After all its success over a quarter of a century or more the Bristol & District League is under threat. Not from outside pressure or lack of participating players, but from an absence of willing volunteers to take over the administration.

For many years the same stalwarts have shouldered the responsibility of organising this popular Thursday evening men’s league. We all knew they would retire at some stage, though their expertise and experience will be greatly missed. The time has come for them to pass on the mantle, but no prospective replacements have come forward.

We are all grateful for the tireless efforts of the outgoing administration, but in failing to find their successors we are not displaying that gratitude. We are in fact putting the very existence of the Bristol & District League in jeopardy and failing to recognise that all their hard work will have been in vain if we fail them at this critical juncture.

With the League’s Annual General Meeting fast approaching we must have volunteers to take on board the roles of Secretary, Match Secretary and Treasurer. If these crucial positions are not filled, the League will be left in limbo and without a fixture list for the 2010 season it will quite simply cease to exist.

Can we afford to let this hugely popular league fail in this way? Do we really want to snub those stalwarts who have given so much time and effort to its administration over the years?

Surely the answer to both these questions must be a resounding “NO”.

I’m fully aware that many bowlers are already fully committed to vital administrative roles within their own clubs or indeed various associations, but many more are not. Bowlers cannot continue to assume that someone else will provide them with the clubs, associations and leagues without which there would quite simply be no bowling. It’s time for some new faces to take on some responsibility.

The challenge is there. If you want to continue to enjoy this highly competitive league, you’re going to have to start giving as well as taking. The League’s Chairman is standing for office again and will be there in 2010 to offer guidance and support, so you won’t be left stranded.

With so many Bristol clubs putting so much effort into attracting new and younger bowlers it would be a tragedy to lose this avenue for offering them competitive league bowling. For the sake of our successors on the green, please give serious consideration to offering your services for 2010.