Victorian Lawn Bowls

Governance

The governing bodies for bowls in Victoria are the Royal Victorian Bowls Association (RVBA) established in 1880 and the Victorian Ladies’ Bowling Association (VLBA) established in 1907. For most of their history, these two bodies were open to membership as male-only (RVBA) and female-only (VLBA), but since the early part of this century, both bodies are open to male and female membership due to a ruling by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) which assessed the game of bowls as a sport not justified in discriminating between men and women on the basis of strength, stamina or physique. In 2007-08, in excess of 60,000 affiliated bowlers were registered with RVBA and VLBA.

Although operating under separate Councils, Boards and Committees, the RVBA and VLBA conduct many areas of business jointly.

Cooperative Ventures

“Bowlers House” in Burwood Road, Hawthorn, is jointly owned by RVBA and VLBA. As a matter of interest, some of the current tenants in the building other than RVBA and VLBA include Bowls Australia, Softball Australia and the Wilderness Society;

  • The “Bowls in Focus” magazine is jointly managed and produced by RVBA and VLBA from Level 3 of Bowlers House;
  • The “Development Team” members - Stephen Cardiff, Tim Cleveland and Kate Benton - are also located on Level 3 with the RVBA and are jointly employed by RVBA and VLBA;
  • The Under 18 Junior Development Squad Program is managed by the RVBA/VLBA Junior Committee;
  • RVBA and VLBA State Test Matches at Senior and Under 18 levels are conducted against other states and territories at the same venues and times wherever possible;
  • Other RVBA/VLBA Committees now operate, such as the RVBA/VLBA Joint Board, RVBA/VLBA Promotion and Development Committee, RVBA/VLBA Coaching Committee and the RVBA/VLBA Joint Working Party (which manages the proposed unification process);
  • Sponsors and Funding Agencies (VicHealth, State Government and Bowls Australia) seek to fund both organisations rather than the separate identities. 

Bowls Victoria

In this environment, the RVBA/VLBA Strategic Plan 2007-2011, outlines a future driven by a united organisation (“Bowls Victoria”) and seeks as its initial Strategy to undertake a unification process.

In November 2007, when two experts in change management, John Crofts and Peter Dorrell, were appointed to assist the RVBA/VLBA Joint Working Party, the proposed unification process commenced in earnest.

A summary of progress as at July 2008 was provided to all affiliated bowlers after the RVBA and VLBA Annual General Meetings and is attached here.

It is hoped that the proposal for unification as Bowls Victoria will be put to all Clubs (RVBA Sections and VLBA Sections) by March/April 2009.

To view Unification updates, click here.

Traditional / Non-Traditional Bowls

The heart-and-soul of traditional bowls in Victoria is Pennant, contested by sides of 16 bowlers (although some play as 6, 8 or 12-a-side) over a season spanning October to March/April. Interspersed with Pennant are various RVBA and VLBA Championships and numerous events conducted by Clubs and Associations/Districts.

An increasing number of non-traditional formats have emerged and are being roundly embraced by many clubs. These include what is generally referred to as “barefoot bowls”, “social bowls”, “corporate bowls”, “party bowls” and “Come ‘N Try Days”. It is through these formats that new bowlers are introduced to the game in a casual, fun environment with little focus on uniforms and a simple requirement to have flat-soled shoes in which to play.

The RVBA and VLBA in 2008-09 will be piloting shorter versions of competition to assess whether such opportunities to play may be more attractive to the younger generations than having to sacrifice Saturdays to participate regularly.