Moving even faster forward on a national tsunami of support after the gold medals haul in Delhi at the Commonwealth games, Bowls South Africa asks all clubs to embrace National Bowls Awareness day on April 27 … every member has a role. It’s a wonderful chance to put the sport firmly back on even keel after a decade of “wandering in the wilderness.”

There is growing “bandwagon” mentality as corporate, advertising and playing interest waxes for the best game in town; regular TV on SuperSport is a quantum leap.

As the promotion suggests, every community must be aware of their local clubs’ facilities – new members are out there – but only if a clear message is conveyed.

CEO of main sponsor Warwick, Ian Kilbride, an outspoken proponent of corporate involvement, anticipates clear growth for the code in 2011. “It is no secret bowls is among the best administered sports; the fruits will pay off if all bowlers come to the party, he said.

Suggestions for back-up programmes have been sent o every club and a Bowls SA PowerPoint disc will assist districts and players.

To my mind, committees have a duty to set up functions to drive the message home. Fun days, invitations to schools, churches, businesses, local government, other sports’ clubs, the media and open day visits to play or watch and enjoy facilities are vital

There is no set plan, but a common theme is the Barefoot Bowlers World Record Attempt.

Bowls SA suggests a morning activity should involve as many non-members as possible, with a view to encourage them to participate in a world record attempt to deliver the most bowls in one hour nationwide between midday and 1pm.

1. The term “barefoot” allows barefoot bowling in suitable informal footwear if they do not have suitable sports/bowls shoes. This practice should be allowed to continue after the day for any participants who may wish to experiment further with the game, before arriving at a decision to play the sport more formally. The concept of barefoot bowls is being used successfully by several clubs to canvass members.

2. The club should appoint an event co-ordinator and organising committee. Details of the co-ordinator should have been sent to the NSCPD immediately.

3. Each committee must arrange for at least one responsible person per rink to count and record the number of bowls delivered during the hour. The format can be singles, pairs, trips or fours played as quickly as possible, depending on the number of participants canvassed.

4. It is suggested that at least one experienced bowler plays on each rink and keeps the score and to assist inexperienced players. It is essential correct games are played, but with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment.

5. A donation of R20 per participant should be levied which will go in equal shares to Disabled Bowls SA and CANSA. Hopefully, you will be able to get local businesses to sponsor some teams.

6. At 1pm play must cease and all shot counts combined, e-mailed, faxed or phoned through to the headquarters club, to be appointed.

7. The balance of the day’s activities is then at each club’s discretion

Convenor Nico Ferreira, urges all Under-25s and their clubs to be aware of the “cast in stone” practice set-up (all at Thornton) for next year. It is: January 9, 9am, meeting and casual practice; Feb 6, 9am; trials (WP selectors attending); March 5 8am; morning practice only with WP coaches; March 20 9am, Under-25 team practice with WP coaches;; April 1 6pm; team final get together; casual; April 2-April10: Bloemfontein; Interdistrict Tournament WP dress code. Inquiries: 076 542 9740.

Notices:

Wheatfields Ladies’ Day (fours) March 7, 9am; 2 x 18 ends; R240 a team (9ncludes tea, lunch, snacks); Margaret Hendricks: 0216961175/0723009621; margie@tiscali.co.za or Jeniffer Kinnear 0216913809/0834114920; pjkinnear@telkomsa.net

Sponsorship is a (two way) wonderful thing

Did you know our main commercial sponsor Warwick Private Wealth has been pumping cash into bowls for a decade?

Have you any idea what would happen if we lost a sponsor which injects R1-million plus into the game EVERY YEAR?

So what do you say, look what they get out of it?

Yes, good question, what do they get out of it?

Of course, no sponsor, except that backing a losing casino board game, pays out millions of rands, yes, it is millions, unless a relationship grows, laterally as well as vertically … that’s basic economics.

Yes, Warwick needs support from members in both the short term insurance field and by giving larger portfolios over for financial management … quid pro quo to a degree makes commonsense and bowlers and clubs associated directly with Warwick are smiling.

Warwick enters its second decade as Bowls SA’s biggest backer and if I was I was CEO Ian Kilbride I’d expect to be treated as something of an equal; not to meddle in Bowls SA affairs at all, but to be consulted on commercial matters, change, ideas; that’s known as co-operation.

But don’t get me wrong and there is no clash of interest dilemma for me in spite of a foot in both camps. I feel Bowls SA has done fine for its backer … but have its members?

The club member with money to invest, insurance to consider, may of course, select his insurance company and provider where he pleases. It is NOT incumbent that he or she select Warwick, simply because they sponsor bowls. But if Bowls SA (who is most careful with who it does business) shows implicit faith in a sponsor, then it is not probably commonsense to think that a good mutual future beckons?

I asked Ian Kilbride to put his heart (yes cynics, he has one) on the table and say what he felt, really felt. You have to remember fellow bowlers, while his title is stern and his business acumen 21st Century, he is a proud family man, hard working and deeply committed to bowls.

His message to you all at Christmas and for the New Year is a simple one:

“It seems that 2010 came and went in the blink of an eye, but what a great year!

“Warwick has further developed its understanding of bowls and also what players require; as a result our service and products have become more tailored to your needs.

“Yes, 2011 will be our 10th full season in the sport and we will again, for a fifth year in a row, be by far the largest commercial sponsor nationally and again we remain totally “Inclusive.”

“Not all other financial services companies allow all companies to participate at all clubs as we do. We treat exclusion to be petty and immature and ultimately bad news for the club and the sport.

“We will again be sponsoring the BSA Membership Card, the Nationals and Masters as well as several hundred tournaments and clubs.

We also learnt this year, via the lonely traveller Bill Kilbride, that we have been abysmal at communicating the massive scale of Warwick’s commitment to your great sport.

“District presidents and clubs hopefully now have a clearer idea of the scale of our commitment over the last decade and how we, rather than any other company are here to stay and, therefore, are worthy of your support and inclusion.

“Finally thanks to Scottish Leader and Evergreen our two great partners in 2010 and again in 2011, two great products totally compatible with the bowls community and as committed to bowls as Warwick are, have been and will continue to be – you’ll see a lot more of all three of us in 2011!

Have a great Christmas and New Year and see you in 2011 for superb bowling”

As the dentist says, “that didn’t hurt did it?”

Bowlers, who are unfortunately, probably because so many are adults, set and secure in their ways, take so much for granted might pause this Christmas and consider:

1 help a starving child

2 Give to the animal rescue NGOs

3 Look after their families

4 Read my blogs and columns and COMMENT please

5 Desist from using cell phones when driving and buckle up and,

6 SUPPORT YOU SPONSOR … as Kitchener almost said a century ago: Your sponsor needs you!

And not necessarily in that order!