Webbcona’s Aaron Wood sends one down in competition against Ocean Grove (file).
A PLAN to dissolve the Ballarat Geelong premier division lawn bowls division will be presented by one club to the Ballarat District Bowls Division annual meeting in June.
Central Wendouree has voted unanimously to move a motion that Ballarat sides withdraw from the combined Ballarat Geelong top level bowls competition.
“We have to give 12 months notice to disband the competition so we have notified the association (BDBD) that we believe it should finish in 12 months,” Central Wendouree premier division player John Nunn said.
“This would go to the meeting and each club would vote on the merits of it. We felt as a club we’d bring it up and see what other clubs in Ballarat think.”
Nunn said he believed there would be broad support for the motion, particularly from BDBD clubs that do not currently field sides in premier division.
“Most of the clubs who are not in premier league don’t want it because, too often they go up, are not competitive and then go straight back down,” he said.
“A few of us also felt that it is dislocating our club. When the premier side is playing away, we don’t get back until 7pm, especially if its someone like Queenscliff.
“Out of the five Geelong clubs, four will be playing on plastic. In Ballarat four are on grass. We’ve done the same ourselves. If we think a club is not as strong on grass we’ve decided to play on plastic.
“The amount of paid players is also a big issue, particularly in Geelong.”
However a quick survey of other Ballarat division clubs recently or currently in premier division suggests the motion is unlikely to have enough support.
Spokesmen from premier division clubs Webbcona and Victoria said they would oppose any move to dismantle Ballarat Geelong premier division, while representatives from Ballarat Memorial Sports (relegated at the completion of last season) and Bacchus Marsh club Avenue (promoted into premier division for next season) also indicated they would prefer the combined Ballarat-Geelong top level competition to continue.
Club representatives on the Ballarat Geelong premier division pennant competition match committee on April 19 at the Geelong Bowling Club backed the continuation of premier division .
Ballarat District Bowls Division secretary Rod Lindsay said all BDBD clubs would have a say in the matter.
“The notices of motion are open until May 28. When all notices of motion are received they will be sent to all clubs, who will then advise their delegates how to vote at the general meeting to be held on June 25,” he explained. “The BDBD can’t have an official position until the annual meeting.
“It will impact on all 23 clubs in the division if premier division is disbanded because it will have a cascade effect on sides coming down in all divisions. Our responsibility is to all clubs.”
