Out with the 'OLD'…

As many would be aware since the last edition of Jack Hi I have moved into a position with Bowls Australia as the Bowls Link Manager after spending over 10 years in my role as Operations Manager at Bowls WA. These years with Bowls WA were certainly very rewarding for me personally and professionally, and I think the greatest asset bowls has are the people within it.

These are people who spend many hours as volunteers contributing to our game with whatever skills they have available. I know I will miss not connecting with club people on a more regular basis.

One of the pleasures in my Bowls WA role was being part of the team who put together the annual awards presentation and dinner, which I am looking forward to attending at Optus Stadium this year as a guest rather than an organiser. To see people and clubs rewarded for their dedication and service to the sport is very satisfying.

My role as Operations Manager was quite varied and it is fair to say no two days were ever the same given the number of emails and calls to the office, amongst that a whole heap of areas and issues that present themselves in administering our sport was very engaging.

Whilst some things may stay the same, one thing that did change significantly in my time was the use of technology. From a three to five day process to finalise results to having them showing in an online portal within hours, sometimes minutes, of a match finishing has been an incredible step forward.

Technology and using it to improve our sport will always be a passion of mine and was part of my remit with Bowls WA. When the opportunity arose to take on the leadership of BowlsLink it appealed to me given my previous experiences especially knowing the company we are working with is Australian owned, has existing relationships with sport and is keen to see the system develop further on the great work which has been made.

As part of my new role, I am also looking forward to working with the various levels from state bodies through to clubs on a National basis and to continue to see BowlsLink evolve as a fit for purpose integrated system which benefits everyone within the sport.

I am fortunate that Bowls Australia have allowed this position to be one which can be performed remotely so I will continue to work out of the Bowls WA office and from home which means I will still be playing bowls and hopefully running into many club people to say g’day and catch up.