Letter from the O&M Region President

June 25 2020

Hi All

I hope you are all keeping covid safe and warm.

The O&M Board is an optimistic Board and a couple of weeks ago we were hoping that the relaxation of restrictions would be progressing in a positive way for us. Unfortunately the recent outbreaks in Melbourne and the consequent tightening has resulted in us needing to wait a little longer to get our region ”stuff” organised.

I’m sure most clubs have been keeping an eye on both the government guidelines and the Bowls Victoria recommendations as far as access to our bowling greens.

Right at this moment we are allowed to have 32 people per green. These 32 people are observing both social distancing and good hygiene practices on and around the green. Please keep across what we can and cannot do in our clubs. Each club has the responsibility of deciding the best options for access to their facilities for their members.

As is human nature, as soon as we can do a little bit we are looking forward to what comes next.

Bowls Victoria are looking to complete the metro pennant season and conduct the events usually held at State Championship week over the next couple of months. It is all subject to the relaxing of restrictions by the Victorian Government and the more normal organization of venues etc. As you are probably aware Bowls Australia is looking to hold the Nationals in late November/early December, hence the need to complete our State events to winners.

As you are also aware, Ovens and Murray managed to complete our major events prior to the shutdown so we have no catch ups for season 2019-20.

As a result of the scheduling of these state events, our representatives in the team events will be travelling further than Bendigo. Our singles representatives have lucked out being scheduled for Shepparton. The O&M Board has decided to offer some assistance to encourage our teams to travel and compete in the final series of games. The reasons, other than distance to be travelled, was primarily that the change in venue occurred long after the event was decided at O&M level and it was not known where the finals were to be conducted at the time of entry. We hope that our teams do take their deserved place in the finals series and represent the O&M with pride.

We are waiting for the state government guidelines for indoor gatherings to extend to 50 people prior to setting a date for the postponed AGM.

Doing my maths, 50 people allow 1 representative/delegate from each club to attend leaving 21 for Board members, nominees and other interested parties. It may be necessary to have a RSVP system operating to make sure no one turns up and cannot be allowed to enter the venue. Also it is possible that there may be further relaxation of restrictions between when the meeting date is announced and when the meeting is actually held. All this will be communicated.

Once we know the timeline, a date will be set, any information necessary will be distributed etc. in a timely manner. Nominations forms have been made available with a closing date of June 30.

Please think about your options to participate in the administration of the Ovens and Murray. We have been fortunate to have a number of people who have given of their time over a number of years in various positions and committees. I must extend my personal thanks to all the members of the committees who have accepted the responsibility of remaining functional during this Covid time, when some were expecting to stand down. Although we have been fortunate that these experienced participants have remained, this does not mean the rest of us can sit back and not take any responsibility for our sport.

We have a relatively new committee- the greens committee which struggled to get going in any meaningful way last season because it was a committee of 1 person. Anyone who has an interest in the provision and access to the best available greens when playing pennant or state events are welcomed to put their name forward for this committee. We have a number of greens inspectors now (differently to previous years) who are just waiting for a committee to direct their actions in the region.

Don’t forget the other committees as well as the Board, new members of these committees equals new ideas, questions about accepted processes and procedures, continual review of where our sport is heading in the region and growth in the strength of our administration.

I am also a little concerned that the representation of our region may not be as universal as we could hope. Looking at our committees and Board, I would encourage greater participation from members from smaller clubs. We have been reliant on our delegate meetings to give that input but, worryingly, many of our smaller clubs are not sending along a representative to these meetings, I’m not sure why but the result is a potential bias towards what we think is appropriate for smaller clubs based on the feedback we get from attendees. I’m aware that sometimes this may not be quite right.

Yes, we will be having a season of bowls in 20-21.

What this season will look like is currently unknown.

We are waiting for some guidance from Bowls Vic. The Championship and Selection Committee waits for the BV calendar to come out prior to setting our calendar, normal.

The pennant committee is thinking about various options that could be implemented for pennant ranging from “as we always have done” through to radical changes, depending on State Government decisions. Bowls Victoria has posted the dates they are planning to run metro pennant and a number of different style events they are putting out there to see what the take up could be from the clubs. If any of these appeal to your club, let the pennant committee know. I believe the Pennant committee has or will be circulating a request to clubs to relay information about where your club is heading for season 20-21. Please take this opportunity to think about what would be a good outcome for your members.

We are living in uncertain times but we all want the best outcome for our sport without knowingly endangering any of our participants.

Keep Well

Laureen

President O&M