There was a welcome by the ESMBA Chairman Barry Hedges to the 2026 ESMBA AGM where there were 27 delegates and 11 committee members present. The Chairman remarked it was one of the best turnouts he had seen for a long time.
There were apologies from Adam Smith and Kate England
Matters Arising from the last minutes - there was one amendment with regards to the supplements received for the top team event which was presented by the West Midlands and why the figures varied - to be amended.
Update on the umpire's refresher courses every 3 years - it was decided this was impractical.
All reports were accepted Chairman's, Treasurer's without comments.
In his report the chairman Barry Hedges thanked Steve Bailey, Linda White, Brab Hallowes & Nicky Tresadern for the work they had put in to the committee and Association while members of the committee. He also said that fortunately replacement members to help with the ever-increasing workload had been found and welcomed them to the committee. He said that a personal positive for him was to welcome Kate England as Vice Chair. His report also said that the position of the ESMBA with the BDA is under evaluation to review if we need to remain as members and if we are members are we equal with the other codes or just there to make up the numbers? ESMBA Treasurer Simon Willies reported a healthy position for the 25/26 year making a surplus of just over £11,700 a turnaround of over £20,000 from the previous year. His report said that the new insurance arrangement with Marsh Sports proved to be very popular with over 400 organisations taking out a policy. The Registration Secretary Brian Baker’s report said that it was encouraging to see that our membership remains similar to the previous season with a slight increase of nearly 200. Registrations insurance- new registration forms will show a new column for D.O.B. and it is requested that this be completed as it is vital to the information that the registration secretary requires to identify people with the same or similar name for safeguarding purposes. How can we increase the membership insurance - new insurance has been negotiated at the same price as this years.
Competition Secretary was not present and no report was received.
Umpire Directors Report - accepted
Coaching Directors Report - accepted
Development Directors Report - working with School games organisers in Coventry to get short mat bowls into schools.
ICC Secretary Report - accepted. Possible new format to be discussed in open forum
Lead Safeguarding Officer Report - accepted
Constitutional proposals 1. passed 2. passed 3. passed 4th passed 5th passed 6 and 7 withdrawn 8 withdraw
Management fees (honorariums) proposal for cost of living rise 10% across the board passed.
Membership fees to increase by 50p this year in line with proposal originally to increase by 50p from 2023 for 3 years.
Election of officers those who were willing to stand again were elected en bloc.
The vacant position for Secretary nominated Aisla Almond (Greater Manchester) seconded and voted in.
The vacant position for ICC Secretary nominated Alun Thomas (East Sussex) seconded and voted in.
Competition Organiser Stephen Smirthwaite (Humberside)
Vice Chair Kate England (Oxfordshire)
New Umpires Director John Alder (Worcester)
Those on the list of the committee to be voted on en bloc
President was removed from committee in the Constitutional changes and can now be appointed by the committee independently.
Both Brab and Steve Bailey were thanked for their hard work over the years and wished all the best for their future.
Open Forum
Presentation by Craig Scott BDA Safeguarding Manager. My Voice has now been released so that people can raise any concerns through a website details should be with all county secretaries and County Safeguarding Officers. (There is also details of this service in the June safeguarding issue ) My Voice The Link is accessed though a QR code, but also on a ESMBA website The English Short Mat Bowling Association (ESMBA) - Contacts and report a concern
He highlighted the recommendation and importance of the D.O.B on registration forms in order to identify the correct individual should they need to.
Also reminding clubs that it is recommended that they ask for I.D and request a document with some form of proof of address confirmation.
Presentation from Amanda Scriven Purcell from Coach bowls on Neurodiversity
Recognising and working with Neurodiversity in Bowls.
Amanda gave practical advise on how to recognise and work with people who think learn and communicate in different ways this helps Coaches, team mates more supportive and a more welcoming environment for everyone.
Communicate clearly, use visual aids, they may be sensitive to sound, light or touch, respond a little slower and struggle with information overload, and prefer a routine.
Think about how you can explain things for example ‘ that was wrong ‘ it’s better to say ‘have I explained that properly, would you like me to explain it again’ just phrasing it differently can make a huge amount of difference.
There are some courses coming in October in the week of learning keep an eye out for them
If you are interested on the coach bowls website.
Brab outgoing Umpires Director requested that the following should be considered. There was a discussion and updated accordingly after the seminar due to be held on 8th and 9th August.
Torch and white strips be added to the list of items in an umpires kit. The use of mobile phones on the Mat (as torch) or emergency calls.
Bowls stickers should be the same on all bowls or none at all I.E. when playing in ICC games county stickers etc
England stickers should only be used when on England duty and should be removed when playing in other games and competitions
Think about the rewording of bowls shoes rule ie no outdoor shoes to be worn on the mats
Players visiting the head when it’s not their turn.
James Scions development director gave a talk on Roll into next chapter coming in the Autumn so look out for this. Counties can contact James for more information.
James Trott and Brian Baker presented alternatives to the current ICC format. These are to be discussed at the Seminar in August but the view from the floor was that they were in favour and need to change.
Proposal to Change to ESMBA ICC Competitions 2027/28 by Devon
There are clearly two audiences of players that enter and play in the ICC.
The competitive bowler – they enter national qualifiers, perhaps play international bowls and other competitions as well as representing their counties at ICC and desire to play bowls at a competitive level.
The social bowler – happy to represent their counties and bowling is more of a social interaction at weekends, but wanting to have the opportunity for competitive matches against other counties. Playing more often is not the biggest concern and may not enter more competitive competition like the nationals.
The proposal is a split of competitions;
Level 1 – for the competitive bowlers.
Format – One qualifying weekends with multiple matches against other counties.
e.g. 3 qualifying weekends held at suitable venues for each area of the country with 6 teams each playing 5 matches over the weekend. This format is the current format for the Welsh County Competition – one competitive weekend and done.
Format of the matches can be changed and suggest one session of rinks and one session of individuals in each match. Quicker matches allowing to play more games and matches over the weekend. The rinks sessions will support the international set up allowing the England management to observe players in the British Isles format.
One finals weekend with the qualifiers from each qualifying competition which follows same format. League table dictates the winners.
Benefits of this;
Suits competitive minded bowlers and will gain interest of players already not involved in current ICC.
Frees up weekends in the calendar.
Assists the national team.
Will be a very good weekend of bowls.
Cheaper to run for counties and potentially ESMBA.
Level 2 – for the social bowlers
This is more open to debate and many formats are open here
The current format could be continued. The more competitive will be in the level 1 competition so less demoralising scorelines and teams should be more evenly matched (very similar to the old A team competition and made to attract those teams)
A mirror version of the level 1 competition could take place, but with teams choosing to enter level 2 and be more competitive.
Any other format which suits the bowlers that would like to play against each other on a level playing field in the format or how often they wish.
Summery
The proposal is that the more competitive counties can enter a shortened but much more competitive competition held over two weekends with an adjusted playing format. This helps to keep or even grow the number of competitive players involvement within the ICC and to support the international set up.
The more socially based or less competitive teams can play in a separate competition to avoid big scorelines through mismatches and will prevent players and teams from pulling out of future ICC competitions and maintain playing against similar skilled teams on a more social, but still competitive level.
Proposal to Change to ESMBA ICC Competitions 2027/28 by Brian Baker
Firstly, it is not to change the format of the complete competition, therefore most teams will not be affected. The proposal is to remove 8 teams from the standard ICC competition leaving 25 teams at current level in 6 groups of 4 and 3 groups of 3.
The 8 teams to be selected from counties with 2 teams entered in the competition depending on their position in 2026/27 plus the ICC champions in 2026/27 (if they are a county single entry) if more than 8.
These teams will be Premier 1 and will play at a central venue in 2 groups of 4 over 2 weekends playing both Saturday and Sunday. The format will be changed to introduce Rinks, there will be 2 singles, 2 Pairs and 2 Triples plus Rinks. Teams will consist of minimum 16 and maximum 18 players, each player playing a minimum of 3 games per match. Each game will be 5 rounds over 4 mats as per the below.
Game 1, 1 Single, 1 Pair, 2 Triples
Game 2, 4 Rinks
Game 3, 1 Single, 2 Pairs, 1 Triple
Game 4, 2 Singles, 1 Pair, 1 Triple
Game 5, 4 Rinks
The score would be 2 points for each individual game, 1 point for each rink and 4 points for each rink game total, giving 40 points in total.
Week 1 Saturday A v B and C v D
Sunday A v C and B v D
Week 2 Saturday A v D and B v C
Sunday Semi Finals and 4th place play-off plus 3rd v 3rd
It is envisaged the winner of the Standard ICC would be invited to replace the team losing the 4th place play off.
The Final would still be played at the Finals weekend.
Notes from the AGM were kindly provided by NCSMBA Delegate Elaine Willies with added information from Officer Reports