RANSOM !Join IBA ? Or start our own league?

[johnny]

where has all this come from

[winkers]

There are some 30 plus clubs that play in the various Associations that are not members of the IBA including 7 or so in the PGL. I understand that in most cases their argument is that as small bowling clubs where none of their members are interested in playing in the National Championships or at Association/International Level nor do they wish to enter the IBA cup why pay £250 plus of precious funds on joining an association they have no involvement with. It is believed that a motion is to be put forward at this years IBA AGM that if these clubs do not join the IBA they will not be allowed to play in any of the affiliated league competitions.It seems the IBA are rather short of dosh at the moment to supplement their various activities so are looking at all avenues to increase their revenue

[boydie]

Seem to me a great way of promoting the game and attracting new members to clubs..
Well Done IBA...

[djs]

For the smaller clubs its all about cost!
They don't enter the IBA cups for two reasons - 1 they take a point of view they have little chance of winning one! But there is still a desire to play in the early rounds of the cup by the members because its tradition to play in them.

The second is more a point of cost when you have away games that involve travel money the clubs simply don't have spare (money much better spent on the green) So would a motion that all the early round draws of the IBA cup be made based on regional basis work?

On the £250 issue - For some clubs its a lot of money, for some not so much.
If IBA membership fee based on cost per club member would that generate more income? Also would an additional entry fee per team in Cups be better?

[Whiteheader]

Can anyone think of any other sport, apart from bowls, where a club doesn't have to be an affiliated member of it's governing body, yet it, and it's members, can still competitively partake in that same sport? I think that's the whole point here. Each of the 4 associations in Ireland is affiliated to the IBA, and therefore ALL clubs playing in their respective association's league and cup fixtures should, in my opinion, pay to be part of the IBA. If any club is worried about potential costs of travelling in the IBA Cup then don't enter that competition, but at the very least pay to be affiliated to the governing body.

[winkers]

Just out of curiosity Govner what prompted your thread on this subject?. Have you heard some more news since the last management meeting or perhaps one of our delegates is aware of some up to date information.

[thegovner]

Heard nothing winkers other than the club's I've been to this season talk on the green that a lot off bowlers feel it's unfair to the lesser clubs to be forced to pay a fee or your not playing in a pgl league ? Is true or not I'm not sure?

[thegovner]

Jun 7, 2015 8:32:35 GMT winkers said:

There are some 30 plus clubs that play in the various Associations that are not members of the IBA including 7 or so in the PGL. I understand that in most cases their argument is that as small bowling clubs where none of their members are interested in playing in the National Championships or at Association/International Level nor do they wish to enter the IBA cup why pay £250 plus of precious funds on joining an association they have no involvement with. It is believed that a motion is to be put forward at this years IBA AGM that if these clubs do not join the IBA they will not be allowed to play in any of the affiliated league competitions.It seems the IBA are rather short of dosh at the moment to supplement their various activities so are looking at all avenues to increase their revenue

[santa2012]

Is it not the thought that everyone playing outdoor bowls on a competitive basis in Ireland should be a member of its governing body?
Does that not make sense??

[thegovner]

Jun 29, 2015 15:48:51 GMT santa2012 said:

Is it not the thought that everyone playing outdoor bowls on a competitive basis in Ireland should be a member of its governing body?
Does that not make sense??

Yes probably but why the extortionate fee ?

[santa2012]

Ask the Treasurer!!!!! :-) :-)

[winkers]

Talking to other bowlers recently there seems general agreement that all outdoor bowling clubs should belong and pay a fee to their governing body, but that fee or subscription should reflect the purpose and nature of the involvement and also the work undertaken by that said body. In the case of the IBA whilst they are technically the governing organisation the day to day administration, running, rules and function of the general leagues, cups and championship competitions that clubs enter are carried out and maintained by their own individual associations. It seems grossly inequitable therefore that smaller clubs like my own have to pay the IBA approx £270 plus per annum which is £100 or so more than we pay the PGL particularly as our only involvement with them is to enter a cup our members have little interest in, generally get knocked out in the first couple of rounds and also causes regular disruption to the league program.
The main objective of the IBA is to promote, foster, and regulate the outdoor game in Ireland in every legitimate way but there is a perception amongst many bowlers I talk to that it concentrates its energies and finances on the competition side of the game for the few rather than the many with the latter paying too higher price for the privilege of belonging for little benefit.
If the purpose of the proposed motion is to increase the IBA revenue then it should be done in conjunction with the introduction of a new Membership Fee structure that starts with a nominal fee of say £125 or £150 Max for clubs that do not wish to enter any IBA competitions rising through tiered pricing levels dependent on the club membership numbers and the total of competitions they wish to enter.
Should the council intend to push these changes through without any safeguards for smaller clubs or for those not participating then the delegates at the AGM should think very carefully when casting their votes about the possible expulsion of clubs who don't comply. They will be opening a can of worms that may well have serious repercussions for Irish Bowling.