Markers are needed for the provincial men’s singles championship to be held at Cosburn Lawn Bowling Club July 8, 9 and 10. 

Slots are available for morning, midday and afternoon games. Lunch and refreshments are provided to all volunteers. 

Markers centre the jack and mat, maintain the scorecard and chalk all touchers. 

They answer player questions about shot, bowls and the position of the jack. 

Markers protect the head from bowls coming from adjacent rinks and mark the position of the jack and touchers in the ditch. 

But markers don’t measure bowls at this event. The pressure is on the umpires to get that job done. 

If you're interested, you will be asked to attend a markers' training session on Thursday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Cosburn Lawn Bowling Club. 

If you’re interested in helping, contact the organizers by e-mail (provincials@cosburnbowls.ca) or leave a message at 416-421-4171. 

The Ontario Lawn Bowls Association (OLBA) has formed an action committee to address a 30 per cent decrease in greens maintenance funding for lawn bowling clubs in Toronto between 2021 and 2022.

“We are quite concerned about the decrease in funding that occurred last year,” says James Rimmer, chair of OLBA’s marketing and sponsorship committee, who will also chair the action committee. “Our goal is to ensure the long-term viability of lawn bowling as a recreational activity in the City of Toronto.”

The committee held its inaugural meeting via videoconference on May 15, 2023. The first meeting was attended by representatives from Agincourt, Lawrence Park, Moore Park, West Toronto and Willowdale.

“We had good turnout to the first meeting,” says Rimmer. “But our expectation is that every lawn bowling club in Toronto will be represented as we get going. Regardless of whether a club is enjoying a good relationship with the city now, it’s In everyone’s best interest to work together.”

During the first meeting, clubs discussed the support they receive from the city and the challenges they currently face with greens, clubhouses and other infrastructure. Committee members also discussed the implications of Toronto’s Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan 2019-2038, released in 2017. While the plan says “there is no demonstrated need for additional lawn bowling greens during the timeframe of this plan,” it’s important to note that the report does not suggest withdrawing support from the lawn bowling community.

Committee members also discussed the importance of recreational activities for everyone and the value that social interaction provides to the community.

“Numerous research studies have shown that social interaction as we age improves quality of life on a number of levels,” says Dennis Bedeau, president of Agincourt Lawn Bowling Club. “But limiting lawn bowling limits that interaction. Without infrastructure, we have no lawn bowling. And we cannot maintain that infrastructure without the city’s commitment and direct support.”

The committee plans to meet every two to three weeks over the summer months.

If you would like your club to participate, please complete the contact form that will go directly to chair James Rimmer.

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