BowlsMark Gold Case Study: Alloway BC
A huge congratulations to Alloway Bowling Club, who have recently become only the eighth club in Scotland to have achieved their gold BowlsMark accreditation.
Established in 1999, Alloway Bowling Club is one of the youngest outdoor bowling clubs in Scotland. However, despite having a short history, the club’s committee and members were keen to improve their governance and processes to help make the club strong and sustainable for future generations.
Situated at the heart of the Cambusdoon Sports Club in South Ayrshire, only half a mile away from Burns Cottage, Alloway Bowling Club neighbours the local cricket club and popular football pitch. All three sports utilise the Cambusdoon Sports Club facility as a shared clubhouse and changing facility for the local community.
Bowls Scotland CEO Malcolm Dingwall-Smith, National Development Officer (West) Holly Hamilton and District 29 Ladies Co-Ordinator Margaret Bingham visited Alloway Bowling Club on Saturday 17th May to present them with their gold BowlsMark award and joined members in a friendly afternoon of bowls.
BowlsMark is Bowls Scotland’s Club Accreditation Scheme which aims to provide a nationally recognised standard to enable clubs to develop safe, effective and welcoming environments for all. There are currently three different levels of BowlsMark, bronze, silver and gold which clubs can progress through and complete with the support of their National Development Officer for free. Achieving each level can assist clubs with membership growth and retention, obtaining external funding, and many other benefits.
We spoke to Alloway Bowling Club’s President Peter Rimmer to find out more about the club’s journey in recent years. Read the full Q&A below:
Q1. Why did Alloway Bowling Club sign up for BowlsMark?
PR: “As a young bowling club with little or no history or tradition we needed some guidance, support and focus to achieve a sustainable future. Fortunately, the forebears of the club were foresighted enough to start us on a path of total integration, inclusiveness, fun and friendship.
“We however realised we needed something more to take forward our guiding principles. We already had the bedrock of requirements for BowlsMark. This would formalise our processes and procedures, realise our strengths and weaknesses and help us develop and focus on a sustainable future.
“We knew that the promotion and sustainability of bowling is a challenge in today’s environment, and the ability to attract, motivate and sustain an active membership is crucial.
“We are also unique in being part of a sports club, which is a hub for the community, and we needed to develop and promote ourselves in that environment.
“We were grateful to Bowls Scotland who provided templates, support and help in achieving this goal.”
Q2. How has the development programme benefitted the club?
PR: “The BowlsMark award provides a testament to the ‘quality’ of the club. Potential members, sponsors, the community, funding agencies are guided by awards of this type.
“In our unique situation, it provides kudos within the sports club and the wider community.
“In formalising our policies and procedures it allowed the management committee to ensure it had the correct governance in place. It also improved the marketing of the club by publishing our achievements.
“Whilst we were pleasantly surprised that the club had a lot of strengths it allowed us to identify our weaknesses and hence provide a template for a way forward.
“It gave us the evidence that we are a well-run club, forward thinking, inclusive, integrated and well governed, that we could build on.”
Q3. Explain the process involved in achieving gold and outline who from the club was involved?
PR: “To take the process forward we needed the buy in from the club members. We explained to members at various meetings and by internal correspondence the advantages of using this process. Initially not all members were supportive. However, as we went along, we have now not had one negative comment.
“It requires the buy in of volunteers to undertake, review and develop policies and procedures. Also, volunteers are required to undertake training in things like Wellbeing Officer, coaching and first aid training.
“The bronze and silver awards are very much about policies and procedures and a lot of the information for these was gathered from Bowls Scotland, contact with other clubs and the internet. Especially from those clubs who had successfully achieved these awards.
“The gold award required us to have review our current position and produce development, communication and community involvement plans based on our strengths and weaknesses. These needed to be achievable and measurable.
“We also needed the requisite number of coaches, and first aid trained volunteers.
“The whole club needs buy in, but there have been specific members who have played a prominent part in our journey. The entire process was embarked upon as we came out of Covid, because we recognised the support given by Bowls Scotland during that time. It was driven at that time by our President Beryl Black ably assisted by our then Secretary Alan Coulter. Once they had seen us through the bronze and silver awards it was then incumbent on the present committee to take us to that ultimate prize. You do therefore need a strong, committed leader to start the process. Beryl provided that.”
Q4. Would you encourage other clubs to engage with BowlsMark and why?
PR: “There is no sense in kidding you the process is long and demanding, needing strong leadership, dedication, and guidance but the tangible benefits are well worth it. However, as more clubs tread this path the information and knowledge will develop to make it possible for all clubs to benefit. Bowls Scotland has developed many templates and case studies which will aid the process. This process provides a structured way forward.
“The main benefits of undertaking the task are as follows:
- Formalise policies and procedures
- Allows you to identify strengths and weaknesses and use these to improve
- Improves publicity and kudos for the club
- Increases standing in the bowls community
- Easier access to sponsorship and grants
- Provides a sustainable way forward
- Helps you retain and recruitment new members”
Q5. Tell us about some highlights from 2024 season for the club, are there any new plans for 2025 now the committee has achieved the gold award?
PR: “The main highlight for our club in 2024, was our Silver Jubilee. This was an event attended by over 60 people, including participants from clubs we have an association with, and community members.
“Obviously, achieving our silver BowlsMark award was well celebrated.
“We had more members playing in local and national events. No success yet but soon.
“We had two more coaches trained, as well as in Para Bowls.
“Our fundraisers and charity events netted record amounts.
“We increased the number of friendlies against local clubs.
“We managed to sustain our membership.
“Our membership profile changed in that we had more lady members than men. We see this as a growth area.
“There was a change in the management of the green maintenance, which we hope will lead to an improved surface.
“In 2025 we will be actively working on our Development, Communication and Community Involvement plans.
“We are actively working with the green maintenance contractor, and our target is to get the green running at about 14 seconds.”
Thank you to Peter for sharing an insight into Alloway Bowling Club’s impressive progress over the last few years. Congratulations once again to everyone involved at the club!