Club guide to Social Media

A club-wise guide to Social Media

Social Media including popular platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are a very good promotional and communicational tool for clubs and their ease of use makes them popular as photos, video and text can be easily uploaded via a mobile phone in just a matter of seconds.

However there are some pitfalls to social media which can cause trouble for clubs which we will touch on here and work through some ways to deal with these issues. Anti-social behaviour including things such as bullying and defamation are well known on Facebook and it is important for clubs to realize that even though 99% of members can participate online in a normal way it only takes 1% to cause huge issues, some of these in the past have escalated to such point that members have received suspensions. As the manager of a social media page, it's important to understand that the club can be responsible for what is posted by others within the page in areas such as the comments section. This situation came to light in a recent NSW case where The High Court has recently affirmed on appeal that administrators of public social media pages are deemed to be the ‘publishers’ of third-party comments made on their page. Whilst the courts have yet to fully consider or determine the applicability of the defence of ‘innocent dissemination’, which provides a defence to publishers of third-party material who did not have the capacity to exercise editorial control over the material before it was published and who did not know, or reasonably ought to have known, that the material was defamatory it is obviously extremely important that clubs have a way to deal with such posts in a way to avoid any of these repercussions. The best way is to have a Social Media Policy and this can be a fairly straight forward document which gives those managing your social media a really easy way to deal with some tough situations but also guides them around appropriate content for the page.

Some rules to consider that can easily apply to all clubs are as follows: 1. Do not allow swearing, bullying or abusive behaviour.

A swearing filter is available on Facebook but any comments that are personal or abusive should be immediately removed. Warning and then banning people who are repeat offenders is advised. Have a user policy posted online so it is clear to everyone what behaviour is accepted or not accepted on your page. 2. Consider how you post content from your club that may be controversial or divisive. This information may be better shared via email or at a club meeting of members.

Alternatively turn off comments for these posts. 3. Negative comments provided they are not abusive should not be deleted. A better strategy may be to offer an explanation or have club advocates who can rebuff such negative comments with a more positive spin. For example, a post promoting club meals which has a person say the dish last week was terrible. The club could offer a refund, at least an apology and other members could say their meals were great. 4. If your club has a strategic or business plan that includes club values check each time content is posted that it meets those club values.

Do not post personal opinions or off subject material including anything not related to your bowls club activities, especially things like inappropriate jokes, religious or political views. 5. If your club has policies around Alcohol, Gambling and

Behaviour ensure your content is consistent with those policies. Also ensure you are not breaching any conditions of your club liquor license, gaming regulations or the incorporated associations act. The Department of Local

Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) has 14 principles for promotion of alcohol (not exclusive to social media) which touch on many unacceptable practices including Chase the Ace promotions which can only be entered by purchasing liquor and happy hour promotions over 60 minutes duration as just a couple of examples. At the end of the day its important to remember why we exist as Bowling Clubs and that primary reason is to play bowls so make sure your social media has just as much bowls promotion as it does any other non-bowls activities. Also whilst its important to promote to the general public under the Incorporated Associations Act its members and their guests who are legally permitted to use the club facilities.

For more info on how to best manage your clubs social media contact your Regional Bowls Manager or visit these links: Social Media Tips for Club Committees – Play by The Rules • Social Media Principles – Australian Institute of Sport Responsible Promotion of Alcohol 14 Principles – DLGSC

Men’s State Fours Nairn foursome simply awesome in state fours

by Pieter Harris Finals day of the 2021 Dyenamic Men’s State Fours took place at the Rossmoyne Bowling Club on Sunday 31st October with a magnificent crowd in attendance.

The first Semi Final saw the South Perth team of Justin Opie, Glenn Pauling, Troy Kinnane and Scott Walker overwhelm Daniel Trewhella, Tom Mitchell, Peter Ker and Mark Simpson.

After a back and forth first four ends, Opie exploded away over four ends with a one, two, three and finally a five to break the game open at 13-3. Walker was all over the jack from the leads position and received ample back up from his teammates when required, with Opie producing some great bowls to produce the final numbers.

The Trewhella team tried to fight back and won six of the last ten ends but another five on the twelfth end and a four on the final end ensured a 26-17 win to Justin Opie and a South Perth team in the final.

The second semi final was a similar story to the first semi final with the composite team of Blake Nairn, Clive Adams, Dale Marsland and Dave Rankin jumping away from Connor Biddle, Steve O’Neill, Kevin Pickering and Ian Lilburne.

Nairn stung a number of ends together early and made them count by making them multiples to lead 14-5 after nine ends. A big and slightly fortunate five on the tenth end to Nairn looked to have finished the game early with a 19-5 lead.

• Clive Adams, Dale Marsland, Dave Rankin and Blake Nairn.

It was then the Biddle team found some touch to grab consecutive scores with a three and a four to get within distance at 12-19 down with six ends to play.

But with the Nairn lead team playing with too much consistency, Biddle was unable to close the gap and the two teams shared the last six ends, winning three ends each and Nairn winning 24-16.

The final loomed as a great contest, with the Rossmoyne undercover green playing well and two highly skilled teams in the final. A three on the first end to Nairn was replied to by Opie, with his team taking the next three ends to take the lead. A two to Nairn on the fifth end was the start of a match winning run of six ends.

A couple of twos, a three and some singles saw the lead climb to nine shots, with Nairn leading 13-4 after ten ends. Rankin and Walker were having a great battle in the leads position, but it was Dale Marsland from the seconds position that was changing the heads over for the Nairn team. Turning shot bowls over and trailing jacks around the corner, continually put the Opie team under pressure.

Showing some signs of a revival, Opie won two ends in a row with a one and a two, but it was short lived as Nairn replied with a four and a one to strengthen their lead to 18-7 with four ends to play.

Again, Opie won two ends in a row to give them some hope but it was finally snuffed out on the seventeenth end when a two to Nairn put the game beyond doubt.

While the final may not have had the finish the crowd wanted, it was still played at a high standard by both teams with Blake Nairn, Clive Adams, Dale Marsland and Dave Rankin being crowned the 2021-22 Men’s Dyenamic State Fours Champions.

Interestingly the team entered the competition after being selected to represent WA at the since cancelled Australian Sides Championships with skip Blake Nairn inviting the others to join him in the State Fours and it turned out to be a great decision by all to play together.

Click here for Men’s State Fours Championships Results

Women’s State Fours Bruce last bowl – a winner

by Pieter Harris

The Rossmoyne Bowling Club was the scene of some wonderful finals games in the 2021-22 Women’s State Fours on Sunday October 31st.

The first semi was a replay of last seasons final with 202021 Champions Kristina Krstic, Hailey Packer, Robyn O’Brien and Helen Heal taking on Lisa Featherby, Laura Merz, Denise Kelly and Linda Warburton. The crowd barely had time to take their seats when the Featherby combination jumped away with a six on the first end. Following it up with a single, three and another single, it was 11-0 before Krstic finally got on the board with a one on the fifth end.

Another three to Featherby and they were making every post a winner as they cruised into the twelfth end with a 21-3 lead. A run of three winning ends to Krstic put the score at 21-7 with three ends to play but a single on sixteenth end to Featherby saw Krstic concede with two ends left to play and Featherby winning 22-7.

The second semifinal was a much closer affair and was anybody’s game with three ends to play. Jennie Bruce, Shari Solly, Amanda Masters and Shaan Saunders started the game strongly with a four and a two early to lead Noelene Abe, Shelley Radcliffe, Beverley Davidson and Irene Leahy 6-1 after three ends. Abe hit back with two threes to take the lead at 7-6.

For the next ten ends the two teams went back and forth, 7-7, 8-8, 10-10 and then 14-13 to Jennie Bruce after fifteen ends. On the sixteenth end the game suddenly changed, when out of nowhere Bruce grabbed a five to lead by six with only two ends to play. Another single on the second last end meant Abe needed an eight to win on the last end but as mostly happens it wasn’t to be and only a single meant Bruce and her team went through to the final as 20-14 winners.

As with the first semifinal, it was a big start to the game. However instead of Featherby getting the six, it was Bruce who struck first with the popular first end number.

Not to be deterred, Featherby followed up on the next end with a five of her own before normality resumed with only a single on the third end of the game to leave the scores at 6-6.

As with the second semifinal, the game settled down to a great contest with both teams trading bowls and scores. Bruce would grab a two or three shot lead and then Featherby would fight back for much of the next ten ends.

Featherby finally found her team in front when on the fifteenth end, she got a single to edge out to a 15-14 lead with three ends to play.

Another single to Featherby saw the lead go to two with two ends to play and then the Bruce team set up a grandstand finish by grabbing a two and going into the final end level at 16-16.

With the skips to play, Featherby held the shot, but the Bruce team was attacking the jack with weight. After a miss on her first bowl, Bruce played the same shot but changed hands for her last bowl of the match.

With her bowl halfway down the green Bruce’s teammates as well as the crowd were getting excited and when the bowl connected with the jack taking it to the ditch a wall of cheers rang around the green.

Featherby still had a bowl to play and had between two and three feet to draw to the ditch to get the shot. While the line was good, it always looked a little short and the bowl pulled up a foot or two shorter than it needed to be.

The celebrations began soon after with Jennie Bruce, Shari Solly, Shaan Saunders and Amanda Masters crowned the 2021-22 Women’s Dyenamic State Fours Champions. Click here for Women’s State Fours Championships Results

• The winning Fours team.

Mixed Masters Fours Eagles foursome win mixed Masters Fours

by Aaron Delaporte Sorrento’s Bruce Eagles was able to steer his team of Murray Hulbert, Kerry Hutchinson and Coral Smith to victory in the $5000 Sorrento Mixed Masters Fours played on Monday 27th September 2021.

Despite a few showers across the two days the matches were able to be completed in reasonably good conditions with some terrific bowls action on display.

The competition started with 30 strong teams, each with two males and two females who had qualified to enter by winning a club championship.

A blind draw saw the sides compete in three matches across the first day of play on Sunday with the top 8 ranked teams progressing to finals.

Six teams were undefeated, these were skipped by Ball (Composite), Buchanan (Composite), Pauling (Composite), Rhett Butler (Composite), Eagles (Composite) and Wilkinson (Composite) which left two spots for teams with two wins and the best shot difference.

Anthony Einfeld with a +21 was the 7th team through to qualify whilst amazingly three other teams all finished with a +17 differential which left competition officials reaching for the calculator to split them on percentage. In the end it was Sean Mawdsley 153% and his Composite side who scraped through ahead of Mark Douthie (North Beach) 150% and Blake Nairn (Composite) 146%.

Knockout play for the top 8 teams took place on Monday with the 8th ranked Mawdsley and his team of Mark Rollings, Pam Chalmers and Helen Stevens upsetting the top ranked team of Brad Ball, Chris Lander, Irene Arndt and Pauline Bourne 16-14.

Darren Wilkinson’s team were another upset win defeating the talented team of Glen Pauling, Scott Walker, Lee Poletti and Kerry Andersen 15-11.

Bruce Eagles side overcame a gallant Rhett Butler with Leith Oldham, Shelley Jeffs and Lily Rughoobur 15-14 whilst Anthony Einfeld with Paul Sinden, Jane Lewis and Jan Miles had a 15-10 win over Jim Buchanan, Doug Kelly, Denise Kelly and Jenny Parker.

The semi finals were a bit more one sided affairs with Darren Wilkinson and his team of Gary Giblett, Gail Ecclestone and Kerry Ward defeated Sean Mawdsley side 15-8 and Eagles team proved too strong for Anthony Einfeld’s Mt Lawley team winning 19-9.

• The winning Fours team – Kerry Hutchinson, Bruce Eagles, Murray Hulbert and

Coral Smith.

• The runner-ups skipped by Darren Wilkinson.

This set up for a final between two teams who had played extremely very well to make it this far. It was the mostly local side of Eagles who had the better of the opening stages as they lead 5-0 after just 2 ends.

Wilkinson and his South West side made up of players from Eaton and Bunbury were able to steady and get into the match albeit trailing 6-3 after 5 ends.

Eagles team then put a few ends together to lead 10-3 and just when it looked like they may run away with it a big end by Wilkinson saw them come steaming back into contention with a score of 6 shots to hit the lead 11-10 with just 5 ends to play.

However big credit to the Eagles team who steadied themselves and played well winning four of the last five ends and take the title 17-12. Congratulations to Sorrento Bowling Club on a very well run event.

Click here for Mixed Masters Fours Championships Results

Mixed Masters Pairs Loftus and Savell win mixed pairs

by Aaron Delaporte

On a rainy weekend the luxury of having a 10 rink indoor surface at Stirling Bowling Club was never more evident as the 40 teams that took to the green found out when they competed in the 2021 Mixed Masters Pairs, Sunday 3rd October 2021.

The champions were the Osborne Park team of Shane Loftus and Julie Savell who combined superbly to take the title.

Play began on Friday evening where the first 20 teams in sections of four saw five qualifiers progress followed by Saturday sectional play with another five strong teams progressing after three sectional rounds.

The champions Loftus and Savell had possibly their toughest scare in the sectional stage when the defending champions Cody and Hailey Packer were a late withdrawal due to illness they had a 9 all draw with husband and wife team of Paul and Lisa Smith from Perth and Tattersalls. Luckily they had recorded a 5 shot win over Mitch Biglin and Lee Poletti (Composite).

The alignment on Sunday morning saw Matthew Whitely and Margaret Anderson (Composite) with a 14-10 win over Ryan Brown and Toni Madigan (Composite) whilst Connor Biddle and Kaitlin Tyrrell (Osborne Park) snuck home 18-17 after trailing 10-1 they picked up a 3 on the final end to defeat Kathy Gobbart and Stephen Beckwith (Composite).

This left eight remaining teams in the quarter finals. Biddle and Tyrell defeated Whitely and Anderson 18-10, Blake Nairn and Shari Solly (Composite) won 14-10 over Joe Rollnik and Nerida Porteous (Ellenbrook), Loftus and Savell defeated Rhett Butler and Julie Maxwell (Sorrento) 12-8 and finally John Slavich with his grandmother Mary Slavich (Composite) had a tight 13-12 win over Blake Butler and his girlfriend Laura Merz (Manning) 13-12.

The semi-finals saw Loftus and Savell jump out the blocks picking up a 6 on the first end against Biddle and Tyrrell. The youngsters then steadied to lift and closed in with the match at 11-11 with just a few ends to play.

However Shane Loftus found some good bowls to close it out winning 16-11. In the other match the Slavich duo always had the upper hand against Nairn and Solly winning 13-7.

In what looked a promising final over 15 ends Mary Slavich who as a spritely 87 year old may have just been feeling the effects of playing in her sixth match across two days as she wasn’t quite at her best with Julie Savell showing great consistency in the leaders dual.

Skip John Slavich found it tough to remedy the situation which along with the excellent play of his opposition Shane Loftus the final became a one sided affair. Loftus and Savell much too good in the end winning 22-2 and deservedly lifting the trophy as the 2021 champions. Congratulations to the Stirling Bowling club for a well run event.

Click here for Stirling Mixed Master Pairs Results

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Contact Aaron Delaporte for further information. Tel: 08 9340 0800 or email: aaron@bowlswa.com.au or visit us on www.bowlswa.com.au