Stamford Indoor Bowls Club is making plans for a return to action
Stamford Indoor Bowls Club has set a deadline of Saturday, April 17 for individuals or teams interested in participating in its summer leagues.
They are due to start on Monday, May 17 (6.30pm) subject to guidelines set by the game's governing body, the English Indoor Bowling Association.
League secretary John Holroyd says the leagues - on Monday and Friday evenings, Tuesday lunchtime (1pm) and Wednesday mornings (10am) - are filling up but there are still some places available, whether for paid-up individuals or those forming teams of at least three to play in triples formats (pairs on Tuesday), with bowlers wearing masks and socially distanced.
Those who have not already committed but wish to take part as individuals or as a team should contact the league secretary by phone (01780 752660) or by email (bowls@holroydstructural.com) immediately.
The club will also be hosting roll-up sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings (from 10am to noon) and it is planned that these must be pre-booked through the club's online system www.stamfordindoorbowls.co.uk/diary/leagues or call 01780 756452 once the club re-opens on May 17.
Saturday morning sessions will also resume from May 22 (10am) and bowlers who have started coaching sessions are urged to book online. There may also be spare rinks for social bowling, again booking online.
Players for all sessions during the summer months should hold full 2020-21 membership, alternatively a 'summer only' subscription of £27.50 should be paid before the first session. Rink fees should be paid by debit card or by cash, preferably per rink.
Stamford IBC members who received an unauthorised 'urgent' email message purporting to be from the club are urged to delete it unopened. It is a scam and has been dealt with by the club.
Representatives of clubs in the Lincolnshire Indoor Bowling Association, including Stamford, have met virtually and agreed to reinstate county leagues for men on a regional basis for one year.
This should reduce travelling because of potential coronavirus restrictions that could still be in place when the 2021-22 winter season resumes.
Matches will consist of four rinks of four players instead of five rinks and be subject to any Covid restrictions in place at the time - with social distancing and sanitizing. Face masks could still be worn at each venue.
Stamford will again be competing in the men's and Over 60s leagues and mixed competitions. Stamford women have withdrawn for the 2021-22 season.
In the men's league, Stamford A and B will play against Boston A and B, Spalding and Grantham and in the Over 60s against Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding, Skegness and Boston A & B.
In the mixed league Spalding, Boston, Grantham and Skegness A & B are the opponents.
Fixture secretary Tony Barwell is currently completing the schedule of match dates from September to April.
Individuals who entered LIBA competitions for 2020-21 will still have their entries honoured for the coming winter season.
Those who plan to join/re-join the club still have a chance to compete but must advise Bob Warters their intended entries before the end of May.
With the entries for the 2020-21 Lincolnshire Women's IBA competitions competitions having been cancelled and re-funded, Christine Ford is the contact for those wishing to compete in the 2021-22 championships.
The semi-finals of the Lincs county individual competitions from 2019-20 are yet to be staged after being postponed because of the pandemic.
