COUNTY MATCH PROGRAMME 2020 (MEN, LADIES AND MIXED)- Email info@wellingtonbowling.club for more information

1. THE 2020 FIXTURE LISTS- Enclosed with this circular are the relevant sheets for all men’s matches. The equivalent sheets for the ladies matches will be sent to clubs by Jill Price in a day or two. Will Club Secretaries please display them on their notice boards.

2. ELIGIBILITY TO PLAY FOR THE COUNTY (Not relevant to National Championships eg. Johns and Middleton). Following the changes were made in 2018, anyone who is a member of a Club affiliated to SBA can apply to play in county matches. However Cup/Trophy/League matches will be clearly identified on the application form and for these matches, the strongest available team will be selected. Those applying are expected to ask for at least as many away games as home games. Please note that while anyone can apply to play in Executive/Presidential matches, there is a ‘pecking order’ for selection.
County flashes to be worn on the left sleeve of the County Shirt will continue to be awarded after 4 games in 3 years. Both Flashes and Badges are available to buy by those entitled to wear them.

3. COUNTY BADGED LISTS- These are no longer circulated in paper form. They should be viewed on the County website. The bowlers shown in the two lists are all badged by the County. The list now only includes the names of people who are still playing. Responsibility for maintaining the correctness of these lists rests with Club Secretaries. It is important that your club secretary reviews these lists frequently and advises both myself, Alan Birch, and Ken Leamon (webmaster), of any amendments including bereavements.
4. HOW MAY BOWLERS MAKE APPLICATION TO PLAY IN COUNTY MATCHES?

There are two ways as follows:

A) The Match Application Forms set out the fixtures and ask applicants to mark on them those matches for which they wish to be considered. Other information is also requested on the form. The completed form for men should be returned to me Alan Birch by 31st March 2020. The ladies forms are to be sent to Ladies Assistant Match Sec, Jill Price by 10TH March 2020 as they have early-season matches. The Men’s Executive/ Presidential form should be returned to Paul Davies by 31st March 2020.

B) If after sending in your Advance Form your situation changes and you either want to withdraw from consideration for any match, or have your name added to the list of applicants for forthcoming matches, please contact Jill Price, Paul Davies or myself as appropriate..

5. WHAT IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED FROM CLUB SECRETARIES?

A copy of this circular and the Advance Application Forms should now be given to any member who expresses a wish to apply to play in County Matches. Secretaries are asked to be particularly diligent in ensuring that everyone wishing to apply receives a Form.

6. MATCH FEES AND OTHER CHARGES - 2020
Aside from National Championship Matches and Junior Matches where other considerations apply, the Match Fee will be as follows: All Friendly/ Cup/Trophy and League Matches £8

Home Friendlies against Touring Counties (no food) £6
No reduction in the match fee is permitted if a player decides not to take a meal.

Travelling reserves (who don’t play) and meals ordered for visitors will be charged at actual cost. Visitors meals once ordered must be paid for whether taken or not. A Match Fee of £8 will apply to Executive and Presidential Matches.

7. TRAVEL TO MATCHES BY COACH - Where coaches are used for matches, the fare and match fee will be £14 and Coffee will be £2 if the coach stops at The Compass Inn. The coach fare and coffee charge are payable even if players choose not to use it.

8. DRESS CODE FOR ALL COUNTY LEAGUE, CUP, FRIENDLY AND EXEC/PRES MATCHES (Championship Match Dress Code differs) The dress code for all matches is on the website.

9. CLUBS CELEBRATING SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARIES IN 2021 AND 2022
Should your club be reaching a significant milestone in its history in the next 2 years you may wish to consider a match against the County in celebration. The format of these matches is according to what the club asks for. The only proviso is that these matches should be free of cost to the SBA, and a meal should be provided after the match. If your club would like to arrange one of these matches NOW is the time to contact me to fix a date. Even if you don’t have an anniversary or significant event the County will consider an application for a match.

10. 2020 MATCH SECRETARIES- As a general rule in 2020 Alan Birch will manage men’s county friendly and cup matches. Jill Price will manage ladies league, friendly and other all-ladies matches. Nancy Winsborough will manage Johns and Walker matches. Brian Pocock will manage Middleton and Balcomb Matches. Paul Davies will manage all Men’s and Mixed Presidential/Executive matches. Carolle Skeates (City of Wells BC) – all Patrons Association matches.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01934 842016, or by e-mail at alanbirch.sba.matches@gmail.com

Alan Birch

Match Secretary Somerset BA