The US Lawn Bowls Association

U.S. rolls out Club Marketing Program

The marketing committee of the USLBA has developed a Club Marketing Handbook based on proven  practices of successful clubs across the country. A committee member will soon be contacting the president of each USLBA club to help advise and guide on implementing some of the ideas in the guide by tailoring it to that specific club. Many of these items are small and a few volunteers can quickly implement them and start to raise the visibility of  a single club.

At the same time, a national press release has been sent out to the media nationwide announcing this program. We are assisted in these efforts by a professional PR firm for the first time, but they will be focusing on big national efforts to help raise awareness of what is often an invisible sport, as our budget for them is very small. Clubs and Divisions need to still do their best at their own levels. Do you even have a marketing board position? Committee?

Other major marketing efforts for 2010 will include:

• National Open House Day - May 8th  nationwide, except June 19th in Central and NE divisions. We have seen the great success of this effort when clubs in a division all promote together.. now we are taking it nationwide.
• Video Competition:  Best new video about lawn bowls - must be in USA and made in 2010 before July 31st. They will all be uploaded and judged. Win a set of new Henselite Tiger 2 custom red, white and blue bowls.
• Professional PR around all national and international competitions, including US Champs, US Open, Nth American Challenge, and MAP Intnl challenge, along with some coverage of our star Team USA players.
• Central fan page on Facebook where we can share all things American about the sport. If you are on Facebook, become a Fan and contribute at Lawn Bowls in the USA. The magic of our sport does not always come through in words.. lets get as many pictures and  videos up or linked to as possible. Post your videos on YouTube and link to them.
• Development of more tools, news and photos on USLBA.org our national website.
• Hosting and promoting the two big British tour groups coming to the USA in 2010.
• More promotion and following of Team USA and our star players.

See also Marketing Section of this website for more details and Message from the President

Share the news with your clubs, divisions and members. We all need to step up to marketing, not just administration and governance, for the sport to survive in the USA!

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Website of the Month

Central Division just upped the ante for all of us with their exciting new website. By using blogging tools, expect to see frequent news and updates here. But what a great first effort. Congratulations to Steve Nelson and team. See for yourself at LawnBowlsCentral.com and please link to their site if appropriate. They will be hosting the big North American Challenge in early Sept 2010.

NEW TO OUTDOOR BOWLS?
Better than Bocce! Easier to say than Boule.

See YouTube Video: Lawn Bowling 101

Are you dreaming of being a great bowler?
See the You Tube promo for 2012 World Game here

Get educated, learn the basis and the rules before you step on a green - See The Game section of this website.

The British are coming

So far two British Tour groups are scheduled to visit the USA this year. These are social bowlers so keep a watch out in April and later in September to see if your club is on their list. These two groups will only visit the West, but talks are in place for a third group that will probably only visit the North East. Of course, separately, the official English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish men will participate in the MAP International Event later in the year against Team USA. And even before that, the Canadians will take on USA in the North American Challenge in Milwaukee.

Divisions and Clubs

Find a club near you today and set up an introductory lesson. See Clubs. Then read up on the rules and terminology before you go. See The Game. Many clubs also support social (non-playing) members or spouses, especially for the many other events throughout the year.

See latest South Central newsletter in their division pages.

The sport for all active adults

Down under in Australia and New Zealand, lawn bowls is simply called bowls, and is played by many folks of all ages, both indoors and outdoors.

But in what other sport can a 75 year old beat a 25 year old? Can women consistently play with men? Are mixed teams the norm? Have an active social side? Require little or no practice?
P.S. Probably the most inexpensive sport in the country! Annual club fees are mostly in the $100 range.

Workers lay out the new artificial green for the new Coronado (San Diego) Lawn Bowls Club. See complete story from San Diego Union Tribune.
Photo by John Gibbons of SignOn San Diego.

Breaking News: Read the Dec 28th issue of ESPN - The Magazine and see the article on Unsung Heroes.

Lawn bowler Michael Siddall, US Open men's single winner, is featured!

Details to follow.

 

Apart from marketing and promotion of the sport, what does USLBA and World Bowls offer members? See article below from Conrad Melton, Chief Umpire of USLBA.

But what do they do for us social bowlers?

                Too many answer that question with “I don’t know…”
               which gives them “no reason” to support the USLBA

Unfortunately, it has become one of the mysteries of our time:  What do Bowls’ parent organizations provide for bowlers who don’t compete beyond the club level?  Most of the mystery can be blamed on World Bowls and the United States Lawn Bowls Association, who have neglected to let their members know (1) what they’ve done and (2) what they’re doing to keep the sport alive and well.  So here’s a list of their heftier functions.  Most bowlers actually know about these duties, but some slip away from memory and some are taken for granted.

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TEAM USA selectors announce ladies teams for 2010 TEAM USA selectors announce initial mens teams for 2010 See TEAM USA for more news about our international players.

Thanks to South Central division for hosting a great US Open event. See full results on US Open Page and more US Open Photos US 2009 National Championships Rosa Gandara and Steve Nelson, your 2009 singles champions. Thanks to Long Beach and SW Division for hosting the 2009 Nationals. See US National Championships, Full Results, and Photo Album