BOWLING INDUSTRY UNITES IN A GROUNDBREAKING PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT YOUTH BOWLING

ARLINGTON, Texas – In a groundbreaking agreement, leaders of the nation’s largest bowling manufacturers will partner with the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress to create a new funding source dedicated to youth bowling development and marketing.

The new Youth Education Services Fund (YES) is a joint initiative of BPAA, USBC and The Bowling Foundation. Many of the leading brands in bowling, including Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track, have agreed to significant contributions to the YES Fund totaling more than $250,000.

"This is an unprecedented statement about the level of unity being created in the bowling industry through the International Bowling Campus," BPAA Executive Director Steve Johnson said. "This is about more than one organization or company; bowling is the brand and seeing such a strong commitment to the future of our sport from these great partners is truly exciting."

An initial focus for the YES Fund project will be development of a new mainstream sports model for bowlers 12 years old and younger. This will involve testing new team-based structures for competition along with the development of training and recruitment programs to attract volunteer coaches.

"This project demonstrates the high level of commitment proprietors and manufacturers have toward growing bowling as a sport," USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. "The goals of the YES Fund completely align with USBC’s vision and will only strengthen our organization."

Programs initiated through the YES Fund will be led by BPAA Director of Youth Chad Murphy and supported with staff from USBC and BPAA. Soon, there will be additional opportunities for more partners to join the program.

"The partnerships that have been created unite the industry in a single cause – the betterment of youth bowling. The commitment by the leaders of bowling to join together in this effort will strengthen the sport today and for generations to come," Murphy said. "We are thrilled to have many top bowling brands on board and expect more industry partners will soon follow."

The concept of the YES Fund was introduced at an inaugural youth bowling summit last month at the International Bowling Campus. During the summit, executives from some of the industry’s leading brands heard a detailed presentation about the project and all in attendance quickly agreed to contribute to the fund. Plans call for initial testing of pilot programs related to the YES Fund later this year.

What bowling brands are saying about the YES Fund

"Brunswick is proud to be a part of the YES Fund industry initiative.  It is great to see all the companies make an investment into the future of our industry as we work together to create a more positive experience for our youth bowlers." – Brian Graham, Brunswick Consumer Products

"The brands of Ebonite International are proud to be contributing participants in the new YES Fund. In our view, the YES Fund program is the best possible approach to garnering industry involvement in developing programs that can ensure the future of our sport…America’s youth." – Bob Reid, Ebonite International

"We at 900 Global are proud to be involved in a new and refreshing approach to build interest and education within youth bowling.  After hearing the presentation and plan for the YES Fund, we were very excited and felt it was vital for us to be a part of something that will build on the future of our sport." – Dave Smart, 900 Global

"QubicaAMF believes that the development of youth bowling is one of the keys to the long term health of our industry and that we are excited to be a founding partner of the YES Fund program." – John Walker, QubicaAMF

"It was a real easy decision for Storm to make to be a part of the YES Fund program. We were very impressed by the way BPAA and USBC came together with this initiative and we realize the future of bowling is with the kids." – Dave Symes, Storm Products

About International Bowling Campus

The International Bowling Campus (IBC) is the headquarters for the bowling industry and directly serves the more than 71 million bowlers in the United States. The IBC houses the resources of the United States Bowling Congress, the governing body and membership organization for the sport; the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, representing the business interests of bowling centers; Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm for the industry; the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame; The Bowling Foundation; the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association; the Bowling Writers’ Association of America; the Bowling News Network; the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America; and the International Training and Research Center.