Bowls England representatives were among a number of National Governing
Bodies who met MPs and Peers at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 25^th October to urge them to do more to protect clubs within their
constituencies.

Chief Executive Tony Allcock MBE was joined at the event, organised by the
Sport & Recreation Alliance, by Board Members David Tucker and Norma
Hazzledine plus Development Officer Alistair Hollis.

During the event Parliamentarians pledged their support for a range of
issues that the Sport & Recreation Alliance, supported by Bowls England, is
currently working on including the call for Community Amateur Sports Clubs
to receive Gift Aid on junior subscriptions and continuing efforts to agree
on an affordable music licensing scheme for sports clubs.

Tony Allcock MBE said: "Clubs across all sports, not just bowls, are facing
greater financial challenges in the current climate, and therefore we were
delighted to have the opportunity to attend this event to raise the profile
of our sport and call on MPs to make some small changes that would make a
big difference to our clubs."

New data released by the Sport and Recreation Alliance at the reception
shows that a quarter of all sports clubs are currently operating at a loss,
with half just managing to break even. It also revealed that those clubs
making a surplus have seen it almost halve over the last two years.

Tim Lamb, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said that
having the support of MPs is vital to clubs. He added: "The fact that MPs
attended our event and signed up to the pledge tells us that they understand
the needs of clubs in their constituencies. Clubs are a vital part of the
fabric of our society but many are finding it harder and harder just to
survive. The support that MPs have offered will demonstrate to local clubs
that there is someone in Westminster listening to their concerns and doing
something about them."

The Sport and Recreation Alliance is the umbrella organisation for 320
national governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the
UK, including Bowls England. The Alliance speaks and acts to promote,
protect and develop the interests of sport and physical recreation from the
grassroots through to elite level.

MPs pledged their support for a range of issues affecting clubs. Pledges
included supporting the call for Community Amateur Sports Clubs to receive
GiftAid on junior subscriptions; to support the Lighter Later campaign to
move the clocks forward by an hour all year round; to support the Sport and
Recreation Alliance in its work to agree an affordable music licensing
scheme for clubs; and to support community sport by engaging with local
clubs and the regional County Sports Partnership.

All clubs are encouraged to ask their MP to support the pledge, which can be
found at: www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/pledge.