‘Unprecedented’ impact on bowls community: Brett Wilkie

Brett Wilkie reveals the true impact the coronavirus will have on the lawn bowls community.

FIRST there was the postponement or cancellation of major events like World Bowls Championships, Australian Open, State District Sides and State Championships which caused much concern.

Now the closure of all clubs until who knows when has a significant impact on the future of our venues and staff. The global pandemic of the coronavirus (COVID-19) will have unprecedented effect on the bowls community.

Clubs are now looking at options of keeping their bowling greens maintained to a reasonable standard for when play resumes. The scary situation is for clubs that were already facing tough times and how they stay viable through this lockout.

2016 World Pairs Champions Brett Wilkie and Aaron Wilson. Picture: Bowls Australia

If greens are let go throughout this period, it will cost a lot of money and time to get them back to a reasonable playing standard.

The 2020 World Bowls Championships has been postponed to potentially next year, controlling body World Bowls and host nation Bowls Australia have agreed that the event be postponed indefinitely.

Gold Coast Tweed State District Mixed Pairs winners Matt Bell and Pam Fantini.

The event, which was set to be staged on the Gold Coast, Queensland, from May 26 – June 7, and involve 36 competing nations from around the world, has prioritised the health and safety of the public, players, staff, officials and volunteers.

Bowls Queensland has announced the State District Sides and State Championships due for April/May have been postponed with dates yet to be determined.

This year’s instalment of the annual Australian Open has been cancelled. While the short-term future of the coronavirus’ impact is uncertain, it is envisaged the event will re-commence on the Gold Coast from 2021.

The planned BCiB Australian Jackaroos tour of the United Kingdom in July has been cancelled.

The iconic Australian Indoor Championships at Tweed Heads has been cancelled due to the majority of states and territories qualifying events in jeopardy of being run, and therefore making the national event untenable for this year.

At this stage, no decision has been made on the status of The Nationals set down for October on the Gold Coast, including the Australian Multi-Disability Championships.

OTHER EVENTS EFFECTED:

QLD vs Hong Kong – Cancelled

ANZAC Test QLD vs ADF – Postponed

Gold Coast Tweed Summer Nines Finals – Postponed

Q Sevens Post Sectionals – Cancelled and prizemoney to be paid out

Ultimate Bowls Championship – Postponed

Gold Coast Tweed District Ladies – All events suspended until further notice.