Action to ban drunken behaviour blighting Shropshire's bowling greens
Competitors and spectators at bowls matches in Shropshire face bans from the sport – because of an increase in drunken behaviour.
New tough rules have been brought in to tackle a rise in anti-social behaviour at matches held across the county.
It comes because of a rise in abusive behaviour linked to the consumption of alcohol.
Proposals to get tough gained overwhelming approval at the Shropshire association’s AGM at Bagley BC in Shrewsbury.
They cover repercussions for bowlers who breach the county’s code of conduct, which now includes specific rules regarding alcohol not purchased at the venue and non-payment of competition fees.
Outgoing county president Mike Caddick said: “The 2017 season saw an increase in anti-social behaviour around the greens.
"Alcohol-fuelled spectators were becoming the norm and I heard people saying ‘We don’t want this in bowls’ no end of times.
“Hopefully the action taken by the county will be sufficient to deter future incidents.”
A code of conduct was introduced two years ago, but tougher laws mean abusive behaviour can now be punished with a fine, deduction of league points or suspension of players, teams or clubs.
Mr Caddik said: “Appeals will be heard on payment of £50 - which will be refunded if the appeal is successful - by a disciplinary sub-committee.”
