Long time Albury bowls administrator and former Border Mail journalist MARK MULCAHY shares his thoughts on why Albury and District Bowling Association clubs could make the move to the Ovens and Murray Bowls Region.
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Bowling officials on both sides of the border in the Albury region face some hard decisions if the sport is to progress in coming years.
A groundswell is growing from members and clubs within the Albury and District Bowling Association to consider a move to the Victorian affiliated Ovens and Murray Association.
It is well known that many within the O and M would welcome it.
Such a move, they believe, will make their association much stronger and provide added interest within their competitions.
At present, there are more than 500 bowlers in the 11 clubs in the Albury district - the biggest membership in Zone 8 (Riverina).
The real issue is a lack of support from Bowls NSW, the decision by it to defer pennant until July and a continuing push for change in Zone 8.
Albury is one of six districts in Zone 8 with the others being South West, Southern Highlands, Southern Slopes, Riverina and Wagga.
Zone 8 is the second biggest zone in NSW stretching from the Tumbarumba and Tumut region to Hay in the west and Albury to Young.
The decision by the state body to defer pennant could have been the death knell for some Albury clubs, mainly smaller country clubs, testing their long term viability without bowlers in them.
The Albury hierarchy which has operated under a progressive board system for 15 years initiated a border clubs challenge over the next three months.
All clubs have embraced the concept enthusiastically.
There is a cloud over the long term future of Zone 8 with a push for the "unification and amalgamation of districts" within a zone.
A circular on such a proposal was sent out some time ago and was overwhelmingly rejected by the districts.
Interestingly, a working group was formed to look at the proposition and a representative from the Albury region appointed.
It sparked strong criticism because the person has never held any official position in the district.
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All districts have told the zone administration they just want to be left alone to run themselves.
But how long the status quo remains is questionable.
That is why after 30 years being involved in bowls in this region that I am advocating for clubs to start seriously looking south of the border.
It is a strange anomaly that clubs in NSW along the river, like Deniliquin, Finley, Berrigan, Mulwala and Corowa, are affiliated with Victoria.
But Howlong is affiliated with NSW along with all other Albury clubs.
There has long been criticism that NSW stands for Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong with the remainder of the state basically ignored, particularly in the south.
An amalgamated competition between Albury and O and M could be played in the higher grades as north and south regions.
For example in A1, the north could comprise Wodonga, Kiewa, North Albury, Lavington, Culcairn and Henty. Then the south would be Yarrawonga, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf, Benalla, Wangaratta,Rutherglen and Corowa Services.
The winners of each region would play off for the title.
There would be similar north and south regions for other teams in A divisions.
The B grade competitions have always been geographically based and would remain the same to ensure no additional travelling.
Last season the O and M converted to 21 ends for pennant which has been the case in NSW for years.
But the rink numbers would have to be determined by consensus, with four in A grade in Victoria and three across the border.
Some bowlers are reluctant to play pennant because of the weekly commitment and travelling involved.
Another possibility is a competition for such bowlers in the Albury-Wodonga region. It may only have limited numbers, compared to pennant, but gives another avenue to those wanting to play on an informal basis.
There are obvious hurdles which would need to be discussed and overcome.
The time for a progressive approach has arrived and some tough decisions are in the offering in the not too distant future.
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