Roll up, roll up as clubs enjoy staged return

GOLD Coast Tweed bowls clubs are starting to roll again with Bowls Queensland announcing its support for clubs to allow roll ups.

Following the federal and state governments announcing an easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Bowls Queensland has liaised with the Queensland Government and now supports roll ups only at Queensland affiliated clubs under strict guidelines.

Bowls Queensland has been advocating for bowls clubs with state government departments such as Health, Sport and Recreation, Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Premier and Cabinet, and with Clubs Queensland and QSport regarding the easing of restrictions through the three stages.

Originally the advice from Queensland Health was that clubs may have no more than 10 people rolling up on each of their bowling greens at any one time during Stage 1.

Unfortunately, a couple of days later this advice was changed to a limit of 10 patrons on the whole club premises, whether it be for roll ups or dining in.

With organised sport not included in Stage 1 of Queensland’s easing of restrictions, only roll ups can occur in Stage 1, meaning no competition.

Clubs must be patient and accept this is a staged return.

Many clubs have been allocating sessions to book in to allow multiple groups of 10 to roll up throughout the day.

Bowlers are enjoying getting back on the green and blowing out the cobwebs after the break – for many the longest since they started playing.

Clubs over the border have been more fortunate with the ability to have 10 people rolling up on each of their greens at the same time.

Several clubs have also commenced dining and/or takeaway options for their patrons.

BOWLS Gold Coast Tweed is looking at a potential start date of August 1 for its men’s pennant competition.

This will be dependent on restrictions, including border restrictions, being lifted.

The Men’s District are looking at playing the semi finals and finals of the Summer Nines competition in the last weekend of July after it was postponed in March.

The Ladies District will meet this week to discuss the dates for their pennant and the Goldie Sevens competition.

Both Men’s and Ladies’ Districts are looking at potential dates for District Champion of Champion Singles and Zone play-offs enabling enough time for clubs to finish their Singles events.