Illawarra men and women bowlers are urged to vote over the proposed unification of their peak bodies in NSW in what is shaping as a landmark decision for the future of the sport.
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Bowls NSW and Women's Bowls NSW fully support the unification of their ruling bodies, with the final proposal now with the hundreds of member clubs in NSW - including the 21 Zone 16 men's clubs and 17 District women's clubs.
Under the unification, Bowls NSW and Women's Bowls NSW will contribute their existing assets to a new entity which will run bowls in the state. The new controlling body will be made up of an equal share of the current Bowls NSW and Women's Bowls NSW entities, with a new board committed to growing bowls for existing and future members.
The seeds of unification have been in place for two years with the landmark decision to allow female bowlers to become members of Bowls NSW and play in the various Zone Pennant competitions and Zone Championships events from 2020.
Last year Oak Flats bowler Leanne Smith became the first female player to win a Zone 16 Championship, skipping her club's President's Reserve Fours team to the State Championship Finals.
Already a handful of female bowlers play in the men's Zone 16 Grade 1-7 Pennant competitions, which is helping unite clubs.
The Illawarra Zone 16 Executive Committee is backing the unification submission according to Dapto Citizens member Rob Clayton, who is the Zone 16 State Councillor.
''For the future of our game it's important Bowls NSW and Women's Bowls NSW come together. Being united, the game can grow, prosper and develop a sound future for the sport,'' Clayton said.
''Unification at the top level is the first step; this won't impact individual clubs and how they operate and run their club and social bowls. Instead it will streamline the business side of the sport and hopefully lift the profile.''
Under the terms of the unification proposal, each of the 21 Illawarra Zone 16 clubs are asked to convene a Special General Meeting for registered members to vote in favour or against the submission.
Members can read the 30-page electronic document on the Bowls NSW website.
Clayton says each Zone 16 club has an equal vote in the process, irrespective of their size or membership, but any club that doesn't register a vote will forfeit influence on the outcome.
On May 30, Zone 16 along with the other 15 zones will issue its formal acceptance or rejection for unification, along with the directors of Bowls NSW and Women's Bowls NSW who each have a single vote.
Bowls NSW will host a Special General Meeting on May 31 to announce the unification decision with a 75 per cent majority in favour required to be carried.
High stakes Pennants tussles
Albion Park posted a crucial hard-fought Grade 1 victory over Figtree Sports, ahead of one of the biggest weekends of the season in Section 1 of Southern Conference.
The Eagles beat Figtree 50-47 (9-1) and lead Section 1 rivals Dapto Citizens by just half a point, with both clubs having double headers this weekend.
All three rinks were tight affairs in the Park-Figtree clash with Warren Turner and partners beating Dennis Cooper 17-14 and Park teammate Brett Pieper beating Steve Simeon 17-13. Jayden Gebbie picked up a point for Figtree with a 20-16 win over Corey Thompson.
Albion Park (30 points) are away to third-placed Corrimal (25.5 points) on Saturday in round eight, then host Kiama on Sunday in the washed-out game from round three.
Dapto Citizens (29.5 points) will play Warilla Friday night (5.30pm) then back up on Saturday at home to Kiama in their round-eight clash.
Warilla (57 points) have a nine-point lead over Towradgi (48) in Section 2 and have a game in hand against Citos, plus host Towradgi on Saturday.
In other round-eight games this Saturday in the top grade, Woonona host Figtree. Woonona are coming off a strong 63-48 (10-0) win over Kiama.
Ospreys defend lucrative BPL title
Warilla's Jackaroos stars Aaron Teys and Corey Wedlock combined with Chloe Stewart to win back-to-back Bowls Premier League titles for Tweed Heads Ospreys.
It is the second win in just a few months for the franchise who have clinched three of the past four titles.
Teys was brilliant on all four days and won the Most Valuable Player award, his second MVP honour in the competition.
The Ospreys were a class above the other seven franchises winning 13 of their 14 pool games then beating Murray Steamers in their semi-final in a tie-break 9-5, 3-4 (1-0) before thrashing the Steamers in the final 12-2, 7-1 to pocket the $25,000 winner's prize.
Warilla's Jeremy Henry (Brisbane Pirates) and Gary Kelly (Melbourne Pulse) also played, along with South Coast legend Karen Murphy (Sydney Lions) and Fairy Meadow junior Dawn Hayman (Perth Suns).
BPL returns for a third instalment in 2021 later this year with the Ospreys' rivals considering how to knock off Wedlock, Teys and Stewart.
