EIBA-Yearbook-2025-26-Web-Version - Flipbook - Page 92
DIRECTORS9 REPORT
For the period ended 30 November 2024
Over the last 12 months the Company had to deal with a serious Safeguarding case,
which ultimately required the engagement of legal professionals, which needed
unplanned expenditure as shown in the £20,995 Legal and professional fees. The case
showed how important it is to have robust Safeguarding Policy and Procedures across
all levels of Indoor Bowls and the whole sport of Bowls.
The collective approach of all Bowls National Governing Bodies and the Bowls
Development Alliance, was of great assistance and learnings from the case will only help
make the sport a safe environment for all.
The Company once again had a challenging year in its Commercial Activities. After
several years Gallagher and Fred Olsen Cruises ended their partnerships and despite
several interested new companied, agreements were not able to be concluded before
the year end. This led to a shortfall of planned income of £21,000. However, the
Company were grateful for the continued support from Utility Bidder and O9Neills.
The staffing levels at Head Office, finally returned to 6 employees, with the arrival of Will
Hart as its Governance and Operations Administrator in June 2024. The appointment,
which needed the engagement of a recruitment company, was essential to enable the
membership to have a point of contact for Safeguarding concerns and queries.
Unfortunately, after 15 years of service to the Company and the sport, Susan Bakewell
(Finance Administrator) retired after a prolonged period of medical leave. Her absence
meant that the Company needed to appoint temporary agency cover.
The launch of EIBA TV in the January brought free to view coverage of 21 matches from
the National Finals, with the Company covering the production costs, which are included
in the £32,470 Advertising costs
The membership levels across the country had stabilised with 64,174 across the 254
affiliated clubs compared to 64,211 the previous year. Consequently, the end of year
financial result was a loss of £74,933 before depreciation.
England were the hosts of the BIIBC International Series and Championships, and the
Association was pleased to return to Chelmsford with Falcon Bowls Club once again
being an excellent host. The International programme saw mixed success for England.
The men9s team won the Series but the Women were unable to retain the Series. We
secured 3 individual titles and the Team title in the Championships. Both the Men9s and
Women9s U25 teams came second in their series as did the U18s.
In addition to a full programme of National Winter Competitions, with increased entries
across the competitions, the Company was pleased to see entries into the National
Summer Competitions also increase. The Company wishes to thank Nottingham,
Dolphin, Bristol and Kempston Park Indoor Bowls Clubs for hosting the finals so well for
us.
The on-line Competition portal is now operating as expected for the administration of the
National Competition programmes.
The Company continued to use its portfolio of social media platforms (Facebook, XTwitter and Instagram). These are proving to be successful in getting information on all
areas of the sport, both nationally and locally, out to wider audiences.
The engagement of Sian Honnor to provide a series of interviews with players and
officials covering all aspects of the game, is being well received by the bowling
community.
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