Umpires

Another year impacted by COVID and also a high turnover year for the Umpire’s Committee. Even with those challenges we were able to fulfil the responsibilities in the Umpires Committee charter, namely:

Peter Barnett

• Co-ordination and delivery of Umpire accreditation courses. [full numbers below] • Allocating Umpires for all required Bowls WA events despite the challenges of Covid caused changes to dates, • Maintaining accurate and up to date records • Developing a pathway for Umpires to progress their skills, • Responding to all communications, • Developing and renewing policies related to umpiring issues. Over 300 bowlers attended officiating courses resulting in 293 new or renewed accreditations this year. New Umpires: 70 Metro & 62 Country New Measurers: 15 Metro & 6 Country Reaccredited Umpires: 55 Metro & 67 Country Reaccredited Measurers: 4 Metro & 4 Country New Presenters & Assessors: 1 Metro & 2 Country New International Technical Officers [ITO]: 2 Metro Reaccredited ITO: 1 Country These numbers are sufficient to maintain and even improve the enjoyment of the game by having more competent officials. This year saw the retirement from the committee of the Umpires chair, Mike Garratt, after many years of service. Mike oversaw improvements in training courses, umpires career paths and policy development while providing extensive answers to questions on the Laws that came his way. We wish him “good bowling” in the years to come. Pre-season Metro Pennants general laws and etiquette information sessions were trialled this year and have proven to be popular so will be continued next year. In addition to Bowls WA events some WA officials gave their time to assist at some Bowls Australia events held in other states.

Pleased to report that during the year clubs that previously had insufficient accredited umpires to host Pennants increased their numbers to an acceptable level. The World Bowls accredited International Technical Officers assessment postponed last year because of Covid, went ahead in April with 2 of the 4 candidates achieving ITO accreditation.

During the year work continued by Bowls Australia and Bowls WA on the development of online training for both Coaches and Officials. This development is at the field trials stage so we can expect it to be rolled out in the coming year with particular benefits for country based potential umpires in that half of the new Umpires course can be delivered online. This year saw the completion of the transition to the new re-accreditation process for Umpires which has been well received. However, Bowls Australia offered Umpires an automatic one year extension to their accreditation, due to Covid disruptions, so some umpires who would have reaccredited this year have postponed to next year. Lastly, I wish to thank the Committee members and others who have given up their time to run training courses, officiate at state events, held briefing sessions and attend meetings. Also thanks to the clubs who have provided venues for these activities.

Peter Barnett

UMPIRES

2020-21 was a year that nobody could have seen coming, with Covid-19 restrictions affecting many state and national events.

Despite the unrest we still managed to stage our AllAbilities championships with an impressive 48 entries – a 26% growth from the previous year and a whopping 118% growth from the first event held in 2015!

And our Bowling Arm players managed to fit in two state events within one calendar year, since the 2020 event was postponed due to Covid and played in October 2020 along with the 2021 event playing in May - resulting in a new state champion!

The 2021 State All Abilities Championships were played in April at Kardinya Bowling Club with 48 participants – with new players in every category of Deaf, Intellectual and Physical Disability, and Vision Impairment.

Bowls WA thanks all players for their participation, determination, and physical stamina and a special thank-you to Auslan Interpreter Tara Ulrich who volunteers her time to come to our Opening and Closing Ceremonies to provide Auslan to our Deaf Bowlers … this is an invaluable service!

A huge thank you to Kardinya Bowling Club for again hosting this fantastic event … now having completed its seventh year … and all the volunteers who made this happen!

WA Bowling Arm players were in some ways lucky with two State Bowling Arm Championships – the postponed 2020 event and the 2021 State Bowling Arm Championships both being held in the 202021 calendar year!

Each event brought increased numbers of bowling arm players forward, with a large country contingent. The 2020 State Arm Single Champion was Laurie Blurton for the second time – the only difference his home club changed from Bunbury to Eaton! The 2021 Champion is a fresh face from Bowls Safety Bay – congratulations to Bill Taylor for his inaugural win! A special mention to Warnbro Bowling Club who host the perpetual trophy for this great event!

Overall Bowling Arm Championship results for 2020 and 2021:

Not all 2020-21 Bowling Arm news was good though, the 2020 National Bowling Arm Side Championships, meant to be hosted in WA were cancelled, and with abrupt WA border closures continuing into 2021 it evolved that the 2021 event was moved to Tasmania! WA is looking forward to hosting this event for the first time at Warnbro Bowling Club from September 5th – 9th 2022.

Denise McMillan

Denise McMillan

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