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CHAIRMAN’S CORNER 3

We have now reached the latter stages of the winter season, although
I would like to emphasize that the ESMBA is an all-year round association
and we endeavor to provide events for those members that choose to stay
with short mat and do not play across any of the other bowling codes.
Much to my disappointment, the development of the association has been
slower over the past couple of months than I would have liked, for one reason or
another, but I am confident that we are now back on track.
Due to personal reasons, a couple of members have had to resign from the Management
Committee but I am pleased to announce that Herbie Bowden has agreed to be co-opted on for
the remainder of the season and will be standing as Development Officer at the AGM. We have
already started to develop our strategy and we plan to present this to delegates at the forum fol-
lowing the AGM.
The majority of the committee is now working as one unit and they are willing to help each
other. Hopefully by the start of the next winter season any doubters will realize that the best way
forward for the Association is for us all to pull in the same direction and not on an individual tan-
gent.
We do have a couple of vacant positions on the committee approaching the AGM and I am
keen to fill those positions with individuals who can work as part of our team and who will bring
their individual strengths to benefit the Association. If anyone is interested in putting themselves
up for a post, please contact me for a chat and I will be happy to explain our vision for the future
and the committee members’ roles in achieving it.
We have now re-structured the England set up with the main squad at the top of the pyramid
and two feeder teams below: the U-21s and a Ladies team. These feeder squads are planned to
give our members the opportunity to play a higher standard of bowls whilst building their experi-
ence and confidence to progress and compete in the main squad at the highest international level.
For the next World Championships the ESMBA are piloting a completely new approach to
let members gain a position in the England team: we are introducing two open competitions where
our members can select their own teams to compete. The winners of these two competitions will
each gain a place to play in the World Championships in March 2016, to be hosted in England.
As an Association we have been listening to our members and trying to act on their sugges-
tions to improve competitions. To that end, for the 2015/16 season we have piloted changes to
the ICC groups and to the format of the knockout rounds. These changes have received mixed
reactions from our member counties but I would stress these changes are only a pilot and final
decisions for future years will be made only after the trial and when all of the feedback is reviewed.
We have already taken some initial comments into account and made changes to our original pro-
posals. We have also cancelled the fives competition for this year.
We will still be proceeding with our open competitions and developing these to offer not just
large cash prizes but also holiday vouchers. We are also looking forward to explore what other
events we can host for the social, less competitive members, who make up the majority of our As-
sociation.
The other question I hear most often is ‘What’s happening with the coaching?’ This holds a
particularly special place in my heart and we are currently looking for a volunteer to take on the
role of Coaching Director to help put the scheme back on track. We are also in communication
with the English Bowls Coaching Scheme (EBCS) to compare what we do and what they do to
evolve best practice in the development of both our coaching scheme and our coaches. We have
planned some level one courses from mid-May onwards in an area near you. Please contact the
administration officer, Keith Hawkins, if you wish to add your name to the list.
Barry Hedges

ESMBA Chairman