It is with extreme sadness that we hear of the sudden death of Jim (James) Street in Devon
Jim was the current County Coach and Chairman of the Devon Association as well as leading the team of coaches at the Plymouth Life Centre.
He died early morning on 23 October at Derriford Hospital, having only recently been diagnosed with advanced stage Cancer. He qualified as an Instructor of beginners in December 2003, and gained his Green Certificate in March 2005, before upgrading to a Level 3 senior Coach.
All our thoughts are with his family at this sad time, as well as his coaching colleagues at Plymouth Life Centre, Plymouth Area and also throughout Devon with his sudden demise.
EBCS Board
Below is a short resume done by Devon
JAMES F STREET 16/04/1940 - 23/10/2021 DEVON COUNTY BOWLS COACHING ASSN. (DCBCA)
Jim was one of the ‘originals’ having been among the first to qualify at the turn of the century, under the pioneering creation of a training and qualification scheme for flat green bowls started by the late Gwyn John, a founder members of our association, who started the ‘green card’ coaching awards. The scheme developed nationally and became the English Bowls Coaching Scheme (EBCS) at the turn of the century. EBCS is now known as The English Bowls Coaches Society.
The earliest surviving record is 21/12/2003 with recognition of conversion from the Green Card to the new EBCS certification, gaining Level 2 (full club coach) on 07/03/2005 and qualified as a Senior Coach level 3 on 09/12/2006.
For many years, Jim was a bowler and a coach with his local bowls club - Plymstock Bowls Club (Outdoors) and Mayflower Indoors Bowling Club (Indoors) now being the Plymouth Life Centre.
Jim was the head coach at the Plymouth Life Centre with a team of up to 15 coaches, many of whom he had trained. The number of players he has assisted into our game of bowls over the years is incalculable but must be very substantial.
Latterly Jim has served as DCBCA Chairman since 2013 taking over from Wally Gray and appointed our County Coach at the 2014 AGM which he has served with leadership and distinction.
Jim received his long overdue EBCS Long Service Award in 2005 for 10 or more years continuous service and his EBCS Certificate of Commendation in 2018 in recognition of his distinguished service to our wonderful game of bowls and will now be enrolled to The EBCS on Line Book of Remembrance.
Jim has touched so many lives here in Devon, he will be remembered and sorely missed.
To me, he was generous of spirit, supportive by nature and always encouraging in kind with his gentle soft west country accent – one of a kind, they don’t make them like that anymore!
Rick Purnell Secretary Devon County Bowls Coaching Association. 1st November 2021
Jim's funeral will be at St Andrews Church. Royal Parade, Plymouth on Friday 12th November at noon. There is likely to be a guard of honour of representative of local bowlers and scouters.