BACKGROUND
The BIAS fund (an abbreviation for Bowling Initiatives Accenting Success) was started around 2011, and its primary objective was to establish a fund to support the sport of bowls and the players from the Bowls North Harbour region. Initially funding was established by running a number of major bowls tournaments.
The funds are held separately from Bowls North Harbour accounts and not included in any consolidation of those accounts. A report is made to the annual meeting of Bowls North Harbour and included as a note in the annual report for record purposes.
The purpose of setting up the fund in the first place was to assist players and teams from Bowls North Harbour with the costs associated with player expenses, principally in participating in national events where they have earned their placing through open competition in the Bowls North Harbour area.
Other areas of support have been provided for the importing of specialist knowledge and leadership to give bowlers in Bowls North Harbour access to such aspects and advancement of the sport to the clubs and players in the area.
FUND’S PURPOSE
The fund may primarily provide financial assistance to the active bowlers who are playing in Bowls North Harbour events during the season but may also support any other activity to promote excellence, development, participation and improvement in the game of bowls for the benefit of the members from the Bowls North Harbour Centre. This may include – Individual bowlers and teams, umpires, administrators, coaches, selectors, clubs or greenkeepers.
MANAGEMENT
The funds and decisions on applications are under the control of the independent BIAS Fund committee which is made up of two bowls North Harbour Board members, two other North Harbour bowlers and one other independent member, who would normally be the appointed chairperson of the committee. All decisions are made by this committee and are not subject to Bowls North Harbour approval.
FUNDS
The distribution of funds from the BIAS Fund are the sole rights of the BIAS Fund Committee. The funds are accumulated in the name of the BIAS Fund and held in separate bank accounts at Heartland Bank. Signatories to these accounts are appointed by the Bowls North Harbour executive board and are not necessarily restricted to Bowls North Harbour board members. The majority of the funds are on rollover bank term deposits with the bank, with the interest generated being used to make the grants which are applied for. Since the initial injection of funds to set up this fund originally, there has been spasmodic addition to the residual capital amount. Consequently, the regular drawing of funds by the grants applied for has seen the initial capital funding reducing year by year.
In 2026 the board of Bowls North Harbour agreed to use the net funds raised from the Bowls3five tournament in the 2026/2027 season to be added to the capital funding of this fund.
FUNDS DISTRIBUTION
The funds are used for assisting players and teams from Bowls North Harbour clubs, who are playing in Bowls North Harbour events during the season, to offset some of the expense to compete in national or international competitions and primarily those who have won the right to take up the Centre allocation in such tournaments. The scale of distribution has historically been based on the following criteria:
Champ of Champ winners of Bowls North Harbour competitions –
Contribution considered for Bowls North Harbour Champ of Champ winners taking part in the national Champ of Champ finals, when these events are held outside of the Auckland/Waikato area, on the basis of reimbursement of expense costs up to $150 per player – i.e. singles $150; pairs $300; triples $450; and fours $600.
Inter-club winners of Bowls North Harbour competition –
Contribution considered for the winners of the Bowls North Harbour inter club titles proceeding on to the national finals when this event is held outside of the Auckland/Waikato area based on reimbursement of expenses up to $2500 for a sevens team.
Bowls North Harbour Players selected for New Zealand representation –
Contribution considered for any Bowls North Harbour player, who is playing in Bowls North Harbour competitions regularly throughout the season, and representing Bowls North Harbour in representative fixtures in the current season, and then selected for New Zealand representation,
to be reimbursed for identified costs above and beyond being reimbursement from any other source. The maximum individual distribution under this category is capped at $2000 for anyone individual in any one year.
Any other distribution –
A contribution may be considered for any other bowls related exercise which would have the objective of benefiting the support and standard of bowls within the Bowls North Harbour area. A contribution under this category would normally be capped at $2000 in any one year.
APPLICATIONS
Applications are to be made on the form provided and forwarded to the Bowls North Harbour Centre Manager at [email protected]. The BIAS Fund management has full discretion over whether to approve or decline any applications, and its decisions are final.
DURATION AND WINDING UP
It is intended in establishing the BIAS Fund that it continues in the long term and that it grows to enhance its ability to meet its purpose. Nevertheless, the Bowls North Harbour Board has the power to wind up the BIAS Fund, but before doing so it shall notify and consult with its members and, consider their views, before any final decision is made.