Crisis point

TOP-CLASS tournament bowls could be a thing of the past unless a dramatic drop in interest is reversed.

A lack of entries has prompted organisers to scrap events in recent years – and the Oldham area, once a hotbed for crown green bowls, has been a major victim.

Recently the Moorside Classic went to the wall, a result of insufficient entries or players failing to turn up over a long period, ultimately compromising the event.

The local area once hosted major competitions at Crompton, Royton, Oldham RU, the Star Inn, St Paul’s, Lees and Hey and Nimble Nook. All have long gone – a pattern taking hold nationwide.

What is causing such a downturn? Greater Manchester home-team captain Keith Rudman is a former regular on the competition circuit and ex-organiser of the prestigious Dulux Classic at Walsden BC.

He said: “I think there are a number of knock-on effects and travelling is obviously a major factor with the cost involved.

“There used to be all sorts of top sweeps across Greater Manchester and most have gone.

“Attracting sponsorship isn’t as easy as it used to be. In the Eighties and Nineties - the bowls golden age - sponsors used to get lots of publicity. But bowls websites bring results within minutes of a game and sponsors don’t get the exposure they used to in newspapers.

“There used to be televised events too, and that helped. But a lot of the bowlers in big tournaments then are a lot older now; I suppose apathy sets in when you are not quite as good as you used to be.

“Some say the same people keep winning events and, yes, Gary Ellis won 17 tournaments last year.

“But Brian Duncan used to win everything when the game was thriving, so I’m not sure that argument is the main reason for the decline in support.”

What’s your view? Email keithmchugh@oldham-chronicle.co.uk