All events are cancelled by game’s board

All Bowls Scotland events for 2020 have been cancelled, it has been announced.

The board has made the decision to protect its members, many of whom are elderly, from the coronavirus pandemic.

This means the following competitions will not take place: Bowls Scotland National Championships (Stages One and Two), Ladies National Top 10, Linda Brennan Ladies U25 Pairs and the Andrew Hamilton Trophy.

The sport’s governing body in Scotland will not be accepting any applications from clubs for the Try Bowls programme pending further government guidance, nor will they be running any coaching courses until further notice.

A series of support packages for clubs facing financial and operational difficulties have been put in place.

These include: Capitation fees, national competition entry fees and tournament licences fees for the 2020 season will be returned to all clubs and associations that have already paid;

There will be a Bowls Scotland Helpline that will be available for any officials of member clubs to phone and receive assistance with any queries or concerns;

A development team will continue to host online webinars for anyone looking for additional safeguarding and club support;

Bowls Scotland is looking at setting up a club support fund.

The board are considering options for competitive bowls later in the 2020 season if the current circumstances change in sufficient time.

All Scottish bowlers are being encouraged to, where possible, continue to pay their membership fees for the upcoming season to help clubs manage through the health crisis.

Chairwoman Sue Beatt said: “Bowls Scotland, our clubs, members and the whole sport are unfortunately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have had to take these difficult decisions to cancel all our key events for the year. The welfare of all our members is a top priority to us as an organisation and we have carefully considered all options to do what’s best for the bowling community in Scotland.

The Bowls Scotland Board and key staff will continue to hold weekly meetings to review and co-ordinate the organisations response to this ongoing and fluid situation.”