ISSUE 1 MARCH 2009
THE OFFICIAL BOWLS NZ eMAGAZINE
Forty Capped at Carlton Cornwall NZ to Host 2016 World Champs Wightman Wins Women’s Singles Khandallah Celebrates 100 Years
HOW TO:
TURN THE PAGE
Click to the outside of the page area (indicated by the grey strips) to turn the page.
ZOOM
Click the part you want to zoom into. Click again to zoom out.
“
Because
Club Cover
protecting your clubrooms and club assets is a serious responsibility for all clubs...
“
We are fortunate that we have a helpful friend in our Principal Sponsor TOWER Insurance who provides us with a Bowling Club insurance that has been specially created just for bowling clubs. It was our own Clubs, from all around New Zealand that asked for an insurance that would cater specifically for their Club's needs - they were looking for more than just an extension of a commercial insurance. TOWER delivered just what we asked for; insurance designed exclusively for bowling clubs and their specific needs with its own special premium rate. If you aren't already holding TOWER Provider Bowling Club insurance, you would do well to have a look at the benefits it offers. Benefits under the policy include: • Cover on all buildings, assets, plant and contents specified • Up to $15,000 in total in any one year for malicious damage to your greens • Up to $1,000,000 for legal liability claims made on the club for compensatory damages as a result of accidents in connection with the club's activities • Up to $5,000 for the cost of changing existing locks and keys if the keys have been stolen or unlawfully duplicated • Replacement cover for artificial greens if specified as an optional extra • Up to $5,000 for loss of club money • $2,000 if your refrigeration equipment accidentally stops and your food deteriorates.
There is a specialist available at TOWER Insurance that you can call to discuss this cover with: Allan Henderson on 0800 477 466 tower.co.nz
E M O C L E W We are proud to welcome you to the first edition of Bowls NZ’s official eMagazine, UpShot. The transition from a printed magazine to an electronic medium will be an adjustment however, going forward, this is the best way keep you up informed. The official eMagazine of Bowls NZ will be ‘published’ monthly. Email your contributions to info@bowlsnz.co.nz Attracting new participants is a focus of most clubs. On the topic of recruitment, it is often suggested that coverage on TV will attract people and it is asked “Why isn’t there any bowls on TV?” This common misconception is based on the premise that by simply covering bowls events on TV, there will be people lining up to play and join. It is obvious that this is not the case. Our game is not in a position to ‘sell the rights’ to broadcasters, unlike spectator sports such as Rugby and Netball, thus any coverage must be purchased at high costs. Before, investing tens of thousands of dollars into ‘airtime’, we must look at the purpose of bowls on TV. Recently, delayed coverage has been screened weeks after the last end. In an age of live sports coverage (Warriors games can be viewed LIVE on your
mobile phone), delayed coverage does not cut it. Spectator sports are better for TV and compared to other sports, bowls generally doesn’t rate. We only need to look back to the World Bowls Championships 2008 in Christchurch to be reminded of empty seats and low spectator support. We must become ‘fans’ of our own sport and actively celebrate and promote bowls as a sport to watch. “Free PR” in the media (newspapers, radio and TV) is only generated where there is strong public interest. Where were the crowds of supporters to welcome home our triumphant World Champion Black Jacks with the TransTasman Trophy after their first win over Australia in 3 years? To ensure media coverage, it is a numbers game and we need to focus on 4 aspects; changing our image, increasing participation, creating a wider public appeal with strong bowler support at events as players or spectators. Embrace Bowls NZ’s initiatives such as ‘Club Plan’ and ‘Mates In Bowls’ that are part of a bigger picture to ensure that we have strong, sustainable clubs.
ISSUE 1 MARCH 2009
AGAZINE BOWLS NZ eM THE OFFICIAL
HOW TO:
rnwall at Carlton Co Forty Capped amps 16 World Ch NZ to Host 20 Singles ns Women’s Wightman Wi
TURN THE PAGE Click to the outside of the page area (indicated by the grey strips) to turn the page.
0 Years Celebrates 10 Khandallah
this
issue Forty Capped at Carlton Cornwall
04
Kostanich Capped 05 World Bowls New Zealand to Host 2016 Championships
07
Hyundai National Open Championships Unique in New Zealand Sport
09
Hyundai National Open Championships Wightman Wins Women’s Singles
11
Khandallah Celebrates 100 Years
13
Player Profiles Clare McCaul Jamie Hill
15 15
MIB Fitzroy Turns Doubters to Believers
17
Groundswell of Support for Change
19
CDO Contacts
19
Coaching is the Key
21
Need2Know
22
Club Scene
22
Feedback
22
Focus on Umpiring 23 ZOOM
Events Calendar
Click the part you want to zoom into. Click again to zoom out. HOW TO:
PAGE ted TURNtheTHE page area (indica outside of the
23
ZOOM to zoom part you want Click the to zoom out. into. Click again
Click to to turn the page. by the grey strips)
3
Y T R FO CAPPED at Carlton Cornwall
Women Verna Devlin
1973 World Bowls, Wellington
Hazel Harper
1977 World Bowls, Worthing
Vera Bindon
1986 Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh
Jean Ryan
1988 World Bowls, Auckland
Marlene Castle
1989
1990 Commonwealth Games, Auckland
1994 Commonwealth Games, Victoria
1998 Commonwealth Games,
Kuala Lumpur
2002 Commonwealth Games,
Manchester
1992 World Bowls, Aberdeen
1996 World Bowls, Leamington Spa
2000 World Bowls, Moama
2004 World Bowls, Leamington Spa
Judith Payne
1998 Commonwealth Games,
Kuala Lumpur
Wendy Jensen
2001
2002 Commonwealth Games,
Manchester
2004 World Bowls, Leamington Spa
Men H.W. Frost
1930 Empire Games, Canada
Forty former New Zealand Representatives were honoured
George Carter
1934 Empire Games, London
during a Bowls New Zealand function dripping in history
Billy Dillicar
1934 Empire Games, London
and filled with emotion at the Carlton Cornwall Bowling
Harold Grocott 1934 Empire Games, London
Club recently.
Len Keys
The occasion was part of the highly successful move
1934 Empire Games, London
George Pollard 1934 Empire Games, London
by the national body to acknowledge the contributions
Bill Bremner
made by past international players – a campaign which has
Walter Dennison 1938 Empire Games, Sydney
unraveled stories, fun and fame since the very first national
Frank Livingstone 1938 Empire Games, Sydney
team which went to the Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada
Lance Macey
in 1930.
Alec Robertson 1938 Empire Games, Sydney
Capping functions in various centres around the country have been held since the first in Dunedin, back in November 2008, bringing together many old and young champions, their families and friends, to relive their golden moments in bowls. The Carlton Cornwall function saw a wide range of ex-representatives, ranging from the multi-capped heroes like Rowan Brassey and Marlene Castle, to the lesser known stars of the past who might have only represented New Zealand once or twice. All accepted their caps with pride and emotion, Bowls New Zealand staffers observed. Most of the early New Zealand reps played in Empire or Commonwealth Games and World Bowls, as not many test series were played in those days between affiliated World
1938 Empire Games, Sydney
1938 Empire Games, Sydney
Bill Whittaker
1938 Empire Games, Sydney
Ham Pirrett
1950 Empire Games, Auckland
1954 Empire Games, Vancouver
1958 Commonwealth Games, Cardiff
Pete Skoglund
1950 Empire Games, Auckland
1954 Empire Games, Vancouver
Arthur Connew 1954 Empire Games, Vancouver Robin Andrew
1958 Commonwealth Games, Cardiff
Ted Pilkington
1958 Commonwealth Games, Cardiff
1962 Commonwealth Games, Perth
Bob McDonald
1962 Commonwealth Games, Perth
1970 Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh
1974 Commonwealth Games,
Christchurch
1978 Commonwealth Games, Edmonton
1972 World Bowls, Worthing
1976 World Bowls, Johannesburg
fact that Bowls New Zealand CEO, Kerry Clark, himself a
Bill O’Neill
1962 Commonwealth Games, Perth
notable past international player, has known so many of
1966 World Bowls, Sydney
the recipients himself and stories have abounded all the
Jack Rabone
1962 Commonwealth Games, Perth
functions that have been held to date .
Norman Lash
1966 World Bowls, Sydney
Bowls countries. The functions have been made more intimate by the
Percy Jones 1970 Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh 1974 Commonwealth Games, Christchurch Ivan Kostanich 1978 Commonwealth Games, Edmonton John Malcolm 1978 Commonwealth Games, Edmonton 1980 World Bowls, Melbourne Neville Hill 1979 Trans-Tasman Nick Unkovich 1980 World Bowls, Melbourne 1979 Trans-Tasman, 1981, 82, 85, 86 Rowan Brassey 1982 Commonwealth Games, Brisbane 1990 Commonwealth Games, Auckland 1994 Commonwealth Games, Victoria 1998 Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur 2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne 1984 World Bowls, Aberdeen 1988 World Bowls, Auckland 1992 World Bowls, Worthing 1996 World Bowls, Adelaide 2000 World Bowls, Johannesburgh 2004 World Bowls, Ayr Danny O’Connor 1982 Commonwealth Games, Brisbane 1982 Trans-Tasman, 1983 Wayne Nairn 1985 Asia Pacific, Tweed Heads 1986 Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh 1988 Trans-Tasman Peter Shaw 1990 Commonwealth Games, Auckland 1998 Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur Mike Galloway 1995 v Fiji Dwayne Cameron 1998 v Zimbabwe Jamie Hill 2003 Asia Pacifics, Pine Rivers 2006 Commonwealth Games, Melbourne
Also, at this ceremony, Kerry Clark presented a special recognition award to Joan and Athol Brown for their long standing support and commitment to the sport of bowls. Pictured from left: Athol, Kerry and Joan.
H C I N A T KOS
CAPPED
By Ken Nicholson Not many bowlers can say they beat three of the world’s greatest bowlers, England legend David Bryant, and New Zealand greats Bob McDonald and Nick Unkovich, all in one day – but Ivan Kostanich can. Last month, Kostanich was one of 40 Auckland-based former New Zealand representative bowlers who were acknowledged by Bowls NZ by awarding them their NZ caps. Kostanich is proud of the fact that, at 88, he is still good enough to have qualified at this year’s Hyundai National Open Championships in singles, pairs and fours. “I’ve gone back to leading now - I’m just playing to the kitty - and, in the last three or four months, I don’t think anybody has beaten me in leading. I really enjoy my bowls and still play three or four times a week.” There was a day though, when Kostanich had much more to his game than merely “playing to the kitty.” His well rounded attacking and drawing game made him one of the most feared singles exponents in the sport, as his record of winning the New Zealand singles titles in 1976 and 1992 (as a 73 year-old), three Auckland titles, three Champion of Champion singles titles and countless other victories would attest. At his best, Kostanich was something of a singles specialist and it still irks him that, when he won his New Zealand cap as a Representative at the Edmonton Commonwealth Games in 1978, he was chosen to lead for Bob McDonald in the pairs.“ But before, I’d played Unkovich, McDonald, Phil Skogland, and Kerry Clark (twice) at singles and beaten them all,” he said. Clark was chosen as the singles player and it was the same Kerry Clark, now CEO of Bowls NZ, who was delighted to cap Kostanich. “But I was very proud to have been picked to play for New Zealand,” he said. Kostanich rattles off the big names he’s beaten, like a Western gunslinger. Bryant, McDonald and Unkovich were Kostanich victims during a one-off “Mini World Champs” that was held in New Zealand two decades ago. “On the second day I had to beat Unkovich, McDonald and Bryant, all three of them in one day, and I beat them all – not bad for an old bugger,” he laughs.
5
Hyundai and Bowls NZ – The wider relationship. Hyundai proud to drive the sport of Bowls in New Zealand. Hyundai is delighted to enjoy a cooperative relationship with bowls, as the official vehicle supplier to Bowls NZ and provider of exclusive offers to bowlers nationwide. Hyundai, the only 100% NZowned mainstream vehicle brand, has a longstanding and deep commitment to community groups in New Zealand. Hyundai has a strong relationship with Bowls NZ and the bowling community and we are pleased to be aligned with a sport and bowling demographic (both young and old) that suits our customer profile so very well. What also sets the relationship between Hyundai Motors NZ and Bowls NZ is that for any (new or used) Hyundai vehicle purchased from a Hyundai NZ dealership, $250 goes towards to the purchaser’s local bowling club and for any new vehicle sold, an extra $250 goes towards the sport! Hyundai are very pleased to announce that this February 2009, Hyundai NZ presented Bowls NZ with a cheque for $7,250 to the sport of Bowls for the sale of 29 new Hyundai vehicles to Bowls NZ members. A result which not only raised money for the purchaser’s local bowling club but also sees that the sport of Bowls continues to grow stronger within New Zealand. Hyundai aims to provide all of our customers with the best motor vehicle ownership experience in New Zealand. With the fantastic efforts of the Black Jacks at the 2008 World Bowls Championships, Hyundai Motors NZ was proud to be right in there supporting the team and showing support through the supply of vehicles, dealership facilitation and the help of staff members. The 2009 Hyundai National Championships also saw that the nation’s top bowlers got the chance to compete and show off their world class skills in the toughest of competitive environments. Hyundai was proud to be amongst the action and present the winners on the day with their much deserved awards. We would like to thank all Bowls NZ members for supporting us as we support you. Hyundai look forward to forming strong relationships with bowlers and their local bowling clubs throughout New Zealand. PICTURE CAPTION: Tom Ruddenklau, National Sales Manager, Hyundai Motors NZ (left) proudly presents Rajal Middleton, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bowls NZ (right) with a cheque in continuation of Hyundai’s support to the sport of Bowls in New Zealand.
S L W O B D L R WO
NEW ZEALAND TO HOST 2016 CHAMPIONSHIPS
If ever a reward for heaps of hard work and planning has been truly deserved, it’s come in the return of World Bowls to Christchurch. Bowls New Zealand and the city of Christchurch have just been given the right to stage a four year extravaganza of bowls, including the World Bowls Championship in 2016, as a result of the success and excellence of the 2008 World Championships. The 2008 Championships brought $5.6 million in local earnings to Christchurch and the 2016 championships should generate even more, according to the Christchurch City Council. Following his return from the recent World Bowls meeting in Dubai, the CEO of Bowls New Zealand, Kerry Clark has announced that Christchurch will also host the World Singles Champion of Champions in 2013 and 2014, the Asia Pacific Championships in 2015, as well as the 2016 World Championships. “We applied and were granted these events because we know we have the capability, the venues, the volunteers, the expertise and the confidence of World Bowls to do
another outstanding job,’ Clark said today. “These are the types of events in New Zealand which are outstanding for promoting the sport,” he said. Bowls New Zealand so impressed World Bowls with its organisation behind World Bowls 2008, that that tournament has been set as the benchmark for all future international competition. “This is a feather in the cap for Bowls New Zealand and it’s partners. World Bowls holds our organisation in very high regard,” Clark said. “We have also spoken to key partners, Christchurch City Council, SPARC, Major Events NZ and the host clubs and the Canterbury Centre in Christchurch, all who are supportive of New Zealand doing it all again.” World Bowls CEO, Gary Smith, said from the United Kingdom that he was full of praise for the professional organisation, commitment and enthusiasm of absolutely every individual involved in delivering the sport’s flagship event at the 2008 championships in Christchurch. “The Board of Directors of World Bowls was delighted to receive and approve Bowls New Zealand’s bid to host the event once again in 2016, which clearly exhibited the positive reaction of the New Zealand bowling community, funding agencies, sponsors and the media to the success of the 2008 hosting,” he said. “The total package of events awarded to Bowls New Zealand includes prestigious events on the International bowling calendar - the
World Singles Champion of Champions in 2013 and 2014 and the Asia/Pacific Championships in 2015. These events will provide vital opportunities for organisers and volunteers to prepare once again for the staging of the 2016 World Championships to make it even better than the 2008 event, if that is possible,” Smith said. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says to be awarded the rights to host four significant international bowls events over four years was an outstanding achievement for Christchurch and its bowling fraternity. “These events will generate millions of dollars each year for our local economy and place the global spotlight for bowls firmly on Christchurch.” He says being awarded the four international events is a tribute to those who staged the 2008 World Bowls Championships in the city. This event generated more than $5.6 million for the local economy. “Almost every player at the 2008 championships considered our greens were the best in the world and this has played an important part in the city securing these future events,” Parker said. “Our greenkeepers are recognised as the best in the world and I congratulate them on achieving this world-class status. You have set a benchmark which Bowls New Zealand says will be used for all future international competitions throughout the globe.”
7
The perfect partnership.
AS OFFICIAL VEHICLE SPONSOR OF BOWLS NZ, HYUNDAI IS PROUD TO OFFER ALL BOWLS NZ MEMBERS THE FOLLOWING OFFER*: • $25 WOF checks at any Hyundai NZ dealership. • $250 to your local bowling club for any Hyundai purchased from a Hyundai NZ dealership. • $250 to the sport of bowls for any new Hyundai purchased from a Hyundai NZ dealership. • Unique Bowls NZ/Hyundai key ring for every test drive taken at your local Hyundai dealership.** * Offer is valid until 31st March 2010. **Specialised key-ring offer is available only while stocks last and is valid until 31st March 2010. Bowlers MUST identify themselves as a Bowls NZ member before purchase or test drive to qualify for each offer.
UNIQUE IN NEW ZEALAND SPORT By Ken Nicholson The Hyundai National Open Championships is a championship which is unique in New Zealand sport and, possibly, in the world. It is impossible to state, categorically, that no other “open” national championship in any code, anywhere, has a format in which anyone from any level of the game can compete. It’s hard to think of any, at any rate. Just look at the national open championships of golf, tennis, athletics or bowls in any other country. In every instance, some form of qualifying is required, be it at provincial, age group, or amateur level. In most golf opens, for instance, a participant has to qualify or has an
Likewise, tennis “opens” are
of 2006/07, reaching the final of the
always run on a knock-out basis from
men’s fours before losing to Timaru’s
the first round.
Sean O’Neill. The annuls of the
It’s interesting that one of the big
nationals is littered with stories of
names on the international scene,
“unknowns” who have beaten some
Canadian Ryan Bester – who lives
of the country’s best.
mainly in Australia these days and
The sheer weight of numbers
crosses the Tasman many times to play
has always made the nationals very
in this country – rates a New Zealand
unwieldy and the logistics of staging
Open title as the hardest to win in
the tournament are enormous to
international bowls.
overcome. Bowls New Zealand Events
One only had to look at the
Manager, Allan Griffiths and his team
euphoria felt by this year’s men’s and
face a daunting job every year and
women’s singles champions, Richard
generally overcome the inevitable
Collett and Sue Wightman, to realize
problems that arise. In these
how much these titles mean to the
computerized days – great machines
victors. To add to the excitement of
when they work – one never knows
the occasion was the raucous reaction
when unforeseen problems might
of their followers – something that
arise.
has evolved as bowls, itself, has
The choosing and allotment of
changed from a rather traditional
greens, especially when inclement
automatic entry because of winning
sport into a far more colourful
weather plays an unwelcome hand –
a national amateur title, or a state or
recreation.
and the subsequent need to inform
provincial titles. For the Hyundai National Open
No sporting platform has seen so many upsets, over the years, as
rescheduled players – provides communications problems.
Championship, a player need only be
the nationals. Most of them are
affiliated to a club to make an entry.
hidden away in the bowels of section
previously segregated men’s and
Therefore, these championships
Since the amalgamation of the
competition, or the early rounds
women’s championships, compromises
are unique in providing an ordinary
of post section play. But this year’s
around playing dates and such like,
club player the chance to play against
instance of 74 year-old Mairangi
have largely been overcome and, as in
or even knock over an international
bowler, Rex Redfern, who celebrated
every other aspect of the game now,
star.
his 40th wedding anniversary along
Bowls New Zealand is committed for
with his midweek clubmates, Jim
the continuation of joint nationals.
The “nationals” as it is affectionately known, still attracts
Harris and Ken Crawford (both
huge numbers, even though not as
78) and another club rookie, Leon
National Open Championships is the
many as yesteryear, when as many
Wech, in overcoming international
highest national honour players can
as 2000 might contest the men’s-
and national stars, Richard Girvan,
aspire to achieve.
only championships of the past. In
Ali Forsyth, Danny O’Connor and
Australia, for instance, each discipline
Ian Neary in the fours, takes some
are thrown up, participants of New
is limited to 132 or 64 entries in each
beating.
Zealand’s nationals can be sure that
discipline, with all the eliminations
Then there was the fours final
Winning a title at the Hyundai
Yet, no matter what problems
they are playing in a championship
having been played in the qualifying
a couple of years back, when an
like few others in world sport. The
stages before the Open actually
Oamaru kid,18 year-old Andrew
essence of bowls and the traditions
begins. New Zealand, therefore, is
Kelly, skipped a fledgling team of
which have survived over many, many
a rarity in contesting section play
teenagers, Stephen Wood (19), James
years of the nationals have been
within the format of the actual
Pugh (17) and 16 year-old Allan
maintained, even though the game is
championship.
Stewart, and stunned the nationals
so vastly different from days gone by.
9
Main shot: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown, Lakefront.
treasure MOMENTS TO
backyard ...IN OUR OWN
$129
From
From
*
$119
PER ROOM, PER NIGHT, TWIN SHARE INCLUDES BREAKFAST AND GST.
$99
From
*
ARE WIN SH IGHT, T ND GST. N R E P ST A OM, PER RO DES BREAKFA INCLU
*
Choose from Rotorua, Taupo, Christchurch or Queenstown
n, Hamilto ckland, North, u A , ia ih n from Pa lmersto ru, Choose , Wanganui, Pa , Oama th a u u o r m to y in Ro ton, Gre nau or Duned Welling A wn, Te o st n e e Qu
PER RO OM, PE RN INCLU DES BR IGHT, TWIN S EAKFA ST AND HARE GST.
Choose from B ay of Is Auck la Marlbo land, Wairara nds, Hokianga p rough, Christc a, Wellington , , hurch o r Queen stown
Book online at www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/moments
or call 0800 237 266
* All rates advertised here apply from 23 March 2009 until 31 October 2009. Kingsgate Hotel Whangarei, Copthorne Hotel Grand Central New Plymouth & Copthorne Hotel Taupo are not included in this promotion. See www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/moments for full terms and conditions.
Millennium Hotels & Resorts introduce - Mat Shaw, Business Development Manager Mat has been involved with Millennium Hotels & Resorts and manages the groups sport clients going on 4 years. He is the single point of contact between club members and the hotels. He has a full understanding of the 30 hotels and 19 locations that Millennium, Copthorne & Kingsgate Hotels have throughout the country and is a keen part time lawn bowler. Mat can assist with your sport or personal travel requirements and is available to answer any questions you may have. Mat’s contact details are: Phone 09 9138072 Email mat.shaw@millenniumhotels.co.nz
WIGHTMAN WINS WOMEN’S SINGLES The extraordinary reaction to Sue Wightman’s success in winning the Hyundai National Bowls Open women’s singles title sums up many aspects of her unexpected triumph. This, then, is the story of a player who has been produced by a small country club, has been part of a rural farming community and has been largely self-taught in the skills of her chosen sport to become a national champion. “The messages, cards and calls I’ve received have come from the whole Mangawhai community, not only from bowlers,” Wightman said recently, still pinching herself that she is actually the New Zealand women’s singles champion. “It was surreal – unbelievable really.” In her centre of Northland, Wightman is recognized as one of the top bowlers in the district. Her proven track record of seven centre titles four of them in singles – shows this, but to the majority of the country, Auckland – south, her singles success came as a major surprise. It was a surprise to Wightman herself – “I’ve only been to two previous nationals and, the last time, I didn’t even qualify in the singles.” While onlookers, other players and the media looked towards other nationally recognized players such as Jan and Marina Khan, Sharon Sims, Mary Campbell and Serena Matthews, as the players most likely to reach the finals, Wightman played
confidently and anonymously in the background, working her way through the draw to put herself in contention. She said she knew she was playing well – “it was a good week for me, all the way through.” People started taking notice when she beat Matthews in her semi-final because, until that stage, Matthews had justified her inclusion in the national squad by playing most impressively with a string of comfortable wins and had looked an odds-on chance to take the title. Wightman’s wins in her semi-final against Matthews and World Bowls representative, Marina Khan in the final, were very similar, holding her own for much of the match against more fancied opponents and then finishing the game with almost clinical perfection. The end to both games came quickly – with Wightman being the smiling assassin. Khan was actually ahead 11 – 9 in the final, before Wightman’s outstanding drawing game allowed her to finish the final in spectacular fashion. The Northlander reeled off 12 unanswered shots in only five ends, finishing with a four – much to the delight of her fan club. Wightman is obviously very popular with her bowling community at the Hakaru Bowling Club and the wider north, as her support in the final and the plaudits afterwards have shown. Her return to her club for the “welcome home” party was a huge celebration. Off the green, Wightman is a down-to-earth working farmer’s wife from a sheep and beef farm in the Mangawhai district, on Northland’s east coast just north of Auckland. Having been brought up in the area as a child before a stint overseas and her return to marry and settle down,
she says the filtration of development has changed Mangawhai but she still enjoys the rural elements of the community. The Wightman’s have two children, a 24 year-old daughter and 22 year-old son. Her parents were bowlers and, having played a little indoor bowls, she started with the outdoor game in her early thirties – with immediate success. In her debut season, she won her club’s first-year singles title and, a couple of seasons later, took out the Northland centre junior singles title, being pregnant on both occasions. But, like so many others of that age group, her young family took priority and Wightman says she really started playing seriously about 13 or 14 years ago. She admits to being “competitive, determined and able to concentrate” – all essential ingredients of a top singles player. She enjoys the team atmosphere of bowls, even if her record shows she is something of a singles specialist. “Having four bowls means I might get one close,” she laughs. So, what does her national title mean to her, now that the dust has settled and life has returned to its normal pace after the helter-skelter of the post championship celebrations ? “I suppose it has shown to me that I can foot it at the next level,” she said. Wightman is reluctant to say she’s ambitious to achieve more in the sport - “age counts against me a bit, I think” - but she does say that it has given her confidence that she can compete against the best. But, no matter what happens to Wightman in the future regarding team or squad selections and other titles, no-one can take away that “surreal, unbelievable” feeling she experienced that day at Pakuranga.
11
H A L L A D N A KH
CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
Those who attended the meeting of 13 men at the Vickers’ Hall on February 9, 1909, could not have realised what they were starting but, if they’d also attended the centenary celebrations of the Khandallah Bowling Club 100 years later, they would have celebrated the existence of one of the character bowls clubs in the country. Khandallah has long been an integral part of bowls in Wellington and has produced many of the real characters within the local bowling community and in many other walks of life. Many past and current members have distinguished themselves in other sporting areas. Tom Morrison was an All Black as well as coach and Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Other rugby representatives included Jim Galloway and Basil Fleet, while Richard Peterson was a fencing international. Harry Purcell was a cricket representative for Wellington and New Zealand Services, Doug Crombie represented Southland during their Hawke Cup reign and Rowland Woods played for Otago.
Doug Parsons and Jo Maybury were fine tennis players and Hec McMillan coached the Fijian Athletics team at the Commonwealth Games held in Auckland after the war. Club members didn’t only come from a varied sporting background with many others being notable Wellington career personalities, such as Sir Patrick O’Dea, Sir John Robertson, Sir James Belich, Dean Jim Thomas, Athol Rafter, one of New Zealand’s most famous international scientists, Captain David Millar, Alan McIntyre, and Steve Ponsford, Brigadier Harry Purcell and many other returned servicemen. Khandallah can’t boast a fully capped New Zealand representative from its ranks but the centennial booklet does note “Our most famous youngster was Peter Belliss. In his book ‘Belliss on Bowls’ he said “I spent the summer with my Uncle Bill, and Aunt Sis Firman of Khandallah. Bill was President in 1965 and was the local policeman and a keen bowler. I would go with him to the Club and sometimes get a game if there was a vacancy. Khandallah had a superb grass green in those days and I gained a lot of experience and will always be grateful to the Club members for allowing me the experience”.
In 1997, Khandallah followed the direction of Bowls New Zealand and amalgamated its men’s and women’s club and has flourished from the integration. In 1947, Khandallah had a waiting list for membership and present day President, Grant Clark, says that after a decline in more recent times, the club has shown a pleasing growth. “In line with other clubs and other sports, our numbers have fallen away in recent years and in 2006 our total numbers reached an all time low of 113,” Clark said. “In the two years since then, following a concerted effort, our total numbers have lifted by 67 to 180 at the end of the 2008 season.” So Khandallah certainly enters its second century on the right foot. The three day celebrations included; the official opening by the Wellington Deputy Mayor, Ian McKinnon, social and competitive games, a formal centenary dinner (at which CEO for Bowls New Zealand, Kerry Clark and former New Zealand cricketer John Morrison were guest speakers), and the staging of the Khandallah Centennial Cup, won fittingly by club president Grant Clark, Jackie Gilliver and Lou Wahape. More than 100 members attended the functions.
13
S E L I F O R P R E PLAY CLARE McCAUL
JAMIE HILL
21 year-old Clare McCaul thinks bowls is a game which suits her personality. Prior to her entry into bowls, McCaul was a top class squash player in Wellington – good enough to rise to a B2 grading and represent her province at senior level. It also suited her lively personality. But, through the college sport, she had a go at bowls and found it suited her fine. So, while squash lost one of its top youngsters, bowls gained a youngster who has become the latest young female player the New Zealand selectors have taken notice of. So much so, in fact, that McCaul was named in this year’s national training squad with all eyes looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010. Clare is the type of young woman who gives everything a go but even she admits that it became a bit busy when she played both sports and attended university. “It got a bit busy trying to juggle two degrees and squash, as well as bowls,” she said. She has gained her Bachelor of Science and she is currently doing honours in Applied Statistics. From her very earliest days on a bowling green, McCaul showed talent and quickly elevated into the usual pathway of playing well at secondary school and Kittyhawks (under 20) level. “In my first year in a club, I played in the Youth Commonwealth Games,” she said. McCaul admits that she has been surprised at the rapidity with which she’s risen through the ranks in bowls.“I didn’t expect to be where I am today, but I am highly ambitious; I’m very competitive – I always have been,” she says. “I’d love to represent New Zealand as a Black Jack and carry on for many, many years.” Even at this early stage of her career, McCaul has had a taste of international competition and found that the keenness of competition, especially in her Trans-Tasman outings against Australia, has suited the competitive side of her nature. What happens to McCaul in the future, is entirely up to her. Like the other young members in the national squad, she’s been told she has been picked for her “raw talent” and to give her a chance to learn about the high performance expectations, if she is to progress as a fullyfledged international player. She accepts this situation and there’s a steely determination in her attitude which suggest that we’ll all hear a lot more of Clare McCaul, the “pocket battleship of New Zealand bowls” in the years to come.
When Jamie Hill (28) calls upon his experience to help him while representing New Zealand, his background is so expansive it ranges from playing on club greens from the age of “eight or nine”, to the intense international competitiveness of professional bowls in the United Kingdom. Hill says his upbringing and allegiance lies with New Zealand bowls. “I was pretty much brought up with bowls,” he said. “I started when I was about eight or nine. I used to play cricket or soccer in the park and then Dad would go to the bowling club. When I was finished, I’d go over to the club and roll some bowls down the green.” “Dad” is Neville Hill, who is acknowledged as one of the real bowling talents in the country, meaning that young Jamie always had the pedigree to perform. “I joined Okahu Bay when I was 13,” he recalls. “My first Club Championship was with Rowan Brassey, Ross Haresnape and Joe Posa, as lead, so it wasn’t too bad! Richard Girvan, myself and the ol’ man won the Auckland Champion of Champion triples. It was my first centre title and I’d just turned 15!” As a youngster he shot through the grades. Hill won full New Zealand representation in 2003 as part of a tour which included the English Bowling Association’s centennial championships and again for the Asia Pacific Championships. Later, he teamed up with Steve Posa and Russell Meyer at an indoor test tri-series at Tweed Heads, against Wales and Australia in 2005. Hill says his PBA experiences have stood him in good stead for any international bowls he might play (he rose to a PBA ranking of 15th). “I don’t fear any of those guys and I know I can compete with them,” he says. “It helped to get a lot of rubbish out of my head – all you have to worry about is getting your bowls close, not about who you are playing.” Hill is part of the national training squad and his direction is aimed at regaining his place in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games team. That ambition is also driven by the fact that he didn’t enjoy the success expected of him when he led for Brassey in the pairs at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. “I had a crack last time and that turned out to be a disaster. I want to put it right”, he said. “I hope I get the chance, I’ve got one foot in the door”. Hill, who is greenkeeper at his own Rawhiti Club in Auckland, loves his job and emphasises that much of his lifestyle revolves around the sport of bowls.
15
HENSELITE BOWLS HENSELITE TIGER II SPECKLED LE BOWLS NEW TO THE NEW ZEALAND MARKET Tiger II provides comfort in the hand, control on the delivery, and consistency in results. This bowl is a mid-biased model, suiting a player looking for a multi use bowl. A contemporary designed bowl with an even and predictable trajectory. Ideal for experienced and new bowlers alike.
Options: Black/White Speckled size 3 and 4 Heavy Blue/White Speckled size 3 and 4 Heavy Black/Red Speckled size 3 and 4 Heavy For a full list of stockists click the following link - http://www.henselite.co.nz/stockists/stockists.html
Check out www.henselite.co.nz for more information on our bowls and accessories
HENSELITE IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF BOWLS NEW ZEALAND
FITZROY TURNS DOUBTERS TO SOCIAL SUMMER LEAGUE
S R E V E I BEL Club Membership: Approx 170
Fitzroy Bowling Club, like many other clubs, had previously run a ‘business house’ style of social bowls however, according to Club Secretary and MIB Leader Sharon Fowles, “it had really fallen flat” over recent years. Fitzroy Bowling Club, located on the picturesque East End Reserve in the heart of New Plymouth, decided that they needed to change their way of thinking and try a new approach in order to reinvigorate the club and encourage more people to play bowls. Fowles saw Mates In Bowls (MIB) as an excellent opportunity for Fitzroy Bowling Club. The club committee discussed MIB and Denis Toon; the Bowls NZ Community Development Officer (CDO) for Region 3 & 4 presented the concept to Club Members. Fowles says “in the early stages, there were those who were ‘believers’ and others who were ‘doubters’ of MIB”. The ‘believers’ recognized the need for change, whilst ‘doubters’ were resistant because they were reluctant to have new people in the club that they didn’t know! The Fitzroy MIB team set about ‘making it happen’ in late 2008 as they wanted to kick off in January 2009. Fitzroy took advantage of the Marketing and Support package provided, which included MIB postcards, MIB teaser cards, MIB Jandal Keyrings, MIB Volunteer T-Shirts, MIB corflute signage and other promotional material. “Our committee split up the local Yellow Pages and identified businesses with large staff numbers to send an MIB postcard directly to”, says Fowles. “We gave club members some MIB Teaser Cards to hand out to non-bowlers and
we did MIB postcard drops around the neighborhood”. “We weren’t sure if we were even going to get a single green filled, but ended up with 32 teams of three!” confesses, Fowles. Every Monday for 6 weeks from late January to early March, 96 new players to the sport of bowls, paid to play social bowls for about 2 hours and “they absolutely loved it”, says Fowles. It wasn’t just the players who enjoyed MIB though, the club members were “blown away” by the response. All doubts were laid to rest once MIB was underway, Fowles says, “I had club members putting their hands up to say ‘I was one of the doubters’, and then ‘how can I help?’ The MIB concept appealed to Fowles who says that the branding and marketing of MIB is what makes it successful, “the work by Bowls NZ has been tremendous, it has made such a difference” she says, “the bright orange colour really stands out and people do take notice”. Fitzroy benefited in several ways. As well as the entry fee, a BBQ and meat raffle, the club certainly “made money” over the bar, says Fowles, “we’ve had at least 3 players tell us that they’ll sign up memberships next year and that was such a surprise as we did not expect to gain members”. Denis reinforces this, “clubs must understand the concept, MIB is about letting people try bowls, and it is not about membership”. Fowles continues, “these people may not be members this year, or in 5 years, but there is the possibility that they will sign up in the future”. “Clubs must get off their hands” says Fowles, and “encourage people
onto their greens” if they are serious about their future. Is there a limit to how many clubs can run Mates In Bowls? Not according to Fowles who says that in New Plymouth, there are at least another three clubs that she believes could do it successfully. Will Fitzroy ‘handle the jandal next season’? ABSOLUTELY!
Sharon Fowles is available to discuss Mates In Bowls. Phone: (06) 758 9062, Mobile: 027 342 5385 Email: bowlsfitzroynp@xtra.co.nz Or contact your local Community Development Officer (CDO). Details on p.19 and www.bowlsnz.co.nz
17
Diamond Court
Fairway
Pitch
Green
With Xero you have more time to play with your balls, anywhere. Try Xero, the world’s easiest accounting system. www.xero.com/tryfree 0800 GET XERO
GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT FOR CHANGE Reports from the Roadshows held during February and March 2009, indicate a growing groundswell of support for change will be good news for all those progressive bowling clubs and bowling club members, that are doing outstanding work in making their clubs a focal point in their communities, and growing opportunities to participate in the sport. In excess of 1,300 participants representing 280 clubs that have participated in twenty seven Roadshows held from the Far North to Southland. There was overwhelming support for change with participants acknowledging (albeit reluctantly in some cases) that there are too many clubs and too many centres and this situation is not sustainable. There was support for the change of structure with formation of District Centres, the club rationalisation plan, and formation of 12 playing districts but with a lot more work to do in providing the detail and in particular the cost of such proposals. There was a mixed response to the issue of who pays for development of the sport going forward. World Bowls, the international governing body, has advised that all members need to pay an affiliation fee, and there should be no distinction between competitive members and social members (consistent with provisions in the Bowls NZ constitution). Some roadshow participants felt strongly that all members should pay a capitation fee; some felt equally strongly that only those playing bowls should pay a capitation fee (including college bowlers). There was concern by some that charging social members
CDO CONTACTS REGION 1 Steve Smith steves@bowlsnz.co.nz Mobile 021 966 016 Bowls Far North Bowls Northland Bowls North Harbour Auckland Bowls
REGION 2 Steve Beel steve@bowlsnz.co.nz Mobile 021 966 017
would “kill� their clubs, while one club reported making this change some time ago without any adverse impact on membership. The proposal for introduction of a national inter-club competition received mixed support as there were some concerns about the triples proposal, changes from the current sevens, cost, and travel. Again an overwhelming majority of participants supported making changes and moving the sport forward, while a few favoured retrenchment and a very small minority favoured making no changes going forward. Hundreds of feedback forms have been received in the Bowls NZ office and these will be analysed and summarized. The Bowls NZ Board and the Task Force will receive a summary of all the responses and will be addressing specific issues and the detail of the proposals when it meets again in April. A special thank you is extended to all roadshow participants who took the time to contribute to the discussions or who have sent in feedback forms subsequently. Watch the Bowls NZ website for more information as it becomes available.
Counties/Manukau Bowls Bowls Waikato Thames Valley Bowls Bay of Plenty Bowls Gisborne/East Coast Bowls Hawkes Bay
REGION 3&4 Denis Toon denis@bowlsnz.co.nz Mobile 021 966 177 Bowls Taranaki Bowls Wanganui Bowls Manawatu Bowls Wairarapa Bowls Wellington Bowls Kapiti Coast
REGION 5 Vince Roper vince@bowlsnz.co.nz Mobile 021 966 263 Bowls Nelson Bowls Marlborough Bowls Canterbury Bowls Buller Bowls West Coast
REGION 6 Jim Scott jim@bowlsnz.co.nz Mobile 021 966 010 Bowls South Canterbury Bowls Dunedin Bowls North Otago South Otago Bowling Centre Central Otago Bowls Bowls Southland.
19
COACHING is the key
Raising Awareness • Creating Responsibility • Creating Self Belief Sharon Sims, National Coaching Coordinator • sharon@bowlsnz.co.nz
Purposeful practice is the key to improvement in every sport. However the majority of bowlers fall into 2 distinct groups, those who just play as often as possible and don’t practise at all and those whose practice is regular but lacking challenge or purpose. This latter group often draw like the proverbial mustard plaster in practice but fail to reproduce that consistency in competition.
Individual Practice – 8 Draws Basic
How do we make our practice purposeful and challenging? • Involve a coach. • Measure your performance. • Set goals and strive to improve your personal best. • Practice all lengths, particularly the extremes. On the Bowls NZ website Club/ Coaching/Drills and Games you will find examples of drills for individual practice of the fundamental skills and games for group practice of tactics and skills. The drills are designed to improve basic skills, using simple consistent objective measuring of performance so that players can set goals and strive to improve their personal best. Recording the results will enable player and coach to monitor progress and identify strengths and weaknesses. Skills also need to be practiced in context in an opposed game. Too often players attempt to do this by rolling up with a mate or an opposing team, more often than not simply reinforcing bad habits. The games on the website are designed to make group practice purposeful challenging and fun. The games are modified to challenge a particular skill or tactic and are a very good way to improve tactical judgment and refine skills. Try them and create new games of your own.
Basic Challenge:
This drill measures a players ability to draw accurately to a variety of lengths.
If jacks are used as targets they should be sitting on a disc as all scoring should be relative to the original position.
• Place the mat on the 2m. • Place 4 targets on the centre line so
they are evenly spread between 23m and full length. • BH draw to first target jack until you get a bowl within a mat length. • BH draw to next target until you get a bowl within a mat length. • Continue until you get a bowls within a mat length of all 4 targets. • A bowl that accidentally reaches the wrong target does not count. • If a jack is moved, return it to its original position then score it. • Repeat on Forehand. Count the number of bowls it takes. Repeat regularly to improve your PB. Leads and Singles players can use the same drill to practice delivery of the jack. Sequence of Play • Place mat on 2m • BH Draw to each target in sequence • FH Draw to each target in sequence Equipment • Mat • 4 Bowls • 4 discs • 4 Jacks or tennis ball
21
Congrat ulat ions
NEED 2 KNOW
Tony Medhurst from West End Bowling Club in Palmerston North was selected as our lucky winner of the Millennium Hotels and Resorts prize, just for signing up to receive Bowls NZ eNews (prior to Upshot). As a proud sponsor of Bowls NZ, Millennium Hotels and Resorts also supports bowlers with the offer of special rates to members. Visit www.millenniumhotels.co.nz/bowlsnz to take advantage of this offer for your next accommodation requirements. Tony would like to take this opportunity to thank Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Bowls NZ for this prize.
Win! CLUBSCENE
Register for Upshot by 30 April 2009 and be in the draw to win a set of ABT EVO Bowls from Hensellite. * Special conditions may apply. CLUB SECRETARIES: PLEASE ADVISE YOUR CLUB MEMBERS TO REGISTER!
We want your club stories – articles of interest, special events or tournaments. These will be posted on the Bowls NZ website under the Club Noticeboard (http://www.bowlsnz.co.nz/index.php?id=293) and published in Upshot where appropriate. Images to be included in the magazine must be supplied in digital format via email with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI. Please email your articles to Ken Nicholson, kenN@bowlsnz.co.nz
PUBLIC NOTICES
SITUATIONS VACANT
ANNIVERSARIES
New Zealand Turf and Trade Show
Coach/Youth Bowls Coordinator
West End (NP) Bowling Club 100 Year Anniversary
Ellerslie Event Centre Auckland 29 June - 2 July 2009 This is the leading forum for bringing together representatives from right across the turf industry to gain and share knowledge, discover what is new in terms of product availability and conducting solid business. It also provides excellent networking opportunities via the scheduled functions. Please refer to the conference website (www.nzturfconference.org.nz), or contact Tiffany Smith Event Manager New Zealand Sports Turf Institute Phone: (06) 355 7028 Fax: (06) 354 0081 Email: tiffany@nzturfconference.org.nz
Counties Manukau Bowls Inc. are calling for applications from suitably qualified people for the position of a Coach/Youth Bowls Coordinator in the Counties Manukau area. The position requires experience in liaising with schools and students, a proven ability to coach at all levels including representative level, and good communication and organisational abilities. This is a full time position. For further information and/or a job description contact Counties Manukau Bowls on 09 238 8731 or cmbowls@ihug.co.nz Applications close Friday 3 April 2009.
On the first weekend of March 2010 (Taranaki Anniversary) the WEST END (NP) BOWLING CLUB INC is to celebrate its 100 years anniversary. This is a personal invitation to any past members of the club to join us to enjoy the celebration and bowls that will be provided for one and all. Your support and attendance will be most welcome. Please contact: The Secretary Colleen Martin, phone: 06 758 0089 or 06 758 0038, e-mail: WEST-END@xtra.co.nz
• What do you think of our new communication method, upshot? • What do you want to read about? • What do you need2know? FEEDBACK
Send your feedback to info@bowlsnz.co.nz
G N I R I P M U FOCUS ON The Umpire examinations held over the latter part of last year added nearly fifty Registered Umpires, both Law Umpires or Measurers to many District Umpires Associations. We congratulate these umpires who will now be able to further assist their Clubs and Centres with their knowledge of Measuring Procedures and our Laws and Regulations. Unfortunately some districts didn’t train any candidates at all last year, so it is hoped that these districts along with others will consider increasing their number of umpires this year.
We urge bowlers who wish to add to their knowledge of the sport of bowls to consider attending the umpiring course presented by the local tutors. This course is normally of ten to twelve sessions which comprehensively outlines the duties of an umpire, and discusses in detail the laws of the game. Any bowlers who are interested in becoming an umpire or simply learning the laws of the game are encouraged to contact their local Umpires Association.
Keith Johnson Bowls NZ Umpires Committee
BOWLS NZ EVENTS CALENDAR Date
2009-2010 Event
Venue
Tues 24 Mar - Fri 3 Apr
World Cup (Indoor)
Warilla, Australia
Thurs 2 Apr - Fri 3 Apr
Lion Foundation Interclub Finals Division 1 & 2
Palmerston North
Sat 4 Apr - Sun 5 Apr
Lion Foundation Inter-Centre Finals Open & Development
Palmerston North
Fri 10 Apr - Sun 12 Apr
Kittyhawk National Under 20 Men’s and Women’s Singles
Auckland
Thur 16 Apr - Fri 17 Apr
2-4-2 National Mixed Pairs Championship
Rotorua
Sat 18 Apr - Sun 19 Apr
New Zealand Community Trust National Club Championship Singles
Rotorua
Mon 20 Apr - Tues 21 Apr
New Zealand Community Trust National Club Championship Pairs
Rotorua
Wed 22 Apr - Thurs 23 Apr
New Zealand Community Trust National Club Championship Triples
Rotorua
Fri 24 Apr - Sat 25 Apr
New Zealand Community Trust National Club Championship Fours
Rotorua
Wed 22 Jul - Tues 28 Jul
World Champion-of-Champion Singles
Ayr, Scotland
Sat 1 Aug - Wed 5th Jul
Asia Merdeka Indoor
Bayuemas, Kuala Lumpur
Thurs 6 Aug - Sun 16 Aug
Asia Pacific Championships
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fri 18 Sept - Sun 20 Sept
PBA National Finals
Venue TBA
Fri 23 Oct - Mon 26 Oct
North East Valley Singles
Dunedin
Fri 13 Nov - Sun 15 Nov
Stoke Invitation Singles
Stoke, Nelson
Thurs 19 Nov - Fri 27 Nov
The Trusts New Zealand Open
Auckland Henderson HQ
Sun 13 Dec - Tues 15 Dec
National Secondary Schools Championships
Mon 28 Dec 2009 Sat 9 Jan 2010
Hyundai National Open Championships
Pakuranga Bowling Club – Auckland Wellington - HQ Hutt Bowling Club
23