Bowls: Ladies are now bowling 'em over.

Byline: By Ian Laird 

IT'S now all systems go on the bowls scene as ladies take centre stage and can now take part in all aspects of our sport.

Warwickshire & Worcestershire Bowling Association, at their recent AGM voted in favour of ladies taking part in league matches, merits. Cup, etc.

A decade ago, as chair in our midweek Association, I was called upon to use my casting vote to decide to admit women into our bowling league.

In a split vote, 33 went in favour of letting women in, and 33 to keep them out. That left me with a tough decision, but I decided to side with the ladies.

All hell broke lose with a Mail headline on December 17 declaring 'Bowls Wars - Fury over plan to let women join the men'.

Some clubs then decided to quit Yardley Wood & District, which they did, to form their own all-male league.

What a difference a decade makes, with our parent Association now following up that traumatic decision I was forced to make all those seasons ago. That decision now seems to have been totally vindicated.

With the serious loss of fine bowling greens over the years, this decision can only be great for our sport. Women can now play against the men, children will be encouraged to take part with Mom and Dad.

All as it should be.

A nice quote back in 1996 by our current treasurer, Bev Pritchard: "It boils down to one thing, men don't like being beaten by a woman."

One year on from that decision, a Mail headline read 'Leagues apart, but not all men object to women bowlers'.

So to today, Yardley Wood & District are now back to full strength.

This decision was the right one to let women play in our great sport. Women are the backbone of all bowling clubs.

Carry on girls!