Welcome to this edition of your Club Newsletter.
LATE NEWS: CONGRATULATIONS TO CHLOE WATSON FOR WINNING THE U25s SINGLES TROPHY AT POTTERS.
Reminder regarding rink Etiquette: a couple of members have brought this to my notice recently. It is normal for the Thirds (or a nominated person) to declare the heads and measure; leads or seconds should NOT interfere with the process. In particular it is not the job of the front end to kick bowls back towards the ditch before ALL measurements have been done; nor is it their job to suggest to the marker which bowls should be marked.
E Mail Address: Speaking of reminders, once again if you have an e-mail address, or have changed one recently, please inform the Office – in good time before we send out the summer bundles.
Summer Leagues: We have operated 4 Summer pairs leagues now for a few years. The plan is to do it again, so watch out for the entry forms.
Cancellations: The weather has hit us hard recently (Jan 16th) – PLEASE try to rearrange your matches rather than just cancel. You have up to March 21st to do so. After that date it will be left to the Competitions Committee.
It is appropriate to inform all members of the cost to the Club of cancelled games: from the start of the season the Club has lost £1616 through walkovers being given (40 league games and 21 pairs). There were 74 games postponed in January alone, of which 22 were pairs and 52 league games. This bleeding is serious, so PLEASE (once again) make the effort to re-arrange any games, otherwise there will be a danger of an increase in subs or rink fees next year.
Shop: You will have noticed by now that the Club Shop is having a sale in the front foyer area. Take advantage!
Quiz: The major quiz of the social year is on Friday February 2nd; this event is always popular and the income goes towards helping our own BIBC ladies travel to Scotland for the International series. You also might have noticed two great ballot prizes in the foyer– the draw will be made on the night of the Quiz.
The IWIBA Finals were held at our Stadium early in January and results were as follows:
Ladies Singles was won by Catherine Beattie who beat Chloe Watson in a tight final.
Ladies Pairs was won by Chloe Watson and Sandra Bailie.
Ladies Triples was won by Chloe Watson, Sharyn Jess and Sandra Bailie.
Ladies Fours was won by Bea Leckey, Sharyn Jess, Chloe Watson, Sandra Bailie.
U25 Singles was also won by Chloe Watson.
So: once again the Irish titles were dominated by our Belfast Ladies. Well done to them and our Irish President Janet Bell.
The Irish Ladies’ Team has been chosen and BIBC has 15 representatives with 2 reserves.
The Irish Mens’ Team has also been picked and Belfast has 10 representatives on the team and 1 reserve. We of course wish them well in Scotland in March.
General: The Beginners Pairs League is already underway on Monday evenings.
The new Wednesday afternoon rinks games restarted on January 10th at 4pm.
The Irish Ladies Team are having a practice match against a BIBC Select mens’ team here on Sunday February 4th.
Inter Stadium: Sunday 21st January saw another round of the Inter Club games. Our Number 1 team travelled to Ballymoney and won with 5 and a half points; our Number 2 Team at home drew with the Co Antrim side, so two good results.
Looking forward: Club Finals will be held on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February. This includes the Magee Cup (for disabled).
Friday March 23rd sees the annual Ladies President’s Day (afternoon).
Friday April 6th will see the Club Dinner (last year we missed out because of the Internationals.) More details to follow.
The annual Club 3 Bowl Pairs Competition has been arranged for Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th April. Entry forms will be out soon.
Club Development Plan: It is time for the Club to draw up a new Development Plan for the next 5 years. If any Club member has a proposal to make, please put it in writing and deliver it to me.
Editor
Ken Armstrong