Some of the region's bowls clubs have been thrown a potential lifeline after Bowls NSW lifted an earlier ban on social games being played during the coronavirus epidemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, the indefinite suspension of all other forms of play - such as pennants and club competitions - would "definitely hurt clubs", said Tamworth-based Ian Bannister, the president of Zone 3, which covers clubs from Willow Tree to Lightning Ridge.
It had been feared the total ban would result in some clubs closing.
Bowls NSW had reacted to measures imposed by Bowls Australia, Bannister said.
Read also:
He said Bowls NSW announced on Friday that social bowls was allowed but it would not be reasonable for the safety of bowlers, meaning they played at their "own risk".
Before Bannister found out about the backflip, he had told the Leader that some clubs - namely small ones without restaurants - were particularly vulnerable during the ban.
"I've been talking to Barraba and Manilla [bowling clubs] today [Friday], and they said, 'Can't you do something, because we're gonna lose revenue if we can't get bowlers on the green.'
"Then later on [it was announced] they could play bowls, at their own risk."
Bannister, a member of Tamworth City Bowling club, said the move could possibly save some clubs from closing.
But he said it was still an uncertain time for the sport.
"Tamworth City has got a good restaurant and gets a lot of people," he said. "But West Tamworth [Bowling Club], they've got nothing like that."
Bannister believes that the ban may have been implemented hastily.
"It is a non-contact sport," he said. "And the thing is, you're supposed to be staying a metre and half away from everyone else.
"To me, bowls could still go ahead. But Bowls Australia made a decision, and I thought that they made it a little bit too quick."
Bannister described the ban as "terrible" news. "Especially at this time of the year with all the pennants and everything [that would have been played]."
I don't know what's happening. It's just gone over the fence.
- Ian Bannister
He said he was "playing it by ear" regarding the full resumption of the sport.
"I don't know what's happening," he said. "It's just gone over the fence."
