Coronavirus / COVID-19 Update

• Bowls New Zealand has postponed the Interclub Sevens Finals scheduled for 16-19 April 2020. This event has been postponed for six months, minimum.

• Bowls New Zealand has postponed the Bowls3Five Interclub Finals scheduled for May 2-3 at the Naenae Bowling Club. This event has been rescheduled to June 20-21 2020.
• World Bowls has postponed the World Championship scheduled for May/June 2020, to be held on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Community (Club and Centre) Update – Wednesday 18 March

The bowls community needs to be especially vigilant in its response to Covid19, due to the demographics of our community (older and those with health issues).

To date, the bowls community has acted swiftly in its response to Covid-19, with all national events being postponed and new guidelines in place at all clubs around personal hygiene and interaction between bowlers.

It is very important that as a community we continue to be vigilant in our response to Covid-19, acknowledging that this pandemic is increasing in intensity AND the bowls community is most at-risk due to our demographics.

Having consulted with Sport New Zealand and acting on the latest advice from the Ministry of Health:

As of Wednesday 18-March, Bowls New Zealand strongly recommends that (until further notice) all bowls events throughout the country be limited to 50 persons (or less) per club event.

Over the past couple of days, we have had several clubs ask Bowls NZ for more specific direction on how their local event might continue to be run, in light of decisions made around national bowls events and the wider sporting and community context.

Significantly, we have not decided to postpone or cancel all bowls at the community level (as other sports like Netball, Cricket and Rugby have). The Ministry of Health is not (as yet) promoting this option and we are acutely aware that in times like this, our communities need to stay connected. As long as we are all sensible, take precautions and understand our vulnerability and those around us, then we continue to support our bowling clubs remaining open.

Bowls New Zealand expects that all clubs and their membership will follow the protocols established by the Ministry of Health and outlined in the ‘Club Guide for Covid-19’ available on the Bowls New Zealand website: https://bowlsnewzealand.co.nz/news/club-guide-for-covid-19/

If you have returned from overseas then self-isolate; If you are feeling unwell then self-isolate; practice good hygiene; don’t engage in personal contact such as shaking hands and avoid touching other bowlers bowls – all examples of how we can act responsibly during this global pandemic.

Covid-19 continues to evolve – today New Zealand’s confirmed cases rose to 20. If the Ministry of Health and Government make decisions around the closure of schools and universities, then Bowls NZ will absolutely recommend the closure of all bowling clubs for the required period.

Until then, let’s be sensible, take precautions, understand our vulnerability and those around us, and stay connected.

If you have a question not covered above and specific to the bowls context, please feel free to contact any of Bowls New Zealand’s staff, as usual.