It has been about nine months since Goulburn Railway Men’s Bowling Club executive decided that it was in the members best interests to step away from competing in the NSW Zone 5 competition and apply to compete in the ACT. Late last week they received the good news that their application had finally been approved. It has been a long hard road according to men’s president, Reg Thoms. One where Bowls NSW could not see the problem with the long travelling distances Goulburn bowlers were being required to travel to play intense competitive bowls. “The release from our commitment to New South Wales Zone 5 becomes effective, on June 30, (today),” Reg Thoms said.  “When Bowls NSW decided to rearrange how pennants competitions were structured Goulburn teams were required to travel to Greater Western Sydney.   “This area was bounded by Lawson in the Blue Mountains, Wisemans Ferry to the North and all of Greater Western Sydney. “As a result the zone was centred in the area bounded by Penrith and Picton and it was expected that we would travel to these areas to compete in most zone championships and pennants. “Some of those round trips were in excess of 450 kilometres. We were unable to compete in Pennants this year owing to our geographical situation. It would have been simply too tiring and dangerous to drive the distance  play a couple of very intense games and drive home.  “We have now been cleared to proceed with our affiliation with Bowls ACT. This is now being completed and travel will be far more reasonable and we envisage gaining some of the area championships and pennant matches to be played at Goulburn.  “Included in Bowls ACT District are Yass, two Queanbeyan clubs, Bungendore, Belconnen, Canberra, Canberra North, Tuggeranong Vikings, Weston Creek Bowling Clubs and Yowani Country Club. “This move can be nothing but beneficial to our Club and provide enhanced opportunities for junior bowlers who we aim to encourage.   “We thank all who have supported the Men’s Club with this change, the Goulburn Railway Bowling Club attempted to do this 15 years ago but were unsuccessful.” The Men’s Bowling Club annual meeting will be held on Sunday, August 27, at 10am. Nominations for all positions are being called for. They close on Friday, August 11, at 5pm. Details and nomination forms are on the noticeboard.