ask a coach if you would like to try using them.
Ensure you always wear bowls shoes when stepping onto the green.
Entering Events
As a bowling member you are entitled to enter club events (Club Championship singles, pairs, triples etc.) and social events. You are also able to enter an event at other clubs throughout Australia.
Entry lists for club events will be displayed from time to time on the club noticeboards.
Men’s Social Bowls (Wednesday) entry sheets are located by the north door of the clubroom (facing “B” green). Enter as a single entry or as part of a team.
Ladies Social Bowls (Thursday) entry sheets are located in the ladies locker room.
Participation in these events is a great way to get to know your fellow members and to improve your game.
If you are a new bowler ask a coach if he/she thinks you are ready to enter a competition – you will need to have an understanding of the protocols before participating.
Playing Pennant
The Club competes in both Midweek and Saturday Pennant. Traditionally ladies play midweek and men on the Saturday but ladies and men are permitted to put their names down for either day.
A list is posted on the locker rooms notice boards in the off- season asking for members to put their name down to play pennant in the upcoming season. Club selectors meet weekly during the season to pick teams from the list of BBC members to play in the various divisions of the East Gippsland Bowls Division.
Pennant practice occurs weekly on Thursdays from approximately 4.00pm during the season. Coaches will be available. Members are encouraged to attend as well as find other times to practice. The coaches run “Skills Sessions” at other times (check the noticeboards) to help members “hone” their skills.
Men’s and Ladies Tournaments
The men’s BBC Tournament Committees organise three events during the season:
- The "Avared" Invitation Triples
- The "Billy Slater" Invitation Triples
- Classic Pairs
- Invitation Ladies Triples
- Invitation Classic Pairs
Entry to these events is by invitation only.
Social Club and Members' Night
A Members' Night, organised by the BBC Social Club, takes place every Thursday and Friday evening in the Members’ Bar from around 5.30pm with a major members draw taking place at a random time between 6pm and 7pm. Members need to be on the premises to be eligible to win. Raffles are also drawn on the night.
Committees and Volunteers
If you wish to find anything out about your club please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Men’s Bowls Committee, Ladies Bowl’s Committee or the Club Board.
The club is always looking for volunteers to serve on a committee or help out in the club and its gardens. Look on the notice boards for information or ask a committee member.
Please lookout for opportunities to do the “small” jobs around the club such as putting out and taking in the flags, wind socks and scoreboards; setting up the rinks with mats and kitties and putting them away at the completion of the days play; washing, drying and putting away crockery in the kitchen; running a raffle on social bowls days etc.
Bowls Accessories
There is a limited selection of bowls grip, cloths and chalk available for purchase at the Member’s Bar
Dress (definitions)
Club competitions and events will stipulate specific attire to be worn. The notices of event should note the dress to be worn. If uncertain, ask a member.
- “Mufti” – casual dress (not uniform)
- Pennant Uniform – Blue and gold shirt with royal blue trousers (with sponsor’s logo)
- Uniform or “Regular Attire” for events other than pennant – includes pennant uniform, whites, the “club” shirt, other “souvenir tournament” shirts, blue or white trousers.
Note:
- All uniform clothing (including jackets, and other warm clothing) need to display the Bowls Australia logo.
- The club asks that members playing in team events in a wholly Bairnsdale team be attired in the same uniform combination.
Etiquette
- Play bowls in a spirit of cooperation at all times.
- Always welcome visitors to the club whether they be opposition, there to watch the game or visiting to play some social bowls.
- Support your team members even if they are having an “off” day!
- Play to win with humility and accept defeat gracefully. Don’t forget to invite your opposition in for some refreshments in the Member’s Bar.
- Show respect to others on your and neighbouring rinks at all times. No bad language.
- It is customary to remove hats when entering the club.
- Remember, the club is judged by the behaviour of its members on and off the green.
If in doubt about anything in the club, don’t hesitate to contact the Men’s or Ladies Bowls Secretaries or other committee members and they will help you or assist you to find the solution.