Call to move pennant finals when Ettalong plays

Ettalong Bowling Club could be deprived of hosting pennant finals when Ettalong teams are playing, if a move by Wyong Men's Bowling Club succeeds.

The Wyong club has asked that "the venue for either the semi-final or final be moved to a neutral venue" if an Ettalong team is playing.

Wyong secretary Mr David Marr has written to Bowls Central Coast stating that hosting all finals at Ettalong "unfairly disadvantages all other teams if an Ettalong Bowling Club team features in the finals".

This was because Ettalong would be playing on their home greens and because all other teams had to travel to one of the more southerly clubs on the Central Coast.

"It would seem prudent to locate such a neutral venue equidistant from both clubs involved in the finals."

Bowls Central Coast secretary Mr Doug Rose said the issue would be decided at a management meeting on Thursday, January 19.

He said: "Finals of Zone Open Pennants (Grades 1-7) are played at Ettalong Memorial due to a sponsorship agreement which commenced in 2020-21 and will continue to 2024-25.

"The sponsorship is for $5000 per annum and another $5000 payment when an Open Pennants is played at the club."

He said that, before the end of the agreement, expressions of interest would be called for future sponsorship, including for hosting the Open Pennant Finals.

SOURCE:

Social media, 3 Jan 2023

Peter Springett, Bowls Central Coast