Indoors this summer with SIBA

Post date: Apr 28, 2016 3:27:33 PM

While a large percentage of our members choose to bowl outdoors under Federation and Bowls England rules through the summer, more each year are deciding to use their indoor facility year round.

There are many positives to be gained by the club from this increasing move to indoors. The main one is the increased income from rink utilization which helps considerably to pay the substantial rent due every month for the use of the building and also for maintaining a fund to cover work undertaken by the club’s full repairing lease.

Stamford IBC will also benefit from the ability of newer bowlers who have just completed their Saturday morning coaching sessions to seamlessly move from coaching session to becoming fully active club members for the next winter season, whether in the drive sessions, leagues or becoming part of a team representing the club at local, county or even national level. The glory of this wonderful game is that it is all things to all people and you can pick and choose to suit your aspirations and personal circumstances.

The 2016 summer season has started well with high numbers being maintained in the drive sessions on Tuesday and Thursday morning, starting at 9.30. Teams in the Monday and Friday evening triples leagues are stronger this season, while the Wednesday morning triples leagues are again split into two divisions and will no doubt be as competitively challenging for top spots as previous years.

Tuesday’s noon pairs pairs league, was introduced last season by Dave Thorpe has almost doubled in size such is its popularity and augers well for a good season and to build for the future. Saturday morning drive sessions are also proving a real success story with so many of existing and new bowlers appreciating this extra practice time slot.

When first introducing five years ago, Barbara and I were lucky to attract 15 to 20 members - now the session appeals to upto 40 bowlers and receives additional organizational help from Pauline Dixon, a club qualified coach. This is brilliant and will hopefully be a great opportunity to ease the newer bowlers into different aspects of club activities.

The session is run as a drive with all paid up club members welcome to take part on a semi-casual basis, though dress codes are strictly adhered to as are “most” of the bowling rules.

Finally a big thanks goes to all those involved in running the club during the indoor seasons - from unlocking and locking doors to taking money and all the various other jobs that seem “to just happen” . But they do not just happen without people giving the most precious gift we all possess, their time.

Alan Romaine