Your Say: Does the bowlo have a future?

In the 12 January 2023 edition of the Connect newsletter, National Seniors Australia published a story about UNSW research into the declining numbers of bowling clubs across Australia.

Despite the fondness we have for the local bowlo, they are becoming a community asset dwindling in numbers. You can read the original story on the National Seniors website.

Our members had a lot to say about the future of the iconic bowls club.

John P writes with an interesting perspective - for him, the bowling club provided an avenue for community cohesion. The club itself was not as important as the way the community gathered around it:

My wife and I moved into our home opposite the Cannon Hill Bowling Club in early 1972.

The Cannon Hill Bowls Club was the major social hub in the area. There was always something happening at the club - night and day.

It was not just a place for playing bowls. It was where there were live bands, parties galore for birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, work, and many other reasons for having a celebration of some sort. Even marriages happened there.

It was not just a place for old people - it was used by the whole community, and you had to book way ahead to make sure the venue was available.

Buses came from everywhere to not only play bowls but for other purposes relating to the use of the bowling club facilities. We even used the facilities for birthdays and engagement parties.

Move on to 2023 - we now have 6 children and 23 grandchildren. The once-thriving bowls club does not exist anymore. It is now the local YMCA meeting place. It is still used as a meeting place for various clubs, for group exercise both young and old, work gatherings for training and various other celebrations of all sorts. You can even get your documents witnessed there by a JP.

In its heyday, the bowls club had two rinks, where no grass was out of place. Expert greenkeepers were necessary. Now the greens are mowed regularly so that local children can play football of all descriptions on them. Jumping castles are placed on them at various events and it provides a space for an animal nursery and other children's entertainment facilities.

Gordon Lewis OAM JP, a Former President of the Bowral Bowling Club (a club that has been running for 109 years and counting) reached out and offered us this considered letter acknowledging the issues raised in the report:

I would like to make the following comments.

1. The decline of the bowling club is leaving a void in local communities across Australia.
   The success of any bowling club comes down to sound management and a board that leads. Many people do not realise until it is too late that supporting their local bowling club does not mean just bowling, but great social interests to be enjoyed. Bowls are just a small proportion of the operation.
2. The number of clubs in Sydney has decreased from 210 to 128 since 1980.
   This would have been expected over time, particularly in the smaller clubs. But for most senior people it is a shock to lose the facilities, which some have used for a lifetime.
3. No new clubs were established in the 15 years to 2020.
   Even retirement villages do not provide greens now. I do think that in the new large developments of new towns, a provision for bowling greens would be of benefit for people of all ages for exercise and social get together. But who in this commercial world would do this? They would take the attitude that the opportunity for three new building blocks would be lost.
4. Barefoot bowls.
   For the longevity of bowling clubs, this has been a good income earner - although you still have bowlers who frown on this happening.
5. Clubs have amalgamated with other clubs with mixed results.
   There have been supposed ‘white knights’ who come in to say, “we will save your club if you amalgamate with us”. Several have done this, then after nine months find that the club has not been saved, but all poker machines have been sold off, along with either (or both) the clubhouse and land.
6. Prime real estate targets for redevelopment.
   A strong board is needed with some sound financial advice before any drastic action is taken. After all, promises come cheap.
7. What do clubs need to consider for the future?
   A) Make sure the board is well-structured.
   B) Have a general manager with a vision for the future. Not just for today.
   C) Do not go into debt if you cannot afford the outlay needed.
   D) Heavy focus on staff training. Too many clubs employ people who have very little interest in their job. Staff are the backbone of any business success.
   
   The challenge for boards is to try and make clubs survive in difficult times and give proper guidance and not just lip service. There are challenges, but also solutions. For example, in NSW we saw unification take place between men and women.
8. Importance to community.
   Bowling clubs are a great asset, particularly from the grassroots community perspective. Are they lacking in support because they are not a high-profile sport?
9. Councils.
   Their ability is to raise revenue, but also to work with the community. It is advisable to talk to your local council as many will try to help. They do not like to lose facilities that help their community.
10. With all due respect to bowlers they do not generate enough income to keep clubs going.
    Just think of green upkeep alone. Club members must realise that without the continued support of social members, they would not be able to play bowls. But some bowlers do not think this way.
    
    Lawn Bowls must be promoted in the right way.