Clubs should blow the hooter on the don’t care brigade

Have you noticed how difficult it often is to squeeze onto a motorway? No one gives way! And that in spite of the Highway Code stipulating something such as “… oncoming traffic shall allow joining traffic to join a highway or motorway; the joining vehicles should try to do so at the speed of the traffic they are joining …”

It’s reasonably vague enough to prevent litigation when things go wrong; as they do; but basically it means if someone “new” is coming on-stream, let them in.

This is not a G-d-given right – one has to be sensible. To try to smash your way in might prove also bloody for all.

In Cape Town on-coming motorway drivers, ambling along, chewing the cud, never looking in their rear mirrors, texting or talking to boeties or sissies, or worse, suddenly spy a blinking indicator as some innocent tries to align a vehicle to meet the “lava flow” and it’s tally-ho.

Schumacher-like they expertly go down a gear, close the gap at “last lap” F1 tempo and press a digit to their hooter.

What happens then depends on several factors; it’s ugly, however, and avoidable.

At bowls clubs much the same happens when skips reach sell-by dates.

They too, like the drivers, are in the general flow of things at their clubs.

Oblivious to changes in laws, regulations, codes, indifferent to those who bring honours to roost, dismissal of all their officials (Heaven knows they would never consider doing anything to assist) and a mixture of benign racist and bigot, they spend 20 years or so enjoying everything, but contributing nothing.

Moreover they moan about subs, affiliation fees and the cost of travel, tea, entry to events and the paucity of prize money … but buy another round at about R45 a shot without a murmur.

These easily identifiable men and women although upright solid citizens and often retired, are a menace. They do not allow breathing space. They object to any change and firmly press their “hooters” when a younger, more talented, enthusiast seeks to “usurp” their domain.

How do clubs handle this delicate situation?

In Australia, as an interesting article on Bowls Australia’s website points out, sporting, child protection and anti-discrimination agencies around the country, alongside Australian sporting greats are calling on sport at all levels to use Play By The Rules to raise awareness of their responsibilities under legislation and sport law to keep their sport inclusive, safe and fair.

Play By The Rules (www.playbytherules.net.au) is a free website which offers online training, information and resources for clubs and sporting organisations to ensure everyone involved in sport can do so in enjoyable, safe environments, free from discrimination or harassment.

In response to feedback from the sports industry, a number of features provide information on common issues and challenges such as team selection, girls playing in boy’s teams and angry parents, junior team selection, religious inclusion, disability inclusion, homophobia and sexual harassment; guidelines to support sporting personnel in areas such as, supervision for away trips and maintaining appropriate boundaries and much more

The scheme is a partnership between the Australian Sports Commission, Australian Human Rights Commission, all state and territory sport and recreation and anti-discrimination agencies and the Queensland Commission for Children, Young People and Child Guardian.

Sounds good Bowls SA, how about a glance in that direction?

Meanwhile, back to those old skips who will not give way; what should be done?

Well clubs could tactfully intervene, or if required simply downgrade them to third or second for tabs-in and representative games.

When the “offenders” play bounce games they may continue to skip, after all, their cronies are birds of a feather.

To give those who are enthusiastic a shot and to encourage their continuance in the sport, clubs must remove those who stand chatting at the head, ignore good shots, give limited advice and remain blissfully unaware of any feathers they might be ruffling.

Maybe it’s time to blow the hooter on those miscreants?

Of course some will threaten to leave the club, so what; they do the game no good at all.

Is your club having a hard time? Instead of moaning (sorry JFK) what can you do for your club … for a change?

The demise of bowls clubs is a global phenomenon; SA clubs can point to: Mismanagement, lack of a development plan, acute loss of membership for various reasons; theft of funds then insufficient bridging facilities; apathy of members towards warning signs; loss of interest in game in area; proliferation of clubs; poaching by bigger clubs; economic squeeze; municipal intervention; unable to afford rates/amenities’ tax and natural attrition.

As I wrote in my blog on WWW Warwickbowls.com, one thing clubs must beware is too many “social members.”

Supposedly “great supporters of the bar” nevertheless they contribute nothing towards the core values of the club; eventually choking it.

Some WP clubs, as recently as this year, have taken on what appeared to be “bar members” with glee. Alas the plans did not work; some long-standing members, disillusioned with the scene, upped and left to aggravate an already sorry scene.

In fact, I am sure it is members alone – not management, intervention, cash injection, etc – that are the final denominator … even Aussie “pokies” do not always help.

Any membership base worth its salt should provide assistance for club sustainability –since social members offer little incentive; why should they worry? If the one they are lounging in closes, there is always another to welcome them.

A source wishing to remain incognito, thinks the trick might be to “create clubs within a club” offering an accent on both gender participation, but without fail embracing youngsters.

A thought should also always be towards inter-club activity.

WPCC is extremely active with all-days, quizzes, corporate events and one-off events. Their vitality and viability is an expression of a thoughtful and proactive management and membership base seeking fulfilment and immortality.

News on the Commonwealth Games bowls’ sides will be published next week when the preliminaries are over. But all arrived safely and are in the athletes’ village. Gerry Baker reports everything and all are fine. By Thursday morning ( deadline for this column) both men and women led in pairs and trips after three or four games; including beating Australia in the prelims.

SAAF, 10 points, + 37 shots, won the SA Navy Quadrangular at Pollsmoor from SAN, 6, -23, Boland 4, +2; WP 4, -16 SA Navy: B de Koker (WPCC) , G Roach (Constantia), P Lancaster, E. Schut (Goodwood, E Pick, Charlwood,, J Calvert (Pollsmoor), G Hanekom (Fish Hoek).

Notices:

• Strand. Pierre Volschenk R2 600 Pairs; (max weight 6; skip 4; third, 3; second 2; lead 1); November 29, December 6/13; 2pm; closing, November 22; R120 a side; Frans Coetzer 021 853 6317/072 306 6338; Sussie Boonzaaier 021 854 7720/ 072 688 0459

• Nominations are invited to fill a vacancy on the WP Bowls Executive Committee. Nominations to the WP Bowls office by noon on Wednesday, October 20. Fax to e-mail: 086 631 3001; wpbowls@mweb.co.za forms: www.wpbowls.co.za

• Sunningdale Open Day: November 6 mixed fours; 2 x 13 ends, 1 x 15; R50 a player; (includes teas/lunch) many prizes; : Barbara Wewege: 0827763062/barbaraw@webmail.co.zaR30 000 Warwick/ Edgemead Motors/ Scottish Leader Scotch Whisky Edgemead Classic;; February 18-20; 1st prize R12 000; mixed fours (any format); entry: R1 200 a side (am tea/coffee/rusks/teas sandwiches/lunches/green fees); Saturday night dinner/dance with live band; Entrance includes ticket for each member of your team in a R1000 draw; 8×15 ends; 9am; entry by December 31 in full or deposit of R500 by cheque or eft to: Edgemead Bowling Club; FNB A/c No. 62011268332; code: (N1 City) 200410. Contact: Graeme Kemp, 078 792 -8438; skip’s name as reference and fax payment proof to 021 558 4057/ e-mail: ebclub@telkomsa.net

• Pick n’ Pay Old Oak Tournament; Nov 11; 9am; open fours; R220 ENTRY; 1st prize R1 200; indicate catering; Nick du Preez 021 919 2218/ 083 455 5297; oldoakbc@gmail.com WP Bowls have commissioned flip-boards to be used at district/national finals. To defray costs, all are invited to sponsor a board (R500). The board will carry logo and details permanently attached in a 755mm x 230mm area with WP blue lettering on a white background. Inquiries: Doreen de Power: 021 423 7672/ 082 742 4945

The South African bowls sides at the Commonwealth Games, six men and six women go into action in New Delhi, India tomorrow (Monday).

They are already victims of accommodation privation and although the Indian authorities hastened to re-settle the squad, upheaval and uncertainty are non-conducive to good sport anywhere; but have no fear, they will succeed.

In a message to India, the chairman and chief executive of the Warwick Group, bowls’ main sponsor in South Africa, Ian W S Kilbride, echoes all our thoughts:

“Those extreme cynics who erroneously dismiss the four-yearly Commonwealth Games as ‘the poor man’s Olympics’ clearly do not realise the importance of the four-yearly event. It is a synthesis of a band of brothers and sisters from 72 nations and is easily the equal n sporting history to even Olympian standards.

“This year, the sub-continent of India hosts a glittering cavalcade of sportspeople representing 17 sporting codes, The Government of India sees the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi as an excellent opportunity to herald the country’s emergence as a significant sporting nation and showcase its organisational capacity.

Trust is an immeasurable bond between athlete, coach and administrator – it is the eventual catalyst for success – a mutual reward.

We at Warwick enjoy similar trust with thousands of South African bowlers, who confidently and rewardingly find we insure and protect their homes, possessions and assets in a similar enduring mutual bond.

“The Warwick Group is confident our superb six men and six women bowlers will provide the cheer and lift we all need after 18 months of global economic and servicing exasperation.

“It will be a wonderful climax to South Africa, having hosting the soccer World Cup, to provide on-going national joy and act as an incentive to those who seek a sport that provides a lifetime of sporting excellence, camaraderie and pleasure.

“We wish especially our sides, but also all competitors, good health and hope everyone returns covered in glory.”

We all echo those thoughts, thank our sponsor and wish the team great success.

Great work from the WP Coaches’ Standing Committee (WPCSC) and Dr Doug Coghlan announces that they have qualified 13 (eight different clubs) who wish to become Level 1 coaches. Paul Cohen (Helderberg) assisted on the final and supplied novices for the fledgling coaches to work with; 8 of the 13 supplied their own pupils – children, grandchildren and sisters. Graham McKenzie of Bowls SA Coaches’ Standing Committee attended and commented favourably on work completed. The “fledglings” have returned to their clubs (four from WPCC); they will give novice bowlers a 10-lesson course and submit a short sport psychology assignment; WPCSC members monitor progress. The aim is to complete the process by December, producing 13 new coaches. The SC’s next ventures are to assist Blind Bowlers’ coaches, working with the WP squads as they prepare for the new season and to continue with the vital BowlsSA Talent Identification Programme.

 

Notices:

• Gerry Baker (JBC) has withdrawn from the Protea side to meet Namibia in a test series and Jolene Hayward (Southern Cape) from the SA Junior Masters in Pretoria early next year. They are replaced by Gippo Vermeulen (P Natal) and Lauren Strachan (E Gauteng) respectively

• Read the thebowlsblog.com on WWW. Warwick Bowls

• Constantia report the theft of 510mm scarify/verticutter, an old cylinder mower and a small air compressor, from their premises. Trevor Cleghorn says Constantia is keen to buy any such items from clubs’ surplus stock and also asks clubs to be on the watch for anyone trying to sell such items; 0217127561/0824959892

• WP Manager at the Interdistricts events, March 21-25: Open (Cape Town): Joey Lieuwma/Jimmy Morgan; WP B: (Maritzburg) Maureen Mcleod/John Binns; Seniors (Margate): Fay Hughes/Maurice Moyles.

• Sunningdale Open Day: November 6 mixed fours; 2 x 13 ends, 1 x 15; R50 a player; (includes teas/lunch) many prizes; : Barbara Wewege: 0827763062/barbaraw@webmail.co.zaR30 000 Warwick/ Edgemead Motors/ Scottish Leader Scotch Whisky Edgemead Classic;; February 18-20; 1st prize R12 000; mixed fours (any format); entry: R1 200 a side (am tea/coffee/rusks/teas sandwiches/lunches/green fees); Saturday night dinner/dance with live band; Entrance includes ticket for each member of your team in a R1000 draw; 8×15 ends; 9am; entry by December 31 in full or deposit of R500 by cheque or eft to: Edgemead Bowling Club; FNB A/c No. 62011268332; code: (N1 City) 200410. Contact: Graeme Kemp, 078 792 -8438; skip’s name as reference and fax payment proof to 021 558 4057/ e-mail: ebclub@telkomsa.net

• Pick n’ Pay Old Oak Tournament; Nov 11; 9am; open fours; R220 ENTRY; 1st prize R1 200; indicate catering; Nick du Preez 021 919 2218/ 083 455 5297; oldoakbc@gmail.com WP Bowls have commissioned flip-boards to be used at district/national finals. To defray costs, all are invited to sponsor a board (R500). The board will carry logo and details permanently attached in a 755mm x 230mm area with WP blue lettering on a white background. Inquiries: Doreen de Power: 021 423 7672/ 082 742 4945