BTS Uniform Policy
Printable version: BTS Uniform Policy – December 2021 (PDF)
RELATED POLICES:
RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS: BTS Match Committee AUTHORITY: BTS Board APPLICABLE FORMS:
APPROVED: December 2021 REVIEW DATE: August 2023 |
1. Preamble
All persons playing in Pennant, Championship Events and Other Tournaments controlled by Bowls Tasmania South (BTS) must comply with this policy.
The Bowls Australia National Merchandise Program Logo Policy (referred to as “The Logo Policy”), as amended from time to time, describes the BA Logo and its placement on uniform worn in the sport of lawn bowls.
The Bowls Australia Sun Safe Policy, as amended from time to time, also applies to uniforms and can impact on club decisions regarding the design and materials used.
2. Definitions
The Logo Policy defines the following aspects of “uniform”. Team wear (as defined below) must be approved by BTS before that uniform can be worn in BTS Pennant. Other attire (as described below) does not need BTS approval.
2.1 TEAM WEAR
The Logo Policy divides uniforms into two categories – upper body attire and lower body attire. These garments together are referred to as “team wear”. The BA Logo is mandatory on team wear.
- Upper Body Attire includes shirts, tops, blouses, t-shirts, jackets and vests. Upper Body Attire does not include hats.
- Lower Body Attire includes pants, trousers, pedal pushers, culottes, shorts, skirts, skorts, slacks, and dresses. Lower Body Attire does not include stockings, leggings, socks or shoes.
2.2 OUTER WEAR
Outerwear Attire includes knitwear (for example, jumpers and vests) and rainwear. The BA Logo is mandatory on outerwear. When used in BTS Pennant, the outerwear should be, where possible, in keeping with club colours.
2.3 HEADWEAR
Headwear includes brimmed hats (without hatbands), caps, bucket hats and visors. The BA Logo is mandatory on all headwear with the exception of brimmed hats with hatbands.
2.4 UNDERGARMENTS
Items such as UV protective undershirts, stockings and leggings should be, where possible, sympathetic to club colours or flesh tones. The BA Logo is optional.
2.5 SOCKS
When the lower body attire leaves the socks visible, socks should be white or sympathetic to club colours. The BA Logo must appear on the visible portion of the sock.
If socks do not extend above the shoe line (that is, anklet socks), the colour of the socks is immaterial and the BA Logo is optional.
If the lower body attire (for example, pants or slacks) hides the socks, the colour of the socks is immaterial, and the BA Logo is optional.
2.6 SHOES
The Bowls Australia website provides a definitive list of the shoes currently approved for use in Australia for the sport of lawn bowls. The BA Logo is not required on shoes. It is the responsibility of the player to purchase suitable shoes.
2.7 BOWLERS ARMS
The Bowlers Arm also forms part of the Logo Policy and only approved BA-Licensed manufacturers are able to produce Bowlers Arms for use in BTS Pennant, Championship Events and Other Tournaments.
2.8 SUN SAFETY
A player cannot be asked to remove a non-approved hat during play if they do not have a BA logo hat available as a replacement. However, an infringement notice may be lodged with BTS that describes the circumstances of non-conformity.
3. Club Uniform
It is up to individual clubs to determine the design of their club uniform. Due regard should be given to the Bowls Australia Sun Safe Policy when ordering/designing a club uniform.
When a club changes or updates their uniform, BTS may grant the club a transitional period in which both old and new uniforms can be worn. The extent of this approval will be at the discretion of the BTS Match Committee.
4. BTS Pennant
All persons playing in BTS Pennant must wear the approved uniform of the club they belong to, and must not wear unapproved items of clothing. Clubs have an obligation to ensure their players meet the uniform standards when playing in BTS Pennant competition.
With regard to breaches for wearing non-conforming items of clothing:
- Two breaches in a pennant playing season by the same player will result in loss of pennant points for the player’s rink.
- Three breaches in a pennant playing season by the same player will result in that player being banned from pennant games for between 3 and 6 weeks (as determined by the BTS Match Committee).
5. BTS Championships and other Tournaments
The following applies to BTS Championship matches and Other Tournaments where BTS is the controlling body.
It is preferable for members playing in a team events (that is, other than singles) who all belong to the same club to wear the club uniform. This is not mandatory. In all matches, any BA Logo items of clothing are permitted.
A player cannot wear non-conforming items of clothing, and will be deemed to forfeit their match if found to be in breach of this policy.
6. Exceptional circumstances
There may be exceptional circumstances where bowlers are unable to comply with the Logo Policy for medical or religious reasons. Requests for special consideration must be submitted in writing to BTS and must include supporting documents.
If approved, BTS will provide the player with a written approval for any exemption, and this letter must be carried by the player and presented on request.
7. Uniform infringement notices
A uniform infringement notice may be issued to a player who does not comply with any aspect of this policy. The notice may only be issued by a Side Captain or Umpire. Before initiating a report, the involved players should meet and discuss the non-compliance issue and determine the reasons that led to the infringement of this policy.
If a Side Captain or Umpire decides to proceed with an infringement report, the player must be allowed to add their statement to the report before it is submitted to BTS for investigation. A copy of the notice must be given to the player.
The BTS Match Committee will investigate reports of uniform infringement. If found to be warranted, the BTS Match Committee may decide to:
- Ask the club to help the player meet minimum uniform requirements.
- Impose a loss of pennant points on the club for continued breaches of this policy.
- Ban the player from BTS Pennant until they meet minimum uniform requirements.
- Ban the player from Championship Events and Other Tournaments for a period of time or until the end of the current season.
The club or player may appeal the BTS Match Committee decision. The appeal will be heard by the full BTS Board in accordance with Condition of Play 1.12.1(d).
BTS Board
August 2023