Introduction:
Bowls Alberta, the Provincial Sport Association dedicated to advancing and enhancing the sport of bowls in Alberta, is committed to supporting its members in their pursuit of excellence.
In this blog post, we will explore the player support policies, guidelines and procedures set forth by Bowls Alberta for the 2023 season, highlighting the opportunities and benefits it offers to athletes, assistants, and coaches.
Financial Support for Athletes Representing Alberta at 2023 Canadian Championships:
Bowls Alberta is committed to sending teams to all Canadian Championships and understands the financial challenges that athletes face when participating in these competitions. To help alleviate this burden, the association provides financial support for qualifying athletes.
Athletes who qualify to represent Alberta at the 2023 Canadian Championships are responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements, but Bowls Alberta pays the registration fees for these competitions. After the event, Athletes can claim their travel expenditures, including accommodation and transportation, up to specific expense limits. These limits vary based on the event and location.
For 2023 Canadian Championships held out of province, such as the Youth, Fours, Pairs, and Singles championships, athletes can be reimbursed for travel expenses up to $900. This support enables athletes to focus on their performance rather than worrying about the financial aspects of participating. Similarly, for the 2023 Mixed Doubles and Indoor Singles championships, athletes can also claim travel expenses up to $900.
For 2023 Canadian Championships within Alberta, the Para Bowls and Senior Triples Championships, the expense limit is set at $400, recognizing the relatively lower costs associated with these competitions.
Financial Support for Assistants and Coaches:
Bowls Alberta recognizes the importance of having qualified assistants and coaches to support athletes during Canadian Championships. Therefore, approved assistants who support Para players at the 2023 Canadian Para Championships are eligible for financial support to attend the event. However, to ensure responsible use of funds, assistants are required to work with the Bowls Alberta office to ensure their expenses are reasonable. Excessive expenses may be denied to maintain fiscal prudence and fairness.
Similarly, coaches who are approved by Bowls Alberta to attend the 2023 Canadian Championships in support of Alberta athletes will also receive financial support. Like assistants, coaches are expected to collaborate with the Bowls Alberta office to ensure their expenses align with the association’s guidelines. By providing financial assistance to both assistants and coaches, Bowls Alberta emphasizes the significance of a strong support system in optimizing athletes’ performance and promoting their overall development.
2023 International Events and Athlete Support:
Bowls Alberta acknowledges the aspirations of athletes to compete at international events and represent Alberta with distinction. To assist athletes in their endeavors, Bowls Alberta offers financial support for such competitions. Athletes requesting this support must collaborate with the Bowls Alberta Office by providing essential information like event invitations, financial support received from other sources, anticipated expenses, travel dates, and event schedules. This will ensure that expenses comply with the guidelines for use of casino funds.
The financial support available for international events is equal to the qualifying expenditures, with a maximum limit of $1500 per athlete. By streamlining the application process and offering financial support, Bowls Alberta encourages athletes to strive for personal bests and excel internationally, fostering a culture of excellence within the sport.
Conclusion:
Bowls Alberta’s player support program exemplifies the association’s dedication to the development and success of its members. By providing financial assistance to athletes, assistants, and coaches who qualify, Bowls Alberta ensures that financial limitations do not hinder participation and performance. The player support policies, guidelines and procedures for the 2023 season highlight the association’s commitment to inclusivity, responsible fiscal practices, and fair play.
FAQ: Player Support Policy and Player Support Guidelines and Procedures
Q: What is the purpose of the Player Support Policy and Player Support Guidelines and Procedures?
A: The Player Support Guidelines and Procedures outline the financial support that members receive to represent Alberta or Canada in national and international competitions. It also covers the financial support available to members participating in the Canadian National Team program.
The Player Support Policy and Player Support Guidelines and Procedures are posted on the Bowls Alberta website. https://www.bowlsalberta.com/about-lbaa/policies-procedures/
Q: How does Bowls Alberta support qualifying players participating in Canadian Championships?
A: Bowls Alberta is committed to sending teams to all Canadian Championships and providing financial support to qualifying players based on the travel expense limits as outlined in the Player Support Guidelines and Procedures.
Here are the travel expense limits as outlined in the Player Support Guidelines and Procedures:
| Event | Travel Expense Limit | Location |
| Youth | Expenses up to $900 | Out of province |
| Fours, Pairs, Singles | Expenses up to $900 | Out of province |
| Mixed Pairs | Expenses up to $900 | Out of province |
| Para bowls | Expenses up to $400 | In Alberta |
| Senior Triples | Expenses up to $400 | In Alberta |
| Indoor Singles | Expenses up to $900 | Out of province |
Q: Do players have to make their own travel arrangements?
A: Yes, athletes have the responsibility of arranging their own travel and accommodation. Staying at the host hotel is recommended but not mandatory.
Q: What travel expenses will Bowls Alberta reimburse qualifying athletes for?
A: Eligible travel expenses include accommodation and transportation. If a meal plan is being offered at a Canadian Championship qualifying athletes may submit their meal plan receipt for reimbursement.
Q: How do athletes get reimbursed?
A: To receive reimbursement for eligible expenses, athletes must submit the appropriate receipts and travel expense form to the Bowls Alberta Office. Please ensure that travel expense forms are submitted within 30 days of the completion of the event. You can find the travel expense forms at https://www.bowlsalberta.com/about-lbaa/policies-procedures/
Q: How do players qualify to receive financial support to participate in the 2023 Canadian Championships?
A: Other than para athletes, players must qualify through their placement at provincial tournaments to be eligible for financial assistance. To register for a provincial championship, visit https://www.bowlsalberta.com/ or https://playpass.com/bowls-alberta
See chart for more information:
| Provincial Event | How to Qualify | Canadian Championship |
| Para Camp
June 8 Edmonton June 15 Calgary |
Para athletes who are selected by BA Head Coach based on their performance and skill qualify. | 2023 Canadian Para-Bowls Championships
July 24-30, 2023. Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club, Calgary, AB |
| Youth Singles Championships
July 2-3, 2023 Calgary LBC Calgary, AB |
Boys and girls who win first or second place in the provincial U18 qualify. And Men and women who win first or second place in the provincial U25 qualify. | 2023 Canadian Youth Championships
July 26 – 30, 2023. Regina Lawn Bowling Club, Regina, SK |
| Fours Championships
June 23-25, 2023 Commonwealth LBC Edmonton, AB |
Men’s and women’s teams that win first place in the provincial Fours Championships qualify. | 2023 Canadian Lawn Bowling Championships
August 18 – 26, 2023. Juan de Fuca Lawn Bowls Club, Victoria, BC |
| Outdoor Singles
July 7-9, 2023 Commonwealth LBC Edmonton, AB |
Men and women who win first, second or third place at the provincial Outdoor Singles qualify to represent Alberta. | |
| Pairs Championships
July 21-23, 2023 Rotary Park LBC Calgary, AB |
Men’s and women’s pairs teams that win first place at the provincial Pairs Championships qualify. | |
| Mixed Pairs Championships
August 11-13, 2023 Commonwealth LBC Edmonton, AB |
Mixed pairs team that wins first place at the provincial Mixed Pairs Championship qualify. | 2023 Canadian Mixed Pairs Championships
September 12 – 16, 2023. Wanderers Lawn Bowling Club Halifax, NS |
| Senior Triples Championships
August 21-23, 2023 Rotary Park LBC Calgary, AB |
Men’s and women’s senior triples teams that win first place at the provincial Senior Triples Championships qualify. | 2023 Canadian Senior Triples Championships
September 12 – 16, 2023. Commonwealth Lawn Bowling Club, Edmonton, AB |
| Indoor Singles Championships
September 8-10, 2023 Calgary LBC Calgary, AB |
Men and women who win first, second or third place at the provincial Indoor Singles qualify to represent Alberta. | 2023 Canadian Indoor Singles Championships
October 24-28, 2023. Pacific Indoor Bowls Club, Vancouver, BC |
Q: Can additional youth members attend the Canadian Youth Championships?
A: Yes, the Canadian Youth Championships are open events. However, additional youth members who choose to attend are not eligible to receive funding from Bowls Alberta and are encouraged to request support from their home clubs.
Q: Can ‘B’ Teams receive funding from Bowls Alberta for the 2023 Canadian Championships?
A: Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, Bowls Alberta is unable to provide funding for ‘B’ Teams this year.
Q: Can additional para athletes attend the Canadian Para Bowls Championships?
A: Yes, the Canadian Para Bowls Championships are open events. However, additional para athletes who choose to attend are not eligible to receive funding from Bowls Alberta and are encouraged to request support from their home clubs.
Q: Are travel expenses available for athletes who live in the same city where the Canadian Championship is being held?
A: Yes. All qualifying players are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses up to the specified limits. It is anticipated that players who reside in the location where a championship is being held will normally have expenses less than the specified limit. They should also work with the BA office to ensure that their expenses are reasonable, as any excessive expenses will be denied.
If a meal plan is being offered, qualifying athletes may submit their meal plan receipt for reimbursement.
Q: Are assistants eligible for financial support?
A: Yes, assistants who are approved by Bowls Alberta to support a Para player at the Canadian Para Championships will receive financial support to attend the championships. They should work with the BA office to ensure that their expenses are reasonable, as any excessive expenses will be denied.
Q: Do coaches receive financial support?
A: Yes, coaches who are approved to attend the championships to support Alberta athletes will receive financial support. They should also work with the BA office to ensure that their expenses are reasonable, as any excessive expenses will be denied.