The Second Meeting of the 2011/2012 season was held in the Belfast Indoor Bowls Club on Thursday 8^th September 2011 at 7.30pm.

Attendance

The Honorary Secretary told the meeting that a new Convener had now been appointed for the Larne Zone. The Chairman put on record the thanks of Council for all the work undertaken by the outgoing Convener during his term of office.

Chairman's Business

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting. He wished Armagh Zone Ladies every success in their forthcoming match against an English Ladies Select in England. The Convener for Armagh thanked the Chairman for his good wishes but was very disappointed that the match date now clashed with the Anniversary Match and Dinner.

Notice of Any Other Business

The Secretary told the meeting that the following items were notified for discussion.

Anniversary Match and Dinner.

Web Site.

Public Relations.

Official Year Book.

Minutes of the meeting held on 12th May 2011

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 12^th May 2011 were approved and signed.

Matters Arising from the Minutes

Item 15 The Honorary Secretary told the meeting that the Disciplinary Committee had reviewed the decision previously reached in the case of the Ladies Triples. The Executive Council confirmed the decision that the Disciplinary Committee were recommending that no action should be taken against any of the players involved and strongly emphasised that no ladies from the North West or South Tyrone Zones would be suspended from competing in IIBA competitions.

National Championships

Entry forms were distributed and the Executive Council was informed that as the first Saturday in April 2012 was Easter Saturday, Finals Day would now be Saturday 31^st March 2012.

Champion of Champions Competitions

Entry forms would be issued on 9^th September 2011 for return by 25^th September 2011 and no entries would be accepted after that date.

Discussion moved to the introduction of new rules and it was suggested that with competitions being played all year round and the Year Book not normally available until late August each year, a specific date should be agreed for the introduction of rule changes. The Executive Council agreed that the new rules would be fully implemented from 12^th September 2011.

Clarification about the new rule being introduced on ditching the jack on the Last End or Extra End (s) of a game was sought. It was confirmed that if the jack is moved from the jack line, the jack remains were it has come to rest and is not replaced on the jack line.

Interzone Competition.

Reference was made to the previous meeting when it was decided to defer a decision on the introduction of a new Interzone Competition as an

alternative to the County Championship. Since the May meeting, Conveners had time to consider the idea and when put to a vote, 3 Conveners were in support of the new Competition with 14 against.

Sponsorship

A Sub Committee was established to consider income generation proposals made by the Stonebridge Restaurant sponsors of the National Championships. The Sub Committee were asked to report back to the next meeting of the Executive Council.

Thomas Taylor Ace Coloured Bowls

The meeting was told that in the Cork Zone Thomas Taylor Ace Coloured Bowls were being used to encourage young people to take up the game but the bowls do not conform to Law 5 of the Short Mat Game. Clarification was sought if these bowls could be used in the Junior and National Championships and other licenced competitions.

A number of Conveners expressed the view that young bowlers in their Zones were able to use the minimum sized bowls as per Law 5 and they did not favour making any change to the existing Law.

It was agreed that the Cork Zone would be permitted to organise competitions within the Zone using the Ace Coloured Bowls but these bowls would not be permitted for use in the Junior and National Championships and other licenced competitions.

Clubs For Affiliation

St Saviours Craigavon was affiliated to the Armagh Zone, Moville Bowling Club to the Donegal Zone, Sliagh Beagh Bowling Club to the Monaghan Zone and Coleraine Bowling Club to the Northern Zone.

Correspondence

Letters were received from:

Access NI re Accommodation Move

Disability Sports NI re Magazine

Any Other Business

Anniversary Match and Dinner Details about the Anniversary Match and Dinner to be held on 1^st October 2011 were discussed and approved.

1.                  Conveners approved the payment of an Honoraria for work carried out each year on the IIBA WEB Site. Conveners were also told that any Zone wanting their own specific link could also be accommodated on the main site.

2.                  Conveners were again asked for more information for the Press.

3.                  Conveners were asked to ensure that they collected all their Official Year Books at the conclusion of the meeting. It was pointed out that there was an error in the printing of the Index of the Laws of the Game in that some of the paragraphs were not amended as a result of the new Law on Last and Extra Ends being introduced.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting.

IRISH INDOOR BOWLING ASSOCIATION The First Meeting of the 2011/2012 season was held in Dungannon Rugby Club on Thursday 12th May 2011 at 7.30pm. 1.     Chairman’s Business In the absence, due to illness, of both the President and the Chairman an Acting Chairman was appointed for the meeting. The Acting Chairman expressed the sympathy of the Executive Council to G O’Hare on the recent passing of his mother. He welcomed R Thompson as the new Convener in North Eastern and presented him with his badge of office. H McCallum was thanked for his work as the Convener in North Eastern. The Acting Chairman concluded by wishing the President and Chairman a speedy recovery from their illnesses. 3      Notice of Any Other Business The Honorary Secretary told the meeting that the following item was notified for discussion. (i)             Disciplinary Committee Report. 4.     Minutes of the meeting held on 24th March 2011 The Minutes of the Meeting held on 24th March 2011 were approved and signed. 5.     Matters Arising from the Minutes  (i)    Revised arrangements were agreed to ensure that the Cork Zone only informed the Honorary       Competition Secretary of those qualifiers who would definitely take part in the final qualifying stages of the National Championships. The point was made that all Zones should be asked to provide similar assurances but the Honorary Competition Secretary was of the opinion that it was not a problem apart from the Cork Zone were the majority if not all their qualifiers failed to appear at the final stages. 6.     National Championships – Entry Fees  The Executive Council approved no change to Entry Fees.  7.     Champion of Champions Competitions – Entry Fees  The Executive Council approved no change to Entry Fees. 8.     Report on Annual General Meeting The Honorary Secretary briefly reported on the meeting which had been a success. He reported that attendance was slightly increased from last year and the business of the meeting had been transacted in a satisfactory manner. Consideration was given to using a different venue for the meeting but  holding it in the Antrim/Templepatrick area was still the most central area for the majority of the clubs in membership. It was noted that issuing clubs with a copy of the agenda prior to the meeting served as a reminder that the AGM was being held.  9.     Appointment of Sub Committees The following Sub-Committees were appointed. Emergency, Competitions, Selection, Disciplinary, Development    A Child Protection Officer and a Public Relations Officer were also appointed. [Details of those appointed are given in the Official Year Book 2011/2012.]  A World Bowls Sub Committee was also appointed.  10.  Interzone Competition  Discussion took place concerning a replacement for the County Championship. This was a one day Interzone Competition for both the Ladies and Gents to played on different Saturdays in October. Teams could either be 24 in a straight knock out basis or with a team of 16 which would allow a plate competition to be held. No agreement was reached and it was decided to defer the issue to the next meeting of the Executive Council. 11.  Development Committee Questionaire – Other Items Discussion took place on the responses given in the Development Committee  Questionaire about Other Items.  12.  Rules Amendments  A number of changes to the Laws of the Game were approved. These were:  (i)             Law 42 (l) Substitutes will still be allowed but the player introduced cannot act as the skip. (ii)            Law 31 (b) The bowl may be removed from the rink in the event of this law being contravened. (iii)          A new Law relating to the ditching of the jack will be introduced. This now means that in the last                 end or if extra ends are played, if any of the first two bowls delivered by any side touch the jack                 and end up in the ditch, the bowl (s) are removed and declared dead. In addition where a weighted shot is about to be played there will also be a recommendation included in the year  book that a warning is given by the player by raising their hand to indicate that such a shot is about to be played. 13.  Clubs/Leagues for Affiliation. Beaufort Bowls Club was affiliated to the Cork Zone. 14.  Correspondence A letter was received from: Monaghan Zone re suggested changes to the Laws of the Game (See Agenda Item 12) 15.  Any Other Business A brief report on the deliberations of the Disciplinary Committee was given. The meeting was told that in the case of the alleged use of foul language towards an Official Umpire during a Ladies Triples game in the Ballybrakes Stadium, the Committee had concluded that the players from both triples be suspended from all IIBA competitions and all competitions organised on behalf of or under the rules and regulations of the IIBA for a period from 1 October 2011 to 30 November 2011. When it was confirmed that only the two skips had been interviewed, it was queried whether the proposed suspension could then apply to all the players. Following further discussion it was agreed that the Disciplinary Committee would meet again to review the decision In the second case the player concerned had declined to attend and the Disciplinary Committee having considered the evidence concluded that the player be suspended from all IIBA competitions and all competitions organised on behalf of or under the rules and regulations of the IIBA for a period from 1 October 2011 to 31 January 2012.   There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting.

IRISH INDOOR BOWLING ASSOCIATION

The Seventh Meeting of the 2010/2001 season was held in the Belfast Indoor Bowls Stadium on Thursday 24^th March 2011 at 7.30pm.

1. Chairman’s Business

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting. He referred to the successful British Isles A Series and congratulated all the players on their magnificent performance in claiming all five titles. The Chairman thanked the Honorary Secretary for all the arrangements he had made for the Championships. The Chairman thanked M Cunningham, the outgoing Convener in Mid Tyrone for all his work on behalf of the Zone. He welcomed T Vance as his successor and presented him with his Badge of Office.

2. Notice of Any Other Business

The Secretary told the meeting that the following items were notified for discussion.

(i) National Championship Draws.

(ii) Umpiring at National Championships.

(iii) A Series Report.

(iv) Annual General Meeting.

4. Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd February 2011

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd February 2011 were approved and signed subject to changing the word “review” rather than “discussing” when dealing with the responses to the Development Committee Questionaire on the Internationals.

5. National, Ladies and Junior Championships

The meeting heard that the play offs in the Ballybrakes Stadium had been very successful. Problems had arisen with duplications and triplications which resulted in a much later finish that had been anticipated particularly on the first Saturday. Comment was expressed about the difficulties caused by players who had not turned up and had not advised the Honorary Competition Secretary that they would not be turning up. All those who had contributed in any way to the success of the two Saturdays were thanked. Conveners were reminded that the Finals would take place on 2^nd April 2011 at 1.00pm in the Richhill Recreation Centre.

Discussion took place to see if delays between rounds for players could be reduced and it was pointed out that every effort was made to keep delay to a minimum.

7. County Championship

The meeting was told that the Championship had been something different and was worth trying but was no longer viable and a suggested replacement was an Inter-zone Competition for both the Ladies and Gents to be played on different Saturdays early in the season. Teams could consist of 24 in a straight knock out basis or 16 which would allow a plate competition also to be held. Following preliminary discussion, it was agreed that further details would be issued to Conveners to allow discussion at Zone level and Zones to report back to the May meeting of the Executive.

8. Development Committee Questionnaire – Tournaments/Competitions

Discussion took place on the responses given in the Development Committee Questionnaire about Tournaments and Competitions.

9. Clubs/Leagues for Affiliation.

There were none

10. Correspondence

Letters were received from the following:

(i) Brigh Bowling Fellowship seeking permission to transfer from the Mid Ulster Zone to the South Tyrone Zone. It was pointed out that as Brigh had not paid an annual subscription to the Association for the last two years they were no longer members. Brigh would be informed of the situation.

(ii) Irish Indoor Bowling Umpire’s Association suggesting possible rule changes. The suggested changes would be discussed at the next meeting of the Executive Council.

(iii) An Official Umpire concerning comments made to the Umpire whilst acting in an official capacity at the National Championship Play Offs in the Ballybrakes Stadium. The letter was referred to the Disciplinary Committee for consideration of further action.

11. Inter-zone Draws

The Chairman and the Honorary Treasurer conducted the draws for the Ladies and Gents Competitions for the 2011/2012 Season.

Ladies

1^st Round Bye Armagh v Oriel

1^st Round Northern v Mid Ulster

North Belfast v Cork

Western v South Tyrone

Winner of Western v South Tyrone to play North West

1^st Round Bye West Down v East Antrim

1^st Round Bye South Down v S&E Belfast

1^st Round Lisburn v Monaghan

Donegal v North Eastern

Mid Down v Mid Tyrone

Winner of Mid Down v Mid Tyrone to play Foyle

1^st Round Bye North Down v Mid Antrim

Men's

1^st Round Bye Mid Antrim v Donegal

1^st Round Cork v Mid Ulster

Western v East Antrim

Meath v Armagh

S&E Belfast v North Down

1^st Round Bye Mid Tyrone v Foyle

1^st Round Bye Mid Down v Oriel

1^st Round West Down v North Belfast

Northern v North West

South Tyrone v Monaghan

North Eastern v Larne

1^st Round Bye South Down v Lisburn

12. Any Other Business

(i) Reference was made to the problems at the National Championships caused by players from the Cork Zone who did not turn up to take part. This meant that their opponents got byes but had to wait a considerable length of time before getting a game. Whilst the expense and distance to travel were factors in them not taking part it was felt that if the players did not intend playing then they should not be included in the draw in the first place. It was agreed that the matter would be raised with the Cork Zone.

(ii) Concern was expressed that during the Final of the Junior Pairs, foot faulting had occurred and it was felt that, in the latter stages of competitions, the games should have the very best umpires officiating at all times. The matter would be brought to the attention of the Umpires Association.

(iii) A comprehensive report on the British Isles A Series Championships was given. Players were congratulated on retaining the Team Championship and also on winning all the individual Championships. All the players had been well behaved and had been a credit to their Association.

(iv) The meeting was told that all the Officers would be seeking re-election at the forthcoming AGM.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting