CONCERNS about the welfare and competitiveness of the NBF county teams, most notably the Adams, were expressed at the NBF annual meeting held at the Parkway club.
It’s been a struggle for a succession of Adams captains in the last two or three years to put together competitive teams, a situation exacerbated by the decision by some experienced players opting to play in the Newton team.
The very future of the Adams team was under threat at the start of this season until Roger Stevens stepped into the breach as a temporary captain, and to underline the selection issues the county finished bottom of the southern section with just one win from five matches, having last year forfeting a match, which was a ‘dead rubber,’ because they could only raise 15 players.
Now Ray Keating, who also captains the B team in the indoor Derbyshire competition, has put his head above the parapet and taken on the challenge of being the Adams captain for next season in the hope of changing the county’s fortunes. Dave Corney continues as the Newton captain.
As county secretary Melvyn Beck said in his report that while the county cannot compete with the likes of Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Norfolk in terms of strength in depth they have in the past punched above their weight and been very competitive, but sadly that is no longer the case.
In a bid to expand the pool of players next season, clubs will be issued with a list of fixtures and asked to submit the names of players who are interested in representing the county, and these players will then be put in the shop window in two early season ‘trial’ matches, one against Whittlesey Manor and the other against Hunts.
The secretary also informed delegates – 13 of the 17 affiliated clubs were represented at the meeting – that the EBF had issued an ultimatum to East Lindsey District Council that unless there was a guarantee about green improvements and security at the Skegness bowls complex by Christmas then next year’s national finals may well be the last at the seaside resort.
He also reported that the county luncheon at the Ellindon Banqueting Suite had been a success with a considerable number of positive comments received about the quality and quantity of the meal. The venue has been provisionally booked for Sunday, September 22nd, next year.
The statement of accounts, presented by new reporting accountant Andy Cox in the absence of treasurer Les Sharp, showed a deficit on the year of £1,274.70, but the county had funds of £7,701.23.
Competition secretary Melvyn Beck said that both the county indoor and outdoor finals had been brought forward for this coming season owing to the EBF bringing forward their deadline for final entries.
The indoor finals are at Stamford on Sunday, February 25th, which may result in some rounds being played before Christmas dependant on the number of entries, while the outdoor finals are at Blackstones on Sunday, July 14th, a week earlier than normal.
Honorariums remain unchanged at £200 received by the secretary, treasurer, match secretary, competition secretary, results secretary and minutes secretary.
All the officers were elected en bloc for all the positions bar results secretary. Ally McNaughton took over last season when Cliff Watson was indisposed, and he has now been officially appointed to that role.
The county has only three management committee members – Ray Keating, Cliff Watson and former secretary Mike Ramsden who returns to the administrative fold – and so president Martyn Dolby asked for clubs to consider putting forward candidates for co-option as it was important to have as many clubs involved as possible to make an input into the running of the county.
Officers elected:
President, Martyn Dolby; Secretary, Melvyn Beck; Treasurer, Les Sharp; Match secretary, Graham Agger; Competition secretary, Melvyn Beck; Results secretary, Ally McNaughton; Minutes’ secretary, Linda Toms; Safeguarding & welfare officer, Peter Brown; Press officer, Melvyn Beck; NDC delegate, Melvyn Beck; Adams captain, Ray Keating; Newton captain, Dave Corney; Derbyshire A captain, Simon Law; Derbyshire B captain, Ray Keating; Management committee, Ray Keating, Cliff Watson, Mike Ramsden; Reporting accountant, Andy Cox.
