Representatives from the Ballarat and Geelong districts met last Monday to discuss the process, where it is understood an ultimatum was given to the Ballarat district.

In its current form the premier division is comprised of five sides from each region, with the bottom side from each region being relegated at season’s end, while the top side from each region’s division one competition receives a promotion.

Geelong Bowls Region have raised concern with the arrangement which means a side who finish middle of the table could be relegated if they are from the stronger region.  GBR chairperson Jacqueline McLaren said the proposal had been driven by the GBR clubs, and that the Ballarat region had until June 6 to give their response.

GBR had previously threatened to leave the cross-region competition, and in April 2015 gave 12 months notice of its intention to exit the division.  GBR then retracted the withdrawal notice after the two parties agreed to form a committee to explore alternative relegation options.

While the committee proposed that only one side be relegated in the instance of the bottom two sides being from the same region, it was rejected on the grounds that division one sides from the opposing region would not be able to gain premier division promotion.

Premier division delegate Rob Baker said “while I’ve always been very optimistic that the Premier Division will continue and we will find a resolution, I’m no longer longer optimistic.”

A meeting between premier and division one clubs in Ballarat has been scheduled, where they will vote on whether to accept the proposal which would allow one region to have a 6-4 majority of clubs in the premier division.

Ballarat Bowling Association chairman Ross Jones said the two parties had enjoyed a strong relationship since the competition began in 1998, and that the dispute needed to be handled respectfully.