They called a meeting of Ballarat District Bowls Division clubs to talk about the increased involvement of men in the Monday league.

Started as a women’s competition, the midweek pennant has seen a hike in male participation this year.

Creswick bowls director Gerry Flapper said it has gone too far.

“It’s too strong of an involvement from the men in midweek,” he said.

“There is some clubs which reckon this is fantastic, particularly the top sides, because there is a number of ladies in Ballarat who love playing against men and reckon the competition is fantastic. They improve their bowls.

“But our feeling is what about the ladies in the lower divisions?

“They seem to be playing against men that are in much higher grades on the Saturday (weekend pennant) and they come down and play in the lower divisions on the Monday.

“They don’t have a chance and they are getting pretty upset about it.

“It was set up originally for ladies and now the men are taking over the midweek bowls. I won’t say all the ladies, but a number of ladies don’t like it.”

To ensure all women that want to play on a Monday get a game, Flapper said Creswick picked those people first and then filled any gaps with men.

The issue has been raised at BDBD board level, with the region’s peak body asking for feedback from clubs through a survey.

“In Victoria the expected format for lawn bowls is open competition with persons selected based on their ability,” the survey reads.

“However, the legislation governing equal opportunity also has provisions to allow lawful discrimination within competitions if those directly affected after survey agree in the majority for that to occur.”

Two options are offered in the survey, with members asked for feedback on whether midweek pennant should be open or restricted to a minimum of one woman per rink.

There is currently no restrictions on how many men play in a team or what positions they fill inside a rink