Mount Pleasant Bowling Club

Mount Pleasant – from surviving to thriving

Steve Unsworth – Regional Bowls Manager (Southern WA) With the sporting landscape always shifting and changing, its important for clubs to adapt in order to not be left behind. One great example is that of Western Australia’s Mount Pleasant Bowling Club.

It was only two years ago the Mount Pleasant Bowling Club was winding down due to an imminent forced closure, with the local government wanting the land for residential redevelopment.

Due to the uncertainty for the future, the club was losing members, and was struggling financially, nearly broke.

Fast forward to the current day and due to the tireless work of committee members past and present, with the help and support of some prominent local government council members, the club has not only survived, but is now beginning to thrive.

The club has been very active in opening their doors to the local community, and now have several partners on board including Melville Cares, South Side Symphony Orchestra and The Reformed Church of Melville which not only brings in more revenue for the club, it opens the club to a wider community.

To help celebrate the new granting of a 21 year lease, the club recently decided to have an Open Day, and invite anyone from the community along to have some fun and maybe learn to play bowls.

The marketing plan included radio advertising, print media, social media, public signage and the good old letter box drop.

The recruiting committee headed by Arthur Peters and Greg Samson, sought the help of Bowls Australia Regional Bowls Managers in Steve Unsworth and Clive Adams.

Arthur said the assistance and guidance and strategies given by the RBMs were of great help, and some of their ideas were implemented on the day.

The club was also assisted by the use of a Rookie Rollers kit, with activities and games taken advantage of by dozens of children on the day.

More than 250 people came through the gates and enjoyed games and activities including bowls, face painting, symphony orchestra performances, choir recitals, balloons and bubbles, and music and singing from The Beatles to Buble and hourly draws for free social memberships.

In another positive for the club, 36 new members signed up on the day, with several indicating an interest to take up the sport. Congratulations to the club for the success on the day, which would not have been possible but for the huge team of volunteers getting behind the club’s efforts.

Men Women

Cody Packer defeats Blake in tight finish

After a rescheduling due to a brief Covid lockdown the Henselite Champion of Champion Singles was able to take place on May 15-16, 2021.

Two bowlers in total control of their game contested the final of the Henselite Men’s Champion of Champion Clubs Singles. Cody Packer (Osborne Park) and Blake Butler (Manning) put on a great display for the enthralled crowd at the Yokine Bowling Club.

Earlier, both players were too strong for their opponents in the Semi Finals. Packer started strongly to jump to a 6-nil lead over the ever-green John Goddard (Hopetoun) and then continued to power on to win his contest 25-9. Butler had a tight contest early with Matthew Mitchell (Emu Point) leading 4-2 early before Blake Butler took control with a couple of threes and a four to win comfortably 25-8.

The Finals were played in ideal conditions with very little breeze, a comfortable temperature, and a nice running Yokine green. Blake Butler started strongly and raced out to a 9-2 lead after only five ends. Cody Packer then got the first single of the match and then went on a four end stretch to level the game at 9-9.

A single from Butler was followed by two big ends by Packer, with first a three and then a four to jump to a 16-10 lead in the first to 25 contest. Butler dug deep to win the next two ends but then gave all the good work back to drop another three and fall behind 19-13. A single and then a three of his own saw Butler get within two. A single to Packer could not stop the Butler run as he won the next three ends to take a 21-20 lead and storming towards the finish line.

Blake Butler was holding another three to put him within one of victory, when Cody Packer stepped up with his last bowl and trail the jack to make a two and stave off the Butler run. With three required, Packer looked to finish it quickly and dispel any nerves, when he grabbed a three to win 25-22 and take home the 2020-21 Champion of Champion Club Singles trophy for the first time.

Therese Hastings goes back to back

The Henselite Women’s Champion of Champion Club Singles was played between State Coach, Therese Hastings (Guilderton) and State Squad member, Laura Merz (Manning).

In the earlier Semi Finals, Hastings had an up and down ride against the great Noelene Abe (Corrigin). Hastings started strongly to lead 6-1 and then 16-6, before Abe went to work to win the next five ends, including two fours, to take the lead 18-16. Therese Hastings then found her groove again to power away to a 25-19 win which included the last three ends.

In the second Semi Final, Merz also had a period of drowsiness in her win over Chris Ace-Watson (Boulder). Merz sprung away quickly to lead 8 nil after four ends, only to give it all back to be level 8-8 after nine ends.

Merz made another mini run before Ace-Watson worked back to be behind 13-12. For a third time Merz put the foot down and with consecutive fours and then a three, put the game to bed to win 25-15.

The final was played the way of both the semifinals. Both players had long stretches of winning consecutive ends. The first six ends were sedate enough, with both players feeling each other out and then Laura Merz began to build a lead.

First it was just getting a two and then dropping a single to work away to a 9-5 lead. It was then Hastings’ turn, as she won three ends in a row to lead 11-9.

The tables turned once again when Merz won six consecutive ends to look the winner at 19-11. However, Hastings had other ideas and not only would she work back into the game, she would do it rather quickly. First a two, followed by a four and then a three to grab the lead after being eight behind in only three ends. The crowd was waiting for the game to turn once more, but it wasn’t to be as Therese Hastings rattled off another three ends to win her second consecutive women's Champion of Champions Club Singles title.

• Cody Packer and

Therese Hastings – Champion of

Champions 2021.

Men,s Novice Singles Women,s Novice Singles

Cameron Green wins 2020-21 novice title Catherine Chappelle defeats Jan Gleeson

Mt Lawley’s Cameron Green is the 2020-21 Henselite Men’s Champion of Champion Novice Singles winner after defeating Bassendean’s Matthew Watson at the Stirling Bowling Club.

In the Semi Finals, Green defeated Brad Hogg (Manning) 21-15 and Watson overcame Alex Hodge (Gosnells) 21-18. Early in the final Matthew Watson was able to build a lead on the indoor surface and hold Green at bay.

The two men may have been playing for less than two years, but both showed they have the talent and temperament to build on their performances at these championships.

After being behind for much of the game, Cameron Green played the bowl of the day on the 17th end by removing Watson’s three closest bowls to win the end with a two and to draw level. It was at this point that Green’s confidence continued to grow and he slowly pulled away to finish strongly and win the match 21-16 and take hold of the trophy for Mt Lawley.

• Lisa Featherby with Cameron Green. Mosman Park’s Catherine Chappelle is the 2020-21 Henselite Women’s Champion of Champion Novice Singles winner after she defeated Leeming’s Jan Gleeson at the Stirling Bowling Club.

Earlier in the Semi Finals Chappelle defeated Jeni Smith (Willetton) 21-16, while Gleeson beat Alison Smith (Doubleview) 21-13.

The final was an early shot for shot and end for end affair which then became a string of ends won each but never more than four the difference. Catherine Chappelle was the first to win two ends in a row and taking a 6-3 lead.

Jan Gleeson hit back to go one better and win three ends in a row, including a four, to lead 10-6 in the race to 21. Chappelle was not to be out done and put together a string of ends to retake the lead at 12-10.

Again, Gleeson put together a run of three ends and again stretched the lead to four. Chappelle worked her way back with the usual run of winning ends and leveled the match at 17 all with both players now within one end of victory.

It was Catherine Chappelle who grabbed the occasion and ended the game with that magical four to move to 21-17 and take home the 2020-21 Trophy.

• Lisa Featherby and Catherine Chappelle.

Annual Awards 2021 – by Aaron Delaporte

The Bowls WA Awards Night Dinner was held at the Royal Perth Golf Club on Friday 28th May with over 170 people in attendance as the best performers on and off the green were recognised for the 2020/2021 season.

The recent covid outbreak in Victoria saw a late change to the MC duties with Bowls WA CEO Ken Pride stepping in to replace Clive 'Rinkside Live' Adams who unfortunately was forced into 14 day quarantine after returning from Dandenong where he was commentating the Australian Championships. Ken did a great job at short notice interviewing the winners of the respective awards throughout the evening.

Along with Clive Bowls Australia President Bob Boorman and Neil Dalrymple who were due to present awards and give an update on national proceedings were also late scratching. However they did manage to pass on their apologies and brief the Bowls WA board via Zoom earlier in the day, which was acknowledged by Bowls WA President Larry Bandy who officially welcomed everyone to the evening including many Bowls WA sponsors representatives who attended.

President Larry made a special point of thanking the many club volunteers around the state at the 200 plus bowling clubs in WA for their outstanding service through-out a tough period for clubs and members. With the Covid-19 related requirements tremendous financial pressure and a much bigger workload has falled onto club officials than has ever been the case.

With many well-deserved winners announced during the evening several clubs shone through with multiple awards. Joondalup took out the Metropolitan Club of the Year and Geoff Stevenson was announced as Coach of the Year, the club having great success in 2020/21 including an amazing 51 new bowlers amongst their ranks.

Boulder also had a night to remember being named the Country Club of the Year along with Chris Ace-Watson winning the Women’s Country Bowler of the Year award after a real break out season. She finished runner up in the Women’s State Singles and won the Country Week Fours with her Boulder team mates.

Stories on Joondalup and Boulder are included in this edition of Jack Hi plus other award winners from the night listed here.

In summary from all the acceptance speeches and comments made on the night it was clear to note that bowls still really is a community sport where clubs rely heavily on the team-work and willingness of their members to pitch in and contribute to the success.

Congratulations once again to all our winners on their achievements throughout the 2020-21 season.

Under 18 Bowler of the Year Segan Pasalich (Osborne Park) Male Over 60s Bowler of the Year (Trevor Barron Award) Chris Lander (Sorrento) Female Over 60s Bowler of the Year (Norma Samuel Award) Lee Poletti (Mosman Park) Bowls WA Club Coach of the Year Geoff Stevenson (Joondalup) Bowls WA Volunteer of the Year Graeme Jacques (Maylands) Bowls WA Small Metropolitan Club of the Year Mt Lawley Bowling Club Bowls WA Metropolitan Club of the Year Joondalup Bowling Club Bowls WA Small Country Club of the Year Tammin Bowling Club Bowls WA Country Club of the Year (Jim Murray Award) Boulder Bowling Club Male Country Bowler of the Year (Vice Patron’s Award) Aaron Smith (Esperance) and Warren Holt (Wagin) Female Country Bowler of the Year (Penny Needham Award) Chris Ace-Watson (Boulder) Male Bowler of the Year (Rosenthal Medal) Blake Nairn (Cambridge) Female Bowler of the Year (Connie Hicks Brooch) Kristina Krstic (Manning Memorial)

Rosenthal Medal Nairn wins his first Rosenthal Medal

Blake Nairn has capped a stellar season winning his first Lindsay Rosenthal Medal as the best male bowler for the 2020/21 season.

The 29 year old had been well travelled through his career which began as a junior however a move to Cambridge Bowling Club has seen him become a more mature player with a better temperament which has certainly made a difference and it all came together for him during the last twelve months.

Nairn’s biggest win of the year was the State Singles a title he admitted he was somewhat lucky to win. He was seemingly set for a semi final loss against John Goddard who had held the upper hand in a grueling contest at Bassendean Bowling Club but Nairn really knuckled down and didn’t give it up at any stage to produce a miraculous escape after trailing 22-15 and 24-20 in the match. He then was able to comfortably account for Warren Holt in the final.

Nairn’s other results included wins in the Sorrento Mixed Masters Fours and Doubleview Masters Pairs, Runner-up in the Bassendean Masters Triples and finishing as a semi-finalist in the Men’s State Pairs. In accepting the award Nairn was clearly thankful to be put alongside the best in the game and the emotion was evident as he thanked his wife Kellie who is nearly always watching on at his many finals.

It had been a big year for them with the arrival of their first child Noah. Nairn also thanked his many team mates who helped contribute along the way particularly those at Cambridge which had made him welcome initially but had also contributed to getting him to the next level within the sport.

Nairn made no secret of the fact he had learned to calm his style over recent years with both his family and new club contributing to help him focus hard on the game especially the mental side of it which he had previously been his undoing on occasions.

Blake was later rewarded with selection in the WA State team in which he will skipper a rink in October 2021.

• Blake and his son Noah.

• Blake, Noah and Kellie.

Kristina…best once again!

In winning her third Connie Hicks Brooch as the Female Bowler of the Year Kristina Krstic has stamped herself as the undisputed queen of the green. Given she is just 27 years old its fair to say players such as Roma Dunn with six, Lee Poletti, Therese Hastings and Noelene Abe with five Bowler of the Year titles might think it's just a matter of time before Krstic passes them all. Krstic has looked almost unbeatable at times in her career and 2020/21 was no different as she won the Women’s State Singles for a fourth time plus won the State Fours and Mosman Park Masters

Singles titles plus was a semi-finalist in the Women’s State Pairs. Her singles win was where Krstic really showed her class. She won her quarter final 21-9 over Noelene Abe who is a multiple winner herself before beating Pam Chalmers 25-9 and Chris Ace-Watson 25-6 in an amazing display. Krstic has shown that she is up there with Australia’s best with her recent results at the Australian Open when she featured in two finals and was beaten in the singles by the equally impressive Natasha Van Eldrick. Krstic balances a very busy bowls schedule with work as a fully qualified Chiropractor and even uses her cute pet dog named Milo in online promotions for the Harrisdale clinic where she works. A very humble Krstic as usual said all the right things when accepting her award at the Bowls WA Annual Dinner congratulating all the winners of other awards and thanking her many team mates, supporters and coaches plus family and friends and boyfriend Marcus who have been with her in another extremely successful season.