YOUTH DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT 2015
BACKGROUND
The
English Indoor Bowling Association’s view of Youth Development for Bowls has
for many years been one of support and not avoidance. Initially this level
of support was in the form of developing, supporting and financing the
English Bowls Youth Development Scheme in conjunction with Bowls England.
However, for the last several years the EIBA has increased its
Development programme with the introduction of: -
a) Skills Awards –
3 levels for young bowlers to obtain. Bronze, Silver and Gold
b) National
Competitions – U15 and U18 National Singles
CHANGE
In
October 2014 Bowls England announced that it would no longer be supporting
the EBYDS. This decision left the EBYDS uncertain of its future and the loss
of an established programme of Skills tests and match play at a local,
regional and National Level.
The EIBA recognised the valuable role
the EBYDS played for the development of the sport at youth level so without
hesitation committed its full backing to ensure that the 2015 event
continued but also how best it could be integrated into a wider Indoor
Development pathway from 2016 and beyond.
DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
In May this year the EIBA produced an enhanced Development Pathway for
the sport of Indoor Bowls, which following approval by the EIBA Board, was
due to be published in September, prior to the start of the 2015-2016
Season.
For the first time the sport would have a fully supported
structure from Under 12 through to Senior Level with areas defined to expand
the activity for each targeted age group.
In creating the pathway the
fact that the EIBA were solely responsible for the existence of the EBYDS
meant that they were seen as the appropriate lead activity for the start of
the pathway.
As such the existing Under 15 National Competition run
by the EIBA independently would be replaced by the EBYDS current activity of
skills and match play. The winner of the National event in October 2016
would also be the English National Champion.
As the planning with the
EBYDS developed they requested that 2016 remained the same as it had been in
the past and they would use this year to fully develop and prepare
appropriate Skill tests and Singles Competition at Under 16 level.
Although there is no specific U15 National Competition in 2016 the EIBA
believe that from the next season onwards there will be a structure to
provide opportunities for all young bowlers.
Development Pathway 2016
onwards
| AGE |
|
LEAD |
|
WHERE |
|
FUTURE |
| U12 |
----------- |
EBYDS
SKILL ONLY |
----------- |
CLUBS COUNTIES |
|
SCHOOLS
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
U16
|
----------- |
EBYDS COMPETITIONS SKILS |
----------- |
CLUBS COUNTIES
|
|
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
REGIONS GCSE |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
U18
|
----------- |
EIBA COMPETITION SKILLS
AWARDS |
----------- |
CLUBS COUNTIES
INTERNATIONAL |
|
ACADEMY
REGIONS
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
U25
|
----------- |
EIBA COMPETITIONS
|
----------- |
CLUBS COUNTIES
INTERNATIONAL |
|
ACADEMY
REGIONS
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SENIORS
|
----------- |
EIBA COMPETITIONS
|
----------- |
CLUBS COUNTIES
INTERNATIONAL |
|
REGIONS
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPORT
Whilst the EIBA have created a framework for the future for
it to be implemented successfully there has to be support from Clubs and
Counties.
Ideally in the first instance the identified age groups
should have the opportunity to compete at their Club, in their County and
Regionally. When this is established throughout England, as it is for U25
and upwards, then the EIBA can introduce specific National Team Competitions
for Youth bowler.
NEXT STEP
With the pathway being made
public the EIBA would welcome dialogue with Clubs and Counties who have
existing Youth Competitions and or those who want to start them so that
activity for the Youth bowler can be structured to match the National Plan.
Peter Thompson
Chief Executive
16th September 2015
| 
