Coronavirus in Ballarat: New rules for Ballarat District Bowls Division 2020-21 season

The BDBD this week finalised a COVID-safe document, which will be sent out to clubs on Friday. The document outlines a raft of health measures clubs will be expected to carry out to help protect players from the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the document, players will be exposed to regular handwashing and will not be allowed to touch any bowls except their own.

READ MORE

All forms of physical contact, including hand shaking, is off limits and players who are unwell will be required to stay home.

BDBD president Marilyn Blake said players would be expected to wear a mask and maintain 1.5 metres of social distancing at all times.

"Players must bowl with a mask on. Only those with a doctors certificate will be allowed to play pennant without a mask," she said.

Designated people will also be appointed to handle the jack and pick up mats when bowlers change ends. Blake said it would be the responsibility of the clubs to make sure the mat and the kitty are properly sanitised.

"I think it will be a roster system and there will probably be one person on duty to make sure those chores are done," she said.

Much has been made of the discomfort masks present, particularly to those who wear glasses. Blake said there were products available to help prevent glasses from fogging up.

"It's just something we have to do. The health of our bowlers is the number one priority and we have to make every effort to make sure it's safe," she said.

Despite the caution around the pandemic, Blake said participation numbers for the 2020-21 campaign appeared consistent with previous years.

She said interest was very strong among players, many of which fall in the age bracket most at risk from the virus.

"Our entries for our pennant competitions are looking almost the same," she said.

"According to the match pennant committee, it looks as if there are going to be very similar numbers."

Last week the BDBD announced its summer pennant competitions would start in November.

The midweek pennant will begin on Tuesday, November 17, and Saturday pennant on November 21. Blake said the late start would hopefully embolden more people to play.

"We think people will gain a bit more confidence as the weeks go on and also, people are really quite sick of this and will really enjoy getting out and playing bowls," she said.