Can WP’s smaller clubs survive? Not for much longer, a view shared by WPBA president, Ron Delport, his experts and myself who has for a while been urging battling clubs to seriously consider amalgamation.

This shock affects mainly clubs situated on municipal property – most vulnerable – as memberships dwindle and costs escalate.

And while municipal officials are sympathetic and have offered helpful suggestions, they make it clear under-utilisation of council property will not be tolerated. Not without good reason … property is expensive to maintain and might be used for a better purpose than a patch of green lying fallow five days a week.

Remember Rondebsoch, Claremont, Oranjezicht, Vredehoek, Regent, Crusader, Stadium, Castle and others?

Delport, and his executive, in urgent talks last week, are reluctant to encourage amalgamation as, Delport insists “it invariably leads to a loss of membership as some decide to give up rather than amalgamate with another club with its own ethos and identity.”

That might be loyal, maybe true and touching, but expediency might be more prudent than nostalgia.

An alternative could be sharing facilities at a central venue, but horrid thoughts flash before the eyes; complications loom as horrendous.

WP’s 42 clubs are to be contacted on a regional basis to try to find common ground for a solution.

In another setback, the council, while approving the establishment of a Bowls Academy, have vetoed its’ building at preferred  Pinewood, suggesting instead sites closer to underprivileged areas the WPBA hoped to serve.

This is of course ironic, since the National Lottery Board has given the nod to the WPBA running its own lottery, with hopes of raising around R50 000 a month and offering major prizes, so the funds required for ongoing purposes would be guaranteed.

Says Delport: “We have pointed out advantages of a venue at our offices, viable as an all-weather facility to cater for working players to attend at night, plus for coaching and training purposes.”

The president suggests there might be reluctance for players, with justification, to travel to areas perceived as unsafe. And could the council prevent vandalism? … a peek at on-going wrecking of schools in such areas tells its own story.

Nevertheless discussions continue and Delport was confident consensus would be reached.

But clubs should act proactively – before they are pushed.

Pat Ranier, a past president of the South African Woman’s Bowling Association and who served with distinction on the national selection committee, has died. She was a life member of Bowls SA and made a valuable contribution to the sport in KwaZulu-Natal. She is described by a former colleague as “an inspiration to all who benefitted from her leadership and interest in our great sport …”

All WP clubs are urged to organise that special day – April 27  – to set a record for the most bowls delivered in an hour nationwide as part of National Bowls Awareness Day. The feat will go into The Guinness Book of Records (GBR).  Registered and non-registered players, barefoot or not are to be encouraged. Proceeds – R20 a player  – go equally to Disabled Bowls SA and Cansa; local businesses are encouraged to sponsor teams – schools, churches, businesses, local government and the media have been invited. See Weekend Argus articles; blogs: warwick.com and thebowlsblog.com

Notices:

• Pollsmoor: WP U-25 Trips, March 21; 9.30am; R150 a team; any  team colours/gender; 2 X 15 ends; skins; good prizes;; music; fundraiser for WP Proteas; Nico Ferreira: 076 542 9740.
• Milnerton: April 25; 9.30am; Leapfrog Milnerton Mixed Trips; R140 a team; 1^st prize R600; 2 x 15; Jenny: 021 551 0979/083 564 4556; Tish: 021 552 4848.
• Pinewood: 2-4-2 Mixed Pairs Tournament – Saturdays pm; March 26, April 2, 9, 16; 2 x 11 ends; R30 a pair weekly; teas, prizes; Alex Tame: 0825516482/0215314030 / fax 0215315603.
• Pinelands: Witford-Griffiths/Personal Trust Winter Tournament: Sundays am; June 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24; R80 weekly; any format fours: 3 x 7 ends; skins; 1^st prize: R2 400; session prizes; Contact: As above.
• Black & White Whisky/S West Freedom Day Mixed Trips; am; April  27; 2 X 14;; R90 a team; one graded skip a side; snowball; Pete Sneller: 0218518819/ Lyn Thomas: 0825656871
• S West/Old Mutual All Day Mixed Trips; prizes; March 29; 9am; 3 X 14; R180 a side (eats/lunch) Entry: As above.
• Strand:  R8 000 All Night Rinks; 6pm-6am; April 1; 8 a team; 6 x 12; R1 000 entry fee; (all night coffee; breakfast Sat; braai fires available); dress optional;; Maximum 14 sides; music, dvds, games (snooker, darts) available all night!’ contact: Gerrard Smith 021 854 3068/082 291 6785 ; alomasmith@telkomsa.net Sussie Boonzaier 021 854 7720/076 036 7286; Lena Roux 021 854 4526/083 273 2761; jan.roux@telkomsa.net Marietjie Erasmus: 021 853 8671/084 657 5886’ e-mail: alie@polka.co.za

Those clubs whose delegates, with or without apologies, were missing at last weekend’s council meeting did the sport, their clubs and members a disservice … the exact opposite for which they were elected.

Thankfully there was a quorum and president Ron Delport used his professional nonce to ensure the meeting was over in an hour, during which the finances (John Edwards), all matters arising from other meetings, development plans, other business and rousing applause for departing assistant secretary Jandré Stoltz came and went.

Delport thanked Sponsors Permanent Trust for a R60 000 injection and indicated their continued support. He and Bowls SA executive Sergio Martinego appealed for all clubs to support Bowls Awareness Day on April 27. Only 18 of 42 WPBA clubs had so far announced participation … not good enough. The president informed the meeting that satisfactory rates agreements with city fathers were pending, although new leases would not exceed six months, since the council favoured the amalgamation of struggling clubs (opposed by the WPBA), offering maintenance support and assistance through regional representatives.

Application for that hoary chestnut, a WPBA lottery, continued … Delport indicated anyone could enter and R50 000 a month could easily be ensured, with considerable monthly prizes offered.

Main matters embraced the possible building of a R4 million academy on the Pinewood property. Funds from the national lottery and approval from the council remain unapproved in full, but Delport indicated both factors appear headed towards satisfactory conclusion. Indeed a letter from Community Services’ Gert Bam (director, sport and recreation) indicates Cape Town City Council “… supports WPBA’s application … for the establishment of a bowls development academy …” Great news and well done to the executive.

An item regarding introducing a mixed league on Flag and Muter lines to assist those who miss out on weekend league activity (excellent idea) was mooted; clubs will report back.

Edwards reported finances as sound; Maurice Moyles (WPCC) has filled the vacant executive position.

All WP clubs are urged to organise that special day – April 27 – to set a record for the most bowls delivered in an hour nationwide as part of National Bowls Awareness Day. The feat will go into The Guinness Book of Records (GBR). Registered and non-registered players, barefoot or not are to be encouraged. Proceeds – R20 a player – go equally to Disabled Bowls SA and Cansa; local businesses are encouraged to sponsor teams – schools, churches, businesses, local government and the media have been invited

Notices:

• Venues: Warwick: Bowls SA Men’s National Championships: HQ: Morningside CC; sub-HQ: Ridge Park; BowlsSA Under-19 Development Tournament: HQ: Orangia; Under-25 Interdistricts: HQ: Bloemfontein Municipals; Oud Studente.

• Quiz night: Pinewood, March 11; 7:30pm; hamburgers R20); club price bar; R25 a head for quiz, 8 a team; Ieva: 0215315043/e-mail: inge.hansen@gmail.com

• Pollsmoor: WP U-25 Trips, March 21; 9.30am; R150 a team; any team colours/gender; 2 X 15 ends; skins; good prizes;; music; fundraiser for WP Proteas; Nico Ferreira: 076 542 9740.

• Milnerton: April 25; 9.30am; Leapfrog Milnerton Mixed Trips ; R140 a team; 1st prize R600; 2 x 15; Jenny: 021 551 0979/083 564 4556; Tish: 021 552 4848.

• Pinewood: 2-4-2 Mixed Pairs Tournament – Saturdays pm; March 26, April 2, 9 ,16; 2 x 11 ends; R30 a pair weekly; teas, prizes; Alex Tame: 0825516482/0215314030 / fax 0215315603.

• Pinelands: Witford-Griffiths/Personal Trust Winter Tournament: Sundays am; June 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24;: R80 weekly; any format fours:; 3 x 7 ends; skins; 1st prize: R2 400; session prizes; Contact: As above.

• Black & White Whisky/S West Freedom Day Mixed Trips; am; April 27; 2 X 14;; R90 a team; one graded skip a side; snowball; Pete Sneller: 0218518819/ Lyn Thomas: 0825656871

• S West/Old Mutual All Day Mixed Trips; prizes; March 29; 9am; 3 X 14; R180 a side (eats/lunch) Entry: As above.

Colleen Piketh … a Singles reason for South Africa

She’s been here and there, up and down, in and out … now she’s married to a good chap, looks happy, bowls like an angel and appears set to be even better than she was three years ago. Okay you’ve guessed who?

Of course it’s Colleen (née Webb) Piketh.

Too fat, too lazy, one-dimensional; she has her detractors.

Rubbish. But in saying that, she could slim a bit and really put in the hard training.

It is amazing how those who are on the verge of greatness often attract adverse criticism; probably a combination of the green-eyed monster and lack of talent?

At the SA Masters I watched Piketh grow in stature. Sure she didn’t win this time; the champion is a 22-year-old whizz kid (Tracey-Lee Botha), who in bowls terms professionally is another Federer or Woods and needs to skip SA.

But Piketh remains superb.

I have always felt she has been done a disservice by the wise women and should have always played singles for South Africa.

As in administration or business management, the best policy is the best person for the job, regardless…

There, her powers of concentration would have been honed; nevertheless that is unfair to the incumbent (Helen Grundlingh) who has done us proud; maybe now?

With so much international bowls on the immediate horizon Piketh must realise the part she will be expected to play. Yes, she is an excellent pairs skip; her results indicate that clear fact. But the singles berth remains a question mark; I and others who have the game to heart, think the answer is to go with the bonny girl with a family pedigree that oozes bowls.

Piketh loves singles; that is her métier; her dad Clive and mother Brenda, each a singles star, instilled the basics from an early age. Colleen has strong ideas about the discipline; others might take heed.

Let her tell the story:

“I believe the elements of a good singles player are:

* Being able to dictate the length of the head by throwing the jack well

* Mentally strong

* Good concentration skills

* Have the ability to play a range of shots from drawing to running shots

* Put first bowl close to apply pressure from the start and not give the opponent a gap.

Playing singles (for me) is the ultimate challenge! You are out there on your own pitting your skills against one other person; you cannot rely on anyone else for your success or blame anyone else for your failure.

If you achieve success in singles then the hardships you encounter playing singles are overshadowed and the reward is so much greater.

Mentally you also become stronger!

The best practice for me is competition. During competition, your abilities are tested on the playing field and where BMT develops (or not )

The hardships I have encountered over the years playing singles is the “loneliness” – in the sense that when you are unsure of what to play, there is no one you can consult or even to encourage you on the green.

The introduction of sets play in singles has also created an opportunity for a different type of singles player to emerge, someone who does not concentrate for long periods of time like before (21 shots). The tie break brings a winner but not necessarily the more consistent bowler on the day.

My most memorable match is definitely the semi-final against Jenny Giles at the Durban Nationals in 2005. I was 18 – 3 down and went on to beat her and win the title

for a second time in succession.

My main singles successes…..

* Atlantic Rim Championships Singles 2007 in Ayr, Scotland

* National Singles Titles 2004 and 2005 and then went on to the Champ of Champs in New Zealand (twice) where I lost both times in the quarter finals

* SA Masters – Winner 2002, 2004 and 2006, a silver this year and three bronze medals

 

* District Singles: When I played for NERBA I won that Singles and I won the CGBA ingles 2010.

* African States Singles Winner too.”

These results emphasise what I have indicated … surely the selectors can see it that way as well?

+++

Setting records can be tiresome. Indeed, the phrase “new record” is inaccurate. To my mind, you cannot set a “new” record … merely supersede a previous mark. Pedantic? Yes. Nevertheless thousands of registered and ad hoc lawn bowlers are expected at South Africa’s 570+ clubs to play between noon and 1pm on April 27 … to set a record for the most bowls delivered in an hour nationwide. The feat will go into The Guinness Book of Records (GBR).

Virtually all the “irregular brigade” will play barefooted.

Proceeds – R20 a player – goes equally to Disabled Bowls SA and Cansa; local businesses have been encouraged to sponsor teams – schools, churches, businesses, local government and the media have been invited

Says Bowls SA president, Debra Ferguson: “The day aims to make communities aware of club facilities and to enlarge the national membership base. These days clubs everywhere encourage corporate bowls evenings, where non-affiliated, avid players meet for serious, but fun evenings. We would love them to join the official ranks.”

This “bowls blitz” forms part of National Bowls Awareness day as parent body Bowls SA continues on a programme of re- building after a decade of dwindling membership. A peak of about 65 000 in the early 1990s slumped, for several reasons, to around 30 000 – still a healthy, but frustrating, situation.

This carefully co-ordinated event will be monitored accurately to GBR satisfaction. At 1pm play ceases and all shot counts combined and e-mailed, faxed or phoned through to a local HQ club, then sent to Bowls SA. The rest of the day’s activities are at each club’s discretion.

A Goodwood side grabbed the major spoils in a highly successful inaugural R37 000 Edgemead Classic over three days. First prize of R12 000 went to Roy Ward and his team from Goodwood; Section A cash was shared by Fred Cilliers, Luke Schoeman and Heinz Schliesser and their sides; Section B was won by Goodwood’s Mickey Welsh. Sponsorship will continue next year.

The Plascon Atlantic Green Point Trips run from March 31, NOT March 1 … any inconvenience is regretted.

Notices:

• Venues: Warwick: Bowls SA Men’s National Championships: HQ: Morningside CC; sub-HQ: Ridge Park; BowlsSA Under-19 Development Tournament: HQ: Orangia; Under-25 Interdistricts: HQ: Bloemfontein Municipals; Oud Studente.

• Quiz night: Pinewood, March 11; 7:30pm; hamburgers R20); club price bar; R25 a head for quiz, 8 a team; Ieva: 0215315043/e-mail: inge.hansen@gmail.com

• Pollsmoor: WP U-25 Trips, March 21; 9.30am; R150 a team; any team colours/gender; 2 X 15 ends; skins; good prizes;; music; fundraiser for WP Proteas; Nico Ferreira: 076 542 9740.

• Milnerton: April 25; 9.30am; Leapfrog Milnerton Mixed Trips ; R140 a team; 1st prize R600; 2 x 15; Jenny: 021 551 0979/083 564 4556; Tish: 021 552 4848.

• Pinewood: 2-4-2 Mixed Pairs Tournament – Saturdays pm; March 26, April 2, 9 ,16; 2 x 11 ends; R30 a pair weekly; teas, prizes; Alex Tame: 0825516482/0215314030 / fax 0215315603.

• Pinelands: Witford-Griffiths/Personal Trust Winter Tournament: Sundays am; June 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24;: R80 weekly; any format fours:; 3 x 7 ends; skins; 1st prize: R2 400; session prizes; Contact: As above.

• Black & White Whisky/S West Freedom Day Mixed Trips; am; April 27; 2 X 14;; R90 a team; one graded skip a side; snowball; Pete Sneller: 0218518819/ Lyn Thomas: 0825656871

• S West/Old Mutual All Day Mixed Trips; prizes; March 29; 9am; 3 X 14; R180 a side (eats/lunch) Entry: As above.

« Previous Page