THE English Women's Bowling Federation have agreed in principal to the wearing of shorts in national finals and county association matches.
County delegates attending the joint annual general meeting of the English Bowling Federation and the English Women's Bowling Federation at Grantham supported the proposal, but a decision on when the rule will be implemented has been delayed while a sub-committee assesses the merits of various designs and material.
A rule to allow men to wear white shorts in national finals and county association matches was passed at last year's annual meeting.
A loss on the year of £1,133.60 was reported by treasurer Ty Roberts – the first deficit in eight years. Income decreased this year by £1,309.31, due in the main to fewer clubs, with levy down by £240, player affiliations by £697 (a drop of 3%), the Potters week by £580, competition entries £533 and team entries £150, but the Federation still has assets topping £92,500.
The national finals at Newark and Skegness currently run at a cost to the Federation of around £9,000 a year, but the treasurer concluded that he felt it was essential to continue to hold these events to maintain the Federation's standing.
Mike Carr (LIncs) is the new men's president, with Trevor Hardingham (Norfolk) moving up to deputy and Ian Bratton (Humberside) elected the new junior deputy president.
The new women's president is Gill Bush (North Essex), with Paula Gooch (Suffolk) taking over as deputy, and Elaine Haddon-Holmes (Derbys) confirmed as the new junior deputy president.
Ray White (North Essex) was returned unopposed as chairman.
