Bowls Development Alliance
Official Press Release

BOWLS WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD THE SPORT

The Bowls Development Alliance (BDA) is delighted to announce that the English Short Mat Bowling Association (ESMBA), the English Bowling Federation (EBF) and the British Crown Green Bowls Association (BCGBA) are to join the Safeguarding Bowls group alongside Bowls England (BE) and the English Indoor Bowling Association (EIBA) under the umbrella of the BDA to ensure that the sport is kept safe for everyone to play.

This will mean that the five National Governing Bodies and their affiliated members will follow the same policy, guidelines and templates which will be available to all clubs regardless of which format is played.

County and Club Welfare Officers across the various codes will be able to access training to support them in their role and provide them with knowledge and information on any action they would need to take if a concern was raised within their club.

Susan Cooper the Development Director of the BDA commented: “The sport of bowls can now work together to secure the Advanced Safeguarding Standards and in so doing will go some way to keeping all those who participate in this sport safe in what they do and wherever they play”

This is a big step forward for the sport and has been welcomed by both Sport England and the NSPCC.

For further information please contact your own National Governing Body or go to www.safeguardingbowls.org