Excellent changes to the calendar proposed by the WPBA executive suggest two rounds of Flag on February 5 and 12 next year (Sunday morning or afternoon). WPBA president Ron Delport asks clubs to indicate preparedness for Sunday play (Muter Cup is not affected).

Also, the men’s pairs, trips and mixed pairs change to sections of six (round robin, 15 ends); later rounds: 15 or 21 ends.

Controversial use of “good players” from higher divisions to bolster struggling sides in district events is resolved:

 

• Flag premier: No more than three premier division (PD) players may be “dropped” to a lower division in any round; no PD player may play in a lower division during the second last and last rounds of league, or any KO round, without having played at least once in that division;
• lower divisions: In sides of  12, no more than three players (in sides of eight, no more than two) may go to a lower division; no player may play in a lower division in the final two rounds of league and KO rounds without having played at least once in that division;
• Muter premier: No more than two PD players go to a lower division in any round ; no  PD player may play in a lower division  for the final two rounds, or any KO round, without having played at least once in that division and,
• Muter lower: No more than two players may go to a lower division in any round; no player may play lower for the last two rounds of league play, plus the other rules.

 A mixed league is to be played simultaneously with Flag/Muter. A club may enter one side of two teams of three containing at least one of the opposite genders. If entries permit two sections will be formatted with section winners playing-off

Again, interchange of players is limited.

 

• No more than two players may be dropped from Flag/Muter; no player is permitted to play in this league in its final two rounds without having played at least once before;
• players interchanged contrary to the above shall be deemed ineligible;
• only designated reserves allowed; fielding an ineligible player means a forfeit, with three points deducted; opponents are credited with points and shots;
• sides introducing an unregistered or ineligible player in any KO match forfeit all;
• if a team in a side fails to play or complete, opponents win two points (no shots); if a side fails to play or complete a match, opponents win five points (no shots) and is a side withdraws all scores and points are expunged.

Sounds like good sense to me.

Consistent Wolves retained the Perfect Delivery Super 10/Under-45 Tourney at Edgemead. In perfect weather on good greens Wolves won the fours, were runners-up in the singles and third in both pairs and trips, earning 133 points from five rounds, beating the Bears by eight points. Bears won pairs and trips, ended third in the fours, but struggled in the singles. Thanks also to Black & White Whisky, the managers, hosts Constantia, Strand and Edgemead and organisers Eric Green and Nicky Parker.

Johannesburg. – A year ago, Jaggers was close to extinction. Now the club has won part two of the Bowls South Africa Incentive Scheme (January to June 2011) and been awarded a R17 500 prize; the WPBA benefits by R5 000. Jaggers more than doubled its membership from 49 (34 men/15 women) in a year to 105 (68/37). Says Jaggers president, Jason Small: “It’s the shot in the arm we needed. All the effort and satisfaction is rewarded. We have so much to do, the money is a blessing.” The national scheme is part of a BowlsSA drive which sees membership increase by almost 3 570 – a rise in excess of 10%. Boland’s Bonnievale won the first stanza of the scheme.

Notices

 

• WPCC: Bowls Club Quiz; July 20; 6.45pm; R$30 a head (soup provided); bring other snacks; Teams of six (max); provide team leader’s name and team; or enter alone by today; all welcome; carol@talktravel.co.za/ 0833244825
• Malmesbury: JB’s Nissan Tournament; All Tournament; Friday 7pm-Saturday 9am; September 30; 12 teams only; 8 a side allowed; from any club; fours; strength v strength; R1 200 entry a side; 1^st prize: R4 000 contact: Gert Adams: 0828744659; Danie Oosthuisen: 0722383916.

Who is taking the xxxx out of the “English” language

Last year the US Parents’ Television Council (PTC) published a report on cursing on television. It was intended to shock and horrify … it didn’t.

Here is the PTC list; but a warning: If you do not appreciate the finer points of swearing or are squeamish or so holier than thou, stop reading NOW.

If not read on and, er… keep this away from children>?

The PTC study “counted every instance of about 18 different swear words (or pseudo swear words) on primetime TV in 2010” and produced a list of some of the most commonly used swear words.

The list:

 

• Bleeped fuck : 276 instances –  most common of  curses;
• Hell: 244;
• Ass: 148;
• Damn: 141;
• Bitch: 11;
• Bleeped “shit” :95;
• Penis, vagina, and other genitals: 72;
• Crap: 69;
• Screw: 62
• Suck: 52;
• Piss: 44.

Then of course there are euphemisms we won’t even discuss, but “box”, “boobs”, “tits: “bonk”, “balls” and “hooters” plus many other examples are readily available.

What’s happened to good old “bloody” or “bastard” or even “harlot”?

Indeed, “swearing” and innuendo on TV has actually increased. For some reason, known only to those who perpetrate it and, even worse, those who permit it, it continues to feed pervs who enjoy the sound of words which wrongly excite youth and their elders, but not necessarily betters, in dirty raincoats, such as “dick”, “tits”, or “screw”.In an article, the PTC reports there are also those who sit glued to their sets and list every word they consider offensive – to protect the children, of course.

My question to you is why? Does TV not offer security options to prevent kids from watching what might be construed as offensive?

In South Africa there are also watchdogs in place, but either they sometimes fail to understand what is going on by not appreciating the idiom, or miss the offensive utterance. Perhaps they reason, it does not matter that much; just better to warn, with “…the following item contains language of an offensive nature …” yeah, yeah.

In any case, just plug into a school playground, in comparison the script of C rated TV films sounds like a prayer book.

As a schoolboy (aged about 11- 60 years ago) I remember being asked if I knew the “shortest ‘hardware’ joke in the world?”

When I eagerly inquired the retort was: “Nut screws washer and bolts.”

I ask you!

It’s actually another of those chicken and egg conundrums.

Are parents to blame? (some times); is it really the TV, even radio? (some times); is it simply a ripple effect with older children using “bad language” and youngsters picking it up and perpetuating irritation for those who find anything stronger than Oh dear?

So you are adamant, it is offensive; or is it?

Is beating a child with a “dirty” mouth any less of an offence than the words uttered?

“This is 2011, unless you have been in catatonic state for decades and language, although its etymology remains constant, has changed.”

All this is akin to blasphemous utterances.  Not everyone is spiritual enough to worry about it; more are.

After all, why should we be bombarded with a deluge of “oh my God!”, “Jesus F-ing Christ”, “Jeeeesus” or “for Christ sake”, “mother of God” and so on?

I don’t like it, many others don’t like it and although I am an advocate of freedom of speech there’s always exclusion; in these instances, we can do without it.

The advent of the cell phone and the SMS has introduced a completely new form of communication. I can tell you, many of my university first year students are sorely miffed to be forbidden from handing in essays containing language such as “…cum 2 t boil in 4mts…”

Also to be considered is, does it really matter?

After all, what is a word; does society have a right to decide what is “offensive” or what is not?

Remember “sticks and stones” etc, etc…?

Who shall be the arbiter? Who decides what is offensive or “in some cases” (whatever that means) permissible?

When a US president can be called a “prick” on radio and TV and laugh at it and suggestive material surfaces in virtually every piece of “art form” is it any wonder the “goody-goodies” throw up their angelic hands and fear we will all go to a blazing hell?

Is classic nude art form offensive? Perhaps Michelangelo’s David in a Florentine piazza should be draped?

For those of us who play sports, cursing is part of the regimen. As a golfer I remember well a missed putt was sent on its way with a healthy dose of invective; Tiger Woods, still a global icon for youngsters, has a colourful vocabulary. Maybe it would be better if children watched soccer, basketball or cricket with the sound off?

Expletives have been used for centuries. If so offensive why are they to be found in major dictionaries and thesauruses? Perhaps shielding delicate eyes and ears means forbidding use of a necessary education tool (oops sorry)?

“Blow me” has little to do with the wind these days; If I told you, you had beautiful body would you hold it against me? Requires little imagination, yet is a registered lyric to a hit single.

Are these words and phrases true no-no? Perhaps kids find them more convenient; do they agree with what we imagine to be “hard-core” words?

Your choice; ironically it’s about the only thing against which you cannot take out insurance; laugh out loud.

Whatever, you can still run from them, but you certainly can’t hide!

This sporting mad nation not be able to match the best Antipodean Super Rugby has to offer, but a major “warm-up” for South Africa’s Protea bowlers against traditional Down Under rivals in a three-Test series in South Australia from August 30 to September 1 might rattle a few cages in the land of Oz.

Our teams will not be announced until after the African States, but WP’s superb Sylvia Burns may well have done enough already to earmark a spot. On the other hand, Durbanville ace, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shaun Addinall, otherwise probably a certainty is not available.

It will be a vital preparation, since World Bowls 2012 is in Australia and the hosts are sure to ensure the greens resemble those to be used at Adelaide.

Described by the Australian media as “a salivating contest” the clash is at the Moonta Memorial Park Bowling Club in conjunction with the District Council of the Copper Coast, with the dramatic Yorke Peninsula providing the perfect backdrop.

The ABC and Fox Sports will televise nine of the international matches from Moonta.

For years the foes have tussled, both in World Bowls events around the globe and in contests both in the Antipodes and in Johannesburg in triangular and quadrangular contests.

Latest battle was at the Delhi Commonwealth Games when the nations clashed in two gold medal play-offs, with the Proteas coming out on top both times.

This did not amuse the tough, usually poker-faced, former singles great, national coach Steve Glasson, who sees his side benefitting as a prelude for the Asia Pacific Championships in Adelaide in late November.

Queensland’s Nathan Rice returns to the international arena for the first time in almost four years after being selected for Pacific Merdeka Indoor Championships in Kuala Lumpur. With 96 caps, Rice, 31, is in the three-player line-up that includes Helensvale teammate Lynsey Armitage and world number three Aron Sherriff.

Glasson described the SA-Oz meet as “an extremely competitive series. The South Africans are always a fierce opponent, both at home and abroad, and after topping the gold medal count in Delhi have proved a force to be reckoned with.

“We’re looking forward to heading to Moonta and having the South Australian crowd firmly behind us and it’s going to be a great opportunity for the Copper Coast to see international bowls at its best.”

The tests will include all disciplines, with five men and five women representing each nation over the three days’ competition.

South African president, Debra Ferguson, said the SA sides will be picked after the African States tournaments in Kenya at the end of June;  Australia is sure to be ultra competitive.

The following venues for 2012 have been allocated, subject to greens inspection, budgets and proposed tournament committees: Warwick/BowlsSA Masters: EP; open interdistricts: JBA; B interdistricts: S Cape; senior interdistricts: Sables; U/25 Interdistricts/U-19s: SOFS; Warwick/BowlsSA Men’s Nationals: EP; Warwick/Bowls SA Women’s Nationals: E Gauteng; Bowls/SA Mixed Pairs: NW; African States: Port Natal.

A club coach course is to be held on the weekends of September 3/4 and 10/11 at WPCC. E-mail entries on appropriate forms (see club secretary) to brianwsmith@telkomsa.net or by faxing to:

0218552460. Candidates face an interview (SC) prior to final acceptance.

Notices:

• WPCC: Bowls Club Quiz; July 20; 6.45pm; R$30 a head (soup provided); bring other snacks; Teams of six (max); provide team leader’s name and team; or enter alone by July 16; all welcome; carol@talktravel.co.za/ 0833244825
• Malmesbury: JB’s Nissan Tournament; All Tournament; Friday 7pm-Saturday 9am; September 30; 12 teams only; 8 a side allowed; from any club; fours; strength v strength; R1 200 entry a side; 1^st prize: R4 000 contact: Gert Adams: 0828744659; Danie Oosthuisen: 0722383916.

How about bowls as an alternative to the “big five?”

There are two types of mainstream sport – the “big five” and the “Cinderella” brigade.

The former – soccer, rugby, motorsport, athletics, cricket, attracts 90% of the sponsorship, 95% of media publicity and yet, do not always attract the largest number of participants or actual supporters.

Weird?

According to a non-audited source, cricket enjoys 20 million players worldwide, soccer – no one can tell, probably more than one billion; 10 million play rugby, 2 million do athletics and about one million are serious motorsport fans.

What must be remembered, however, the developing world has to make do with makeshift sport; only in the 1^st World nations is there structure and true organisation.

The “Cinderella’s”, however, have serious impact everywhere and sponsors might well be missing out not realising some have devotees concentrated in A and B income categories or with considerable influence of local and national affairs.

 Of these codes, lawn (since the 1400s) and indoor bowls enjoys millions worldwide – the most in Australia (in excess of 300 000), while in South Africa alone there are 30 000; the Britain has upwards of 240 000 players.

While the average age of bowlers worldwide hovers around the 57 years mark, down from 62 about 10 years ago (it is about 61 in South Africa, but falling), players are usually well-established independent people with considerable buying power.

Now the sport is an attractive alternative to younger players (from 11-40) who are either uninterested in contact sports, have a disability, or simply see the sport for what it is – a non-confrontational, highly competitive, friendship-forming exercise.

No one really knows the true numbers, since there are many non-registered players everywhere, but a rough estimate would be in excess of six million worldwide … growing again after a slump in the early part of this century.

Bowls is popular in the Antipodean islands, Britain, the former British colonies in Africa, Hong Kong, the Pacific Rim nations and parts of the US and more recently in Japan. Now it is spreading throughout Europe. It belongs to the boules sport family and is related to bocce and pétanque.

It is much cheaper to play, can be enjoyed 24/7/365, either indoor or outdoors and is blind to race, religion, gender or colour.

It is, without doubt, the true “people’s sport.”

The World Championships held bi-annually is a £200 000 (R2-million+) competition and is watched by many millions on TV; many zonal events attract thousands of global spectators worldwide.

Another phenomenon is barefoot or corporate bowls, where established clubs open their greens to paying customers who are organised into teams for a social few hours on the green. Bowls is played at the Commonwealth Games; the last being held in Delhi, India, where South Africa won three gold medals.

A worrying decline in entries received for the nationals (50% in eight years) has not been halted, in spite of shortening the traditional two-week event and increasing prize money.

Bowls SA has, however, grabbed the serious issue of ailing men’s and women’s national championships in this country by the scruff of the neck; radical options are proposed.

As it was accurately pointed out to me by one of South Africa’s most respected administrators John Ravenscroft, most tournaments cater for the elite players whereas the “nationals” are for the club player to compete against the elite.

At a Johannesburg workshop in August 2011, the 20 SA districts will be expected to discuss and propose players’ views, mandates and ideas; all will be high on the agenda.

BowlsSA president Debra Ferguson says research indicates men and women prefer separate dates (the events run concurrently at present) for their respective tournaments – virtually vital for 90% of married couples (many work) to compete.

The Australians (300 000+ bowlers) run their nationals along self-financing lines where qualification is from the districts (states) and monies accrued from such qualifiers go towards the expenses of the finalists.

The following ideas are mooted for South Africa:

 

     To return to the previous format adopted during the 1980/’90s

      This would allow for clubs to raise funds to finance their team

• One team per club (selected);
• event run over 14 days;
• disciplines: Fours/pairs/singles and,
• accept general/unlimited entries for singles.

         To retain the format now in operation:

• Unlimited number of teams per club;
• event run over nine days;
• disciplines: fours/pairs/singles;
• qualify for singles through district singles.

         To accept only qualifiers from district events (as per current singles):

• Event run over nine days – completing each discipline in full;
• disciplines: Fours/pairs/singles and,
• qualification for the national event through zones.

        To conduct entirely separate events for each discipline:

• Each event run over several days;
• accept either unlimited entries or through qualification;
• each event running independently in separate districts/dates and,
• disciplines: Fours/pairs/singles.

So, investors, sponsors and those with an eye on a good thing take a look past the “big five” when it comes to sport … bowls is an extremely attractive option for all reasons.