Bowls NSW will continue to update our community on the latest updates regarding the Coronavirus and how this will impact scheduled competitions and other events.
We are following the guidelines of Bowls Australia, The World Health Organisation and NSW Health and as the recommendations are changing frequently we will endeavour to pass on information as quickly as we can to all clubs and members.
For more information on the following areas please follow the links provided;
For Club related information see Clubs NSW click here.
For Health updates see NSW Health click here.
For Government announcements and updates see the Australian Government Click here.
For information and advice on travel restrictions see Smartraveller click here.
For all Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPCC) click here.
For updates from Bowls Australia click here.
Click Here for COVID-19 related support measures for clubs, employees & bowlers
Update 25/3/2020
BOWLS NSW
Following from decisions made last night and announced by the Prime Minister, we advise all clubs that all organised sporting events and all social sporting activities must cease, including all forms of lawn bowls activity from Midnight tonight (Thursday 25 March).
Please note that these restrictions are now enforceable.
Bowls NSW will continue to provide updates as they become available
Update 24/3/2020
As you are no doubt aware as of Monday 23rd March at 12 Noon ALL Clubs were forced to shutdown by government and stricter self-distance protocols have been put in place.
We urge all club administrators to keep up to date with all changes and news regarding assistance relief via Clubs NSW and other links above.
Please take particular interest in relief for businesses with less than $50 million revenue. These will be provided as automatic credits by ATO.
For Directors, please note that there is relief for trading insolvent.
Bowls NSW are aware of a Clubs NSW circular released at 9.00am today (Tuesday 24th March) advising that clubs may continue to permit or facilitate games on their greens, however they cannot allow people to assemble or meet in the clubhouse.
Bowls NSW will investigate this situation to ascertain the most appropriate guidance for Clubs and to what OFFICIALLY can be/cant be done and provide an update as quickly as possible.
The Bowls NSW Board and Senior Staff are working through all options currently available to provide relief for clubs in terms of affiliation fees and the impact for the sport, which will include the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
We will update via this page as soon as any information is available.
An update on all events currently suspended will be given following a review with Board to take place on 31st March.
Please note those events already cancelled by notice on 19 March.
Please be advised that as from 4.00pm today the Bowls NSW Head Office will be shutdown. All staff have been advised that they are to take all leave entitlements until they are exhausted.
Bowls NSW understands that this crisis has created extremely uncertain times for all clubs, management and staff and members.
We will attempt to provide clubs with continual updates in what has become a very unpredictable and, at times, contradictory, issue.
If you have any queries, phone messages will only be checked intermittently and best contact is: [email protected]
We urge everyone to continue practicing safe hygiene and self-distancing measures and to limit travel times as much as possible.
Please stay safe and together we will come through this crisis, a stronger, more resilient sport for everyone to enjoy for years to come.
Update 19/3/2020
The Board of Bowls NSW met today (19/03/2020) and announce the following:
Bowls NSW continues with its direction that ALL Bowling activities be suspended.
This advice includes all Association events; Club Championships; Tournaments & Social Bowls events.
Bowls NSW does not endorse any club continuing to organise any bowling activities.
Those Clubs that continue this practice do so at their own risk.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) clearly states that:
Participants should not attend and participate in Community Sport if they:
Have travelled internationally or been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days; or
Are at a high risk including the elderly and those with pre‑existing medical conditions.
Bowls NSW suspending bowling activities is the administrations responsible stance as it is paramount to safeguard the health and safety of our members (a large percentage of whom are in the high risk category), its volunteers, officials, Clubs, and their staff and is based on all advice received from governments, health authorities and National sporting body.
Bowls NSW advises that ALL Umpire and Coaching Courses are to be suspended until further notice.
Bowls NSW will contact those members who are booked into Coaching Courses and advises all Zones to do the same with any upcoming Umpire Courses.
The following events are CANCELLED for 2020 season:
- NSW State Junior Championships
- Brett Duprez Under 18 Series
- U18 State Squad Camp
- Drakes Pride Junior Carnival
- Bowls NSW Indoor Qualifying
Any entries already received for any of the above events will be refunded.
The following events are SUSPENDED until further notice:
- Bowls NSW Pennants
- Bowls NSW State Championships (all disciplines and divisions)
- All other Association events
The following events have not been decided upon, as yet and advice will follow when available:
- City v Country Series
- All Interstate Test Series (Opens, Seniors, O40s, U25s & Juniors)
Bowls Australia has announced that the 2020 World Championships are postponed to a date to be announced.
Bowls Australia has also announced decisions on the following events;
- Australian Open – Cancelled
- Australian Indoor – Cancelled
- BA Jackeroos Tour – Cancelled
- The Nationals – No decision as yet
- Australian Multi Disability Championships – No decision as yet
Bowls NSW Senior Staff will be briefing Bowls NSW Board via online methods twice weekly and any new information will be updated following those briefings.
All non-essential travel for any Bowls NSW Staff, Board and Committees will not be undertaken and all meetings will be via online (teleconference) methods.
Please refer to this page for any further updates.
Update 17/3/2020
JOINT ADVICE FROM WOMEN’S BOWLS NSW AND BOWLS NSW REGARDING CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19)
Notice to suspension of bowls includes social bowls events
Both Women’s Bowls NSW and Bowls NSW have been continuously monitoring the Coronavirus situation.
Subsequent to a teleconference meeting with Bowls Australia and all State & Territory Associations late yesterday and with regard to the notice released by Bowls Australia today (17 March 2020), Women’s Bowls NSW and Bowls NSW jointly advise the following:
Amid growing concerns and uncertainty in relation to the spreading of COVID-19 and to provide a safeguard to all members, volunteers, clubs and their staff, especially concerning the demographic that encapsulates a large proportion of both associations’ memberships that Women’s Bowls NSW & Bowls NSW have decided that:
All bowls events be suspended for an indefinite period, effective immediately (from this date).
This relates to all association events, competition events, club events and tournaments and includes social bowls events.
While this is obviously an unfortunate disruption to the season, Women’s Bowls NSW and Bowls NSW believes that a blanket guidance such as this leaves all associations, clubs, players, coaches, officials and administrators in the state in the same position while we watch developments around COVID-19.
It is important to note that the season is not being cancelled. At this time, the recommended action is seen as a socially responsible position for the lawn bowls community in NSW to take.
We would like to remind members that all clubs remain open for business and the advice from Clubs NSW is:
“The public can be assured that their local club is a safe and hygienic environment, with no detected cases of COVID-19 to date at 1200 venues across the state.
The Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) were clear in their advice that while non-essential mass gatherings such as sporting events will have to be reviewed, people should go about their everyday lives.
Day to day club operations will be unaffected and venues have already taken proactive measures to ensure your local club is a safe place to enjoy a drink and a meal.”
Information on each NSW association events, and any other information will be forwarded to relevant membership as more information comes to light, please look at both association websites regularly for updates.
Please see below regarding general health recommendations:
What to do if you become unwell and are concerned you may have coronavirus:
Coronavirus presents as a mild cold like illness in the majority of people. If you have known exposure or have travelled to an area of high or moderate risk, and have a fever, shortness of breath, or flu like symptoms (including cough, sore throat, fatigue) or any other concerns please isolate yourself and phone your GP or Hospital Emergency Department and notify them prior to attending a review.
How to minimise risk:
Good hand hygiene is likely, the single most effective method for reducing the risk of spread of viral illness.
Good hand hygiene should include:
- Washing hands and/or use of hand sanitiser
- Avoid touching your face, particularly eyes, nose and mouth, with unwashed hands
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue (where possible) and wash your hands afterwards
- Avoid close contact with others, such as touching or shaking hands
- Clean surfaces with hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes or a cleaning spray
If you have any general enquiries, please contact:
Women’s Bowls NSW on 02 9267 7155
Bowls NSW on 02 9283 4555
Anne Johns Greg Helm
General Manager – Women’s Bowls NSW CEO – Bowls NSW
Please click here to download circular 07/2020 JOINT ADVICE FROM WOMEN’S BOWLS NSW AND BOWLS NSW REGARDING CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19)
Past Updates:
Update 6/3/2020 Coronavirus update and details – Click here to read