BA celebrates International Women’s Day with Robyn Procter
Leading up to International Women’s Day tomorrow, Bowls Australia have been celebrating the many roles women play in bowls.You have already heard from an Elite Player, Coach, Junior, Chairperson, CEO and today Women’s Bowls NSW President Robyn Procter has contributed to the series of articles. This year the International Women’s Day theme is ‘Make It Happen’ and the New South Wales Ladies President Robyn Procter is certainly embracing that motto during her term.
Presidential responsibilities include attending club and district functions, member forums and special events within the state and interstate; however more importantly the President can influence how the board uses its time in order to successfully serve the members.
After 13 years of bowling Procter has held the positions of Secretary and Treasurer at Club level and Secretary and President at a District level; however with the honour of being the Women’s Bowls New South Wales President she has strong aspirations whilst she is in the role.
“I would like to see a State Open Singles, harmony in every bowling club and the sport of bowls being recognized as an official high school sport and promoted accordingly,” Mrs Procter said.
Procter believes there have been a number of advancements to the game that have already made lawn bowls a more appealing and accommodating sport for women.
“Some great achievements or advances in my eyes are the immense changes to the Dress Policy allowing ladies to feel comfortable and smart when they play socially and competitively, the introduction of coloured bowls certainly modernized the game, the Member Protection Policy that promotes equality, the updates to the Constitution and By-Laws and the introduction of 16 Regional Bowls Managers across Australia,” Mrs Procter said.
Regional Bowls Managers are funded by Bowls Australia’s National Merchandise Program and the eight state and Territory Associations; they make over 6300 visits to clubs all around the country each year to assist with lifting participating, applying for grants and business planning.
Whilst there is plenty of hard work to be done developing the game in NSW, Procter is thoroughly enjoying her time as Ladies President.
“I enjoy the countless opportunities I get to meet as many of our members within New South Wales as well as interstate, international bowlers and administrators,” Mrs Procter said.
“I love watching bowls at all levels from club games thru to the prestigious Australian Open and World Championships.”
“I treasure the time I am able to spend watching and supporting our state sides; juniors, under 25s, our open side and seniors; they are all great people and so clever.”
Procter was the main supporter of a Women’s State Side creating history by entering the New South Wales Champions League in the Sydney metropolitan area; the only full women’s side competing against some of the best clubs and male bowlers in the country.
The women used the opportunity to practice leading up to the 2015 Australian Sides Championships, to develop under 18 and under25 girls who were given the opportunity to play alongside some of the best female bowlers in the country and it all started thanks to the financial commitment of the Women’s Bowls NSW Board to pay the teams entry fee.
The New South Wales state team love having Robyn Procter join them on their state trips and believe she is extremely supportive, approachable and a fantastic leader for our sport.
“It’s extremely important to be a good leader in our sport; a strong leader will provide motivation to the organisation, have the ability to make decisions at all levels, have the skills to handle the many elements that the organisation will face and be flexible with the many changes likely to affect our sport,” Mrs Procter said.
“In our sport at this period of time, we must encourage our members at every opportunity to try new things, not only in the sport of bowls but also in its administration and promotion.”
Promoting the sport is vital and Procter has confidence in the product we are offering (the sport we all love lawn bowls) is a great sport for young women.
“There are countless opportunities for women in bowls; it allows women to be competitive, skillful, meet all kinds of people, develop close friendships, travel, enjoy a healthy lifestyle, have a game of bowls in places all over the world,” Mrs Procter said.
“Bowls also allows people of all ages to play alongside each other, it allows women to play with and against men which makes it a very family friendly sport and in some areas bowls can be played almost any time of the day and night, indoors and outdoors.”
Procter says this International Women’s Day is a world-wide opportunity through effective action to celebrate the accomplishments of women whilst at the same time encourage and recognize a call for greater equality.
During Procter’s term she has demonstrated that she is certainly prepared to take action to improve the women’s game and is passionate about her job ahead.
