Don’t be silly

Burned-out bowlers; don’t be silly, you might say … but Helderburg-based coaching guru Dr Doug Coghlan thinks otherwise and he talks sense.

Coghlan, British-educated and for years a professor at Rhodes University, refers to Springbok rugby which identifies burn-out. But, you argue, bowls is not a physical, contact sport. Nevertheless, in an event such as the Black & White Whisky All Cape two matches daily for a week are played – a regimen top rugby, soccer, tennis, swimmers, even golfers, would not contemplate.

Coghlan insists burned-out business managers and teachers are also well-documented – and are more akin to a bowler’s situation.

Part is mental fatigue. Springbok conditioning coach, Neels Liebel, calls it: “More worrying than physical demands; mentally, this (excess rugby) is not good.”

Greg Hechter, the Stormers’ fitness trainer, says: …”Having to focus for so many days a year is draining.” And, as Coghlan points out, sports scientist Dr Tim Noakes waxes lyrical about player burn-out.

This, says Coghlan, leads to the study by Professor Hans Selye at the University of Montreal, who developed the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), and who wrote the widely acclaimed The Stress of Life in 1956.

He defined stress as the non-specific response of the body to any demands made upon it. He points out” “Without stress there would be no life” – but if the demands are too great, then there are problems.

Selye identified three stages:

• Alarm Reaction: Physical or mental stress triggers reactions to combat stress. The immune system is depressed – only if the stress is not severe or long-lasting (bowlers note), do we recover quickly;

• resistance: Eventually our immune system adapts, but we become complacent about stress – a danger period and,

• exhaustion: Combatting stress drains the body and if the stress is too intense, or prolonged it upsets the body’s natural balance of hormones and chemicals.

In the 1950s two swimming coaches, Australian Forbes Carlisle and American Jim Counsilman, realised the importance of the GAS and it led to “periodisation’ in sport. Training and competition was structured with recovery periods to ensure peak performance; athletes followed ”cycles” – even for four-year world events’ gaps.

Today, money and sponsorship counts and top-class performers endure excessive demands, especially in team sports, leading to serious problems. In the quest for top performance drugs are also used (Tour de France, tennis, athletics) to combat stress in training and competing… To be continued

Wolves, the holders made it a hat-trick of victories when they won the 2010 WPBA Super 10, wrapping things up at Goodwood: Final log: Wolves – 132 points, Harlequins: 125, Bears115, Tigers 101, Cavaliers 70.0, Gladiators – 56.5. Wolves:: J Claasens, Durbanville , H Crous ,Goodwood, C Davids, Plumstead , M De Villiers ,Stel/VD Stel, P Ferns, StelVD Stel, G Kent-Brown, Durbanville, N Kotze Constantia, J Nel, SAP, Z Ramjee, Strand, H Schliesser, Edgemead, M Soji, Helderberg, J Stein, AtlanticGP; managers: Joe Peacock/Roley Maggott.

The WPBA office is to relocate from Jaggers to Pinewood before next season begins. Because of lease fulfillments at Jaggers, a tenant is required for a self-contained one bedroom cottage, living room, bathroom and kitchen with secure parking (view by arrangement). Call 0216852387 (AM only).

The Level 1 club coaches’ training camp in the WP/Southern Cape will now take place at WPCC on September 11/12 and 18/19; other details remain: Brian Smith: 0218552460 (h)/ brianwsmith@telkomsa.net fax 0218552460; closing date: July 19

Johannesburg BA’s Shaun Lotter has withdrawn from the African States Tournament in Harare (August 13-21) for business reasons and is replaced by Pierre Breitenbach (NW).

Anina has the brains to go with work load.

Have you noticed how men and women least expected to be thinkers and doers often prove livewires? They crop up everywhere and astonish those whose mouths are often bigger than their brains.

I would not call Edgemead’s Anina Black a radical, certainly not a revolutionary, but then women with brains and determination are usually gun fodder for the male chauvinists and anathema to their female reactionaries.

Black, a bouncy, brainy forty-something, whose best pal is a cat named Sebastian, works in an academic environment, as befits a woman with an honours degree in IT, an administration record of excellence and a keen business brain to boot.

As one of a handful of South African 3^rd level umpires (she is keen to become a lofty international class 4^th level umpire) is no mean skip herself and has what can be described meaningful ideas for the direction of the sport and the hot spot areas that strike terror into novices and leave smug smiles on the faces of the dino (oops I nearly said it again, naughty, naughty).

Unmarried (a big catch boys), she is not afraid to open her educated mouth and put facts to where her thoughts lead.

I have interviewed kings and queens, dictators and duchesses, sports icons and idiots over the 40 plus years I have worked as a scribe; few have been as focused or passionate as Ms Black, a member of the national standing committee for development.

Trouble is she is frustrated and even thwarted by the lobby that ensures the yellow brick road always winds back to traditional, conservative club bowls.

In every sport there are (thankfully a minority, but with that strong lobby based on fear and baseless rhetoric) those who maintain the “Good Old South African Boys’ and Girls’ swart gevaar guff, exhorting resistance to change …’keep out blacks, juniors, change to dress rules, law changes, competitions, affiliation, tea prices matching inflation and the I’m a skip pecking order, as a twisted manifesto … they are the true lunatic fringe, the major threat to the game’s existence, yet somehow they prevail.

Black is none of these things.

“Bowls does not lend itself to violent change. Bowlers do not like to be suddenly faced with upheavals. They are in the main mature citizens who want little more than to enjoy their days in the sun among friends and often family. But the new brigade, those who are to take the game into the rest of the century and the highly competitive brigade, need to have the code structured to enable them maximum opportunity and achievement,” she says.

And isn’t she correct?

How many fine players can no longer afford time off from work, the finance or the true commitment to one of the last bastions of amateur sport?

Black suggests club events be played in the first two months of the season and is adamant it would work.

“While the greens settle, club events can be played, freeing the calendar for the log-jam of district, national and international events that leave few free weekends for all players of every standard.

“Once club greens become more available, district events could be played in knockout format, semi-zoned at least and in concentrated form at weekends for both genders. One weekend a month is dedicated to the clubs and to afford a breather from the rigours of district or higher events.

“I have worked for almost 25 years. I cannot hope to be noticed or aspire to true bowls greatness; I have not the opportunities. Moreover, leave becomes a telling factor; a sub-committee, under a neutral non-bowls-playing chairman, might investigate the situation and make recommendations to the WPBA.”

That makes good sense as the type of argument an excellent administrator as WPBA president Ron Delport understands.

As a national official Black can be seen at most major events.

“I love to umpire. As a Level 3 official it is not just the law book in hand, but an interpretation of its dictates; it is the reason for them and how they should be applied that is so fascinating.”

That’s fine, but I wonder how many officials (honorary, remember) will continued to pay in time and own money to do duty? One anomaly that puzzles me is why is it there is plenty of cash to fly officials to meeting after meeting, but never enough to pay for fares and accommodation for workers when they give freely of their time at events such as the Masters and Nationals?

Is it any surprise recruitment of these highly-trained beings is difficult?

He idea all clubs should make it mandatory for all rated thirds and skips to attend short certificate-bearing courses in the laws (novices could apply to do the same) thus enhancing the games ethics and good governance without insisting people become full umpires would help is excellent.

“It should be on-going. Each time the laws are amended refresher courses should be held,” she suggests.

 

Master technical administrator Bill Nixon at Howard has always provided structured counsel to the club’s back rankers before major events … it might make good sense to have that procedure universally accepted. It would certainly ease umpires’ loads at club level. Moreover, Howard’s improvement at all levels of the game in the past three years is a stand-out.

But don’t imagine Black’s largesse, her intelligence and her patience (or others’) is inexhaustible.

“I guess there is life after bowls and my clock is ticking. I might want to go into business, get married, leave Cape Town, who knows. It is not that my ideas are correct, but at least they might be considered. So many times promises become echoes and ideas too rapidly discarded without true investigation into their value. Every time bowls seems to progress, something happens to again drag it back.”

Black is spot on.

Bowls SA has a top class executive and is led by a proactive, forthright president in Debra Ferguson. But there is little point in their making sound decisions and recommendations if those in district corridors of power irritatingly and arrogantly flout any sensible suggestion?

Officials of Black’s calibre are hard to find, and clearly, don’t you think?

Bowls South Africa

Bowls South Africa continues to do right by its members … keeping up its development momentum. Latest from the Rosebank corridors of power is an incentive scheme for clubs to recruit new bowlers based on two six-month modules … and there is gold at the end of the rainbow.

The sessions are: July 1- December 31 and January 1, 20100-June30.

All Bowls SA affiliates automatically qualify to benefit, but as the small print always says … terms and conditions apply.

The national executive defines “new bowlers” as men and women without previous experience and who have not been affiliated members.

Incentives are:

• R17 500.to the club to recruit and register/affiliate the most new members;

• R7 500.to the Club whose recruitments, relative to its membership base, is the highest percentage and,

• R 5 000 to the most successful club’s district in both categories.

The second category allows smaller clubs to participate and should both awards accrue in the same district they will in turn be entitled to R10 000. The entire process will be controlled by Bowls SA with reference to database movement.

Now this is a good idea. It might get some dozy lad and lassies of their “Derry-airs” and help earn a crust or two for the cause (please see WarwickBowls.com and Thebowlsblog.com).

The northern suburbs clubs dominated the WPBA/Personal Trust men’s and Ladies’ Champion of Champions Singles at WPCC at the weekend.

Louis Roediger cemented her stake for bowler of the year with yet another districts title as she swept imperiously through all and sundry. The Strand-based provincial skip showed her versatility and power in an all-round display of excellence which included a victory over Constantia’s world champion Sylvia Burns in a semi-final clash.

Maria Margarietha Elizabeth Miller put Kuils River back in the limelight with a courageous display in the final.

Once Stefan Koen (Helderberg) was able to easily overcome singles specialists in Thornton’s Gerry Hutchings (quarters) and former WP and Glen star David Epstein (semis) he stood out as favourite for the men’s title; so it proved to be.

Although Schalk Kotze (Old Oak) demonstrated skill and determination, he could not quite raise his game to the level during his defeat of former WP Singles champion Alistair Wilmot Howard in a quarter-final game.

And watch out for losing semi-finalist Gary Drake (SAP) … plenty of promise there.

Results:

Ladies:

Quarter-finals: L Roediger (Strand) 21 L Steyn (Helderburg) 16; S Burns (Constantia) 21 E Petzer (Bellville) 19; C M Brink (Gordons Bay) 21 A Gray (Plumstead) 9; M Miller (Kuils River) 21 L February (Thornton) 5; semi-finals: Roediger 21 Burns 12; Brink 19 Miller 21; final: Roediger 21 Miller 14.

Men:

Quarter-finals: S J Kotze (Old Oak) 21 A Wilmot (Howard) 15; G Drake (SAP) 21 M Pretorius (Oakdale) 12; D Epstein (Glen) 21 D McMeeking (Meadowridge) 4; S Koen (Helderburg) 21 G Hutchings (Thornton) 12; semi-finals: Kotze 21 Drake 8; Koen 21 D Epstein 7; final: Kotze 21 Koen 16.

WPBA council meets at Jaggers Bowling Club on Saturday, June 26 at 09h30. On the agenda is discussion of a proposal that all men’s competitions be played on a knock-out basis.

Cambridge-on-Sea: ‘Christmas in July’ Social, July 16; 7pm, music, dancing, wine-tasting; bring own food; book a table; R30 a head; dress in red, green or white. Rona Blackburn: 0215553781/0835430722

WP Technical Officials Standing Committee holds an A level 1 coaches’ course on September 4/5 and 11/12 at WPCC; brianwsmith@telkomsa.net/fax: 0218552460

Oakdale: Horse Racing Night: June 19 at 7pm; R30 (light meal) Dress: For the races; prizes; on the big screen R2 a bet; book: Netekke@Iburst.co.za/0827758939

Warwick / Bowls SA Men’s National Championship

I suppose the adage “old bowlers never die ….  Is old hat, but as readers muse over achievements at the Warwick/Bowls SA men’s National Championships played in Natal the name Kevin Campbell (Western Province) might catch the eye.

Countless players were not born when he began his remarkable career.

I remember him as an afro-adorned youngster whipping all and sundry more than 40 years ago. A bowls prodigy and possessing a unique delivery action, his style and genius remain undiminished.

Every South African trophy (several more than once) and many elsewhere in the world where bowls is enjoyed bear his name; he is admired and adored wherever he goes and his manners and bearing make him a role model for any aspirant youngster.

Now at 59 (almost 60) the world champion of 1976 continues to stride the greens as a colossus, his Warwick Bowls SA National Championships Singles semi-final proof he will entertain and amaze us for quite a while to come.

As Bowls SA plies its admirable course to try to lower the average age and introduce the sport as a schools curriculum item, a dilemma emerges.

Younger means working, family, mortgages and cash-flow problems …hence the fuss over the format, even doubt of a need for the National Championships. There is little doubt, younger (today alas, older men and women to boot) players face leave and financial constraints.

But let the Glen Country Club star talk about ‘his nationals…:

“The event was enjoyable. I did not enter fours or pairs – leave restraints and work wise … I just had to be at work.

“Once I’d qualified for the National Singles as a semi-finalist in the WP Singles, I decided to give it a bash, having not played in the Nationals for three years.

“Must admit for last couple of years I have been down on confidence, so I was relaxed going to Durban – what did I have to lose, I was neither in the national squad, nor in contention for any great things to come? After my disastrous display in Margate (interdistricts) on dreadful surfaces, I did not expect much. Durban has never been my best venue, although I won the SA Singles a while back, beating fellow Springbok Frans du Plessis after being 16-4 down!
My section, contained no ‘big names’ (that’s when you have to be careful), but I had two tough encounters and in the one was down 18-15, but sneaked through 21-20.

“After qualifying for the play-offs, my first opponent was Bobby Donnelly, always a hard man to beat. We had a great game on a beautiful surface (C green at Lahee Park), running at about 15 /16 seconds. What a pleasure to play bowls on that surface; I just won – 21-19.

Next it was WP wunderkind Scotty Elliott of WPCC. All of 19 and a real prospect, he was out to nail me, brimming with confidence; unfortunately he could not find his line and I won easily.

“Then it was the Baker man. It seemed as though my part of the draw was the most difficult, but if you’re not good enough to beat them all, you’re not good enough to win it, as they say.

“Baker was supported by a few vociferous spectators, plus the bulk of the Bowls SA executive; I felt up against it. Trailing 8-2 and 11-3, I came back to peel at 14, 17 and at 19; then a two sealed it. I was chuffed. Gerry was humble in defeat and pleasant throughout, without conversation, other than ‘good shot, or well bowled’ … that’s how I prefer to play.

“The games against Scotty and Gerry were played on Lahee Park B – not as fast as C green and less true, but playable, with a decent surface.

“In my semi-final against Hertzog Meiring I battled an irritating crowd.

“It was like OK Bazaars (that dates him; editor) on sale day, with a flow of people across the end of the rink as play was in motion. I complained constantly to marker and officials, but to no avail. I was so infuriated by the crowd’s  lack of discipline – bowlers themselves – I lost my tempo and concentration. At the time I was up, but lost consecutive 3s to fall behind and could not recover.

“I was furious.

“Hertzog played well, but in the final he lost his way and lost to the local man, Bruce Makkink.

“Makkink played superbly – his accuracy was unmatched on an excellent surface. What was particularly pleasing was his comeback from a desperate illness; he should be an automatic inclusion in the Gold Squad and SA team – a great player.

“Most greens were top standard and speed – good reason to restage the nationals there. Playing surfaces in Margate and Durban were chalk and cheese. Margate’s were putrid (except B green at Margate BC, which ran true at 13sec). Margate’s A and C greens were poor, The Bell’s disgusting, Margate CC, although lush and smooth ran like lead at 9sec, while Port Shepstone CC’s ran at only 11 sec – an ideal surfaces should be at about 13/14 seconds for district/national events.

“Many consider me a ‘has-been’, too old. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But I am enjoying good form and if maintained, I will continue playing in all open events. Some believe 60 means automatically playing in seniors events – no predetermined box for me

“This was always an SA anomaly and has affected selection of provincial and national teams.

“I was glad Bowls SA president Debra Ferguson stated at the SA Masters that bowlers would be selected for SA on ability, form and consistency; age notwithstanding – sound administration.

While fit and agile enough to play in open events, I will do so. As a WP selector, it makes sense to pit myself against the younger set  to test ability and demeanour.”

Campbell, icon forever, speaks candidly and accurately … his ilk cannot and must never be underestimated or forgotten.