Bowls Oxfordshire Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday 17th March 2026 @ 7.00 pm.
Held at Carterton B.C
Minutes
In Attendance.
Chris, Amanda, Alan, Zoe, Georgina, Kevin, Craig, John Hurren, Terry.
Apologies. John Henwood, Ron, Julia, Ann.
Minutes of the Bowls Oxfordshire Executive Committee meeting held on Tuesday 17th February 2026, having been circulated, were signed as a true record.
Alan welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Carterton for hosting the meeting.
Proposed Craig Seconded Zoe
Matters arising (not covered in this agenda)
The Mens section selection committee had decided to reverse a decision to ask Middleton Cup players to travel in their “old” Oxfordshire shirt to games this season after John Henwood had offered to donate a sum of money from the Summertown Trophy funds, with that Committees approval, to cover the cost of providing each squad member with a new blue polo shirt. John had ordered 4 sample shirts for players to try for sizes and would then place the order.
John Hurren confirmed he had placed a sum of money into a new savings account which he had opened following discussion on the subject at the last meeting.
John in his capacity as webmaster had made enquiries about access to documents on the website and whether documents and other information was backed up on the website. Jacques from Club Concern, who controlled the website, confirmed all forms etc are backed up by him.
Zoe explained the difficulty in downloading documents from the website particularly in the case of grant and sponsorship applications. John pointed out that if it was original policies that were required both he and Chris could provide these.
It was eventually suggested that Zoe talk to Jacques about the specific requirements she was looking for and the type of documents she needed easier access to, and then Jacques should hopefully be able to help.
1.Treasurers report
The County Account stands at £20,595.76 at the end of 15 March 2026.
Competition fees have been paid to Bowls England, and a deposit has been paid for the Shirts and Jackets, since my last report. Receipt of clothing is expected by 14 April. I think we need to circulate a link to Aceit or Bowls England for players wishing to play for the county this year, so that they can purchase royal blue shorts or trousers direct with the supplier.
Income and Expenditure, from 1 November 2025 to 15 March 2026 is summarised as follows:
|
INCOME |
£ |
|
EXPENDITURE |
£ |
|
Comps - Dom |
1,899 |
Affiliation (HCBA) |
150 |
|
|
Comps - county |
2,067 |
Transfer to Savings a/c |
10,000 |
|
|
Comps – B E |
4,293 |
BE comp fees |
4,289 |
|
|
Sale of old shirts |
75 |
Prizes/ engraving |
240 |
|
|
Pre -orders for new kit |
7,936 |
New kit deposit |
5,373 |
|
|
Prizes/ Engraving |
240 |
|||
|
Tour 26 deposits |
3,500 |
Bank charges |
53 |
|
|
Raffles |
63 |
Annual dinner costs |
240 |
|
|
Bank Transfers |
10 |
Comp expenses |
210 |
|
|
Auditor fee |
50 |
|||
|
Total: |
19,768 |
Total: |
20,605 |
(Rounded up or down to the nearest £)
John highlighted amounts that had been ring fenced for sections C/F into 2026 - Young Bowlers £1,827: Women’s section - £500; Men’s Tour - £ 387.
The figures for both National competitions and Domestic cups, represent an increase in entries for the 2026 season which was good news as it meant extra funds for Bowls Oxfordshire.
2.Reports from Sections, any meeting updates?
Chris said that there had not been a Men’s section meeting recently, and one was not planned as far as he knew.
Ann had been in touch to say there was a Ladies Committee planned and also a delegates meeting on April 7th.
Terry said that there would be a Mixed section Committee meeting on March 31st.
Kevin said there had been no further meetings but were waiting for David Leighfield to complete the full calendar of fixtures and Junior events, and then they might well have one then. Chris asked Craig about any further news on the White Rose amalgamated side of Oxfordshire/ Wiltshire. Craig replied that there would need to be a trial first, and then decisions taken after that.
3.Any updates on Kit order, waiting list, Placement of new order?
Craig gave a comprehensive account of the current state of the new kit order. The order was placed on February 18th as promised with an expected delivery date of between 10th to the 14th April. Craig had been promised a preview of the new shirt the following Tuesday (March 24th) to ensure the logo had been removed and the colouring was correct before the kit went into full production.
He was then intending, with Zoe’s assistance to “bag up” all the kit, and name it either by Club, or in the case of the Middlton and HCL, by squad, for distribution.
Middleton Cup and Home Counties both have early games, so shirts for these players can be bagged separately and handed out to each squads players.
Once the first bulk order had been received it was hoped to set up the process with the manufacturer so that orders could be placed by individuals, so that little or no stock was held, and a second bulk order would not be required.
Craig reiterated that NO kit will be given out to individuals until payment has been received from them.
Terry said that unfortunately there were rumour’s going round that to fully equip yourself with the new kit would cost a minimum of £400, when in fact the minimum requirement for the 2026 season is the purchase of a new shirt costing £29.00.
It was agreed that anyone spreading this disinformation should be made aware of the correct information!
Thanks were given by Alan to Craig and Zoe for their work on the new kit, and this was endorsed by the rest of the Committee.
4. Distribution of Competitor Contact cards.
Chris said that for the last two years the cards have been distributed at AGM’s which have taken place in March. With no similar event taking place, a different way of distribution was required Chris said there was an upcoming Ladies delegates meeting taking place on April 7th which might be a possibility if Lady delegates would be willing to pick up the cards for their respective Clubs.
Alternatively, Craig offered to distribute the cards along with the kit, for each Club if the cards could be delivered to him.
Chris said he would email Pat Ray to discover the current status of the cards ie were they ready to be printed yet, and ask her for her preferred distribution option.
5. Goals for the County and the “Movement fund”
Zoe said the bid for the “Movement fund “ was unsuccessful, and she was awaiting some feedback as to the reasons why. Zoe thought it might be because the application was made as a County rather than as individual Clubs. Zoe is working on a document re the movement fund and will circulate it to the committee when completed.
Zoe felt that the aims of the County needed to be defined, in that we need to know what the clubs want from us (the BOE committee)
Perhaps this could be done by reaching out to members across multiple platforms and use social media to collate this information.
Terry made the point that as far as her Club was concerned, and was probably true of other clubs as well, it had an ageing membership who do not use Face Book, email etc but was fine for the younger element. The first two editions of the Newsletter got very positive feedback, so this was one new avenue that had been successful but just to agree on as many initiatives as possible to connect with Clubs and their members.
6. Coaching Courses
Watlington had been the only Club to contact Chris with content for the delegates meeting, and one of the items they wanted to discuss was that of Coaching within the County, as at present they have no Bowls coach registered within their Club. Therefore, they asked if any coaching courses were due to take place in the near future.
Zoe said she had investigated the matter, and a course needed a minimum of 8 and would cost £160 per person, the course being run through Coach Bowls.
The course would consist of 2 nights of 3 hour zoom sessions, filling a portfolio, and then a full days practical assessment.
Discussion took place on a suitable Club that might be able to host such a session, and it was agreed that Chipping Norton might well be able to provide all the facilities if required. Zoe said she would contact Ann and see if Chippy would be willing to help
There appeared to be no BE Coaching bursary available at this time, it having been removed at some point last year.
Chris said he would circulate all the details to Clubs if Zoe could provide them, to see if sufficient interest was present within Clubs.
7. Updating the Website with new committee (photos and short bio).
Georgina said the Website has been updated, although she was still awaiting 3 or 4 blogs and photos.
Craig said he had been co-opted on to the BOE committee.to deal with the issue of the new kit, so wasn’t sure if he would continue beyond that project’s completion.
Chris said that when the new BOE Committee had been set up, there were approximately 10 recognised positions on the Committee, but that it had been agreed that people with particular experience in one area of bowls or who the Committee wished to co-opt on a more regular basis could attend the meetings.
The general consensus was the hope that Craig would continue on the BOE Committee even if he was unable to attend every meeting.
8. County Sponsorship Lead.
Zoe referred to her earlier remarks, but said she had nothing new to add at present.
9. Bowls England matters.
Alan said that no news had been received about Chief Exec John Hopcroft, who it had been announced at the AGM was taking a short break from his duties,
New BE Safeguarding Lead had been announced as Maria White, and she would shortly be contacting Clubs to tell them of her vision for the role.
Alan said he and Ann had attended the BE AGM on behalf of the County.
Among the items discussed, extra funding for the Commonwealth games had been obtained, and the general financial health of BE which appeared to be alright at present with premises valued at Worthing worth between one to three million at current estimates.
Current affiliation numbers were steady.
No sponsor had yet been found to replace Aviva.
There were 2 job vacancies currently, and BE were having difficulties appointing vice presidents, in two regions at the moment, the South and Southwest.
10. Safeguarding issues.
In giving his apologies for his absence from the meeting Ron had said he had nothing to report on any Safeguarding issues at present.
Carterton Club representative
As a Carterton member Craig said that pre-Covid Carterton had run an event called the Endurance Pairs, It was proposed that the event be resurrected this season. It required 32 pairs to enter to take part, costing £25.00 per pair but with sponsorship involved it would offer substantial prize money to the winners, 2nd, ,3rd , and 4th places.
Craig asked if could the details be advertised in the newsletter and/or be circulated to other Clubs. Ther event would be held over the weekend of the11th /12th July.
The Final consisted of 2 games, with a 30 min break. Members must be from the same Club if they wish to enter and it was open to all. Georgina said that the 12th July clashed with the Generation pairs and a Ladies game.
Chris said if Craig sent him the details, he would be happy to circulate to other Clubs to forward to their Club members, as he had done in previous seasons and would continue to do. There was also a tab on the website where events could be advertised.
AOB
Zoe suggested sending out a calendar with every County and Club game on it. Zoe will explore the possibilities. (A combined diary is on the website)
John Hurren said that if anyone was aware of any areas of the website that needed updating could they provide feedback on what needed attending to and he would resolve it if given the information to do so.
It was suggested that the Competition draws were difficult to view on a phone, but fine on a laptop.
Chris said that following the cancellation of the delegates meeting earlier in the month he wondered about reserving a space each month on the BOE meeting agenda for any item that Clubs wished to raise , and then there would be a more immediate response to that topic, and if it was considered important enough it could go to a delegates meeting if the next meeting took place, or the AGM. Most Committee members felt this a good idea, and so Chris said he would put it on the agenda for the next meeting for further discussion.
Terry asked what, if any changes might come into effect if boundaries are changed, if Councils are reorganised. The general view being that the effect would be minimal.
Alan said that Affiliation returns would be circulated to Clubs by 1st April 2026. There were some changes in identifying different groups of bowlers U18, U25, and Para bowlers, a term used by BE to identify bowlers who were disabled in any way therefore creating a specific list for each club. It was felt that “Para” was a poor term to use in defining bowlers with a disability, and that “Bowlers with a disability” would be a much better term to use, Terry pointed out that were different categories of learning needs, and many categories of disability.
To summarise it was felt that there had been a lack of communication from BE regarding this subject and Bowls Oxfordshire’s goal should be to make Oxfordshire a more inclusive County.
Date and venue for the next meeting were agreed as Monday 13th April at Oxford City & County Bowls Club starting at 7.00pm
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 20.30pm.