Host a National Event

by Bowls Australia

Due to the impact of COVID-19, Bowls Australia (BA) intends to stage the 2020 Australian Championships and Australian Champion of Champions events later in 2020 and to minimise the cost for all participants, has elected to hold the events in either New South Wales (NSW) or Victoria (VIC).

Below you will find event information and the desirable criteria for a club to address to be considered to host either event.

Clubs in NSW or VIC are invited to express their interest in hosting the 2020 Australian Championships and/or Australian Champion of Champions, by addressing the hosting criteria (in writing) below to BA’s Events and Competition Manager, Andrew Howie, at ahowie@bowls.com.au

Submissions should be made by no later than Monday, June 1, 2020.


Australian Championships

Dates

  • Official practice day: Triples – Sunday, November 29, 2020
  • Official practice day: Pairs – Monday, November 30, 2020
  • Official practice day: Fours – Tuesday, December 1, 2020
  • Official practice day: Mixed Pairs – Wednesday, December 2, 2020
  • Official practice day: Singles – Thursday, December 3, 2020

Competition days: Monday, November 30 – Friday, December 4, 2020.

Schedule of events:

  • Triples – Monday, November 30, 2020 (4 rounds of play)
  • Pairs – Tuesday, December 1, 2020 (4 rounds of play)
  • Fours – Wednesday, December 2, 2020 (4 rounds of play)
  • Mixed Pairs – Thursday, December 3, 2020 (4 rounds of play)
  • Singles – Friday, December 4, 2020 (4 rounds of play)

Time: approximately 8:30am- 8:00pm each day.

Format

Each discipline of the Australian Championships will be completed in the one day, meaning four rounds of play each day to decide the winners.

  • Sections of four players/teams playing three rounds.
  • Gold and Bronze Medal playoffs to be held that evening.

Australian Champion of Champions

Dates

  • Official practice day: Sunday, December 6, 2020
  • Competition days: Monday, December 7 – Tuesday, December 8, 2020.
  • Time: approximately 8:30am- 8:00pm on Day 1 & 8:30am – 5:00pm on Day 2.

The schedule of events will be played as follow:

  • Monday, December 7 (4 rounds of play)
  • Tuesday, December 8 (3 rounds of play)

Format

The Champion of Champions will be conducted under the following format:

  • 7 game round-robin.
  • Singles – 21 shots up.

Host Club Requirements

  • It is recommended that the appointed host club is no further than 60 minutes from a Sydney or Melbourne airport.
    • This is to minimise costs for participants and allow the flexibility of departing following the conclusion of their discipline to avoid an extra night of accommodation (Australian Championships).
  • The host club should be appropriately positioned near suitable accommodation.
  • Player transfers to and from the airport and accommodation (optional).

Green requirements

  • 8 rinks (2 greens) are required for each competition day.
  • Ideally, 1 spare green to accommodate practice sessions each day (Australian Championships only). This is desirable however if not achievable, practice can be managed on the spare rinks during play.
  • Green speed between 14 – 16 seconds.
  • Lights on 2 bowling greens to accommodate night matches.

Technical Officials (markers and umpires)

  • BA will fund at least two interstate (2) International Technical Officials (ITOs) to attend the event and officiate as markers and/or umpires.
  • Coordination of additional technical officials to cover the below requirements will be the host clubs responsibility, utilising their own qualified members. If they need assistance we recommend to liaise with the Host State Association to obtain further qualified members. If they need assistance, we recommend liaising with the Host State Association to obtain further qualified assistance.
    • 8 marking duties per session during the singles events;
    • At least 1 (preferably 2) umpires green per session.
  • Umpire equipment is the host club’s responsibility, however, BA is happy to assist if appropriate equipment cannot be sourced.

Volunteers

  • All rink scoreboards for singles games should be attended to during all matches to ensure accurate display of match scores. If the host club would like to assign volunteers to scoreboards of all disciplines this will be at their discretion.
  • Other volunteer positions are at the discretion of the club as they require to host the event.
  • BA Event Manager will liaise with the host club to identify if any further volunteers will be required.

Catering

  • The club is responsible for providing lunch to all players, coaches, additional STA members, volunteers (including ITOs) and BA board and staff each day of competition as ordered. This is expected to be between 50 – 100 meals on the busier days during the Australia Championships.
  • It is an expectation that the host club provides all technical officials and volunteers with lunch, free of charge to the individual.
  • Lunch should be priced at between $10- $12; If desired, clubs may wish to provide lunch free of charge to help offset the cost of players attending the event.

Welcome Function Evening

  • BA will host a welcome function to signify the start of both competitions. This evening will give BA a chance to welcome dignitaries, players and officials while thanking the host club for their support.
  • The host club will need a designated space to accommodate 50-100 people.
  • Host club to provide light canapés upon arrival for all guests.

Event Management

  • BA will appoint an Event Manager to oversee competition. This person will have regular interaction with an appropriate contact at the club in the lead up to the event.
  • The host club will need to appoint an event liaison to work closely with BA’s Event Manager pre and during competition.
  • The Event Manager will require a designated space at the club from which to work out of, alongside the media team.

Event equipment

  • BA will provide all scorecards, medals, scoreboard nameplates, toucher spray and paddles for the markers.
  • Online results will be available through BA’s competition management system Bowlslink.
  • The host club shall provide mats, jacks and appropriate rink markers for bowls and jacks in the ditch.
  • The host club shall provide approved umpires equipment, however, if need be BA may assist with obtaining equipment.
  • An area inside the club to be dedicated to event results.

Media and communications

  • BA will appoint a media coordinator to the event.
  • The host club is welcome to engage local media, but should keep appointed BA personnel informed of any media opportunities.
  • BA staff will design and produce an event program.
  • BA website will display a dedicated link to the event with all relevant information.
  • BA to live stream the event on selected event days.

For more information

Please contact Andrew Howie at ahowie@bowls.com.au


Article courtesy Bowls Australia.