P 10 Code of Conduct and Bowls Etiquette

Code of Conduct & Bowls Etiquette

Members are reminded that Bowls Oxfordshire has been developed over the years by its members for the benefit of all members and for the advancement of the sport of bowling. It is the responsibility of all members to ensure that it continues to develop and progress and that no member should bring the Association into disrepute.

The Executive Committee is a voluntary body elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting each year and its commitment to the county and to the membership should be respected. It should be noted that Executive Committee decisions are made for the benefit of the members in general and not for the convenience of the Executive Committee.

Being a member of Bowls Oxfordshire gives you both rights and responsibilities.

The Code

Members have a right to:

1. Be treated equitably and with respect
2. Participate in an environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination
3. Have their privacy and confidentiality treated lawfully and with respect
4. Submit their views to Bowls Oxfordshire Executive in line with the Association’s governance procedures and policies.

Members must:

• Treat everyone with respect, courtesy and without harassment. All members must respect the rights,  dignity and worth of all other members regardless of age, gender reassignment, disability, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation
• Behave honestly and with integrity
• Comply with the rules and follow all safety requirements and practices governing the sport
• Observe the rules and etiquette of the sport of bowls as defined by Bowls England
• Not use obscene, offensive language or gestures or behave in a disorderly manner
• Refrain from behaviour that could offend or embarrass others
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality about dealings that any person has with Bowls Oxfordshire
• Not physically or verbally harass others (includes fight, argue, ridicule, threaten, stalk, etc.)
• Behave responsibly and not motivate or incite any person/s to do or feel anything unpleasant or violent
• Comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given by someone who has authority to give the direction
• Not provide false or misleading information in response to a request for information that is made for official purposes in connection with Bowls Oxfordshire
• Use Bowls Oxfordshire resources in an appropriate manner
• At all times behave in a way that upholds the good reputation of Bowls Oxfordshire

Breaches of the Code of Conduct – Reporting and Resolution

Bowls Oxfordshire, through its Executive Committee, reserves the right to make decisions and enforce fair and reasonable measures following a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Any breach of the Code of Conduct must be reported to Bowls Oxfordshire who will fully investigate the matter in a calm, honest and dignified manner in accordance with the rules of Bowls England. Confidentiality must be maintained by all involved.

Etiquette

An area that members need to be aware of is the etiquette of bowls. It is a sport with a long tradition of sporting behaviour. New bowlers are invariably left to find out for themselves what is expected of them, or they find themselves confronted by another bowler who delights in telling them what they are allowed and not allowed to do. This latter approach can be very disconcerting, and in Oxfordshire, we want every new bowler to feel welcome in a friendly environment. This section on etiquette is included to help new members understand the sport.

1. Each bowler during a game is expected to be ready to bowl when it is their turn and to concentrate on the match.

2. Players are expected to be quiet and not move at the head end when a player is preparing to bowl. Avoid obscuring the rink number and rink markers from the bowler.

3. Be aware of players on adjacent rinks. Keep to your own rink and do not become a wanderer and distract other bowlers. Do not walk past the end of a rink when somebody is about to bowl.

4. Encourage and praise the rest of the team including the skip. Don’t applaud a team member who has outrageous luck and admit a fluke shot with grace.

5. Compliment your opponent’s bowls and don’t wave your opponent’s bowls through the head.

6. Minimise the distraction and interference with bowlers on adjacent rinks during movement between ends by walking, as far as possible, along the centre of the rink.

7. Be gracious whether you win or lose.

8. At the end of the game shake hands with your opposition. In a singles game thank the marker and offer to buy them, as well as your opposition, a drink.

9. After matches be prepared to offer your opposition a drink and socialise with them.

10. NEVER CRITICISE YOUR OPPONENTS, THE BOWLS GREEN OR YOUR OWN TEAM.

11. All members are recommended to read the Laws of Bowls to familiarise themselves with laws governing the sport.