THE future of the Ballarat-Geelong premier bowls competition has been confirmed for the next three seasons.
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News of the league’s continuation until at least the end of 2017-18 came following a meeting of premier club delegates at Sebastopol Bowling Club on Thursday.
Representatives from premier clubs will now form a working party (three Ballarat-based and three Geelong-based), which will investigate the best alterations to improve the competition.
If in agreeance, both Ballarat District Bowls Division and Geelong Bowls Region will sign a memorandum of understanding after a meeting in February next year.
The future of the inter-regional bowls league appeared in jeopardy when the GBR submitted its 12 months’ notice of its desire to withdraw from the competition.
GBR’s decision to give notice followed the failure of a submission to change the rules of competition.
It had moved a motion that over the next three years, the two bottom teams on the ladder be relegated and one from each region promoted. As it stands, five teams from Geelong and five from Ballarat compete in the league, with the lowest-placed side from each region suffering the drop, regardless of where they finish on the table.
Last season, Bareena was relegated despite finishing sixth and with four Ballarat-based clubs below it.
It now appears the key issue from the GBR is the time spent away for travelling sides.
BDBD chairman Ross Jones said visiting teams will now not have a roll-up, but just two trial ends before a match starts.
“We have looked at other things. We still think staying at 25 ends (is best), but there was discussion on how many ends to play,” Jones said.
Jones said both the BDBD and GBR were working hard to ensure the league remains in place.
“It’s a fantastic competition that we do not want to lose,” Jones said.
“As a board, they are very keen, like us, to keep it going, but we have to listen to their clubs and listen to their issues.
“But in the end we want it to continue forever.”
Jones said the Ballarat Geelong Premier Division Pennant Committee would look to act on the recommendations of the working party early next year.
“We want to be fair to both parties. That’s the secret,” he said.
The 2015-16 premier season is nearing a start, with round one set to get underway on Saturday, October 10.
Promoted clubs from last year City Oval and Torquay will kick-off their campaigns with respective games against Victoria and Sebastopol. Meanwhile, Ocean Grove will host Avenue, Queenscliff meets newly-branded Geelong City and Webbcona will line-up against Lara.
