Having to say “No” whether we like it or not.

Driving along, chewing the cud (but concentrating on the road) the other day I realised how my life was imbued with negative perspective; how punitive the entire gamut of social intercourse.

I mean, do you not sometimes ponder why everyone and everything appears angled towards what one may not or cannot do, rather than the opposite?

Of course, there are exceptions, but I do get p x*^^x ed off on a regular basis by people and bureaucracy (those people again!) making daily life a chore.

Would it not be nice if, for once, we were informed of what we can or might care do?

Bowls (all sports are much the same) is a prime example.

As a bowler I am told:

1 You will wear flat shoes (admittedly, sensible) as to not damage the green, but …

2 Your bowls shall be of a certain type and for competitions must be checked to ensure you have not modified them in some way (homing device?)

3 Clothes must be of a certain cut, shape, size, colour, even texture – why?

4 No smoking on the green within 2M. Why 2m? Why not 2km? As a non-smoker, I nevertheless cannot see why smokers should be constrained – out in the open, no less!

5 No one can join a club unless 18+. Now this is to adhere to the SA liquor law and is probably sane, but how will BowlsSA fulfill a wish to attract new, younger players if they are not allowed to join, or have a drink? Sounds daft to me; something should be done … lobbying perhaps?

6 Skips must fill in the (scoring) cards is probably one of the daftest rules. Half the skips cannot count and rest cannot see without reading glasses. This leads to much fumbling and time-wasting … why should the rule be imposed. In any case, does it matter who completes the wretched card?

7 Front-rankers must not interfere … I thought it was a team game?

This is just the tip of the iceberg … no wonder disparaging remarks about marbles etc continue to echo?

The other day I visited a shopping mall to buy an expensive item for my beloved wife.

Outside the mall I was told I could not park in a nearby bay as a “money van” was “coming.”

Thanks for that. The van has centimetres of armoured steel and windows and guards with sub-machine guns; it seems right I should have to walk the dangerous streets?

Hey ho, I moved.

I arrived at the shop at about 8.55 am to discover it opened at 9am.

True, I am short on patience in such matters, especially so, as no fewer than 10 young women could be seen through the plate glass chatting and drinking coffee.

I tapped on the window and then on my watch to inquire if they could perhaps “squeeze me in” – not to intrude, however, with their morning niceties.

I was ignored, then someone said “we are waiting for security to open; you cannot come in.”

Security was represented by a young African woman with a coffee mug in one hand and a book in another – no doubt to ward off would-be intruders.

When I did get in (my watch it appeared was two minutes fast; sorry for that) I was not welcomed but told: “You must get your watch fixed” and “you must not be impatient.”

Great!

But then, an elderly man, perhaps a proprietor of nearby shop rushed and screamed: “You, I heard you down the way. It was 9am and 20 seconds when you banged (sic) on the glass. You mustn’t do that.”

Ignoring him with poise and calmness, I took my purchase and left, deflated, demoralised and bewildered.

I reached my vehicle.

“You paid for 30 minutes and have taken 32 minutes, that’s another R3; you cannot park for nothing,” snapped a warden.

Normally I would argue (strongly) the point, but meekly paid.

Driving away I failed to see I had turned into a one-way street the wrong way!

As luck would have it I was stopped by a traffic policeman (the only one I had seen in months) who informed me of my error, adding the bloody obvious “you cannot do that.”

He was extremely unpleasant as I explained, apologising for my gaffe. Next time, he warned “I would get a ticket.”

“Didn’t you see the arrows he asked?

“I didn’t even see the Red Indians,” I replied in a flash.

In my rear-view mirror I could see him scratching his helmet… a deep thinker, he would see the funny side soon, I hoped.

Driving along the busy thoroughfare I Noticed signs reading “No entry”, No parking:” No waiting”, “No stopping”, “No taxis”, “No hawkers”, “No littering”, “No unloading”, “No right turn”  “No U-turns”, No crossing here”,  “keep right”, “keep left” … even the ludicrous “No motor vehicles.”

 …

Is there anything one is permitted to do?

 

++++

Registration continues for Bowls Awareness Day (April 27) with, according to organising co-ordinator Rob Zimmerman in Johannesburg, Bowls Southern Cape leading with a whopping 95% response. Gauteng North 77% and WP on 69% head Sables, Port Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Gauteng, Limpopo, Northern Cape and North West each exceeding 50%. The target is an overall 85%.

South Africans are asked to gather at bowls clubs nationwide on Freedom Day (April 27) for a one-hour record (noon to 1pm) breaking attempt for bowls delivered in one hour in support of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and Disability Bowls.

Bowls SA, umbrella for 30 000 registered players, wants to set a Guinness Book of Records mark, for most bowls in a country delivered in one hour and in the process raise R1-million for charity.

With a bowls club in every city and village and many unregistered and “corporate” players, Bowls SA is aiming for 50 000 participants.

Dress code has been relaxed.

“Anything goes, wear what you want and play barefooted, or in flat shoes,” enthuses Bowls SA president, Debra Ferguson., while Kallie Haupt, executive responsible for promotion and development at Bowls SA says, “We’re going big; bowls is a unifying sport as non one has an advantage of sex or build so what better way to unite South Africans on Freedom Day than to ask them to step out and have fun for a great cause.”

Come on WP let’s beat everyone for this cause.

For info sites: http://www.facebook.com/barefootbowls/ http://www.warwickbowls.com/ http://www. thebowlsblog.com

Derrick Botes and SA Protea Cheryl Cox (Edgemead) will defend WP’s hold on the trophy at the SA Mixed Pairs finals. Playing effectively throughout (10-1 up after seven ends and 20-6 after 12) they beat a game Adrian and Moira Standley (Constantia) 27-10 in 19 ends at Strand to take the Personal Trust/WP title. In their semi-final they fought back from an 11-6 deficit after 11 ends. Semi-finals: Derrick Botes/Cheryl Cox (Edgemead) 21, Sam Smith/Liz Maisel (Atlantic Green Point) 16; Adrian/Moira Standley (Constantia) 28, Lionel Verwey/Anita Groenewald (Edgemead) 17; final:  Botes/Cox 27, Standleys 10.

A refresher course for coaches who qualified before 2007 will be held at Pinewood May 28 from 8am. Cost is R30; bring lunch; tea/coffee available am/lunch. Log books must be available. Closing date May 14 to: Brian Smith, 0218552460/ e-mail: briansmith@telkomsa.net

BowlsSA’s executive insists the bye-law regarding shorts, players and teams be respected. After complaints, districts are requested to enforce the ruling issued in circular 11/2010.

WP’s U-25 women’s side, victorious a year ago, finished third behind winners Southern Free State B in their districts event at Bloemfontein; the men were 6^th in their section. In the U-19 event, champions WP fared disappointingly with their A side 8^th, B side 5^th and C side 7^th in their respective sections.

Notices:

• Milnerton- April 25; 9.30am; Leapfrog Milnerton Mixed Trips; R140 a team; 1^st prize R600; 2 15; Jenny- 021 551 0979/083 564 4556; Tish 021 552 4848.
• 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; ; Alex Tame- 0825516482/0215314030 / fax 0215315603.
• 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:  Roelcor Meats/Sally Pooke Day; 3×12 Ends; May 10; 9.15; women; R240; ‘Wear a touch of pink’; Lyn Thomas: 0825656871 after 7 pm: 0218524408; Joan Marais: 218515189
• Pinewood: Quiz Night: April 19, 7.30; food (R20), bar, fun; R25 a head/8 in a team: Ieva Hansen 0215315043/inge.hansen@gmail.com
• Stellenbosch Fine Food & Wine/Hettie Marcus All-Day; Stellenbosch v d Stel; May 19; 9am; mixed 4s/female skip; 3 X 14; R240 ; prizes; Marlene Lambrechts: 0827291730/0218865158; lmarlene@telkomsa.net
• Sunningdale: Warwick All Day; June 16; Mixed 4s; 9.30; 18 ends am; 15 ends pm; R160 a side; (am tea/lunch) prizes, draw, raffles; close: June 11’ Vera Fautley 0215579124/0823490139; Doreen Parsons 0215564061/0832440364l; Edna van Zyl 0215542039/0747554595
• Warwick/OldOak: Open 4s; May 12; 9am; R220 a team; 1^st prize  R1 400; inform if lunch required beforehand; entries: Nick du Preez, 021919 2218/0834555297; oldoakbc@gmail.com

 

 

 

A selector’s life is not (always) a happy one

Watching another disappointing Proteas’ performance at the cricket World Cup in some far-flung corner of what was many moons ago part of the Raj, or worse, I tried to evaluate similarities between cricket and bowls scenarios.

Both sports play on grass; equipment, although updated, is pretty well unchanged since inception; format (with tinkering here and there) is pretty constant and the scoring (in most respects) uniform.

Interestingly, today bowls’ main sponsor of bowls insures one’s future, long or short term – do cricket and bowls administrators think the same of their contemporary stars?

BowlsSA has done a superb job with infrastructure; the medals haul at world level is supreme, players keen and world class.

In days of yore, most sport selectors chose teams mainly on a subjective base, relying heavily on “latest form”, compatibility and “feeling” a certain player would succeed.

Banish such thought in bowls today.

In place is a series of exhaustive tests to which compliance is a given. Regular assessments, allied to competitive skills, behaviour and fitness permit inclusion into various squads, plus clinics, camps and academies that ensure promotion to the green and gold of the “promised land.”

Perhaps cricket should do something similar. After all they do have academies – but they seem to be more occupied with the technical side of the game; moreover the younger prospects are normally selected for grooming then, mysteriously, most disappear.

Indeed, perusal of many Under-19 international cricket sides, discloses few, if any, prospects making their senior sides; not however, the case in South Africa. So what is going wrong?

In bowls terms, today’s accent on youth is a much loved, but possibly misplaced major criterion. One understands the yearning to drive out the “old men’s and women’s marbles” connotation (the average age for bowls hovers at 60), but few teenagers earn international bowls rewards, many do at cricket. Hence keen teen bowlers often disappear when nothing appears exciting on their horizon.

Perhaps that is the clue?

Look at the flannelled youths that played for their countries: Mushtaq Mohammed, 15 (Pakistan), Mohammed Sharif 15 (Bangladesh), Aqib Javed 16 (Pakistan), Sachin Tendulkar 16 (India); our own Paul Adams was only 18 when he made his debut.

All enjoyed successful careers. Tendulkar is still going 21 years on – perhaps the greatest of all time.

One would think that in bowls terms longevity would be even greater than cricketers’ plus/minus 16-20 years (Kevin Campbell is a living example of that), but not always. Perhaps this is because administrators’ aim to lower the average age of teams prevails … but for what genuine, in real sporting values, reason?

Is it because youngsters “look better”, or because “other nations do it” or, in fact, because the aim is to provide continuity and longevity? There is little to suggest the latter.

I loved cricket. I played league (third!) into my 50s. I enjoyed Sunday morning 30-over games. I was not brilliant by any means, but went on, until fielding in the covers meant I could still dive and hold for a well-driven ball, but could not get up again after stopping it.

Then I turned fully to bowls (having also ended a golf career still with a 4 handicap).

Now that is over. Instead I watch and write. Age, home considerations are all factors; yet if I wanted to I could go back to bowls in the blink of an eye … but I couldn’t go back to cricket.

Maybe that’s the clue?

Do discover bowlers when they are young, put them into academies, hone their skills and then keep them going for 20 years so they can bring glory to their country and themselves, passing on the secrets to those who follow.

It sounds so easy. But it is not so simple.

Players move on. Men and women marry, leave for varying reasons, move about, find other priorities, raise families, and sometimes fall on bad/sad times. I know that is common to all sports, but we are talking bowls and its own peccadilloes.

Why is it, then, bowls selection remains so ponderous (and I exclude and reject all armchair critics), in spite of the regimen and is apparently such a subjective exercise?

It would also help to get the bowling world behind their district and national teams to make it all simple and clear? Might such an exercise not attract attention, sponsorship and interest from those totally divorced from the bowling world?

Then again, transparency would help.

As a bowls scribe (even as an official one) I have great difficulty in earning any trust from South Africa’s chief coach and selectorial supremo. Should everything be a secret; why not explain how and why a side is chosen?

Does the public not have a right to know; not disclosing simple non-classified material might, to some, suggest something to hide?

The national team is shrouded in such mystery and intrigue; normal club players would hardly be likely to pick any out in a police-type line-up.

Really, it should not work that way.

Not only do all sportspeople come and go, for various reasons, but administrative perspectives alter. Trends, rules, other considerations creep in that have nothing to do with skill alone … perhaps still the sole serious consideration for selection in any code?

In fact, while bowls’ main sponsor strives to provide pecuniary peace of mind, cricket and bowls international level selection continues to bring anxiety to those who play and those who watch.

Any solutions?

Sure stumps me.

₊₊₊₊

WP’s fine men bowlers improving as the interdistricts progressed, eventually won a bronze medal. One wonders, however, how much better might they have fared had psychological confidence been fully functioning from the onset?

It is one thing to join in a huddle in the dressing room declaring “let’s go get ‘em” and another to maintain it on the green.

Thought toughness, relaxed concentration, visualisation, pre-shot routine, positivity during delivery aids are available – players should welcome them.

Perhaps selecting the side earlier might help engender sought-after camaraderie, after all it is the psychological side requiring attention; skills levels are a given.

Earlier this season, Dr Doug Coghlan and Brian Avery were sensibly invited to trials; also to the friendly against Boland, then invited to help the teams prepare.

The preparation amazingly lasted only a single 30-minute offer, with a “questions and answer” finale for the A, B and senior sides by Coghlan;“ administrators explained it was all the time they could spare.”

Really?

It was also envisaged by the “whisperers”   individual preparation would occur; alas this did not materalise.

I am certain there is a simple explanation. Convenor Alan Lofthouse, who enjoys an open min on most subjects, is too sagacious and experienced to forego such an opportunity for his charges.

But let WP note, the offer is exactly what is desired by Boland – who I saw give WP a really tough time at WPCC and who gave a fine account of themselves.

Let ace Boland skip Stoffel Lamprechts comment:

“We finished 5th in our section on 24.5 points; the winners had 32, WP 30 then 27,5 and 27. My side won seven of nine, losing two by one and two shots; very proud of the boys (sic). I recorded wasted shots.  “We recorded 65%, 58%, 53% and 52% against a 70% target. I realised if we can win seven with such results, winning is possible with top form; our other team only won two and peeled one.”

Writing to mentor Coghlan, Lamprechts says:” … We reminded one another what you told us, but under pressure people forgot to relax … I wish you could work with the players in small groups to improve … relaxed concentration in crunch situations.”

Makes you think?

Incidentally, Boland’s B team men lost the bronze play-offs, but one side won all nine of its games.

Come on WP – it is the way to go.

 

In an all-Durbanville affair R Swanepoel, M van Zyl, V Evans, P Rose edged P Stallwood S Stander, A McGowan J Peacock 18-16 to win the Personal Trust Women’s Midweek held at Edgemead.

Notices:

• The WP Proteas’ Gerry Benson Day scheduled at Constantia for April 9; 9am has been cancelled until later in the season. Date to be announced
• 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.
• 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; ; Alex Tame- 0825516482/0215314030 / fax 0215315603.
• 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:  Roelcor Meats/Sally Pooke Day; 3×12 Ends; May 10; 9.15; women; R240; ‘Wear a touch of pink’; Lyn Thomas: 0825656871 after 7 pm: 0218524408; Joan Marais: 218515189
• Pinewood: Quiz Night: April 19, 7.30; food (R20), bar, fun; R25 a head/8 in a team: Ieva Hansen 0215315043/inge.hansen@gmail.com
• Stellenbosch Fine Food & Wine/Hettie Marcus All-Day; Stellenbosch v d Stel; May 19; 9am; mixed 4s/female skip; 3 X 14; R240 ; prizes; Marlene Lambrechts: 0827291730/0218865158; lmarlene@telkomsa.net
• Sunningdale: Warwick All Day; June 16; Mixed 4s; 9.30; 18 ends am; 15 ends pm; R160 a side; (am tea/lunch) prizes, draw, raffles; close: June 11’ Vera Fautley 0215579124/0823490139; Doreen Parsons 0215564061/0832440364l; Edna van Zyl 0215542039/0747554595
• Warwick/OldOak: Open 4s; May 12; 9am; R220 a team; 1^st prize  R1 400; inform if lunch required beforehand; entries: Nick du Preez, 021919 2218/0834555297; oldoakbc@gmail.com

 

 

It was a bridge too far for WP’s sides, but performance was satisfactory and well done to players, selectors and administrators.  Silver (women) and bronze (men) serves as notice of intent and excellence at the Perfect Delivery/BowlsSA Interdistricts Open Championship held on the universally lauded, superb WPCC, Constantia (HQ), Durbanville and Glen greens.

WP secretariat supremo Bob Shackleton’s results service was nothing short of magnificent.

Indeed, our women, skipped by the excellent Louise Roediger (Strand) and Cheryl Cox (Edgemead), led their section virtually throughout, hiccupped to misery against Port Natal with a sectional match to go, but found the mathematics gods in their favour as they thrashed a dismal Sedibeng , I think in anger at their day’s before incompetence and were rewarded by North West whitewashing PN so both leapfrogged the log leaders for medal tilts.

In the final it was not to be – the powerful Protea studded JBA were always in command and were worthy 5-0 victors.

I watched quite a bit and although one can always nit-pick, I have decided not to that. Instead I will “have another go” at the national selectors , who, for some reason best known to themselves, continue to ignore the skills, tenacity and youthfulness of Roediger … she was superb throughout.

Possessing all the shots, temperament and composure she is surely an answer to the national selectors’ back rank headaches … get her into the gold squad NOW.

The men stuttered along  … a gleaming high performance sport car with too many cylinders coughing and spluttering.

Front-rankers at provincial level may not (I know anyone can have a bad game) leave bowls 2m shot or send draw shots scudding 2m through as often as did some of our miscreants; academy work is required to create specialist leads, at least.

Moreover, drawing thirds are great; but they must also be able to play heavy shots when required; my observation was that their strike rate did not meet the standards.

The skips were excellent. Evergreen Kevin Campbell (Glen) played many vital shots to rescue and accrue, while Wilhelm Malan (Thornton) played well, often under intense pressure.

Experienced manager Jimmy Morgan’s (deepest condolences on the loss of Harriet) decision to switch Campbell’s front rank proved a brainwave that immediately realised results.

In the play-ff for bronze WP put it all together and saved the best for last … good stuff.

Men’s Final: E Gauteng 3, JBA 2: Mark Kromhout, Thinus Oelofse, Andrew Barlow, Clive Dicks 18,  Gerry Baker, Donny Piketh, Gianni Gatti, Johnny Pieterse 22; Des Day,Tom de Scally, Cecil Beherends, Martin Lewis 23, Bobby Donnelly, Duanne Abrahams, Jason Evans, Arnold Muscat 18. 3^rd/4^th: WP 5 SOFS 0: Wilhelm Malan, Neels Kotze, Tori Sabatti, Gavin Kent-Brown 17,

Hertzog Meyer, Johann de Beer, Henry Fourie, Vusi Mphale 16; Kevin Campbell, Peter Harvey, Raysford Cruywagen, Scott Elliott 23, Wayne York, Handre Marais, Roe Wiid, Jarred Oracki 21.

Women: JBA 5, WP 0: Sharon Glenn, Heather Pembroke, Tracy Herrington, Esme Steyn 16, Louise Roediger, Daryll Edwards, Maggie van Zyl, Sylvia Burns 15; Pam Landau, Colleen Piketh, Tracy-Lee Botha, Peta Smith 27, Cheryl Cox, Marina Brink, Anita Groenewald, Margarette Thomas 10. 3^rd/4^th playoff: NW 5 Gauteng N 0: Corrie Breitenbach, Jillian Booth, Hazel Muller, Brenda Palmer 20, Loraine Victor, Sue Tarr, Sandy Dreyer, Vicky Frost 18; Rose du Plessis, Connie Brits, Sue Gentz, Christine Marais 20, Louise Wessels, Hannetjie Engelbrecht, Lizzan Norval, Kati de Vlamingh 12

 B Division (Maritzburg): Men: Gold – JBA, silver – SOFS, bronze – Border; Women: Gold – E Gauteng, Silver – EP, bronze – Gauteng N (beat WP in play-off)

Seniors (Margate): Men: Gold – NW, silver – Gauteng N, bronze – Kingfisher; Women: Gold – P Natal, silver – SOFS, bronze – NOFS.

 

 Notices:

• The WP Proteas’ Gerry Benson Day scheduled at Constantia for April 9; 9am has been cancelled until later in the season. Date to be announced
• 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.
• 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; ; Alex Tame- 0825516482/0215314030 / fax 0215315603.
• 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