Perhaps the more we change, the more we stay the same?

As I browse bowls articles written years ago, I suddenly realise many comments, observations and constructive ideas offered then remain valid. Does that suggest bowls remains old men’s marbles in spite of the hype and trimmings, or is it bowlers just don’t care, or the traditional conservative approach to the sport as a whole is inexorably embedded?

Probably a combination of the lot … but yet …

The problem is, although change (that peculiar word that means so much and so little) is a good thing, how do you change an amateur sport, administered albeit by an excellent democratically elected honorary executive which sensibly expects top bowlers to submit to draconian rules, while having to run the rest of the 30 000-member shebang wearing kid gloves (the power of delegates’ votes is forever in mind) as though it was a children’s birthday party?

And what and how do you change it all and to what?

No one has that solution; not even the cloth-capped, chicken day faithful, protesting at rising costs from the bar as they order another round.

Bowls has always been multi-faceted, split between club faithful who play tabs-in a few times a week, competing for a chicken or a bottle of amber nectar, an aspirant few and the elite.

While today’s executive, run by a top class administrator with a strong sense of purpose hastens to put in place interventions designed to meet perceived needs, many changes, which are good,  through circumstance prove often palliative at best, patronising at worst and probably a combination of accommodating and patrician in-between.

Moreover, irritatingly, to an observer such as I, why is it delegates to all meetings (ostensibly the rank and file) for hours contest seemingly insignificant subjects such as times, teas, markers and mufti, yet the proposer, seconder or both, to something such as R1-million budget, are eager to acquiesce and “just another agenda item” item get an instant nod?

Ironically, it is no one’s fault. It’s been going on for more than a century everywhere in the world. It is the nature of the code and the times in which we live.

Club members are, however, the engine room, the drones of the hive, leaving competitive spirits to seek glory (now a heavy price in time and money), from which those who design those triumphs collect probably deserved kudos. But when interviewed, few from any of the groups admit to being happy with either the game, or their lot.

What is the answer? Perhaps there isn’t one?

I think because the followers of bowls are only the players themselves, it has become one big incestuous farrago.

I mean soccer has tribes of fans baying their heads off for players whose names they can’t pronounce half the time, rugby fans (so many pretty young women) scream for jocks so covered in mud and gore as to be unidentifiable, while bowls players always look as though they’ve just had tea with the vicar.

Remember “a good bank” means either a captive audience (an “away venue where there is nothing else to do, but watch or if those knocked out are “warned to attend, or else) or perhaps persuaded families … there are no bowls fans per se, only active players, who are not at that moment, who do the watching.

The levels of competition are now so polarised as to be out of sight, yet many of the best players continue to selfishly and erroneously expect a shot at their selected club and district events to which they truly give neither full interest nor time; the glory factor drawing them forever down to the flame.

Those fortunate to reach international standard – the gap from district player to  Protea greater than that between novice and club expert – should make their minds up; perhaps turn to the professional bowling scene?

Let the elite withdraw altogether from club life – many do in any case.

That would allow the umbrella body to make clear decisions for ordinary members and not have to worry about funds, calendar or “names” in day-to-day administration.

In any case, I wager 85% of club bowlers could not identify the men’s or women’s Protea sides; let alone the national executive, in a police line-up.

Bowls is a fantastic sport. It is warm, embracing, enduring and rewarding. But it has limitations, both mentally and from the point of a pecking order, still a force de rigueur in all clubs.

In today’s modern world with its severe financial implications, it is accountants who make decisions, not selectors, nor even coaches; administrators who forge system and assessment rubrics, not popular will, nor even international norms.

Bowls in South Africa is in good hands; excellent hands. It enjoys fantastic sponsors and an enthusiastic population of members, who by their very daily showing, appears to want to play forever.

So what is wrong? Perhaps nothing. Perhaps because people always seem to expect “things to go wrong” that expectation clouds judgment and relaxation?

Shrinking membership (a worldwide evil) and rising costs are any economist’s nightmare … my opinion is it is external pressure causing the malaise and it is not peculiar to South Africa.

In New Zealand big clubs have gone under; others have merged; Australia and Great Britain have problems of their own.

Maybe, just as a couple might sell their large house and live in a retirement apartment after their children have left the coop, bowls might think of downsizing?

Those who play seem to enjoy it as much as they did years ago; question is will it be circumstances that ultimately dictate destiny?

When I was a lad!

When I was a little lad during the war – 2nd WW if you don’t mind – I spent a lot of time with my Nana and Grandad. After Grandad had finished his meal, Nana would always pick up his plate and chide him with the same remark – ‘Oh Jack you always leave mustard on your plate, that’s how Coleman made his millions”

Now I was always puzzled how this man Coleman made a million cos granddad was leaving his mustard??   I finally worked it out when I was about 46.

So why am I telling you this in a bowls blog?

Well its because, 10 years ago when I started my SA bowls life – I had played Crown Green bowls in Lancs with my Dad – I was told by the elders that the Lead was the most important position on the green!! Now, unlike Coleman and his mustard which I had worked out, the Lead statement remains a mystery after a decade of playing all over SA.

I am now convinced that it is not a mystery – its darn right false.

At the best it s just a condescending catechism trotted out by SKIPS to keep us poor berated Front rankers quiet at the back.

I have harboured this notion from the very start of my SA bowls life. How can it be true after I have played 15 touchers in a 21 up game and finished on the losing side. Add to this the fact that the opposing lead and I have been involved in a R20  game between ourselves – and I have taken the money fairly easily. Also add to the equation the skip – who surely must have been Christened  Rik O shea – who has obliterated all my best work with his Joe Davis double cannon last wood. Yes I know, all you poor leads have met this man, and wept.

I was informed by the elders that I would be a lead for FIVE years – another mystery- and then a 2nd for a further 5 years ,”hells – bells” I was 63 when I started. !!!

I have kept my lips sealed because I risked excommunication had I challenged the mantra. BUT I have kept a secret file of statistics which may be revealed shortly.

My opinion of leads being the most important has to challenged, and I hope you will respond in a objective manner. BUT – I do NOT accept an opinion based on any of the following:-

You have only been playing 10 years and know nowt. – (It took me 5 yrs to qualify as a Chartered Surveyor – Doctors ,Architects , Engineers – all take 5 years.)      

You were told this by a Skip

You heard it said at the bar.

You are only a 2^nd and cannot have an opinion.

I have been bowling since Adam was a lad so, SHUT UP

So come on you front rankers, rise up and strike a blow against those bully skips, stop cowering at the back – back me up.

Finally-

At the recent Masters event at Wingate Park, I was amongst a group of the best bowlers in SA and elders, talking on the very same subject. It was revealed that 82% of high quality games are won with the LAST WOOD – wow. There is my case exactly – Your witness.

Development in bowls

In the past 25 years, more than 3 750 bowlers sought other climes – 800 to the Antipodes alone. This figure could double in the next 15 years; worrying times for Bowls South Africa.

Mainly it was youngsters seeking fame and fortune overseas; some also desperate to escape apartheid. Today many are settled with families; their parents, now retired, want to be near grandchildren.

Bowls SA has no control … it’s a social phenomenon  and the leavers – aged 55-65 – are vital since statistics puts the average age of SA’s 30 000 players at the 60+ mark. That’s why innovative president, Debra Ferguson, eyes a younger breed as the hub.

“Traditionally, bowls is associated with grey hair and tints. We must  replace the leavers; Rainbow Nation youngsters is an answer and why we have in place academies, camps, codes and zero tolerance,”  she says.

It could be working.

It is heartening to see strong WP U19 and U25 squads. Thanks to dedicated coaches and managers, local lads and lasses stand out nationally, while domestically threaten well-established players, as evidenced by SA Junior Masters champion Jacqui Janse van Rensburg, who in the WP Open Singles defeated gold medal winning interdistricts skip Cheryl Cox, before losing to eventual champion, and Cox’s fellow skip Louise Roediger (Strand) in a quarter-final.

Development is not just about youth; it is complete good housekeeping; clubs, however must take special care of their youngsters, affording support, advice and assistance … they represent the future.

Left, right … Constantia gets it right

There are always good times and  bad times … not original I know, but with power, food, transport and education costs seemingly careering out of control, there is extra need to spare a thought for the less fortunate. Thank goodness, dotted here and there, there are still those who care and, it seems, bowlers are doing their part; in the Western Province at any rate.

Constantia, one of the Western’s Cape’s proudest and most affluent clubs, has never shied from a call to assist the needy.

In 1976 the late Brigadier Robertson and businessman Solly Yach, created a fund which was to enabled the construction of the first section of Robertson House for disabled servicemen – in 1985 the first “platoon” moved in. Today the home provides full accommodation and care for physically disabled persons of all races; all are confined to wheelchairs.

This month saw the 31^st Robbie Robertson Memorial Bowls Day (previously known as Army Day) hosted by Constantia Bowling Club raise much needed funds for Robertson House, a home which provides full accommodation and care for physically disabled persons of all races, all of whom are confined to wheelchairs.

With government funds not forthcoming, from the outset it was clear Robertson House would require continuous financial support from the community.

Brigadier Robertson visualised funds might be raised from an annual bowls tournament, and the first event, with military participation, took place 31 years ago. Today the day-long tournament is regarded as one of the most popular on the Western Province bowling club calendar … and a military presence is an annual feature, providing much of the day’s “pomp and ceremony.”

This year saw 144 players from clubs around the Peninsula and from as far a field as Hermanus , Somerset West, Darling and Yzerfontein help raise in excess of R60 000 through the generosity of the competitors and numerous sponsors.

Thanks to Jan van Wyk of Constantia who took the picture and supplied history and to Constantia’s Keith Ingram, and John Stamper for excellent organisation.

What has your club done for a deserving charity this year? Tell us, send us a picture and we will be pleased to publish your story.

Who wants to be a selector?

There is nothing as controversial as selection of a national, or any other for that matter, team. Be it for Commonwealth Games, or a friendly against Poffadder, subjective criticism and wide-eyed shock, horror, outrage is the norm from those certain they know, what is what.

Of course, this emanates from armchair critics who tout favourites, but in reality have nothing substantial on which to base their choices.

Traditionally it has been the selectors only to hold sway. Obviously experienced at the level to which they were required to select, those brooding, unapproachable vulture-like collection of men and women, would conspiratorially muster in their small groups at major domestic events, clipboards in hand, their remarks expressed always in a most diplomatic and, of course, always sotto voce style.

But, it appears, not any more.

While they will always remain aloof, scribbling notes, looming at greenside, while trying to remain unobtrusive and unbiased in subject and length of observation, in South African bowls circles, at least, it seems they will, for now, no longer have the ultimate word.

Ironically, while the players in line for honours always identified their observers, , the average club bowler couldn’t pick out a national selector at a police identity parade.

While the wise men and women hold copious meetings and take momentous decision,; there is always a word of sympathy for those who didn’t make it, a word of encouragement; “it was close, we have only so many places …”

Bowls South’s Africa’s new look regime has virtually removed that power from selectors; but, they insist, not entirely.

“The selectors’ roles remain vital. Their input remains sacrosanct and invaluable,” a Bowls SA spokesperson was overheard to say.

But is it? And how will their input sway mathematical certainty?

The academy-driven assessments preferred by head coach Theuns Fraser and his mentors Dr Simon Botha and Jessica Henderson appear to have caught Bowls SA executive’s attention.

Nevertheless, at a special council meeting held during the Warwick SA Masters, delegates expressed their discomfort with the new system.

Jacques de Villiers, the outspoken Central Gauteng president, said he thought “the selectors had become redundant” and that the sole criterion for choosing a player was doubtful record in drawing to a stationary jack on a practice green.”

Is that true?

Well it would appear so, but Fraser, now suddenly holding almost extraordinary dictatorial-style power for a coach, rather than a selector, is adamant the selectors still have their role.

But, what it is, is another matter.

As for the selectors themselves, they are not sure what they have to do. Nursing clipped wings and unwanted at events hitherto attended as a given, they remain in limbo … time will tell how successful the intervention will prove.

When the sides for India (eight-nation event in April) were announced selected under the new system) at the SA Masters dinner, there were plenty of incredulous looks, but then there always are at such happenings.

I must say, some of those omitted had cause for surprise; some selected must have though, if they were honest, “wow, how did that happen?”

But, provided the sums are correct, one can only say: “The numbers have spoken.”

A quick look at how the players selected to travel to New Delhi, fared in sectional SA Masters play (section position, plus shot difference): Men: Baker 1, +34, Johann du Plessis 8 –36; Wayne Perry 1, +39; Brian Dixon    +11; Bobby Donnelly 5, -10; Regan Jacobus 7, -30; Women: Colleen Webb-Piketh 2, +39; Helen Grundlingh 3, +7; Santjie Steyn 4, -5; Sylvia Burns 5, -6; Susan Nel 4, 0; Brunhilde Roussouw 8, -38.

You make up your own minds.

The flexibility of the system and actual numerical criteria, still a close-guarded secret by Fraser, is another area of concern. After all does it mean if Gerry Baker is on an overseas business trip during a vital assessment, is he immediately ineligible for consideration?

It would do the national body and all its departments to remain acutely aware, bowls remains an amateur sport; its members cannot be governed as though they were under central contracts and so obliged to their employers.

Surely the overriding danger is missing out anyone deserving of a place, but overlooked because of assessment shortfalls; absence from training camps through work or related time constraints and the frustration of winners being dropped because of assessment criteria having the final say. It could even drive some of our best and in particular younger bowlers away.

That is something Bowls SA should most carefully consider.

Selection is never an exact science, but the traditional methods, used in virtually every other sport at all levels, seems to work, if with warts and all.

Surely, form is something the selectors must measure.  Record, assessment competence and results are obvious musts, but how they fit in is something Bowls SA might have to re-ponder?

Next Page »