The League has launched a Development initiative aimed at increasing participation in the sport and membership of clubs of juniors – and indeed people from across the whole age range.
What is clear from the talk that former County Development Officer Pauline Wilson gave at the League’s March executive meeting last week is that clubs having a qualified coach within their ranks is the key to any progress.
So the information below has been circulated to all 28 member clubs, outlining the way forward and announcing the chance for bowlers to take a coaching course in Telford in August.
All clubs have been urged to take the matter most seriously and endeavour to find a member willing to sign up to this course, qualify as a coach and then spearhead that club’s new approach to growing the sport
Junior Development in Mid Shropshire – March 2025
Following the factors outlined by Pauline, it is clear the issue of attracting juniors is a complex interaction of a number of reasons.
It was also clear that at the heart of any long term progress is for each club to have a qualified club coach & a social session as a basic pre-requisite.
So the League would like to encourage all clubs to aim for all of you to have a coach within your club. Currently only 8 of our now 28 clubs have one.
Please go back to your clubs and encourage someone to volunteer as we would like to be putting on a course in Telford in August.
The Coach Bowls course costs £150 but 50% of that is covered by a BCGBA bursary upon completion and Shropshire give a further £30.
The League would consider contributing too – and it would be good if individual clubs could also step forward & subsidise the course for any volunteers
We are really keen to promote junior bowling in Mid Shropshire, but clubs need to help themselves. This is a long burn issue and one that will see us in line with BCGBA through their Development Policy.
Let’s get this first step in place so we can hold more competitions like the Junior Trailblazer for the Paul Taylor Trophy at Newport on Sunday 27th July.
Long term we would like to running a junior league – but everything starts in your club.
Please let us have the names of any volunteers who want to take the coaching course by 31st May so we can get organising the course.