The NCSMBA Annual General Meeting was held at North Wymondham Community Centre on Sunday. The various reports highlighted the huge success of the Norfolk County Team under manager Jack Pye in a year in which they won both the I.C.C and the Top Team event which was held in Ireland. The Chairman, Selwyn Goldsmith of Hevingham SMBC, spoke in his report of the successful year and also touched on the success of the England team under manager Chris Willies of Watton Expendables and congratulated both Jack Pye and Chris Willies for the success they have achieved. He also spoke of the continued success of the Norfolk Over 60’s Squad run by Teresa Goldsmith of Hevingham SMBC and thanked her on behalf of the NCSMBA for the many hours she devotes to providing short mat bowls opportunities to senior players in the county. The Chairman said that among the positive aspects of the sport in Norfolk was the efforts of the people who work on the various league committees under the umbrella of the NCSMBA and their fixture secretaries who provide information to Norfolk to update the website. He also praised Thetford’s Pauline Barsby for her valuable work over the years in establishing a short mat bowls club in Thetford and how proud she must have been to see sisters Chloe and Kacey Suffolk of Thetford contesting the final of the National Under 18’s Championships in April. He said that the presentation of “The Presidents Distinguished Service Award” to Pauline Barsby by our late President Brian Saunders in 2024 clearly demonstrated how highly he thought of what Pauline has achieved.
In his report he recalled that he had served as Norfolk Chairman for thirty years and the need to “keep short mat bowls healthy and alive in Norfolk for all those who will follow us into the sport when our time comes to take a back seat.” He also wished Norfolk President Bob Oatway continued success in his role saying that his appointment as President was “a wise and correct one” following the sad passing of Brian Saunders. The Chairman also commended Simon Willies for agreeing to take on the vacant role of Competition Secretary prior to the season’s start. This followed Mike Smail’s decision to stand down at last year’s AGM due to continued poor health. He praised both Mike and Jan Smail for their roles in running the County Competitions for four years, despite little prior experience, and spoke of the sad loss of Mike in March this year and of how much he is missed on the bowls scene. Jenny Walker, giving her Secretary's Report, reflected on the huge help and support given to her by previous Secretary Jane Frary when she took on this vital role in 2014 when she spoke of Jane's passing earlier this year.
The Treasurer’s Report by Jon Sparham included the recommendation that the Norfolk portion of the individual players fee should remain unchanged for the 2026-27 season. Delegates were reminded that the total fee payable is dependent on the decision on annual ESMBA registered fees which is made at the ESMBA AGM which is still to take place. What the Treasurer did include in his report was that he recommended an increase in the NCSMBA Club Membership fee from £10 per club to £12.50 per club which would be the first increase in this fee since 2009. It was asked from the floor if the fee should increase by a larger amount as with inflation the fee agreed in 2009 would now be well over £20 per club but it was agreed to back the Treasurer’s recommendation. With 39 member clubs in the NCSMBA the agreed increase will add an extra £97.50p to Norfolk funds if all those clubs re-register for the new season. The Election of Officers saw the following positions filled. President Bob Oatway, Vice-President Pauline Barsby, Chairman Selwyn Goldsmith, Vice-Chairman Simon Willies, Secretary Jenny Walker, Treasurer Jon Sparham, Membership Secretary Teresa Goldsmith, Assistant Membership Secretary Billie Barker, Competition Secretary Simon Willies, Assistant Competition Secretary John Jeffery, Press & Web Secretary Selwyn Goldsmith, Assistant Press & Web Secretary Chris Mann, Records Officer Teresa Goldsmith, Safeguarding Officer Elaine Willies, Assistant Safeguarding Officer Joy Townsend.
Pauline Barsby - was elected NCSMBA Vice-President
Jack Pye - hugely successful as Norfolk Manager
England Manager Chris Willies - England Glory