31/08/2026
🏟️ WHO ACTUALLY RUNS A LAWN BOWLS CLUB?
A NEW BOWLER'S GUIDE TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES 👀
When you join a bowls club, you see the greens, competitions, clubhouse, teams and social side.
But what you don't always see is the huge amount of work happening behind the scenes to keep that club operating.
Here is a simplified Lawn Bowls Club Committee Organogram — because a club doesn't simply run itself!
🏆 THE CLUB EXECUTIVE / COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT
⬇️
Provides overall leadership, represents the club, chairs meetings and helps set the direction of the club.
VICE PRESIDENT
⬇️
Supports the President, assists with club leadership and steps in when the President is unavailable.
HONORARY SECRETARY
⬇️
The administrative engine room of the club. Handles correspondence, notices, minutes, meetings, official communication, records and communication with the district/province.
TREASURER 💰
⬇️
Responsible for the club's financial affairs. Handles banking, income, expenses, payments, budgets, financial records, financial reporting, membership fees and helping ensure the club remains financially sustainable and accountable.
CLUB CAPTAIN
⬇️
Responsible for much of the sporting side of the club — fixtures, leagues, interclub matches, club competitions, playing arrangements and team matters.
VICE CLUB CAPTAIN
⬇️
Supports the Club Captain and assists with the organisation of the playing programme and competitions.
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🎯 OTHER IMPORTANT PORTFOLIOS & COMMITTEES
SELECTORS
Help select teams based on form, performance, availability, team combinations and the requirements of each competition.
COACHING & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Helps bowlers improve their technique, delivery, tactics, weight control, game awareness and overall performance.
COMPETITIONS / MATCH COMMITTEE
Organises entries, draws, schedules, competition rules, results, officials and communication with players.
MEMBERSHIP & RECRUITMENT
Looks after membership administration, welcomes newcomers, assists with recruitment and helps retain existing members.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 📣
Looks after social media, websites, posters, photography, media, tournament promotion, branding and telling the club's story.
SPONSORSHIP & FUNDRAISING 🤝
Builds relationships with businesses, finds sponsors, develops sponsorship opportunities and organises fundraising initiatives.
GREENS & GROUNDS 🌱
Looks after the playing surface, gardens, grounds, equipment and preparation of the facility.
HOUSE & FACILITIES 🏠
Looks after the clubhouse, bar, kitchen, bathrooms, maintenance, equipment and general facilities.
SOCIAL & EVENTS 🎉
Helps organise social functions, club events, member activities and occasions that bring people together.
UMPIRES & OFFICIALS 🧑⚖️
Qualified officials help ensure competitions and games are conducted correctly according to the Laws of the Sport.
VOLUNTEERS ❤️
The people who step up and help wherever they are needed — often doing jobs that nobody even realises need doing!
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📋 THE SIMPLE ORGANOGRAM
CLUB MEMBERS
⬇️
CLUB EXECUTIVE / COMMITTEE
⬇️
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
HONORARY SECRETARY
TREASURER 💰
CLUB CAPTAIN
VICE CLUB CAPTAIN
⬇️
SUPPORTING PORTFOLIOS
Selectors • Coaching & Development • Competitions • Membership • Marketing & Communications • Sponsorship & Fundraising • Greens & Grounds • House & Facilities • Social & Events • Umpires & Officials • Volunteers
⬇️
❤️ THE MEMBERS
Because every one of these roles ultimately exists to serve the club and its members.
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👀 SO NEXT TIME YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR CLUB...
The green is perfectly prepared.
The competition draw is ready.
Your membership has been processed.
The clubhouse is clean.
The bar is operating.
Your fixture has been organised.
Your team has been selected.
The accounts are being managed.
The district correspondence has been handled.
The sponsor's banner is displayed.
Your tournament has been promoted.
The results have been recorded.
The club's social media is active.
THAT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN.
Behind every successful bowls club is a group of people giving their time, skills, evenings, weekends and often their own money to make it happen.
They don't always get noticed.
They don't always get thanked.
And they certainly aren't doing it to get rich! 😂
They do it because they love their club and they love the sport. ❤️
So to every President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Captain, Vice Captain, selector, coach, competition organiser, greenkeeper, grounds person, committee member, administrator, marketer, fundraiser, umpire and volunteer...
👏 THANK YOU!
And to our new bowlers:
Don't just join the club — get involved in the club.
Ask questions. Volunteer. Learn how it works. Offer your skills.
Because one day, you could be the person keeping that club alive for the next generation. 🎯
Gauteng Bowls Gauteng Bowls Official (Shareable)
