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FROM THE NEW ESMBA CHAIRMAN 3
FROM THE NEW ESMBA CHAIRMAN
Following my recent election as ESMBA Chairman I thought it would
be a good idea to introduce myself to those that don’t already know
me, and of course my views and what I stand for.
Firstly a bit about me -
Firstly a bit about me - Yes in bowls terms I’m considered young at only
37, but have already built myself a successful construction firm, and have
been involved with short mat for over 18 years.
And although my business keeps me busy, I have a loyal full time work force,
which means I am able to plan my time, and am not restricted to any working hours. So I can ded-
icate my time when needed, and people that know me will tell you that when needed I work round
the clock to deliver on my promises.
I am strong willed and some say like things my way, but then who doesn’t, but I believe in
democracy and the majority rule. I believe that the role of chairman needs to be strong and at
times make a judgment call that will benefit its membership as a whole, not a select few. I think I
have the character to listen to people’s views and feelings before making an educated decision.
I got into Short Mat Bowls when my late father was teaching it as part of his job as Sports
Development Officer. I fell in love with the game right from the start, and consider myself to have
had a fairly successful career up until now, both on the mat and off.
Within the bowls community I have had various administration roles, including Essex County
Chairman, ESMBA England Manager, and ESMBA Coaching Director when I was responsible for
the initial development of the Coaching scheme and for developing the ‘Have Mat Will Travel’
road shows advertising the game.
Time for Change -
Time for Change - The ESMBA for the past few years has been in slight decline, this needs to
be reversed. Under my term and hopefully terms of office we can achieve this and develop and
grow. We as an Association need to start listening to our members and future members to form an
association that works for them, as at the end of the day we are here for you. The association
now needs to move forward before it can grow. The ESMBA needs to structure itself in a profes-
sional business like manner, and start utilising technology to make things run more smoothly.
We have many volunteers with expertise in many fields that may only be able to spare some
time and as an association we need to manage these skills to benefit the growth and develop-
ment of the association. We need to remember that it’s our members association and we are in
fact servants to them. I feel that we need to be transparent and honest with our members, with
faster and better communication.
As much as it’s a nice thought of having our own home venue, I’m not sure it’s financially vi-
able for us to go it alone, so we look to partnership with maybe another bowls club or commercial
partner. Yes the goal is to have a venue that we can call home but as an association we are not in
a financial position to go it alone.
There has been a lot of good work that has happened over the years that we must keep up
and develop, like the Coaching scheme, a very important tool for introducing the game to others
and the insurance scheme, which provides so much security to our members.
The ESMBA is the Sole National Governing Body for Short Mat Bowls in England, and
should remain that way, it’s the association’s responsibility to support its Counties with develop-
ment and growth, and give assistance and advice where it can. This means that the association
needs to develop and invest in literature and promotional materials to advertise the game.
Lastly I would like to take this opportunity to announce that the ESMBA Management Com-
mittee has agreed to support the Short Mat International Magazine. This will be in the form of reg-
ular articles from various aspects of our Association, to keep you as members updated on what is
happening and going to happen in the future. We are hoping that more members will take up sub-
scriptions to the magazine and also supply information for it. Our sport needs publicity and we see
the magazine as one stream of that to get information out and also raise awareness of our game
to you as members.
Barry Hedges ESMBA Chairman