AFFILIATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Affiliation fees, together with grants and sponsorships, underpin the financial operations of Bowls SA. It enables services to support Clubs and Associations that play a vital role in supporting the growth of the game in our State. Please note, Clubs that are affiliated with Bowls SA, also become affiliated with Bowls Australia by way of our affiliation with Bowls Australia.
Affiliation Fees – Sliding Scale Model
Effective the financial year commencing 1 July 2024, the Bowls SA Affiliation Fees for member Clubs will be calculated based on a fee per ‘full member’ on a sliding scale as follows:
| Membership Range | Amount per head (including GST) |
| 0-25 | $65.87 |
| 26-50 | $67.04 |
| 51-75 | $68.21 |
| 76-100 | $69.37 |
| 101-125 | $70.54 |
| 126-150 | $71.70 |
| 151-175 | $72.87 |
| 176-200 | $74.04 |
| 200 plus | $75.20 |
Please note:
- Fees will be reviewed in March each year for the following year
- The model will be reviewed in one years’ time, with any resulting changes to come into effect for the 25/26 financial year.
Terms and Conditions
The following terms and conditions apply to the model:
Definition of Full Member
A Full Member is defined as a member (of a Member Club) with full registration and thus eligible to receive playing rights per Section 4 of the By-laws.
Installments
Affiliation Fees will be invoiced in two installments as follows:
- 1 November based on member numbers taken in October multiplied by 50% of the Affiliation Fee per member
- 1 March based on member numbers taken in February multiplied by 50% of the Affiliation Fee per member
(This means that clubs will not be paying for members who have moved or passed away longer than practicable. Similarly, members who join mid-way through the season are only paying for a portion of the season.)
Compliance
In order to be equitable to all, honest recording of bowlers is essential. Capturing participation data is essential to driving strategy and seeking funding, as well as ensuring adequate insurance, so there must not be a disincentive to record things. To that end:
- Club Presidents will be required to sign declarations that data is correct
- Bowls SA will take a census on an undisclosed date and then again three to four weeks later; variances in data in excess of +/- 5% will result in requests for explanations and if deception is discovered, the full affiliation fee plus a penalty of 50% of the full affiliation fee will be invoiced.
Use of non-regular players
Per the By-laws, there is a three-game limit to the use of a non-regular player, for example, a Night Owl as a fill-in (Substitute). After this, they are counted as a full member.
FAQs
Pennant Permits
In the case of pennant permits, which club counts that player towards affiliation?
The home club would cover a player’s affiliation in the case of a pennant permit. For example, if your member who plays at your club has a permit to also play elsewhere on a Thursday, you pay for that player and not the other club.
Clearances
In the case of a clearance, which club counts that player towards affiliation?
The club which the player cleared to pays for that player.
Benefits of Affiliation
Bowls SA and Bowls Australia provide a number of different benefits to Clubs and Associations that are affiliated with Bowls SA. Bowls SA benefits include:
- State Events
- Volunteer Recognition Events
- Participation and Sports Development activities
- Club Development and Education Services
- Communication and Marketing Services
- Governance and Risk Management Services
- Financial and Funding Services
- Advocacy Support
- High Performance
It should be noted, that Bowls SA and Bowls Australia regularly review the roles, responsibilities and benefits on offer to ensure that they are meeting the needs of Clubs.
Historical 2022 Affiliation Review
At the 2021 AGM, Bowls SA committed to review the Bowls SA Affiliation Model in time for any changes to be implemented for the 22/23 financial year. A discussion paper on several potential models was circulated to Clubs and Associations for feedback in March 2022 and this was followed by a number of information sessions.
As a result, the Board has endorsed the Sliding Scale Model as the Affiliation Model, to be reviewed in three years. While no model will suit all clubs, this model, also used in Victoria, was the overwhelmingly preferred model.
