Province Bowls once again miss out on a national voice

ROB FORBES (Eastern Province) is the new president of Bowls South Africa.

Charles Levy (Port Natal) will serve as vice-president.

The executive is made up of Heather Boucher (Border), Andy Strong ( Ekurhuleni), Trevor Davis (Eden) and Ian Stayt (Sables).

The above positions were confirmed at Bowls SA’s recent 21st annual meeting at Edenvale Bowls in Ekurhuleni.

Western Province Bowls, the biggest district among the 20 affiliated to Bowls SA, once again has no voice at national level. Nothing new here. As for the Mother City’s leading players, mark them absent from the national team as well.

Now new WP president Graeme Kemp (Edgemead) is sure to make his voice heard when it comes to protecting his district’s interests.

He will not shy away from engaging whenever the need arises and will always target getting the best possible deals for his constituency.

“We’re the biggest district in the country, have been for many decades, so trust me when I say we will not be silenced in any way when it comes to the way forward for our sport,” Kemp, a former Natalian, said.

“On the local front, my focus is on growing our membership base which for too long now has been on a downward spiral.

“I would like to see our numbers break through the 3 000 mark and then continue on an upward curve and try and return to the days when we had three times as much as we have now.

“Here, we will continue with our drive at school level for better returns. Then to target folk between the ages of 38-48, people who have been in a club environment and want to extend their sporting careers.

“But to succeed will require all interested parties to pull in the same direction. I must stress that we, the executive, need clubs to come to the party; only a team effort will deliver the desired outcome.

“I am confident that we will find solutions working as a collective.”

Yes, clubs must start pulling their weight. While 25 percent of them have found ways to stay healthy, the majority carry on as if they haven’t got a care in the world.

What happened with Atlantic Green Point may wake them up from their slumber.