I can’t tell you how honoured I feel to have been elected as the first President of the new ‘Bowls Oxfordshire’, which brings both the men’s and women’s county associations together in one unified and, hopefully, streamlined organisation.

I have been lucky to have met many of you during the last couple of years, as Vice-President and then President of the Ladies, as I have travelled the county, and country, supporting our players in their matches and competitions and I know that our bowlers, men and women, are second to none in their enthusiasm for our sport.  I also know that grass roots bowling is the foundation of our game, and I applaud those of you who work so hard to keep ALL the clubs of Oxfordshire not just viable, but vibrant with full calendars of fixtures and competitions.

Bowls truly is a sport for all, and sometimes I think we are not loud enough in getting that point across to those outside the green who have us pigeonholed in a world of funeral parlours and sheltered housing! Bowls can be played by the very young and the very old, as well as the masses in between.  It’s enjoyed by those who are fit and those less able. It’s also a game where our best compete against other world class players whilst their fellow club members have just as much fun rolling-up followed by a cuppa and a biscuit. The diversity of bowls and the diversity of how it can be enjoyed is what makes this sport so unique and we, you and me, need to shout loudly about it at every opportunity we get because WE are the ambassadors of our sport and if we want our sport to continue to thrive WE need to ensure that the world beyond the green learns all what we already know.

It was the wish to see the sport and our County grow that brought the men’s and women’s associations together, and unifying has given us a great opportunity. We can share both expenses and expertise building on the best of the old, whilst adapting to the modern era. Unifying will also give us an opportunity to tap into funding and sources of support as there is unlikely to be a more inclusive sporting organisation than the new Bowls Oxfordshire.

As well as the Mens & Ladies sections maintaining a similar structure under our new unified banner, we have added two new official sections, to make sure there is the strongest level of focus across all areas of the County.

Our new junior section will encompass coaching and competitions for both girls and boys, together and separately – as they have been doing informally for the past few years - and we have a talented and enthusiastic young team to take this section forward. Our new mixed section gives those who were unenthusiastic about single gender county games the opportunity to play in mixed/open games and competitions. Many players already enter the national mixed competitions, and I understand that the Oxfordshire mixed county competitions being introduced in the 2025 season have attracted a lot of entries already!  Whilst we innovate in some areas there is also room in this county for tradition. The men’s and ladies’ sections will continue to organise single gender matches and competitions including those culminating in the National Finals where our players always shine with some achieving Gold.

I am grateful to those who shared our vision and were prepared to support change and go along with the new structure. Change is never easy, and we are very likely to have to tweak things as we go, but I firmly feel we are at the start of something new and exciting and I look forward to sharing the journey together.

Finally, I can’t end without thanking my fellow officers, men and women, who have worked so hard on this project. I also want to thank all those who have taken on jobs both at Executive and Section levels. Its people like you who give up their time so that we can all enjoy our sport that means I can fulfil my role.

I look forward to seeing you either on or off the green in 2025.

Ann Lattimore

President

Bowls Oxfordshire