Please click here to view the Return To Play Summary

Please click here to view the bowler guidelines for return to play

Click here for more information on when you can bowl according to your state and territory law

Please click here to view essential hygiene protocols that are expected to be followed when at a bowling centre

How will league commence?

Public health directives over coronavirus (COVID-19) are evolving rapidly.  Bowling centres have begun to re-open, however the timing, restrictions and requirements for centres to re-open differ amongst the respective States and Territories.   

TBA has prepared this information to assist centres, members, leagues and tournament promoters with various options to assist with the return of our sport.

Leagues

Limitations on the number of people inside a Centre at any one time have been imposed by most Governments and vary in each State and Territory. This will result in many issues facing bowling centres and will require flexibility to allow leagues to return to continue their involvement with the sport.

Leagues, together with centre management must determine the future of all leagues in a centre, including the number of bowlers wishing to return, revisions to previous schedules, creation of new schedules, payment of prize funds and how the league will reform based on the numbers of people permitted in a centre at any one time.

Best Practices

Below is a series of proposed “Best Practices” from fellow operators around the country as it relates to the bowling area.  Our goal is to share with you what others are doing or attempting to do during this temporary normal.  These have been shared with our registered centres also. It is up to each given centre to adopt certain practices based on these recommendations provided to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for bowlers.

• Maintaining Social Distancing by leaving a “dark” pair of lanes between groups.
• Maintaining Social Distancing by leaving 1 “dark” lane between groups.
• Limit overall operating hours to allow time for cleaning and sanitation.
• Only book lanes on reservation basis only to avoid waiting list and crowds.
• Remove ALL house balls from current racks out of customer contact.
• Store house balls out of guest access and hand out at counter after sanitized.
• Place a limited selection of each weight house balls on each pair being used.  Sanitize those BEFORE each use after group is assigned lane so they see the sanitation process.
• Provide visible hand sanitation stations throughout bowler’s area.
• Provide lane side service for F&B so guests do not leave bowlers area.
• Provide sanitation wipe to each guest when being assigned a lane.
• Re-sanitize rental shoes in front of guests before delivering.
• Display Social Distancing “Signage” throughout bowling concourse.
• Provide cashless payment options where possible.
• Allow restricted entry and exit into facility to maintain crowd control.
• Placing plexiglass screen at bowling control counter to separate guests from team members.
• Having all team members in guest contact areas wear gloves for the safety of guests.

• Hosting leagues at staggered times with 1 team per pair of lanes – see FAQ League and Tournament Rules for Return to Play Covid19 document.

• Hosting leagues with reduced number of games, going to 2 games rather than 3 with 1 team per pair to allow double shift with 30-minute break for cleaning.
• Provide LOTS of signage throughout facility to educate guests and make them feels safe.
• Educate guests via social media channels that bowling IS safe and connecting with family and friends at our facility is a great choice using digital and video assets. 
• Utilize a texting waitlist to avoid crowding, having guests wait out of the building while on the text list.
• Temporarily removing some tables from concourse area.
• Provide entry level plastic balls for sale to guests to put their own ball in their hand for future use.
• Secure online reservation system for bowling.
• When using online reservations ask for shoe size and bowling ball weight in advance.
• Guests will be instructed to leave all equipment and any items used on their lane(s) after use as staff will be cleaning and sanitizing. 
• Provide VIP full service experience to all open bowlers.

Public health directives over coronavirus (COVID-19) are evolving rapidly.  Bowling centres have begun to re-open, however the timing, restrictions and requirements for centres to re-open differ amongst the respective States and Territories.   

TBA has prepared the following information to assist centres and members with questions they have on the return of our sport.

BOWLER FAQs

Why have other team sports gone back, but we aren’t playing league yet?

Each State or Territory government is responsible for determining when each sport can return.  Indoor sports are considered a higher risk for COVID-19 transmissions than outdoor sports and this is impacting our ability to return to play.  TBA and its respective State Associations are working closely with government and the bowling industry to prepare for a safe return as quickly as possible. 

Bowling is now allowed in my State/Territory but my centre is closed.  Why?

The decision to re-open is the sole discretion of the bowling centre proprietor.  There are many reasons why bowling centres may not choose to re-open immediately.  Stay in touch with your bowling centre and contact TBA if you have any questions.    

What can I do to make sure I play safely?

We all have a responsibility to make sure our return to play is safe and successful. That means we all need to practice some basic health and hygiene measures to protect ourselves, and our friends.

League participants must only use their own equipment and avoid touching the equipment of others.

Participants should wash hands before and after bowling or use approved hand sanitiser, and bowling balls must be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) before and after each session of play.

High fives, handshakes and team huddles are strictly prohibited during these restrictions.

Importantly, if you are unwell stay home!

Since COVID-19 remains on hard surfaces, can bowling balls be cleaned during play?

TBA has made an exception to the rule that restricts the use of liquid cleaners to clean the outer surface of the bowling ball during a session of play. During the waiver period, (until March 31, 2021) bowlers will be allowed to use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to clean their bowling balls during competition. The exception applies only to isopropyl alcohol – no other approved cleaners will be allowed during competition.

Will we all have to be temperature checked before returning to play?

Whilst temperature checking participants on entry is not a legislative requirement, bowling centres may elect to do so. If you are unwell, have a fever or any respiratory symptoms please stay home.

Will we have to wear facemasks?

This is determined by State Government guidelines and please adhere to centre directives

What happens if cases of COVID-19 begin to increase in the community?

With the loosening of restrictions there is a risk that COVID-19 cases may increase.  TBA will continue to monitor the situation, take advice and follow directions from the State and Territory Governments and continue to communicate relevant information to our centres and members.

Should we download the COVIDSafe App?

It is strongly recommended that all participants install the COVIDSAFE App to ensure that any active cases can be tracked and traced.

What if we discover that a bowler suspects they may have Coronavirus?

It’s important to inform the Centre Manager and advise the participant to seek medical attention and follow government protocols. Do not attend the centre and contact your local doctor (GP) or ring the COVID hotline for advice and next steps.

Anyone who has a fever or respiratory symptoms consistent with Coronavirus, no matter how mild, is strongly recommended to attend a COVID-19 clinic, or their GP, for assessment and testing.

I don’t feel comfortable yet to return with my league. Can I pre-bowl?

Yes, during this time a pre-bowl is valid for all leagues until March 31, 2021 and further consideration will be given after that date.

Any games completed as a dated pre-bowl before the shutdown can be re-dated to any future date decided by the bowler once the league resumes competition. If a centre decides to allow and control it, post bowling by individuals or groups will be permitted.

My league has more players than the maximum limit of people allowed in the centre.  What can we do? 

Strict compliance with the maximum number of patrons is the responsibility of the bowling centre.  Failure to comply may result in substantial penalties for the bowling centre and put the community at risk.  TBA strongly encourages all leagues to meet to discuss their Return to Play plan whereby the number of returning bowlers should be established.  There are many options available for larger leagues including delaying the return of the league until restrictions are lifted, splitting league sessions, pre and post bowling options to reduce the number of bowlers in the centre at the same time. 

Can a league compete at different times or days to accommodate the schedule changes?

Yes. To assist in the reformation of leagues, TBA is permitting bowling at different times or days and will be considered one scheduled league session. 

Leagues, together with centre management must determine the future of all leagues in a centre, including the number of bowlers wishing to return, revisions to previous schedules, creation of new schedules, payment of prize funds and how the league will reform based on the numbers of people permitted in a centre at any one time.

My teammate/s are not returning just yet.  What can I do?

TBA Rule 316 states that a bowlers’ blind score is to be used when a member is absent and a substitute is not obtained.  There shall be no limits on the number of times a Blind Score can be used. A Blind Score can win no individual points and is only used to achieve a total game and/or total series score. 

My child is bowling league, can the whole family come along to watch?

It is recommended in the AIS Framework that juniors are only accompanied by one parent/carer to minimise the risk of crowds and transmission spread.  It is also recommended that you consider vulnerable members of your family (e.g. people over 70 years of age) and recommend they do not attend to minimise their risk of infection.

Given our league has been delayed are we going to extend our schedule?

Leagues, together with centre management must determine the future of all leagues, including the number of bowlers wishing to return, revisions to previous schedules, creation of new schedules, payment of prize funds and how the league will reform based on the numbers of people permitted in a centre at any one time.

TBA has modified some rules to assist in the reformation of leagues.  Please refer to https://www.tenpin.org.au/covid-19-modified-rules/ for the full list of options available to you.

When will we be able to bowl league and compete with all players and staff in attendance?

Tenpin Bowling Australia is required to follow all Public Health Orders with regards to the full resumption of the sport.  All decisions concerning the further relaxation of rules and what is allowable is determined by each State and Territory Government. 

Further detail around the status and timing of a return to training and playing is outlined on our website ‘When Can I Bowl’.

I bowl in a league for people with a disability and we have carers that attend with some of our bowlers.  What can we do to return to play?

Strict compliance with the maximum number of patrons allowed in the centres is the responsibility of the bowling centre, so the first step is to talk with your bowling centre. Groups that come in together can bowl on the same lanes, but there should be no more than 3 people on a lane. 

So, if there was 15 in the league, you’d use lanes 1-5 with 3 people on each lane.  Then if possible, the centre would leave a one lane gap to the next group.  Using this example, the other group would bowl on Lane 7.  If the centre is full people all lanes can be used however there must be strictly no more than 3 bowlers per lane who must social distance and stay at least 1.5m apart from one another.

The safety of participants must come first.  If a carer or parent normally accompanies a participant, they must continue to attend.  If the attendance of parents and carers together with those bowling exceeds the maximum number of participants permitted by government restrictions alternative arrangements for the league or group must be made.   Importantly, you will need to liaise with your local centre to determine if a parent or carer’s attendance will be included in the number of participants allowed in accordance with State/Territory and Federal guidelines.

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Tenpin Bowling Australia Participation Programs

Bowl Patrol, Sporting Schools & Bowl Abilities

Bowl Patrol and Bowl Abilities will be back in 2021!

If you have any questions related to these programs, please contact Emily Rennes (Bowl Patrol) at [email protected] 

My Junior football club has started training. Why isn’t Bowl Patrol back?

Bowl Patrol and BowlAbilities are national programs that have different safety implications that must be considered and approved before they can return. We will provide regular updates to all centres and participants regarding this in due course.

How can I keep my child engaged in tenpin bowling while Bowl Patrol isn’t running?

Please make sure you check out Tenpin Bowling Australia’s social pages here and stay tuned for more of our ‘Bowl at Home’ videos and bowling drills. Facebook and Instagram

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Ranked Events & Tournament Play

TBA will continue to monitor restrictions and keep you informed of any further changes. If you have any questions regarding tournament accreditation, please contact [email protected]

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Coaching & Volunteering

I’m a Coach – when can I start coaching in centre again?

Coaching can commence if the activity and number of participants is permitted within the stated restrictions i.e. in line with centre capacity limits, social distancing guidelines and safe hygiene requirements of your State or Territory.

Participants should wash hands before and after bowling or use approved hand sanitiser. Bowling balls must be cleaned with before and after each session of coaching.

Importantly, you will need to liaise with your local centre to determine suitable times to commence coaching sessions.

A log, or register, using the approved template, of all participants in attendance at each session MUST be maintained and available upon request by either TBA or health authorities.

The Australian Coaching Council is offering a free course (online through Open Learning) to all coaches. It takes about 30 minutes to complete, and provides a printable certificate of completion.

TBA would like all our registered coaches to take this course prior to commencing your coaching duties, ensuring everyone is familiar with safe coaching practices in this new environment.

Log Book Value: 1 Hour of Professional Development towards reaccreditation.

To become a COVID Safe Sports Coach, click here

I’m a Coach – do we need to wear gloves or PPE Equipment?

It is not a mandatory requirement that team coaches or staff wear protective equipment. If you have a personal preference to do so, you are welcome to.

How do I keep the participants in my coaching session safe?

Alcohol based hand sanitisers must be available for all coaching sessions, with participants encouraged to use prior, during and following each session of play.  Participants must only use their own equipment and avoid touching the equipment of others.

I plan on coaching a group of junior bowlers, can the whole family come along to watch?

It is recommended in the AIS Framework that juniors are only accompanied by one parent/carer to minimise the risk of crowds and transmission spread.  It is also recommended that you consider vulnerable members of your family (e.g. people over 70 years of age) and recommend they do not attend to minimise their risk of infection.

I’m a junior guardian (volunteer) at my local centre. When can I return to help out with junior league coordination?

You can re-commence provided the activity and number of participants is permitted within the stated restrictions i.e. in line with centre capacity limits, social distancing guidelines and safe hygiene requirements of your State or Territory

Importantly, you will need to liaise with your local centre to work out if your attendance will be included with the number of participants allowed in centre capacity and in accordance with State/Territory and Federal guidelines.

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CENTRES FAQ’S

What are the requirements centres have to meet before they can re-open?

Centres must conduct a thorough risk assessment to determine if they can meet the ‘Return to Sport’ requirements provided by their respective State or Territory government.  In particular, meeting physical distancing and hygiene obligations as well as ensuring strict adherence to the maximum number of patrons within the centre at each stage of restrictions is critical. 

States and Territories are at different stages in their response to COVID-19 and all have different restrictions which can change rapidly.  Please ensure that you keep up to date with the restrictions and guidelines provided by your State or Territory.

TBA has developed a series of Return to Sport guidelines to assist centres to prepare to re-open.  This information can be found on our website under our COVID Hub

What do Centres need to include in the Return to Play Guidelines and risk assessment?

Please review the Return to Play Centre Guidelines for more information and conduct a thorough risk assessment for your centre. Your State or Territory may require you to lodge a Return to Play plan.  Information can be found on our website or contact your State/Territory governments or State Association for further information and support.

What do we do if a customer or staff member tests positive to COVID-19

You must follow the advice of your State and Territory public health unit and WHS regulator. As a general guide:

1. Seek government health advice and assess the risks. Ensure you have the current contact details for the person and note the areas they have been in the workplace, who they have been in close contact with and for how long.
2. Clean and disinfect the affected areas.  Close off the affected areas and do not let others use or enter until they have been cleaned and disinfected.
3. Identify who the person may have had recent close contact with. If instructed by health officials, inform close contacts that they may have been exposed and outline the quarantine requirements.
4. Review risk management controls and assess whether any changes or additional control measures are required.

Do we have to temperature check people as they come into the centre?

No, however information must be provided to customers at the entry point to advise that they should not enter the premises if they are unwell, have a fever or any respiratory symptoms.

Do we have to record who attends our centre?

Yes.  It is a requirement to keep records of all patrons who attend your centre.  TBA has created an attendance Record template. This template can be found on the TBA website, Covid-19 Hub then click on Useful Centre Documents and Links

Do we have to clean bowling balls and other equipment after every customer?

It is essential that bowling centres implement the highest hygiene standards at all times for the safety and comfort of our participants and their families.

Bowling balls, shoes, players’ area console, ball return area and seating must be sanitised and cleaned after each group and/or session.

Isn’t it against the rules for league bowlers to clean or alter the surface of their bowling ball?

TBA has made an exception to the rule that restricts the use of liquid cleaners to clean the outer surface of the bowling ball during a session of play. During the waiver period, (until March 31, 2021) bowlers will be allowed to use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to clean their bowling balls during competition. The exception applies only to isopropyl alcohol – no other approved cleaners will be allowed during competition.

How can we protect and keep our elderly and at-risk customers safe?

Any person/s over the age of 70 or those with underlying medical conditions are strongly encouraged to discuss their individual situation with their local doctor.  It is the individual’s responsibility and choice to determine if and when it’s appropriate to return to the sport.

Bowlers who are in a particularly high risk category who wish to return to league should consider pre or post bowing during quieter times to minimise their risk of exposure.

Before leagues recommence, TBA highly recommends centres communicate their ‘Return to Play’ restrictions, guidelines, new rules and new league schedules to all league players. 

Leagues, together with centre management must discuss the continuation plans for all leagues, including confirming the number of bowlers wishing to return, revisions to previous schedules, creation of new schedules, payment of prize funds and how the league will reform based on the maximum number of people permitted in a centre at any one time.

Where can we access posters or signs for our centre to make sure people know the rules?

Posters are available from the ‘Education and Resources’ page under ‘Marketing Resources’ on the TBA website to display in your Centre.

I have leagues for people with a disability and we have carers that attend with some of our bowlers.  What can we do to help them return to play?

Strict compliance with the maximum number of patrons allowed in your centre is the responsibility of the bowling centre. Groups that come in together can bowl on the same lanes, but there should be no more than 3 people on a lane. “Spectators, Coaches, Carers and parents are all included in the head count for each group.  1 parent for each child will be counted as required as will be 1 carer for each person with a disability.  

So if there was 15 in the league, you’d use lanes 1-5 with 3 people on each lane.  Then if possible, the centre would leave a one lane gap to the next group.  Using this example, the other group would bowl on Lane 7.  If the centre is full people all lanes can be used however there must be strictly no more than 3 bowlers per lane who must  social distance and stay at least 1.5m apart from one another.

The safety of participants must come first.  If a carer or parent normally accompanies a participant they must continue to attend.  If the attendance of parents and carers together with those bowling exceeds the maximum number of participants permitted by government restrictions alternative arrangements for the league or group must be made.   Importantly, you will need to liaise with your local centre to determine if a parent or carer’s attendance will be included in the number of participants allowed in accordance with State/Territory and Federal guidelines.

During these challenge times we understand the need to be flexible. This includes our rulebook. A number of rules have been modified allowing greater flexibility in options to return to play. Download here

Download full pdf herehttps://www.tenpin.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVIDSAFE_A4-Poster_General_3.pdf

Click here for more links to help regarding COVID-19

What you need to know about coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing, a sore throat and shortness of breath. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene can prevent infection. Find out who is at risk and what you should do if you think you have COVID-19.

What is COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new form of coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China.

How it spreads

The virus can spread from person to person through:

• close contact with an infectious person (including in the 48 hours before they had symptoms)
• contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
• touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face

COVID-19 is a new disease, so there is no existing immunity in our community. This means that COVID-19 could spread widely and quickly.

Who is most at risk

In Australia, the people most at risk of getting the virus are:

• travellers who have recently been overseas
• those who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
• people in correctional and detention facilities
• people in group residential settings

People who are, or are more likely to be, at higher risk of serious illness if they get the virus are:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions
• People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions
• People 70 years and older
• People with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems
• People in aged care facilities
• People with a disability

At this stage the risk to children and babies, and the role children play in the transmission of COVID-19, is not clear. However, there has so far been a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases among children, relative to the broader population.

There is limited evidence at this time regarding the risk in pregnant women.

See our advice for people at risk.

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly. People with coronavirus may experience symptoms such as:

• fever
• respiratory symptoms
  1. coughing
  2. sore throat
  3. shortness of breath

Other symptoms can include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue.

To stop the spread of COVID-19 people with even mild symptoms of respiratory infection are encouraged to get tested.

If you are concerned you may have COVID-19:

• use the symptom checker
• see how to seek medical attention
• see more about testing

The Australian Coaching Council is offering a free course (online through Open Learning) to all coaches. It takes about 30 minutes to complete, and provides a printable certificate of completion.

TBA would like all our registered coaches to take this course prior to commencing your coaching duties, ensuring everyone is familiar with safe coaching practices in this new environment.

Log Book Value: 1 Hour of Professional Development towards reaccreditation.

To become a COVID Safe Sports Coach, click here

Please forward a copy of your Covid Safe Sport Coach Certification when completed to [email protected] for our records.