Stamford IBC responses to Lincs IBA proposals

Post date: Feb 8, 2018 3:30:47 PM

FOLLOWING proposals submitted to its 11 affiliated clubs by Lincs IBA regarding the possible reorganisation of county leagues, Stamford IBC has responded positively, taking into account feedback from several of its captains and key players.

Our members have rejected proposals to introduce 16-player teams (instead of the current five rinks of 20 players) and the introduction of two competitive men's A team leagues with promotion and relegation - and a B team league with no promotion.

We have also advised that our club wishes to continue with club shirts and whites for all county league matches and not resort to club shirts and greys (though we would continue to comply with the current greys dress code in the Over 60s league).

However, by a majority of those consulted and in the interests of helping other clubs, especially in the north of the county, which have difficulty raising teams for the longer journeys (particularly to Stamford), our club is sympathetic to the idea of regionalising men's and mixed county leagues (in a similar format to the Trudy Bates women's leagues) with the winners of north and south sections meeting for an overall final.

Commented chairman Keith Rippin, who co-ordinated the club's questionnaire responses: "While we have filled in the LIBA questionnaire to answer the specific questions raised, our own discussions have raised a number of other issues that could usefully be considered for future seasons beyond 2018-19."

One of the areas raised by Stamford IBC, he says, proposes having practice time on the rink before a game and the possibility of introducing trial ends. This could either extend game time or reduce the number of played ends which the EIBA is currently trialling so that there is some consistency across the game.

Another topic, the county might consider in the future is reducing the number of players that constitute a team from rinks of four to five rinks of triples, though Stamford is

content with the existing 4-player/ five-rink format.

The Lincolnshire county executive is due to consider responses from affiliated clubs to its proposals this month and will respond in time for club fixture secretaries to complete their administration for the September-April 2018-19 season. BW

FOOTNOTE: Stamford IBC's carpet surface was stretched on Thursday ( Feb 8) and is now running at a brisk 17.8 secs (T to T for a perfectly drawn medium bias bowl).