Get to know your RBM, help is at hand.

by Melanie Allen

Thanks to the support of Bowls Australia we have a full team of Regional Bowls Managers (RBM’s) back on deck again in Victoria, working with clubs all over the state. The RBM team is on call to assist with a huge range of services and support for clubs, with a focus on key areas such as:

  • Growth and Development
  • Program Delivery
  • Club Development
  • Coach and Official Development

Many of you know and will have worked with Paul Holtschke (Metro Melbourne & Geelong) and John Emerson (North East Victoria) over the many years they’ve been in their RBM roles.

Adding to the strengths of Paul and John, we now have two additional new RBMs who are keen to hear from you and are currently making their way around clubs in their areas to meet you all, having both joined the team in January.

Stephen Arthur (Western Victoria) is an experienced bowler and has held Sales/Territory Manager roles for several farm and machinery equipment suppliers. Prior to that, Stephen was the Senior Modernisation Coordinator for the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project at Goulburn Murray Water. “So far I’ve found clubs to be very receptive to me, and bowls is certainly back and thriving in my region,” said Stephen. Working with many clubs to access grants for new greens and infrastructure projects has been keeping Stephen busy.

Andrew Walters (Eastern Melbourne & VIC) is another bowler who’s professional experience includes being the Victorian Operations Manager for Metcash (IGA stores). More recently, Andrew was the owner/operator of the Timeout Snackbar Café which included the management of 14 staff.

Both Stephen and Andrew know the bowls landscape and have gotten off to a great start.

Some recent observations from Paul Holtschke have been that clubs are doing very well with implementing QR codes or sign-in sheets to comply with COVID regulations. Clubs are to be commended for their use of signage around clubhouses, and availability of hand sanitiser at entry points as well as around the greens.

Both Paul and John, as well as the recent additions of Stephen and Andrew, are all keen to work with clubs to help and improve any aspect of club life and are very understanding of the hardships that clubs face on a daily basis. We encourage clubs to reach out to the RBM’s and get to know them.

Still not sure about how they can help? Have a read of the Role of an RBM club support guide, and start making a list. Then give your local RBM a call, arrange a visit, and get the most for your club from the resources available to you. They might even give you a new idea or two!