Our women are champions

There is little doubt hard work and consistency are key factors in ensuring personal, club and district success. I am certain WP is on the brink of again dominating district bowls; our women are champions; our men will be next.

So I must draw out top players’ attention to an article regarding Sables, written by my long-time colleague John McKeag in his weekly column in a national paper.

I really think WP can take a lead out of Sables (a smallish district around the platinum mines of Rustenberg. the gold mines around Roodepoort, Florida and out to Witpoortjie) book.

Local man national head coach Theuns Fraser, double Springbok (judo/bowls) may have something to do with the glittering emergence from the slag heaps, but Sables (formerly NW Transvaal) have produced a long list of good players.

At this year’s nationals (men in Durban, women in Pretoria), while WP bit the bullet, Sables supporters were in raptures.

Mike Marnewick (Leases) said Mckeag: Wrote himself into the district record books by being the first to two national titles in the same year … the SA Senior Masters title in Pretoria, then the Senior national singles title.”

It might be remembered Discovery were 2009 runners-up in the national fours; this year Nic Rusling, Mervyn Lynn (jun), JJ Bedford-Owen and Louis Fourie fought hard to win against Bluff.

 And, says Mckeag, we should not forget …”evergreen former world champion Hester Bekker took her Leases team of Yolandi Simmerlink, Nici Neil and Ona Beckett to the semi-finals of the women’s fours, only to lose on an extra end …”

There you are WP, something to aim for.

The 2009/10 WPBA Under-45 Super 10 competition remains more open after three rounds. Than in past seasons when the Wolves had their way, other sides have benefitted from more judicious selection and are chasing the Wolves hard. Leaders: Fours: Cavaliers 27 points, Harlequins 21, Wolves 16; trips: Bears 21, Tigers 20, Gladiators 16; pairs: Tigers 27, Wolves 20, Bears 17; singles: Wolves 30, Cavaliers 17, Tigers 14.5; overall: Wolves 76, Tigers 71.5, Harlequins 58, Bears, 58, Cavaliers 57, Gladiators 39.

After last week’s column about the “entry gap” to district events, I must say more than 200 e-mails and phone calls arrived from all over the world, never mind South Africa… Of the 153 (mostly phone calls) more than 90% agreed (for what it is worth) with the sentiments I expressed. That does not mean all is rotten in the state of WP … far from it. President Ron Delport has his hand welded to the tiller and whatever is best for all women players and the game will be rigorously applied. I do not change my view, but admit that in a democratic environment the majority must hold sway – so long as it is a true majority and not a proportion of a proportion. I eagerly await council’s opinion when ALL interested parties have chance to mandate their opinions (signed from the club president?) before the WPBA executive.

Clubs or districts requiring modern all-weather scoreboards might consider RJR Scoreboards. They come in standard (black grid, background in white, yellow or light blue-grey, at R530 (ex-Johannesburg) and including waterproof markers and storage carriers (for six boards). Extra is charged club and/or sponsors’ names; plain/multi-colours/logos; quotes on request; delivery about 30 days. Boards carry a one-year guarantee. Rob Gulle: 0118270112/082416 5609.

Oudtshoorn’s 15th Bennie Johnson Classic (open fours format) 2 x 21 daily; R18 000 prizemoney; R980 entry a team (all lunches, tea, coffee and functions) first 48 entries only; Gertjie Bekker, 0442725275(h)/0442722523(w)/0722467792; Andre du Plessis:0442722261(w)/0823824553/fax: 0442792169

Pinewood’s Warwick/Witford-Griffiths Winter Tournament (Sundays, 9am, June 27, July 11, 18, 25, August 1) R80 a team/week; men’s fours; 21 ends; skins;

Skins; 1st prize R2 400 plus other awards; Alex Tame: 0825516482/0215314030; fax: 0215315603.

Howard/Warwick All Day, any fours June 16 2×21; skins; R200 (teas, lunch, snacks)

R3 000 in prizes: Bruce van der Walt: 0828997273/0215921173(w)/ 0215315258 (h).

Goodwood’s Castle Lager Winter League: June 20 for six weeks; 9.30; any fours; R300 a side (soup + meal final day); R300 a side; 1st prize R1 400 + other awards; Nolan 0824457635; Chris 0845112581.

Bowls Reform and Bully Skips

 There are “’Lies,  damn lies, and statistics”  so said,  Benjamin Disraeli – but even that could be a fib – but  it’s the damn statistics that are plaguing BSA members lists every year.

Statistics are very often used to bolster  weak arguments but there can be no dispute about the loss of bowlers over the past decade, statistics  prove it.

At the BSA AGM in March 2010 the register membership list of players was 30,225, what it was in 2000 doesn’t bear looking at, but it will show the consistent yearly decrease of approx 2.5%. Now this is partly due to the members who have been called to higher service and the remainder who have called it a day. All this loss to the game will continue and still the game will fail to attract new members to play the lovely game and fill the void and keep the clubs financially viable with the annual fees.

The reasons for failure to attract new entrants to the game are endless and all have good reasons -in parts.

It’s the placing of all the fragmented parts into a NEW format that is required.

It will require a considerable REFORM and we all know that reform is akin to a civil war in some respects.  We hate change because we are comfortable with what we have and don’t wish to be messed around.

Thirty years ago cricket was in the doldrums with many English County clubs on the verge of going under.

The 3 day county game was failing to attract even diehard fans and test cricket was in turmoil with the TV companies.

Someone came up with a ridiculous idea – let’s play a ONE DAY game on a SUNDAY and the teams – you wont

believe this –will wear coloured clothing. It gets even more crazy – the ball will be WHITE , and – this is true- the sight screens will be BLACK. Each team will bowl  40 overs.  Match will start at 2pm

Uproar -  anarchy – traitors to the tradition etc etc.

Result – the game was saved, the clubs were saved, crowds flocked to watch. TV companies had to pay up to screen it all.  The people running cricket had the courage to do what I truly believe Bowls has to do.

We ALL have to – PUT A SQUEEZE ON TRADITION.   

If my wife of over 50 years, who dislikes test Cricket, who could NEVER understand why a 5 day game of cricket ends in a DRAW, can make sure I have tickets for ALL the ONE day games at Newlands, that is an indication of a REFORM that was successful. As the yanks say – its bums on seats buddy.

I like tradition, I like the Test match battles, but its wearing a mite thin these days. I don’t want to start on the 20/20 format – My wife is the family EXPERT on this game. Oh yes, did you notice the attendance at the games.

They put a squeeze on tradition, and a part of the game has changed forever.

Can bowls take this route – have we got the people with the courage to lead it down Reform Road.

On the same theme of attracting new members I have recently heard of TWO new bowlers walking away from the game because of the conduct of Skips. This is totally unacceptable in this day and age. I am referring to that skip who believes that he can speak to a person as if they were a school child. You all KNOW who these people are, and they are allowed to be rude and overbearing on too many occasions. Stamp them out, if you were in business, you just could not afford to have them on the payroll. The dominant third is another person who needs talking to.

Bowls has to be CUSTOMER FRIENDLY, the game doesn’t belong to these individuals, it belongs to all of us, even if we are a NEW paid up member.

The Louws find a high in New Zealand

If the late Mowbray, WP and SA lead specialist Dennis Grainger had moved to Auckland, New Zealand he would have been able to buy his beloved “Castle off the shelf” – probably even ask for it in Afrikaans.

About 1.6 million of the nation’s population of  4.3 million reside in Auckland. Many are South Africans and bowlers, on the North Shore and Die Tal and SA products are a feature around Brown’s Bay. A large Asian community enjoys the schooling and university, the latter a major foreign exchange earner for the country.

Peter and Lorraine Louw, who began their bowls careers cosy Hill Park in 1968, moved to Mowbray in 1978/9, then became members at Belville in 1990 when they moved to Durbanville. Eventually theyb played for one season at Durbanville before leaving for New Zealand in 2001.

They appear  content.

“Lorraine and I have been in New Zealand since May 2001. I am retired, Lorraine works part time and for charity,” says Peter.

“Our reason for coming to New Zealand was to support our daughter and son in law who run an electrical engineering business here; their kids, who keep us busy, need a family circle in which to grow up. We also have a daughter in Southampton, England.

“We own our own home in Devonport which is on the North Shore of Auckland. The traffic at times is a problem, but there are ferries to the city which are well used.

The crime and safety levels in New Zealand remind one of Cape Town in the 1960, but, as in all cities, it has problem areas.

“Although Auckland is further south than Cape Town the weather is much the same without the mercury reaching the 30s; there are mangroves and the humidity in December is noticeable.”

The Louws play at Brown’s Bay, a club with about 270 members, which includes around 25 South Africans.  The club has three grass and a carpet green. Before that they were members at until 2008 at Mairangi Bay which has 264 members, two grass greens and a carpet.

“Ninety percent members are active, unlike Aussie clubs where many are social members to play the pokies (gambling machines) and use other social facilities; NZ clubs are similar to CT clubs.”

Peter explained the set-up:

“All day every Tuesday there are trips and 2-4-2 pairs on alternate Tuesdays. There is also prize money of about NZ$50 (about R260)  for a win and prizes down to fifth; it costs $10 (about R50) to enter and includes good food. Mostly pensioners play and all is sponsored by local business. There are also two and three-day invitation tournaments plus club and Centre (district) events.”

As in South Africa membership has become a major issue; membership at the two big North Shore clubs is static. But membership in the Antipodes has shrunk in the past decade; enough to worry administrators.

The Louws point out pensioners get far more for their old age comfort than in South Africa.

“Pensioners travel free of charge on buses and ferries outside peak hours; a national health scheme and pension are also available. There is no means test for the pension, but certain residency rules must be met. Boating and fishing facilities abound.

“Making comparisons with home is the worst trap for an immigrant.

It took us a full season to decide bowls New Zealand was different here and to stop making comparisons.

“Gender ears its head only in competitions; women run clubs and as there is no affordable labour members do everything.”

He waxed lyrical about the greens.

“Most greens are superb and run at 17-9secs; they become tough in even a slight breeze. A huge advantage is that folk play longer into their life span and 90-year-olds abound as it’s easy to get up the green.

“Banks have a wooden backing as driving is a big factor in the game; there are stones in the ditch, not sand. Rinks are narrow and sometime you wait for the chap on the rink next door, playing towards you on the same hand to deliver first. The playing surface is star weed or some other weed and not grass which suffers in the Auckland climate. It need to be kept damp and will often be watered at lunchtime.

“Our carpet means play in the winter which brings much needed revenue; some clubs only have carpet greens, which means they save on maintenance, machines etc but a carpet green will cost in the region of NZ$140 000 (about R800 000.

“Brown’s Bay has a greenkeeper, a member, who is paid NZ$40 000 (about R280 000) a year; also looks after another club. He ensures greens are cut and ironed (polished) before play.”

Peter spoke wryly of the attitude to proprieties.

“There is a lack of etiquette. People move behind the head when one is on the mat; but thirds are at the mat and don’t see the head.

“All-days are played on a time basis.1 hour 20 mins for a game; four games, with number of wins and ends deciding a winner.

“Interclub is over in three weeks – fours, pairs and singles a side rather than multiple rinks.”

There are three groups of players in New Zealand – roll-up players (tabs-in) who play social bowls; pensioners and “wont-works” (idle) play for cash on a Tuesday ,Wednesday and Thursday and on the weekend if they can and the elite players in club competitions, hoping to qualify for Champion of Champions which is played at Centre and National level.

National level events dictate when clubs must play off their competitions; which, says Peter is strange as a winner this year might play nationally next year.

Several of the best earn a living playing league (Flag) for Australian clubs. Former Cape Town players Neil Burkett and Eric Johannes do. They are also members of a professional body which plays indoors – at a complex about 40km south of Auckland.

Similar to South Africa there are also business leagues; school children are coached and compete on a national basis. An alternative is a game played in church and club halls on a short mat with smaller bowls.

Peter summed up:

“The game has lost a lot with the fast greens and unbiased bowls and the drive becoming so easy. Only the draw and drive survive as the others are to difficult to execute on the fast greens; drawing for second shot has long gone.

“But it is still a wonderful day in the fresh air; New Zealand is as truly blessed as South Africa with climate…”

Unbelievable!

Unbelievable! Some club bowlers in the Western Province have rejected the admirable WPBA monthly newsletter written and compiled by industrious Zandré Stoltz, the deputy secretary. You must be kidding chaps?

With such an attitude, it is any wonder bowls is in such a flux. The newsletter is full of news, dates and tips; how can one not subscribe to such a treat, available at the press of a button?

 Hey ho. Nevertheless I must comment on the “role of the third and skip.” The sagacious article is below (especially for those ignoring the newsletter and for  tabs-in club skips and thirds):

“The role of a third – The Communicator: The third, if a wise one, will not offer advice on the skip’s first bowl. If a head changes, the third should indicate the position clearly and advise of any dangerous situations. It is taken for granted a third can play all the shot; collaborates with the skip and it is important that they have a good understanding. A third should be able to patch up any lapse by the lead and second … gives no shots away when measuring and must never be bluffed out of a measure.

“The role of the Skip – The Kingpin: A badly fitted kingpin is disastrous and the team will meet with disaster. A good skip should produce every shot in the book, study the playing conditions to give sound advice, must be able to sum up opponents and show continual interest in the play. Skips must encourage the team with complimentary remarks and bring all players into discussions of tactics, especially when the result of a head is vital. A skip should be aware of the different bowls the members of the team are playing with and realise different bowls take different lines. A skip must be able to play under pressure, a master tactician and a leader.”

That a third “will not offer any advice on the skip’s first bowl” is one of the least observed “rules” and is irritating to a skip.

After all, a skip has just left the head and, on arrival at the mat, does not want some over-zealous (sometimes a promoted second) third throwing arms about and shouting a dozen options … all of which the skip will have considered. In addition, a third should keep quiet on the second bowl as well unless asked a question by the skip or if an opponent’s shot materially changes the situation. Even then, point it out, not assume the captaincy.

And as for “skips must encourage the team with the necessary complimentary remarks and must bring all players into discussions of tactics …,” club players, usually long in the tooth, insular and aloof, anti-youth, anti women in the rink, in fact so full of their own grandeur they ask for no advice, not even their third’s.

That is rude, boring and frustrating to others in the rink – probably better players, but not yet elevated to the peerage … skips of this ilk, cut it out and play the game as it was designed.

Thanks Andrė, I and most rational beings think your newsletter is great.

A Level 1 markers/umpires course is scheduled for June 19/20 and June 26/27; venue tol be advised. Markers on the first weekend only; aspirant umpires both. Level 1 umpires wishing to upgrade, should apply – an up-to-date, signed log book is required. Contact Jean Nell 0217128979/jeannell@mweb.co.za or Doreen de Power 0214237672/23dor@cybersmart.co.za