NEWLY-elected Rosewood Bowls Club president Kevin Hayden knows one of the biggest issues for his sport is attracting new members.

However, with 26 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and being a bowler for a decade, Kevin is ready for the challenge.

When invited to step up into a new role, Kevin answered: “yeah, why not?”

He had previously been involved with the Swifts and United Services bowls clubs in Ipswich and played in Dalby for three years before moving to Rosewood.

Kevin, 69, has been manager of the Royal George Hotel in Rosewood since October last year.

That followed hotel stints working in Kempsey, Rocklea, Aspley, Kippa-Ring and Dalby.

With a strong social presence and extensive business knowledge, he hopes to make a valuable contribution to the Mill Street bowls club.

“It’s a nice town, nice people, great customers, friendly,” he said, dealing regularly with local people at the Royal George Hotel.

“I like the country pubs better than the city pubs.

“Wherever you go, you meet different people, different characters.”

Kevin moved to Australia in 1970 with his parents, having been born and growing up in York, England.

He lived at Oxley before a family move to Dinmore in 1972.

He took on a number of apprenticeships and various jobs, including 22 years working in the Boggo Road Gaol (jail), before discovering the benefits of the hotel industry.

After moving to Queensland, the Leeds United fan played soccer for Brisbane Lions in the 1970s after coaching a team in Kempsey.

He is also a keen Brisbane Broncos rugby league supporter.

Kevin takes over from former president Terry Hobden, who has served the club in multiple roles for more than 40 years.

Terry will continue as club patron and outside chairperson.

“Terry has done a great job under the circumstances,” Kevin said.

“We’re just looking at moving on and making it better . . . just getting the club running full steam ahead.”

Joining Kevin and Terry in key positions are vice-president Karen Kington, treasurer David Aspden and secretary Joanne Marshall.

Joanne is also games director.

Greg James was appointed inside chairperson (providor), assisted by inside (kitchen) committee members Karen, David’s wife Elaine and Elaine Thomas.

Sean Keidge will join Joanne and Karen as selectors.

As a relative newcomer, Kevin is keen to work with the club’s longer serving officials.

However, he is already looking at how to attract new members and sponsors.

He has juniors as a prime focus, having seen how teenagers were successfully encouraged to play at Dalby, where he worked for two and a half years.

“We need to attract youngsters,” Kevin said.

“Schools, high schools.

“I know when I was up at Dalby, we had a lot of kids playing bowls – 15, 16, 17 year-olds and some of them were really good.”

Kevin also wants to explore the potential of older players living in the Rosewood and surrounding rural catchment of 16,000 people.

“We want to get the town more involved,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people in this town I’m sure would like to play bowls and they’ve never been approached . . . not in the way I want to do it.”

Another goal is expanding existing tournaments to attract more players back.

Kevin also wants to cater for families and bolster the use of the kitchen in regular events like the current Sunday morning brekkie bowls.

“The social aspect of it is important,” he said.

“Even people who don’t play bowls, you can still have good family days, and that’s what we’ve got to aim for.”

Outgoing president Terry was delighted to see Kevin’s enthusiasm to help the important country club grow.

“I think he will be a great asset for the club with the way he carries on his business up the road,” Terry said.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in what Kevin is doing and how he’s going about things.”

Kevin appreciated Terry’s support as he transitions into his new role.

“It’s good that Terry is still around . . . to use his experience and what he knows about the club,” Kevin said.

As for why he enjoys bowls, Kevin said: “It’s just a great game, it’s a challenging game, and the good thing is you have a beer at every end.”