To annually produce provincial champions is tough; almost impossible. Selectors know how vital are form, record and availability; just one player omitted erroneously from a wining side might unsettle balance.

 

Moreover, changing times and vital transformation responsibilities means selectors must carefully weigh options.

 

WP has excellent selectors – men and women. Dedicated, conscientious, I often see them, in all weathers, huddled on weather-lashed banks, gazing like the families of fisher folk on a quay, waiting for kin to return.

 

No praise is high enough, in spite of perennially dissatisfied armchair critics, who, quick to decry, rarely offer constructive options.

 

Women’s convenor, Maureen McLeod of Constantia, now a grizzled four-year veteran, is always outspoken. A great champion of equity and fair play, it was she that took up cudgels for working women; all power to her.

 

She remains forthright:

 

“We take record and form. We never consider creed, race or faith; it’s performance we want; names and results, not ethnicity is our watchword.”

 

This year, more than usual, there are problems.

 

“No world champion and triple 2011 WP champion Trish Steyn because of work, while Cheryl Cox wants a break; others (seniors) such as Liz Maisel and Di Goldstein (work) are unavailable, as is up and coming Cheryl Truter.

 

“We were keen to blood outstanding juniors who have done so well, such as Merle Valentine and Zenith Ranjee, both Under-25s, but each has just had a baby and so are also unavailable; young Sarah Stringer of Constantia is to be married in March … another missing,” she laments.

 

Nevertheless, other exciting youngsters from the Under-25 squad in Marette de Villiers, Samantha Olivier, aged 20, and the precocious talent Janita du Toit (long overdue in your columnist’s opinion for a provincial slot), vie for places.”

 

All bowlers should try to attend trials and support our wannabees; encouragement is a great stimulant for latent talent.

 

For another up-coming crowded season WP’s women selectors have named 48 to attend interdistricts trials on October 8 at Bellville and at Constantia on October 9 (both from 8.15am).

 

Three games of 15 ends will be played each day; light lunch available or take your own. Rain gear may be required. The interdistricts are on March 12-16 next year.

 

Those unavailable for trials or interdistricts contact Ms McLeod: 0217012737/ 0835161408 / Fax: 0867320083 /e-mail: mcleodml@mweb.co.za:

 

Trialists:

 

Blacker A (Constantia); Deysel Sanet (Gordons Bay); Clark L (Constantia); Elliott J (Gordons Bay); Edwards D (Constantia); Brink M ) Gordons Bay); George F (Constantia); McKay-Vlok S (Helderberg); Janse van Rensburg Jill (Constantia); Painter N (Helderberg); Nurrish L (Constantia); Rey Gwen (Helderberg); Schoeman J (Constantia); Himschoot R (Milnerton); Standley M (Constantia); Raad J (Milnerton); Whicher A (Constantia); Finikarides C (Oakdale); Burger Rita(Durbanville) Breedt Ria  (Oakdale); De Kock F (Durbanville); Dockendorff P (Plumstead); De Villiers Marette (Durbanville); Du Toit (J Plumstead); Maritz L (Durbanville); Gray A (Plumstead); Quinn A (Durbanville); Kronk N (Plumstead); Rose P (Durbanville); Olivier S (Pollsmoor); Stallwood P (Durbanville); Boonzaier Sussie (Strand); Swanepoel R (Durbanville); Grobler Theuna (Strand); Thomas M (Durbanville); Peters E (Strand); Van Zyl Maggie (Durbanville); Roediger L (Strand); Wilson Y (Durbanville); Van Vuuren M (Strand); Botes G (Edgemead); Burns S (Thornton); Groenewald Anita (Edgemead); Barry M (WPCC); Laros T (Edgemead); Kuhrau K (WPCC); Laubscher D (Edgemead); Nagel F (WPCC).

 

Men’s senior trials to be held all day at WPCC (to be confirmed) on October 8:

 

Constantia: Bobby Cron, Alan Lofthouse, Adrian Standley; Durbanville: Gerd Bruwer, Roley Maggott, Peter Pullen, Keith Wakelin; Edgemead: Bob Shackleton; Goodwood: Mickey Walsh; Helderberg: Martin van Breda; Howard: Peter Dewhurst; Plumstead: Brian Pearman, Trevor Wright; Strand: Chris Fenton: WPCC: Daniel Loubser, Brian Smith.

 

 

Come on everyone; get stuck into the WP lottery … R50 a month (or more units if required) could mean an early Christmas present. Contact your club’s representative NOW.

 

 

 

A two-hour U-19 interdistrict meeting is at Strand today (2pm) at which clubs will air promising juniors for the 2012 squad smart casual wear/correct footwear; Paul Cohen (0218552929/072 751 3088).

 

 

 

Happy New Year to all Jewish bowlers; well over the fast.

 

 

Notices:

• 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
• Stellenbosch-Van Der Stel /Warwick All Day mixed trips on September 29; 9am; R150 a side; (tea/lunch); 3 x 14 ; entries: Marlene Lambrechts:  0218865158/082729 1730; Lmarlene@telkomsa.net
• Pick ʼn Pay Family Stores/Old Oak Open Fours; November 10; 9am; R240 a side; 1^st prize R1 300; indicate lunch requirements two days before; entries to: Nick du Preez 0219192218/ 0834555297; e-mail: oldoakbc@gmail.com

With Bowls SA forging links with TV to broadcast the Namibia tests matches later this year and the 2012 Masters to be “canned” for another series of exposures on SuperSport, news from Down Under is that Bowls Australia has issued a call to arms to its 800 000-strong participation base to petition the ABC (TV) to return to broadcasting the sport.

 

ABC’s head of sport, Justin Holdforth, has informed Bowls Australia the national broadcaster would not be extending its long-term association; dropping weekly live bowls – considered an institution in that sports-mad country.

One of the Australia’s most senior politicians, Bronwyn Bishop, along with a Federal Member (MP) Kelly O’Dwyer, has launched a national campaign to ensure bowls goes back on the box.

“Getting rid of bowls off the ABC means it will not fulfill its charter in relation to an important sport in Australia,” Ms Bishop said in an interview with Bowls Australia.

“The ABC is abandoning between 200 000 and 500 000 viewers who watch bowls weekly and has betrayed an important part of our community not served by any other broadcasting outlet.”

 

Bowlers nationwide have been alerted to a monster campaign to try to make ABC change tack.

Holdforth cited a strategic shift to attract a younger audience to bowls’ traditional 5pm timeslot on a Saturday evening, as well as a need to “redirect its limited resources into alternate programming” as key reasons behind the decision.

Ms O’Dwyer, who also sits on the Bowls Australia board, said the outcry from the bowling community following the ABC’s decision led to their course of action.

“This is to let the bosses at the ABC know that they can’t just decide to give bowls the boot,” Ms O’Dwyer said.

Bowls Australia is calling on lawn bowls enthusiasts to sign a national petition prior to on Thursday, October 27, which will be presented to the House of Representatives later this year.

 

How’s that for action?

 

 

 

Congratulations to Doreen de Power, elected vice-president at the WP August annual meeting, who has been awarded the Bowls SA Technical Official’s Level Four badge – the highest national award for such officials and the first time it has been achieved by WPBA member. On presenting the excellent administrator with her award at Bowls SA’s AGM, Bowls SA president, Debra Ferguson paid homage to De Power and her ilk who “gave of their time and expertise that bowls standards are raised and the sports’ integrity is maintained.” De Power, involved with bowls since 1991, became an umpire in 1994 She served on the WPBA Technical Officials’ Standing Committee for many years and on  the Bowls SA Standing Committee for the past two. The award qualifies the recipient to perform technical official duties anywhere in South Africa and to be eligible to sit an international examination (under the auspices of World Bowls). If successful, she could be invited to work officiate at events such as World Bowls, the Atlantic Rim Tournament or the Commonwealth Games.

 

 

 

An informal meeting will be held for marketing/development officers and club secretaries at Pinewood on Saturday (Sept 24) at 10:00 to plan for the upcoming season. The secretary of WPBA, Bob Shackleton points out if a club does not have a marketing/development officer, the President and/or another club committee should attend. The agenda includes: regional marketing/development, membership procedure and breakaways covering various topics.

Clubs should inform the WP Office by tomorrow (Monday, Sept 19) of those attending.

Notices:

• 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
• Stellenbosch-Van Der Stel /Warwick All Day mixed trips on September 29; 9am; R150 a side; (tea/lunch); 3 x 14 ; entries: Marlene Lambrechts:  0218865158/082729 1730; Lmarlene@telkomsa.net
• Pick ʼn Pay Family Stores/Old Oak Open Fours; November 10; 9am; R240 a side; 1^st prize R1 300; indicate lunch requirements two days before; entries to: Nick du Preez 0219192218/ 0834555297; e-mail: oldoakbc@gmail.com

When one sends a national sporting team overseas, there is always a chance it will get walloped. That has just happened at Adelaide in Australia.

But there can be no critisicm of the players, the selection, or the management; such things are sent to try us.

I wager we went to Adelaide expecting the type of greens to be presented by Bowls Australia next year for the biggest test of all – World Bowls. One thing I can say with certainty, the greens will run no faster than 15sec … the world body has a mandate and a duty to ensure that pre-requisite.

The Proteas had to contend with greens much faster than that experienced at the Commonwealth Games on New Delhi’s carpet; some of our less experienced players found the going tough … no surprise there.

The Australians had “played themselves in” and produced crack teams; almost as good as they can muster; we did not.

To my mind it was a calculated “sortie” to test Australian strength in depth, to spot any glaring “black holes” where perceived capabilities wavered and to blood certain players and earmark them for future greatness.

This columnist has no mandate, nor wish to pinpoint anomalies or “weaknesses;” everyone tried their best – it just was not, this time, good enough.

In saying this let me make it clear, however, that Australia’s two sides provided an awesome array of firepower. They clearly had been stung by losing two gold medals to our players in Delhi; their management was eager for that not to be repeated on home greens.

As ace Australian bowls writer Richard Goodbody observed: “…With the World Championships in Adelaide less than 15 months away, Australia’s preparations for the sport’s pinnacle event has commenced in near perfect fashion, with a clinical performance against one of its fiercest rivals.”

 

And Australian captain Lynsey (subs: this is correct) Armitage said: “I’m really stoked with everyone’s performance.

 

“We really just wanted to get out there and really improve on our Commonwealth Games performance when they beat us over there (at Delhi) a couple of times.

 

“Both Bec (Quail) and Sean (Baker) made their debuts, but they played like they had been playing for Australia for years, so it’s really exciting for the Australian bowls team with the likes of them coming through … “

 

Perhaps the last quote sums it all up.

 

South African bowlers must be prepared to play on debut “as if they had been playing for years,” opponents correctly show little pity on the uncertain. It is not a matter of skill in question, but a combination of BMT and preparedness … watch out Aussies, South Africa will be ready in Adelaide next year.

 

Moreover, the Atlantic Rim Tournament in Cyprus is around the corner … another opportunity for the sides to meld.

For the record, Australia won three tests 6-2, 7-1, 7-1, losing only four games of 24 in the series. 

Well done; according to Protea manager Ron Weddell, the hospitality was great … I’m not surprised.

Australia: Women: Lynsey Armitage (Queensland), Kelsey Cottrell (NSW), Karen Murphy (NSW), Natasha Van Eldik (NSW) Rebecca Quail (Tasmania); men: Sean Baker (Queensland), Nathan Rice (Queensland), Brett Wilkie (Queensland),  Mark Berghofer (NSW) Aron Sherriff (NSW).

 

South Africa: Tracy-Lee Botha (JBA), Sylvia Burns (WP), Colleen Piketh (Jhb), Esme Steyn (Jhb), Santjie Steyn (Boland); men: Gerry Baker (Jhb), Wayne Perry (SOFS), Billy Radloff (S Cape), Gideon Vermeulen (Port Natal), Wayne York (SOFS).

 

 

Bowlers selected for senior trials to be held all day at WPCC (to be confirmed) on October 10.

Constantia: Bobby Cron, Alan Lofthouse, Adrian Standley; Durbanville: Gerd Bruwer, Roley Maggott, Peter Pullen, Keith Wakelin; Edgemead: Bob Shackleton; Goodwood: Mickey Walsh; Helderberg: Martin van Breda; Howard: Peter Dewhurst; Plumstead: Brian Pearman, Trevor Wright; Strand: Chris Fenton: WPCC: Daniel Loubser, Brian Smith.

 

 

 

Notices:

• 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
• Oakdale/ Sussie van Freden Novices (Begun bowls post 2008/9 and who has not played at district or higher level). Sundays: September 25, October 2, 9 at 9am; R800 1^st prize; entry: R240 a team; 3 x 15; contact: Sussie: 021919 6246; closes September 16; 12 sides compete on Sept 25; 12 on Oct 2. Top six in finals on Oct 9
• Stellenbosch-Van Der Stel /Warwick All Day mixed trips on September 29; 9am; R150 a side; (tea/lunch); 3 x 14 ; entries: Marlene Lambrechts:  0218865158/082729 1730; Lmarlene@telkomsa.netA

 

 

 

The “Good Ship WPBA” has its lottery ducks firmly in a row and clubs have been given notice of procedure, rules and rewards of the Western Province Bowls 1000 Club – a major fundraising initiative not only for the WPBA, but its clubs, the blind and handicapped bowlers and various other charities. The launch is immediate.

 

Prospects are that monies accrued will boost the already not inconsiderable funds from the WPBA’s terrific sponsors.

 

Basically terms and conditions of the lottery are:

 

• Prizes allocated  via a lucky draw basis monthly;
• draw by independent auditors; their decision final;
• winners notified; payment by EFT;
• winners; names to appear on www.wpbowls.co.za and sent to all clubs;
• winners’ names to be published;
• winners may decline any prize;
• initial subscription limited to 1 000 numbers;
• prize money  guaranteed by WPBA;
• prizes R10 000; R5,000, + five x R1 000 consolations;
• 10% of gross from club/charity returned quarterly to source.

Contacts: Jenny Phillips: 0834563443/ jennyp543@gmail.com or Bob Shackleton (0215315872)/wpbowls@mweb.co.za

 

Says WPBA president, Ron Delport, whose brainchild has finally materialised: “It is exciting. If 1 000 tickets are taken up, it means a steady income flow from which all associated with the WPBA will benefit.

 

“It will certainly speed the emergence of a bowls academy and lighten the awesome financial load encountered in sending all our provincial sides away to tournaments, these days costing as much as R170 000 annually.”

 

 

Cape Town clubs featured among award winners named from Bowls Awareness Day April 27. Bowls SA announced at the annual meeting in Johannesburg that R100 000 donations had been made to CANSA and Disability Bowls. Certificates of commendation went to: Green with most bowls delivered: Boksburg: R4 000; second: Beaufort West: R2 000; best picture/caption: Port Edward R4 000; runner-up: Bronkhorstspruit: R1 500; best one-minute video clip: Port Edward: R4 000; best dressed: Strand: R3 000; runner-up: Goodwood: R1 500. Congratulations to WP nominees appointed to BSA standing committees were: Technical Officials: Doreen de Power (Goodwood); green-keepers: Fred Downing (Durbanville); Promotion/Development: Anina Black (Edgemead) and Aloma Smith (Strand); Selection Committee (men): Bobby Cron (Constantia).  The number of bowls for the day remains to be ratified as a world record by the Guinness Book of Records.

 

 

 

Notices:

• 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
• Oakdale/ Sussie van Freden Novices (Begun bowls post 2008/9 and who has not played at district or higher level). Sundays: September 25, October 2, 9 at 9am; R800 1^st prize; entry: R240 a team; 3 x 15; contact: Sussie: 021919 6246; closes September 16; 12 sides compete on Sept 25; 12 on Oct 2. Top six in finals on Oct 9
• Stellenbosch-Van Der Stel /Warwick All Day mixed trips on September 29; 9am; R150 a side; (tea/lunch); 3 x 14 ; entries: Marlene Lambrechts:  0218865158/082729 1730; Lmarlene@telkomsa.netA