July 2017

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W W W. A E R O B OW L S . C O M

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CONTENTS 10

Issue 06

20

16

Rain stop play? Navy bowler Phil Black is prepared.

Volume 40

Cash Megabowl tradition suits Teresa Armitage.

BWD Singles champ James Reynolds with BA board director Louise Witton.

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Pic: Nicole Davey

Helen Hogan, OAM

08 If you’ve got it, flaunt it

22 Jackaroos on top

The Board of BQ says we’ve been hiding our light and it’s the right time to ramp up social media and TV.

The national team trounces NZ in Trans Tasman and the rest of the world in Multi Nations.

10 Can’t have too much AO

24 Queens Birthday honours

10 pages about the $250,000 13 annual Australian Open where QLD bowlers picked up 10 out of 18 national titles.

Two Queensland bowlers receive OAMs for a lifetime of service to the sport and their communities.

20 Hook up in Rocky

32 Skip not up to scratch?

If you’ve never hooked up in Rocky, the $8000 David ‘Hook’ Anderson Memorial Fours could be the ticket.

The BQ coaching committee asks when is it time to tap your Skip on the shoulder?

th

Editor: Naomi Cescotto

Editorial contact: E: media@bowlsqld.org Ph: (07) 3354 0777

Editorial assistant: Tom Sharman

Advertising: E: ads@bowlsqld.org

Graphic designer: Kristina Guy

Ph: (07) 3354 0777

Subscriptions: To subscribe, send your contact details, together with a cheque for $44 (inc gst) to: Queensland Bowler Subscriptions PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051.

Bowls Queensland Patron: His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland

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XTL

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From the President

with BQ’s Peter Williamson

What is Bowls Queensland?

It’s a good question and here’s the simple answer.

The Board. The Board is responsible for the strategic direction and governance of bowls in Queensland under the BQ Constitution.

The Clubs. The Clubs are the Shareholders under the Constitution, being ‘Affiliated Clubs’ to Bowls Queensland.

BQ vice president Kerry Green wonders if there is interest out there for a monthly or quarterly Buy Swap or Sell Column in Bowler magazine?

“It just seems a shame to waste anything, if a club has something they’re no longer using, maybe a different club would appreciate it?

The Districts. The Districts are responsible for representing the 624 Affiliated Clubs in Queensland.

BARGARA 'INTERNATIONAL'

The Members of Clubs. The Members benefit from their club being affiliated to BQ. The benefits that club members have with their club being affiliated to BQ will be discussed in upcoming editions of the Bowler magazine.

BQ Umpire committee’s Jess Cannon enjoyed herself at Bargara’s $1700 International Bowls Day on June 5.

North Queensland visit. On a lighter note, I was accompanied by BQ vice president Kerry Green to Townsville where we attended a forum of club members from throughout the NQ District at the invitation of president Ron Mitchell.

From this meeting we were able to get a clear understanding of concerns that the clubs in the area have been discussing at District level.

We will take a number of suggestions back to the board of BQ in an attempt to promote a better understanding and progress the sport throughout North Queensland.

Following the Forum we attended the 75th Dunn Cup at Thuringowa Bowls Club where we were well received.

It gave Kerry and I the chance to mingle and talk to a number of spectators at the event.

It was pleasing to be introduced to Ren Cantatore known as the “King of Dunn Cup“ having played in 49 cups with 17 wins, 6 runners up, and with 23 times as a Skip.

The highlight was to present to the winners Suburban Club the Dunn Cup and trophies to the runners up team of Ingham Club.

(There will be a feature on the Dunn Cup in August Bowler magazine.)

Thanks to Paul Jackson RBM who suggested our visit.

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BUY, SWAP or SELL?

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“It could be passed on for free, at a nominal cost, or even at fair market value.

“It might be worth putting some feelers out to see if this is something Bowls QLD could facilitate through Bowler magazine?”

You can contact the vice president directly about this issue at kerry@ bowlsqld.org or via Bowler magazine media@bowlsqld.org

Pic: Raising the flags, Maxine and Henry Stauffer, Wendy Campbell.

Team sponsors were Maxine and Henry Stauffer (Switzerland), Kym Grocke (England), Tony Teare (NZ), Joe Formosa (Malta), Bill Hazenberg (Holland), Joe & Verity Reitzenstein (Bavaria), Harry Lloyd (Canada), John Andrew (Australia) and Des Ivins (Wales).

The event is celebrated annually, going back to an original idea of Tony and Joe, who have birthdays within a month of each other.

They thought, why not celebrate with an “international friendly” held in May/June each year to share bowls and good food with friends.

DAY ON THE GREEN BQ board directors Brian Marshall and Carmel Gibb with QLD state rep Sammie Wilson at Musgrave Hill’s "A Day on the Green” on Sunday, May 28 (pic below).

Three full rinks came to show solidarity with Sammie, who received a shock cancer diagnosis when she suddenly fell ill playing for QLD in the state’s triumphant 2017 Australian Sides campaign in South Australia in April.

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CEO REPORT Bowls Queensland’s TV Commercial has been well received on Channel 7, 7Mate and ESPN. Thank you to everyone who has shared this commercial on Facebook.

The more our bowlers share this post the better as it is getting the message out to many not-yet-bowling friends and family members.

We will continue to promote this ad through Facebook and it will also run on Channel 7 until the end of the year.

Multi Disability State Champs Entry forms are out for the BQ & Sports Connect 2017 Multi-Disability State Championships, which will be held at Chermside Bowls Club from August 27-31 (may finish on the 30th, depending on volume of entries).

Entry forms can be found at www.bowlsqld.org Sport & Rec Grants - Close August 11 Please note Get Going funding to help clubs grow (Up to $7,500) and Get Playing Places and Spaces (Up to $150,000) close August 11.

Details in the RBM column June Bowler and/or please visit www.qld.gov.au/ recreation/sports/funding.

Have you seen

miserable rainy days when everyone was put to the test.

The event continues to grow each year, well done to Bowls Australia, and QLD is a magnificent host state.

Disaster Relief Thank you to Dalby, Durack Inala and Musgrave Hill Bowls Clubs for their donations to the BQ Disaster Relief Fund. We are waiting on some applications before more funding allocations are made.

Great job Urangan Bowls Club on your Charity Day to raise funds directly for Proserpine Bowls Club recovering from Cyclone Debbie. A total sum of $3,000 was raised and donated.

Film Shoot Thank you to the Mudgeeraba Bowls Club who provided their greens to film the segment for “The Great Day Out” TV show (adjacent).

Also thanks to Lynsey Clarke, Rob Parrella, Jessie Cottell and Shane White for assisting with the promotion.

The Channel 10 “Totally Wild” TV show has also committed to film a segment on bowls this year featuring some young QLD stars.

Brett Wilkie

Upcoming state reps Good bowling to our U18 state team taking on NSW at Taren Point in Sydney on July 3-4 and to our U25 team which plays NSW at Kallangur Memorial Bowls Club on July 27-28.

Australian Open Congratulations to our many Queenslanders who were successful in the Australian Open and well done to all the Gold Coast host clubs and volunteers on a magnificent job, especially on the

#let’splaylawnbowls #agameforeveryo 8

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n the BQ TV AD on Channel 7?

We’re so proud of our BQ community and we want to SHOUT IT OUT! If you haven’t seen our new and exciting BOWLS QLD AD on Channel 7, 7Mate or ESPN in your local area yet, it is coming to a TV near you soon!

The idea is to inspire TV viewers all over QLD to get out of their comfy chairs and head down to a bowls club near them, because there is so much going on!

“What’s BQ doing to promote bowls?”

Wilkie said. “Check out the TV AD and share it with your friends! We’re in this together.”

Championships Singles Finals at Tweed Heads on May 21 was also a great hit on BQ Facebook (the live stream can also be viewed on BQ facebook.)

The CEO’s impromptu iPhone ‘live stream’ of the 2017 BQ State

Wilkie said BQ was keen to do more live streaming of events in the future.

(We also hope it inspires our fantastic casual and social bowlers to think about stepping up to play competition...!)

Channel 7 and its affiliates have a random programme to cycle the BQ BOWLS AD around the regions.

If the AD works and our bowls clubs find they are receiving more inquiry and sign ups as a result of the AD, perhaps there will be a BQ AD, Version 2?

The TV AD was uploaded to BQ Facebook a month ago and it has had more than 9,000 views and it’s sitting on the Facebook feeds of more than 20,000 bowlers and their friends.

“The good news for our bowlers who don’t do social media is that you don’t even have to be “on” Facebook to check it out,” BQ CEO Brett Wilkie said.

“Simply Google ‘Bowls Queensland Facebook, that’s all it takes!

“And if you are on Facebook already, we’d love you to follow us, our username is @bowlsqld or find us on YouTube.”

The TV AD is part of a package of initiatives worked out with Channel 7 to promote the sport in Queensland.

The recent Channel 7 Great Day Out shoot at Mudgeeraba Bowls Club (pictured) was one of the support acts to the TV AD, with the bowls story scheduled to run on July 2 at 5.30pm (subject to change).

Pic: Great Day Out shoot Jillian Whiting, Jessie Cottell, Brett Wilkie, Chris Deadman, Lynsey Clarke, Shane White and Amy Teixeira.

Message from the President BQ president Peter Williamson is delighted for QLD to be leading the way with a television advertisement to commend our sport.

“Bowls Queensland is committed to its strategy to increase participation in bowls and I believe our bowlers will be happy to see BQ spearhead the campaign with this television advertisement,” Peter Williamson said.

“We are determined to be the most proactive state in creating awareness of the sport.

“After careful consideration by the BQ Board, this promotions package was put together with Channel 7 and of course we are interested to see if this generates more inquiries at clubs for both social and competition bowls.

“BQ is hard at work to improve its social media presence and help maximise its potential to reach a larger audience.”

one #whynotplaycompetition? #whatareyouwaitingfor? #whatagame! #jointheclub july 2017

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2 0 17 AU ST RA L I A N O P E N D M I NAT WOEAT HERI ON QLD WINS 10 OUT OF 18 TITLES If there were a best-performed state at this year’s Open, surely Queensland would win, finishing with an impressive record of six out of eight Bowlers with a Disability (BWD) titles, four Open titles, and silver medals in five other events.

18 TITLES IN 14 DAYS

“Bowls QLD had a stake in 15 out of 18 Australian Open finals, that’s truly impressive, we were champions in 10 and won the silver medal in five more, only the Men’s Pairs and BWD Physical

Disability Singles escaped us,” BQ CEO Brett Wilkie said.

(Brett had a chance with Nathan Rice in the Men’s Pairs but was eliminated in the sixth round in a ‘section of death’.)

“I’m very proud of the way Queensland clubs and volunteers hosted the Australian Open and congratulations to our BQ bowlers who participated and improved on their performances, posting some exceptional results.”

(Results summary is on Page 19.)

WE AT H E R THROWS OUT A CHALLENGE The 13th annual Australian Open proved ‘unlucky 13’ in terms of disruption by cyclonic weather for the first time since the tournament moved to the Sunshine State three years ago but it was still ‘The Greatest Bowls Show on Earth’.

13 QLD clubs hosted more than 2000 competitors from keen beginners to elite internationals at the $250,000 extravaganza on QLD’s Gold Coast from June 10-23.

“That’s the beauty of the Australian Open, it is a true, random, non-seeded event, two world champions could face each other in the first section or the average Joe could get to play against their idol,” Bowls Australia’s QLD-based president Nigel Smith said.

Paul Staggard Snr

“It’s very exciting to win a section and then the knockout rounds begin, there are some lucky draws and ‘sections of death’, in fact, many of the top bowlers and defending champs had their hearts broken early this year.”

(The BA president is hands-on, playing in the Men’s Fours and Men’s Over 60s Pairs in addition to his official role.)

The Australian Open has been running since 2005, being held for the first 10 years in Victoria (until 2014) and moving north to the 2018 Commonwealth Games city in 2015. Bowls Australia has confirmed the Open will remain on the Gold Coast until at least 2019.

Thanks to Bowls Australia for their photographic contributions for the Australian Open 2017

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S T REAM ING MORE BOWLS LIVE TO YOU Just as BQ CEO Brett Wilkie ‘live streamed’ the 2017 BQ State Singles Finals on BQ Facebook via his iPhone, BA provided a ‘rink side’ streaming service on BA Facebook for an unprecedented number of rounds and finals this year.

If you missed the action, the videos are still available on BA Facebook (also shared on BQ Facebook).

The Singles and Pairs finals were shown LIVE on Fox Sports as part of a five-year deal started three years ago.

More videos from AO 2017 will be shown over the coming months on The Bowls Show on SBS (Sundays at 3pm).

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2 0 17 AU ST RA L I A N O P E N FOURS - MEN MARSHALL PLAYS FOR HIS MUM The Australian Open Men’s Fours trophy will travel overseas for the first time with dynamic Scottish raiders Alex Marshall, Paul Foster, Darren Burnett and Ryan Burnett after they defeated the local favourites, 13-9.

Even though the Scots played a rink with QLD connections, the crowd had mixed loyalties, given “Tattie” plays a season or more in Australia most years and is very popular here.

The Scots thrilling victory in the AO Fours was muted by personal grief for Tattie, whose mum died while he was playing bowls on the other side of the world.

But it also gave him something to play for, and as he said in his emotional postmatch interview, “This win is in honour of my mum!”

The youngster of the Scottish rink Ryan Burnett is in fact living in Australia and playing for Broadbeach, trying to lift his standard to give himself the best chance of being selected for his country, alongside his big brother Darren.

The silver medalists skipped by former Australian rep Sean Baker also had a story to tell, the team rearranging itself at the last minute due to a late withdrawal, bringing in NSW legend Sam Laguzza, 76, to perform the opening honours, backed up by Jade Groenewege (Broadbeach) and Robbie Wild (Pine Rivers).

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The Scots breakthrough came with a drive from Marshall, which resulted in a five-shot turnaround.

The Baker boys were on the back foot for the rest of the game.

Although they clawed themselves back from a 3-10 deficit caused by losing five consecutive ends, they were fast running out of time, winning the final end but needing six to win, five for the draw, and achieving just one shot to finish four shots behind, 13-9.

(The QLD boys always say in post match interviews how much they just love playing bowls together and socialising together, so any win is a bonus)!

There were 220 teams in the Men’s Fours (880 bowlers) playing for $12,000 winner’s prize, with payments going back to the Round of 32.

The first 10 ends of the 2017 Men’s Fours final was high quality with every player contributing.

Pics: Winning for Scotland, Alex Marshall, Ryan Burnett, Darren Burnett, Paul Foster V QLD’s Robbie Wild, Sean Baker, Jade Groenewege, Sam Laguzza (NSW) in the TV Arena.

(The stream is available on the Bowls Australia website and Facebook page

“I like that the AO is not seeded, you pay your money and you take your chances, you could get anybody and I think that’s the fairest way to do it, it gives everyone a go.”

Alex Marshall, Scotland

- shared by Bowls QLD - and is highly recommended viewing.)

“It’s worth taking a couple weeks off work to bring your family down and just have a crack because you never know what can happen, the whole event is just amazing.”

Sean Baker, Victoria Point

JUNE 10 - 23 GOLD COAS T, Q LD

FOURS - WOMEN BREATHTAKING BACK-TO-BACK In one of the most breathtaking finishes in years at the Australian Open, Broadbeach’s Chloe Stewart and her team of Tiffany Brodie (Clayton, VIC), Amelia Bruggy (Kingsborough, TAS) and Georgia White (Club Helensvale, QLD) reclaimed their 2016 Women’s Fours title against Cabramatta star Karen Murphy’s rink of Ellen Ryan (Cabramatta, NSW), Kay Moran (Cabramatta, NSW) and Julie Keegan (Broadbeach, QLD).

After Stewart had the chance to draw for game in the final regular end and missed by a whisker, the match went into a see-saw extra end which saw both teams trade shots, until Murphy’s final bowl ricocheted and sprung the jack to leave a tight measure between her and Brodie’s bowl, with Stewart to play.

With the packed Broadbeach crowd also debating who had shot, Stewart and her team carefully assessed the head and decided to play, believing they were just down.

In a fairytale ending for the defending champs, Stewart’s final bowl was drawn to the jack like a magnet, straightening up slightly off a front bowl and removing Murphy’s best chance to clinch the title for QLD’s favourite Fours team, 14-13.

“It was just an awesome game, we thought we had it on the last end and then to go to an extra end, it was just up and down going shot for shot,” Chloe Stewart said.

“We were just fortunate that luck was on our side and the girls provided so much support, which really helped with the last shot.”

Silver medalists Women’s Fours, Ellen Ryan, Julie Keegan, Kay Moran, Karen Murphy “Back-to-back with these three girls, who are three of my favourite people in the world, I just could not be any happier,” Georgia White said.

“They all played so well throughout the whole tournament, and it is the whole tournament, not just the final that we won.

There were 92 teams in the Women’s Pairs (368 bowlers) playing for the $12,000 winner’s prize, and lesser payments back to the Round of 16.

Back to back Women’s Fours champs, Georgia White, Tiffany Brodie, Amelia Bruggy, Chloe Stewart.

“I never had time to enter before because I was always working when it was on, so it’s good to be able to finally come and play in it!”

Angie Earle, Hamilton

“We don’t get much chance to play people off the island so it’s a big step up to play here but we love it. I was so nervous during my first game I was shaking the whole time!”

Narelle Bennett, Thursday Island

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2 0 17 AU ST RA L I A N O P E N M IXIN G

O V ER 60s PAI RS

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE

Aero Bowls CEO Walter Jacobs and his O60s Pairs partner Howard Horowitz from Beverly Hills Bowls Club, USA.

Over 60s Pairs winners Di Cunnington & Gail Crompton, sponsor Monique Van Gelder from Cruiseabout, Ian Warner & Peter Leon. Winners also got a $2,500 cruise voucher.

QU E ENSLAND THOROUGHBREDS BRING IT H OM E After a dry spell in last year’s Over 60s Pairs, Queensland seniors dominated the discipline in 2017, taking both titles and seven out of eight finals places.

WOMEN Former Australian rep Di Cunnington, 80, from Tweed Heads created a sensation when she stepped back up to the winner’s podium at this year’s Australian Open.

No bowls for Paul Henricks from Bowlers Paradise this year, flat out keeping up with demand for rain jackets, AO caps and AO bowls cloths, but right hand man Col Pritchard got to play some O60s.

“Are you still winning bowls?” Di was asked on BQ Facebook.

“Yes,” she said, “I’ve been out for the past year with a broken arm but I’m back…”

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Teamed up with Burleigh Heads Paul Staggard Snr, the sentimental favourites met their match against an incidental pairing of Pine Rivers Peter Leon and Victorian Ian Warner.

Leon was a late entry into the AO when Warner’s original partner withdrew and what a successful replacement it was, the two getting to know each other as they finessed a legend of the sport and came up trumps, winning by one shot 19-18 and taking home $5000.

The QLD legend has a long pedigree as a bowler and administrator and it was great to see her back on the green with Gail Crompton from Bargara, part of QLD’s winning Australian Senior Sides team (Tasmania, 2016).

The first time pairing had a comfortable 19-11 win over their good friends on the Over 60s circuit Adele Pershouse from Bargara and Mary Geary from Mooloolaba, who won the QLD State title in May after being runners up the previous year.

Former English international David Holt played in all disciplines and helped out on the Henselite stand at AO.

into his bowls and winning through to the final.

MEN There was a similar thrill for the bowls tragics in the Over 60s Men’s Pairs with another legend of the sport Rob Parrella from Musgrave Hill back

Silver medalists Rob Parrella & Paul Staggard Snr.

Silver medalists Mary Geary & Adele Pershouse

JUNE 10 - 23 GOLD COAS T, Q LD

PA IRS

and World Fours champion was up to the task, keeping one hand firmly on the trophy.

TABLES TURNED

Johns and Van Asch conceded after the 17th end, with a score of 17-8, Keegan thrilled with the result after last year’s 21-14 defeat.

It was a case of deja vu with both of last year’s finalists set to go headto-head once again in a title decider, this year however Ellen Ryan the freshly crowned Singles champion and Broadbeach’s Julie Keegan were determined not to let defending pairs champs Anne Johns and Bec Van Asch taste victory again.

In the FOX Sports 505 Live broadcast final Ryan and Keegan were quick to make their mark on the game and ruthless in their campaign, posting an almost unassailable lead at the mid-way point of the match to put themselves one step closer to the $10,000 payout.

They continued to implement the same tactics which helped them become one of the last two teams standing out of a field of 148 teams, the method throughout their AO offensive consisting of NSW’s Ellen Ryan setting the pace early in the ends to allow Keegan to produce a conversion.

However, Johns and Van Asch were not done, getting back to within 10 shots in an attempt to ramp up the pressure on Keegan but the former Australian rep

“I feel absolutely fantastic and I think it’s great to win it here at Broadbeach which is now my club and it has been good to win with Ellen, a really good mate, it has made it a great week,” Keegan said.

“Ellen gave us a definite advantage, she’d already won the singles on this rink so she was able to set it up for me really well and luckily I had loads of bowls in the head so I was able to play a few conversions.

“It was brilliant to be able to finally turn the tables, Bec and Anne are great competitors so the score probably doesn’t reflect the quality of the game but I’m stoked with the win.”

The Women’s Pairs victory secured Ellen Ryan her title as Player of the Tournament, adding to her win in the Singles and silver medal in he Fours, which saw her take home a pay cheque of $21,000 for two weeks work and gives her a stronger chance to press for a representative spot in Australia’s 2018 Commonwealth Games team.

MATES TRIUMPH Best mates Josh Thornton and Barrie Lester from Victoria made history with a 19-12 win in the Men’s Pairs final at Broadbeach against South Australia’s Wayne Ruediger and Scott Thulborn.

Going into the Open as Australia’s number one ranked bowler, Lester had never won an AO title but had been runner up six times.

He finally entered the winner’s circle alongside Thornton and it was an emotional moment, not to mention a rich one with a $10,000 prize.

Both Lester and Thornton were well prepared, both delivering strong performances in the lead up TransTasman and Multi-Nations events.

Given Thornton is also eligible to play BWD physical disability, the victory had extra significance.

He joins fellow Victorian Tiffany Brodie (hearing impairment) as the only Para Sport athletes to have captured an Open discipline.

This year’s Men’s Pairs event featured 832 players and a total prize pool of $29,400.

Pic top: Mens paris Winners Barrie Lester and Josh Thornton Pic left: Womens pairs winners Ellen Ryan and Julie Keegan

“You need to step up to the challenge and control your nerves and bowl your best in every game when playing at this level.”

Ester Regan, Bramble Bay

“If your first shot is a good one and gets right in front of the jack, I believe if you get the first shot right, you’ll get the game.”

Rob Parrella, Musgrave Hill

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2 0 17 AU ST RA L I A N O P E N U18 SINGLES GIRLS Queensland’s youngest state team member Jessica Srisamruaybai, 17, showed why she is Australia’s leading U18 female bowler, going one better than last year to win her maiden AO title in the U18 Girls singles with an emphatic win over Victoria’s Mikayla Long, 21-6.

“Last year helped get me used to playing with the cameras so this year I was able to just focus on my game,” Srisamruaybai said.

“The competition was tough, going up against Rebecca (Rixon) and Mikayla, the girls in my section gave me a hard run for it but I got there.

“The cameras made a bit of a difference and gave me a bit of nerves early on, it was the first time I’ve been recorded while playing, but it was an unreal experience and something I will cherish,” Conlan said. “The competition was tough but I will be back for sure next year to have a go in the open events.”

Fellow Queenslanders Jayden Cottell and Mitch Goode also made the finals, Cottell had a good crack at his mate Indi in the quarters 21-18 and Goode was knocked out by Jono, 21-7.

Lynne Seymour and Bob Seymour

Both U18 finals were filmed for The Bowls Show on SBS TV, scheduled to be shown in August.

“I’m not sure what I’ll do with the money, I might save it, or grab a pair of Yeezys (designer sneakers)…”

Nigel Smith, Dianne Reddick

QLD’s Rebecca Rixon (Kawana) picked up $400, making the semi final against Srisamruaybai, 21-13.

BOYS Commonwealth Youth Games dual gold medallist Jono Davis, 16, from Dubbo was back at the AO to defend his title, winning in decisive fashion against QLD U18 Boys Singles state champ Indi Conlan from Enoggera, 21-7.

Conlan, 17, defeated last year’s runner-up Joshua Studham (SA) in the semi but says he felt the pressure in the final.

Pic above: U18 Boys Singles finalists, Indi Conlan and Jono Davis.

Krystie Ebert, Nathan Appleton

Pic below: U18 Girls Singles Champ Jessica Srisamruaybai.

Nigel Smith, NZ’s Lynda Bennett

Jake Fehlberg, Grant Fehlberg

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JUNE 10 - 23 GOLD COAS T, Q LD

BWD QLD WINS LION’S SHARE There were six singles and two pairs’ titles up for grabs at this year’s AO for bowlers with a disability (BWD) and QLD bowlers won six out of eight!

PAIRS - MULTI DISABILITY The closest fight was in the MultiDisability Pairs where the toast of the Far North Bernie Wolland from Mossman Memorial won the title in a thriller 15-14 against seasoned campaigner Nathan Appleton from North Toowoomba.

Skip Bernie’s lead was Phillip Plackett from NSW, while Nathan led for his VIC mate Josh Barry.

PAIRS - VISION IMPAIRED This was another exciting battle and an especially proud moment for QLD as all finalists were Maroons!

International blind bowls reps Chris Backstrom (New Farm) and Jake Fehlberg (Burleigh Heads) defeated Brandon Smith (South Johnstone) and Lynne Seymour (Thuringowa), 21-18.

(Directors, Ian Gardner, Grant Fehlberg, Maisie Smith and Bob Seymour).

SINGLES - VISION IMPAIRED Men: Not only did Jake Fehlberg win the Pairs, he also romped through the Singles sectionals undefeated to book a finals berth against NSW’s Russell Hadley, who was also undefeated.

Fehlberg never took his pedal off the metal, the father and son duo in perfect communication to win a second title.

Women: This was another treat for the parochial crowd, an all-QLD final between Lynne Seymour and Chermside’s Joy Forster both undefeated in their sections.

Both won gold medals in South Africa at the recent 11th IBBA World Blind Bowls and Joy was Best Performed Female at the recent Blind Bowls Nationals.

However at this year’s Australian Open Lynne had the better bowls, winning the national title and $1000 payday by four shots, 21-17.

SINGLES - HEARING IMPAIRED

SINGLES - PHYSICAL DISABILITY

Another all-QLD final, Corinda’s Dianne Reddick was fast out of the blocks to earn herself a national title and $1000 payday over silver medallist Janet Hogan from Boyne-Tannum, 21-12.

Out of the eight BWD titles up for grabs, only the Men’s and Women’s Physical Disability Singles fell into the hands of visitors.

SINGLES - INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY This discipline is usually dominated by Nathan Appleton, the Dalby-born bowler capable of great heights in both BWD and Open events.

His 2017 final was against McKenzie Park newcomer Krystie Ebert who played well in the sectionals and semis but was outclassed by the master in the final, 21-2.

In the Men’s final, the amazing Jimmy Reynolds from NSW (2014 Australian Commonwealth Games Para-Sport representative) proved too strong for Victoria’s Josh Barry, 21-8.

The Women’s title went across the Ditch to New Zealander Lynda Bennett when she proved too consistent in the final against Michelle Campbell from NSW, 21-8.

$1000 to Nathan and $500 and a silver medal for Krystie, who was thrilled to play against a legend of the category in her first Australian Open.

Pic above Ian Gardner, Chris Backstrom, Jake Fehlberg and Grant Fehlberg.

Pic right Phillip Plackett and Bernie Wolland.

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2 0 17 AU ST RA L I A N O P E N SING L E S BATTLE OF THE NATHANS The final of the AO’s most popular event came down to a battle between two Nathans both hungry for their maiden Singles title.

It was a record year for the Men’s Singles attracting more than 900 competitors and Helensvale’s Nathan Rice, 38, and South Australia’s Nathan Pedersen, 22, were the last men standing.

At stake was the lifetime honour of winning the Open’s

toughest test, $13,000 first prize, and the national selectors attention.

The hometown favourite opened fearlessly but the scoring was laboured, the game drawn 10-10 on 13.

From there Pedersen doubled the hit rate and sat at 20-15, waiting for his chance.

He was three shots down when he managed to slot the jack into the ditch to conjure up the single he needed to win, 21-15.

“It was pretty intimidating going up against Nathan, I’m a little ant compared to him, he’s been around a long time and he knows a thing or two about bowls,” Pedersen said.

Silver medallist Rice earned $6,500 and said the new champ impressed him.

Winner - Nathan Pedersen

“That’s what the Open is all about, I was on the wrong side of the winner’s circle but all credit to the young fella, he played well and he played some big ones when he had to,” Rice said.

The Men’s Singles had plenty of upsets with many big names clustered together in draws of death.

Gone in the round of 64 were 2016 champ Aron Sherriff by Helensvale 18 year old Jayden Christie 21-16, 2009 winner and 2014 & 2016 silver medallist Brett Wilkie to Musgrave Hill teen Nic Gosley 21-19 and 2013 victor Aaron Wilson to Coolum’s Troy Somerville 21-17.

Also gone in the first KO round was Alex Marshall, 2015 runner up Ryan Bester and world singles champ Shannon McIlroy.

ELLEN THE INVINCIBLE V GEORGIA THE GREAT Helensvale’s Georgia White and Mareeba’s Sue Brady had a brilliant progression in the Women’s Singles, carrying the hopes of QLD into the finals.

Among those eliminated

by Sue, Jackaroos Kelsey Cottrell 21-12 and Natasha Scott 21-20 while Georgia dispatched Rebecca Van Asch 21-20 and Malaysian great Nor Hashimah Ismail 21-16.

Finally the two QLD squad members faced each other in the semi and Georgia prevailed, 21-15.

On the other side of the draw, Cabramatta’s Ellen Ryan was on track to become only the second woman to win dual

AO Women’s Singles titles (Lisa Phillips won in 2011 and 2013).

In sublime form, Ellen put an end to the dreams of internationals Azlina Arshad (Malaysia) 21-10 and Elma Davis (South Africa) in the semi, 21-11.

Georgia the Great, 27, faced Ellen the Invincible, 20, in the final and was outplayed 21-11 by the Player of the Tournament - who then dashed off to play a Pairs semi and Fours final in the same day.

There were 300 competitors in the Women’s Singles competition.

“The standard of competition makes for some great games, it’s a different league to what we have at home, I win nearly everything at Dysart but here I’m struggling a bit.”

Simon Potter, Dysart

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Winner - Ellen Ryan “I haven’t played for about twelve years, I got a phone call a couple months ago from a couple of mates who told me I should come down for this year which I’m glad I did.”

Sue Brady, Mareeba Memorial

J UN E 1 0 - 2 3 G OL D C OAST, QL D

18 TITLES IN 14 DAYS

201 7 AO RE S U LT S MEN’S SINGLES Nathan Pedersen (SA) def Nathan Rice (QLD) 21-15

U18 BOYS SINGLES Jono Davis (NSW) def Indi Conlan (QLD) 21-7

WOMEN’S SINGLES Ellen Ryan (NSW) def Georgia White (QLD) 21-11

BWD SINGLES - HEARING IMPAIRED Dianne Reddick (QLD) def Janet Hogan (QLD) 21-12

MEN’S PAIRS Josh Thornton (VIC) & Barrie Lester (VIC) def Wayne Reudiger (SA) & Scott Thulborn (SA) 19-12

BWD SINGLES - INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY Nathan Appleton (QLD) def Krystie Ebert (QLD) 21-2

WOMEN’S PAIRS Ellen Ryan (NSW) & Julie Keegan (QLD) def Anne Johns (NSW) & Rebecca Van Asch (TAS) 17-8 MEN’S O60 PAIRS Peter Leon (QLD) & Ian Warner (VIC) def Paul Staggard Snr (QLD) & Rob Parrella (QLD) 19-18 WOMEN’S 060 PAIRS Gail Crompton (QLD) & Di Cunnington (QLD) def Adele Pershouse (QLD) & Mary Geary (QLD) 19-11

Singles Silver Medalist - Georgia White

MEN’S FOURS Ryan Burnett (QLD), Darren Burnett (SCO), Paul Foster (SCO), Alex Marshall (SCO) def Sam Laguzza (NSW), Jade Groenewege (QLD), Robbie Wild (QLD), Sean Baker (QLD) 13-9 WOMEN’S FOURS Tiffany Brodie (VIC), Amelia Bruggy (TAS), Georgia White (QLD), Chloe Stewart (QLD) def Ellen Ryan (NSW), Julie Keegan (QLD), Kay Moran (NSW), Karen Murphy (NSW) 14-13

Singles Silver Medalist - Nathan Rice

U18 GIRLS SINGLES Jessica Srisamruaybai (QLD) def Mikayla Long (VIC) 21-6

BWD SINGLES - PHYSICAL DISABILITY MEN James Reynolds (NSW) def Josh Barry (VIC) 21-8 BWD SINGLES - PHYSICAL DISABILITY WOMEN Lynda Bennett (NZ) def Michelle Campbell (NSW) 21-8 BWD SINGLES - VISION IMPAIRED MEN Jake Fehlberg (QLD) def Russell Hadley (NSW) 21-7 BWD SINGLES - VISION IMPAIRED WOMEN Lynne Seymour (QLD) def Joy Forster (QLD) 21-17 BWD PAIRS - MULTI DISABILITY Philip Plackett (NSW) & Bernie Wolland (QLD) def Nathan Appleton (QLD) & Josh Barry (VIC) 15-14 BWD PAIRS - VISION IMPAIRED Chris Backstrom (QLD) & Jake Fehlberg (QLD) def Lynne Seymour (QLD) & Brandon Smith (QLD) 21-18 PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT Ellen Ryan (NSW)

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2 0 17 AU ST RA L I A N O P E N RA NK IN G S

WHO’S TOP OF THE RANKINGS AT THE END OF THE AO?

AU S

QLD MEN

WOMEN

MEN

WOMEN

1

Barrie Lester (VIC)

Carla Krizanic (VIC)

1

Kurt Brown

Chloe Stewart

2

Lee Schraner (TAS)

Natasha Scott (NSW)

2

Nathan Rice

Julie Keegan

3

Garry Ball (VIC)

Ellen Ryan (NSW)

3

Sean Ingham

Georgia White

4

Nathan Pedersen (SA)

Kelly McKerihen (CAN*)

4

Jayden Christie

Melissa Larcombe

5

Matthew Flapper (VIC)

Rebecca Van Asch (TAS)

5

Sean Baker

Lynsey Clarke

6

Jeremy Henry (NSW)

Chloe Stewart (QLD)

6

Jade Groenewege

Natasha Jones

7

Corey Wedlock (NSW)

Cassandra Harvey (SA)

7

Scott De Jongh

Cassandra Millerick

8

Ryan Bester (CAN*)

Julie Keegan (QLD)

8

Stephen Halmai

Dee-Anne Robertson

9

Kurt Brown (QLD)

Georgia White (QLD)

9

Peter Leon

Maree Gibbs

10

Nathan Rice (QLD)

Colleen Orr (NT)

10

Des Cann Jnr

Sue Brady

Thanks to Sam Clough OAM (honorary BA Rankings Administrator) “The AO is one of the best events to play, the best bowlers in the world are here, it’s tough every game because I’m an international player so everyone tries their hardest to beat me.”

Emma Firyana Saroji, Malaysia

* OS Canada

“The level of challenge for BWD bowlers at the AO is probably the toughest in the world, you can enter as many events as you want which brings in the best competition.”

Clive Williams, Maryborough Services Memorial

Host clubs reps, back, Barry Gilbert (Broadbeach), Craig Parks (Mermaid Beach), Colin McPherson (Gold Coast), front, Mark Casey (GOLDOC Lawn Bowls), Bradley Carbis (Southport), Owen Kenny (Tugun), Malcolm Guihot (Paradise Point), Bill Melville (Mudgeeraba), Vic Lord (McKenzie Park), Les Miller (Club Helensvale), Jim Wadling (Burleigh Heads), Ben Woods (Musgrave Hill).

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DEVELOPMENT

ANDREW

PAUL

Inaugural BPL CUP gets underway - still time for clubs to enter The inaugural National BPL Cup kicks off in QLD this month (July 2) at Ferny Grove Bowls Club.

Pine Rivers will play their rounds on July 23, South Tweed Sports on August 6, Victoria Point on August 13, Ipswich United on August 26 and Musgrave Hill on September 3.

Bowls Australia

Player Ranking Event

You have to be a club member and affiliated with Bowls QLD to be part of the BPL experience.

The BPL Cup is an opportunity for club-based teams to progress through various stages to a national final, to be played as part of the BPL06 competition in November.

The BPL Cup format is two-bowl triples, following the same rules as BPL. The competition will be staged at clubs within a region with winners to progress to a regional and then a state/territory final.

The victorious team from each state/ territory will be invited to Club Pine Rivers (Brisbane) to play off in the national final, with the winner to be crowned the National BPL Cup champions.

Over the past four years Bowls Australia has successfully staged five Bowls Premier League (BPL) events and in late 2014, launched Jack Attack, a national participation program based on the BPL format.

INTRODUCING 5. Victoria Point

BPL CUP

The National BPL Cup is an initiative to marry the two products together, to strengthen the correlation between the bowls viewers see on TV and the format of bowls offered at local clubs.

6. Ipswich United 7. Rockhampton

8. Surburban Townsville

9. ACTION Mackay City PLAY FAST-PACED, PACKED QLD venues for the BPLTHE are: BPLCup FORMAT SEEN10.

ONMareeba TELEVISION 1. South Tweed Sports

11. Edge Hill

2. Musgrave Hill

WIN YOUR WAY12. TOMooloolaba THE BPL

3. Ferny Grove

13. Hervey Bay NATIONAL FINAL PLAYED AT BPL06

4. Pine Rivers Memorial

14. Bargara

The Bowls Premier League Cup is a pathway event, progressing through regional, state and national levels.

2 0 17 S TAT E SECONDARY SCH O OLS CU P September 16-17, Club Pine Rivers Bowls QLD and Bowls Australia Regional Bowls Managers (RBMs) have worked closely with bowling clubs around the state to link clubs and their local schools to give students the opportunity to try bowls and compete in this great state event.

We have had an enthusiastic response from many clubs/districts and we thank them for their tireless efforts to make sure this event is a success and helps grow the sport in their local community.

Winners of the state Bowls Premier League Cup events will earn

F A R E W E the L LhonourPofEcompeting T E Rat theNnational I Xfinal, OtoNbe staged during Bowls Premier League 06, from November 14-17, 2017 at Queensland’s Club Pine Rivers.

You might notice a face is missing game and my job has been to support from the top of the column?

W W W . B O W L S . C O them.

M . A U / B P L- C U P CQ RBM Peter Nixon has resigned from his role with Bowls Australia to work part time as bowls coordinator at Mooloolaba.

“I’ve been fortunate to travel far and wide meeting many of these people as part of my job.

BA is in the process of conducting interviews to fill this essential service to Central Queensland.

“I urge all clubs to make use of the services of your Regional Bowls Managers as they have a vast array of resources available to them and can assist with many areas of the game.

“I’d like to thank and wish all the best to the wonderful people at the 100-odd clubs I’ve worked with over the last 12 months,” Nixon said.

“Many people volunteer a lot of time at our clubs to try to grow our great

RBM - TROPICAL NORTH QLD Paul Jackson - 0429 213 207 pjackson@bowls.com.au

“Thanks to the staff at BA and BQ who helped me along the way and to all, I hope to catch up with you again on a green somewhere!”

RBM - SOUTH EAST QLD Andrew Howie - 0409 498 786 ahowie@bowls.com.au

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WHAT’S YOUR CL H oo k u p in Ro c ky

At the end of Round 4, only the amazing Smalley remained undefeated, his team of Bill Cameron, Bob Neilsen and John Lenon winning the final round to claim the winner’s prize of $3000, not to mention the grand honour of defending their title and going ‘back-to-back’.

“We are fortunate to have a skip with the ability of young Trent Smalley, he is what you want as a skip, talented but also laid back and relaxed, which settles the team and gives us a big advantage,” lead Bill Cameron said.

David ‘Hook’ Anderson winners Bill Cameron, Bob Nielsen, John Lenon, Trent Smalley.

The $8000 David ‘Hook’ Anderson Memorial Open Fours at Diggers Memorial (Rockhampton, May 27-28) was an outstanding success.

The prestige annual event was conducted under cloudless skies by 28 teams from 27 different clubs, playing five rounds of 18 ends.

“The teams this year were of a very high standard and included more than 30 players who had just represented their districts at the Domina-BCIB State

District Sides Championships,” Diggers Memorial president Merv Dunsheath said.

Visiting bowlers from SA, VIC and NSW added to a diverse and quality field.

At the end of Day One, only three teams had won their three games, a Victoria Park (Rockhampton) team skipped by Darryn Steigler, a Diggers team skipped

by Kay McCrohon and the defending champs from 2016, a Diggers-Yeppoon combo skipped by Trent Smalley.

“It took a team effort to win the carnival and the boys went out with the determination of not letting Trent or their part of the team down.

“As every bowler knows it is great to win, but to win your own carnival against top quality opposition and celebrate with your mates and fellow bowlers on your home track is just the greatest feeling!”

Cameron also thanked sponsor City Printing Works.

Carnival runner up (four wins) was Yeppoon’s Mick Browning, Clem McGee, Ray Davidson and skip Trevor Higgins, picking up $1800.

Be e n le i g h f ir e s up

Beenleigh Jubilee Cup winners from Musgrave Hill and Paradise Point, from left, Aileen Ready, Lesley Pask, Lorraine Quelhurst, Margaret Coombes, Rosemary Nausbaum, Patricia Glasser, Beenleigh women's president Irene Goldthorp, Stephanie Retchless, Imelda White, Gerlinda Evans, Merilyn Basher, front, Joy Odermatt, Sue Bockett, Joanne Bowan, Louise Dean and Kay Bryant.

A year after an early morning fire (June 2, 2016) saw trade grind to a halt at Beenleigh, the club is proudly getting back on its feet.

The club’s annual Jubilee Cup women’s fours carnival was held on schedule on May 22 and it was a great success, won jointly for the first time by Musgrave Hill and Paradise Point (winners pictured above).

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“It was great to see the greens full again, being one of our first tournaments since the fire, we were determined to make the day a huge success,” publicity officer Cecily Conradi said.

“So many clubs came to support us, we had teams from the Gold Coast and Logan and surrounding areas.”

The Jubilee Cup was donated in 2000 by the Herse family in memory of long-time

member May Ehrlich and it is played in May each year.

Beenleigh thanked all neighbouring clubs for their support after a difficult year and extended an invitation to upcoming events, including the Open Novice/Seniors 3-Bowl Pairs (Sun July 2), Mixed All Day Variety Pairs (Sun Aug 6) and Seafood Open All Day Fours (Sun Aug 20).

UB BEEN DOING? b u rru m h e a d s f o urs

B LU E DIA MON D The third annual Broadbeach Blue Diamond pairs (June 8-9) was the biggest to date with an impressive $15,000 prize pool.

Jeff Worth, Greg Maher, Garry Dan, Peter Worth and Graeme Woodcroft.

The $8000 Burrum Heads Invitation Men’s Fours Carnival is held on the “Queen’s Birthday” weekend each year in June.

This year it was won by a Kandanga team skipped by Gary Dan (pictured above with organiser Graeme Woodcroft presenting their prize).

“It’s not a gazetted long weekend anymore but we still had 26 teams here and it’s attractive prize money and a great carnival,” Burrum Heads chairman Paul Petrie said.

Teams from Calliope, Bramble Bay, Hervey Bay, Banyo, Urangan, Monto, Brighton, and Caboolture joined the local Burrum Heads teams. Elders Real Estate (Burrum Heads) was the major sponsor.

Five games were played over Saturday and Sunday with Gary Dan’s team finishing on 96.5 points, 4.5 points ahead of the nearest team from Kallangur, skipped by Paul Hattie (92 points).

The two day event brought back defending champs Paul Foster and Alex “Tattie” Marshall but it was South Australia’s Wayne Ruediger and skip Corey Wedlock (NSW) who triumphed over a field featuring 70 current or past International players from seven countries.

Bowls coordinator Ryan Bester said the Blue Diamond is one of the most prestigious events on the Australian bowls calendar.

“It is a great honour to have the World’s best players at the Broadbeach club, playing for good money at the highest level of competition,” Bester said.

“Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the Carnival and it will be bigger and better than ever,” Paul Petrie said.

pi n e RI VE RS r a p id f ir e Wayne Ruediger, Corey Wedlock

2017 Rapid Fire Classic, Pine Rivers president Dave Antney with winners Peter Leon, Jay Cross, skip Des Cann and Peter Brown (Pic: Neil McLean) The quickest draw in the $15,000 Pine Rivers Rapid Fire Classic 2017 (June 3-4) was Helensvale skip Des Cann and his sharp shooters Peter Leon, Jay Cross and Peter Brown.

The fearsome foursome was all smiles with the generous winner’s prize of $7,000 after a thrilling weekend of pairs and fours going down to the wire.

There were just 11 shots and $3,500 between first and second, two teams winning seven out of a possible eight challenges, Cann finishing on 7 wins +78 and a team from Ballina skipped by

Luke Jones breathing down their neck the whole way, finishing on 7 wins + 67 ($3,500 2nd prize).

Alex Marshall, Ray Pearse, Aaron Wilson

There was plenty of ability in the field of 20 teams (80 bowlers).

“For only $240/team entry including lunches, it was great value and great odds to win some big money,” organiser Des Wilson said.

The Pine Rivers Rapid Fire Classic is run in early June, the weekend before the start of the Australian Open.

Ryan Bester (Pics: Chris McLennan)

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Jackaroos impress on TRA N S TAS M AN The 2017 Trans Tasman on home soil at Broadbeach (May 31-June 2) was a happy hunting ground for the Australian Jackaroos squad.

They won 14 out of 15 tests across five categories, including unbeaten runs in the Open Men, Open Women, Development Men and Para-Sport.

New Zealand had just one victory in the Development Women’s event.

The Aussies won a total of seven trophies, one for each event and the overall open trophy and overall development trophy.

“It’s always very pleasing when Australia wins any international series and especially when it’s against a powerhouse like New Zealand,” national coach Steve Glasson said.

Pic: Australian Jackaroo Brett Wilkie and Bowls Australia President Nigel Smith with the highly coveted Trans Tasman trophy. Pics: BA.

“There’s a lot weighing on these events, the players know that every opportunity to shine is a tick in the box towards a Commonwealth Games berth.”

TEST RESULTS Open Men: AUS 3-0 NZ Open Women: AUS 3-0 NZ Development Men: AUS 3-0 NZ Development Women: AUS 2-1 NZ Para-sport: AUS 3-0 NZ

Group Pic: Aussie legends at Trans Tasman 2017, back row from left, Aaron Wilson, Kate Matthews, Barrie Lester, Kelsey Cottrell, Wayne Ruediger, Scott Thulborn, Ralph Simpson, Aron Sherriff, Rob Seymour (director), Josh Barry, Jake Fehlberg, Grant Fehlberg (director), Josh Thornton, Chris Flavel, middle row from left, Nathan Pedersen, Lachlan Sims,Rebecca Van Asch, Bolivia Millerick, Jennifer Simpson (director), Lynne Seymour, Jessica Srisamruaybai, Eddie Gollan, Jono Davis, Beatrice Kassulke (director), James Reynolds, Ken Hanson, front row from left, Carla Krizanic, Natasha Scott, Karen Murphy, Lynsey Clarke, Ellen Ryan, Kristina Krstic, Aaron Teys, Corey Wedlock, Brett Wilkie, Marian Morrison

Australia’s Trans Tasman team proudly displays the seven trophies won in a grand slam against NZ.

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n international stage BOLIV IA CAl l u p Broadbeach’s Bolivia Millerick, 23, became the 85th Australian women to receive the call up to wear the coveted Green and Gold (pic below with team captain Lynsey Clarke).

“I’ve been in the wings waiting for my chance, it has been a dream for so long,” Bolivia said.

“To be playing here at Multi Nations and at my club Broadbeach too, it’s magnificent!

“Honestly, it’s the best feeling ever to be playing with teammates like Lynsey Clarke, Karen Murphy and Kelsey Cottrell, everyone has been fantastic.”

Aaron Teys, 23 (Warilla NSW), also made his debut for Australia at Multi Nations, receiving men’s cap No 145.

M U LT I NAT IO NS After a clean sweep in the Trans Tasman the Jackaroos continued to win nearly everything in sight to take out the top two spots at the 2017 Gold Coast MultiNations at Broadbeach Bowls Club (June 3-7).

Australia’s “Gold” team claimed overall honours with 37 points from three gold, two silver, two bronze and a fourth-place.

Australia “Green” secured second place just three points behind, three gold, a silver and three bronze.

Five Australian women walked away with a gold medal, two each for Lynsey Clarke and Karen Murphy (picured right with NZ’s Shannon McIlroy) after they defeated Scotland’s Caroline Brown and Claire Johnstone in the Women’s Pairs, 21-5.

Murphy’s other gold was in the blue ribbon singles 21-14 against NZ’s Jo Edwards while Clarke earned hers leading for the “Gold” team’s victorious Women’s Four of Bolivia Millerick, Ellen Ryan and skip Kelsey Cottrell, who upstaged the Aussie “Green” team Chloe Stewart, Kristina Krstic, Carla Krizanic and Rebecca Van Asch by just one shot on an extra end, 12-11.

TEST RESULTS 1. Australia Gold - 37 points 2. Australia Green - 34 points 3. New Zealand - 31 points OTHER PARTICIPATING NATIONS Scotland, Malaysia, Wales, Canada, Hong Kong, China, England (Para) The QLD Vision-Impaired Mixed Pair combo Lynne Seymour and Jake Fehlberg triumphed over Scotland 22-10, and Physical Disability Triple of Tony Bonnell (QLD), Ken Hanson and Chris Flavel won 20-13 over NZ. The host-nation boasted a proud total of eight gold medals, three silver and five bronze over the 10 disciplines, with New Zealand claiming the remaining two gold medals in the Men’s Singles and Fours.

In the Men’s Pairs, Barrie Lester and Nathan Rice for Australia ‘Green’ defeated NZ’s Mike Kernaghan and Shannon McIlroy in the final, 16-14.

Australia also posted success in the para-sport component, a qualifyer for Gold Coast 2018 Comm Games.

CANADA

SCOTLAND

WALES

“I had a great time at Multi-Nations although it was a tough time getting into it as we don’t bowl for about six months of the year and then we come and play on the best greens in the world against some of the toughest teams in the world which was tricky. The speed is at least five seconds quicker in Australia on the greens compared to Canada.”

“The Multi-Nations was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it and it has been good practice as we know these are the greens we will play on for the Commonwealth Games.

I was fortunate to play here last year as well, in a test game against Australia, one of the top nations as they are good at what they do and hard to beat. I’ve had a great time!

“It was all a learning curve for me as it was my first time in Australia. There’s a huge difference between here and Wales, in the speed of the green and the heat! The Aussies were the toughest, they get more practice on fast greens and play more competitions, there’s probably one a month at home but here you can average one a week easily.”

Craig Lawson

Claire Johnston

Paul Taylor

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Searching for lost fortunes used to take years.

Q U E E N S BIRTHDAY HONOURS Two BQ bowlers were awarded OAMs in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours for a lifetime of dedication and service to their bowls clubs and wider community.

Maisie Smith, 79, from Babinda and Helen Hogan, 90, of Mount Warren Park (formerly Cairns) were humbled and thrilled.

Helen was recognised for her efforts to bring the sport of lawn bowls to women.

“When I started in my 30s, the men didn’t let ladies play, only on Thursdays, and I said that’s wrong. I introduced ladies and mixed bowls wherever I could.

They used to call us the white leghorns (chooks), we wore double petticoats.”

Helen served as district president of FNQ Bowling Assn and president of Cairns Ladies Bowling Club.

She was one of the first women to serve as an elected member of Cairns City Council in the late 1970s.

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Maisie Smith, OAM Maisie was recognised for more than 30 years of volunteering at Cootharinga Society NQ (second hand clothing and furniture), as well as for holding many voluntary positions at different local clubs.

She is vice president of Babinda Bowls Club.

Simply go to clubsuper.com.au

Maisie was nominated by her Cootharinga store manager Kylie Luce.

Helen has remained passionate about bowls since she moved south, serving as president at Kooralbyn Valley Ladies Bowls and promoting bowls at Sanctuary Cove when the resort started.

Helen no longer bowls but remains a member at Robina.

The Order of Australia Medal (OAM) is awarded to people who demonstrate outstanding achievement and merit in service to Australia or humanity.

and login or register for Member Online to get your super together.

The information provided is of a general nature only. It does not take into account your individual financial situation, objectives or needs. You should consider your own financial position and requirements before making a decision. You may like to consult a licensed financial adviser. You should also read the Product Disclosure Statement and our Financial Services Guide (FSG) before making a decision Club Plus Qld. Pty. Ltd. (ABN 30 010 892 396), the Trustee of Club Super (ABN 12 737 334 298) is Corporate Authorised Representative No. 268814 under Australian Financial Services Licence No. 238507 and is authorised to provide general financial product advice in relation to superannuation.

Helen Hogan, OAM, with Logan Mayor Luke Smith

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Chip off the old block In the 34 years of Australian Indoor Championships history for men, nobody can remember a time a father and son both went through to the Top 30 of this prestigious national competition.

“It was a bit scrambly in the first round against Steven Tong but I was able to come back harder in the second to win and take it through to the tie breaker, where I managed get six up on him to win.”

Alan Law, 67, from Mudgeeraba Bowls Club and Ian Law, 45, from Burleigh Heads Bowls Club are both justifiably proud not only of their success in the tough Queensland Qualifying rounds but also that they both achieved this great honour in the same year.

“It was tough against Paul Girdler too who’s incredibly talented and we were playing on his favourite rink at Tweed Heads.”

Alan said both father and son put in the hard yards to prepare for the Qualifiers and they will need more practice before the main event.

“Ian’s a great bowler but he must work hard to win, in the week of training running up to the Qualifiers neither of us had a beer, which for those who know us is not like us,” Alan said.

“Ian and I will both put in plenty of training and testing each other out as much as possible to prepare for August.”

Stephen Halmai from South Tweed and Peter Thompson from Paradise Point were the other success stories from the QLD Qualifiers. BA allocates four places for men and five places for women from the QLD Qualifiers. The QLD women going through to the national final at Tweed Heads (August 28-31) are:

“It’s all a bit exciting, it’s great to be going through to the 2017 Indoor final with Ian, I just don’t want to face him too early on,” Alan said.

“Ideally it would be great to face him in the final, that way I will win, regardless of the result.”

The QLD qualifying rounds for men were held at Paradise Point and Tweed Heads Bowls Clubs (May 27-29).

• Lynsey Clarke (Helensvale) • Kristy Thatcher (Tweed Heads)

“It was a lot of fun in the Qualifiers, I managed to come back from the dead twice,” Alan said.

• Di Viterale (Kawana) • Adele Pershouse (Bargara) • Linda Morish (Pine Rivers).

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Simply put an X where you think the missing jack was located in this picture, fill in your details below and send this page to:

Queensland Bowler Spot the Jack PO Box 476, Alderley 4051 The first correct entry drawn will receive a free set of Henselite bowls.

Winners can choose from a selection of models, colours and sizes.

Name..............................................................................................

Address........................................................................................... .......................................................................................................

State.........................................................Postcode........................

Daytime telephone........................................................................... *email.............................................................................................

THIS MONTH’S WINNER (From May Spot the Jack)

Entries must be received by 31 July. Winner will be announced in the September issue. One entry per household. Original entry forms only, no photocopies accepted.

Congratulations to:

DESMOND MERRIN

from Mansfield You will receive a set of Henselite bowls of your choice from a selection of bowls colours and sizes

july 2017

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ON THE LAWN WITH MULLINS LAWYERS With the new financial year upon us, we would like to take this opportunity to reintroduce our firm and provide an update on our involvement in the club industry.

The team at Mullins Lawyers have been assisting clubs of all sizes with issues concerning gaming and liquor regulations, management agreements, managing employees, club constitution and amalgamations for more than 35 years. Our relationship with Bowls Queensland as a sponsor and advisor goes back well over 15 consecutive years.

During that time, our team has grown with the industry and we are proud to be the largest hospitality law team in Queensland.

I am pleased that many of you are familiar with our team and our services, particularly in relation to Liquor, Gaming, Constitutions, Employment and Industrial Relations, and Property law.

We like to get to know the clients we work with and be proactive about understanding their unique circumstances. This is why we have more than a presence in the club industry - we’re in there with you getting a

WHAT’S COMING UP?

first-hand understanding of your clubs’ business goals and issues.

By Curt Schatz, We are invested in the MANAGING success of the clubs industry.

PARTNER Our lawyers regularly attend club meetings and board meetings. We believe quality legal advice is just one element of how we can help with the successful operation of a club.

“We understand We understand clubs are businesses with members who have often been with the club clubs are businesses for most of their life and have passionate with members who feelings about the direction and future of their club. Where a club may have financial have often been difficulty, we regularly speak with their Board with the club or Committee to identify the best options for the way forward. Many clubs have gone on for most of to succeed after we have these meetings about restructuring with them. their life...”

It’s been a pleasure working with clubs and writing for the Queensland Bowler. I hope you enjoy the column topics to come and invite you to get in touch with us on any topics you want to hear about.

Our firm advises on:

Over the next few months, you can expect to see a range of relevant topics that go beyond liquor and gaming law.

•

Banking & Finance

•

Intellectual Property

•

Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions

•

International trade & investment

We have arranged for our team of experts to share useful tips and tricks and frequently asked questions in the areas of Wills & Estates, Property, Business and Clubs.

•

Disputes & Insolvency

•

Liquor & Gaming

•

Employment & Industrial Relations

•

Migration & Visas

•

Property

•

Insurance

•

Wills & Estate Planning

Do you have a legal question or topic you want to hear about?

We’d love to hear from you, contact marketing@mullinslaw.com.au

TRUSTED ADVISORS SINCE 1980 We have extensive experience advising the club industry on everything from liquor and gaming to structural change.

We are proud to provide reliable, high quality legal advice for the club industry.

07 3224 0222 | Level 21, 123 Eagle Street, BRISBANE QLD 4000 | www.mullinslaw.com.au 30

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MULTI-BOWL PRIDE

WH AT’ S N E XT?

By QLD Multibowl team coach Alan Thorp The 2017 Multi-Disability Lawn Bowls National Championships were conducted at Raymond Terrace Bowls Club, Newcastle NSW (May 21-26).

As coach of the QLD team it was wonderful to be part of this experience, especially in meeting and observing the performance and attitude of the participants.

The Queensland team of six men and four women performed outstandingly, bringing home seven medals in total, the biggest medal haul of all state and territory teams.

Thank you to BQ and team manager Bernie Wolland for allowing me to travel with and coach such a terrific group.

The highlight for QLD was the Women’s Singles Championship, which fittingly was the last event to be contested.

Incredibly and proudly, the mighty QLD girls won all three medals, Gold, Silver & Bronze!

Deb McGarry and Annette Goldsworthy were in the gold medal playoff, Deb becoming the national champion and Annette national runner up.

In the Bronze medal playoff, QLD’s Louise Hoskins won 21 - 17 in another very high standard game against NSW's Cheryl Benbow, making the clean sweep.

All representatives played exceptional bowls and many spectators commented on the incredible endurance and capacity of these athletes to perform to such a high standard over three games per day for six days.

55th Sunshine Coast Winter Carnival, May 27-July 26 BQ U18 QLD v NSW, NSW, July 4-5 Junior Golden Nugget

GOLD WINNERS

Tweed Heads, July 22-23

Women’s Singles - Deb McGarry

BQ U25 QLD V NSW

Women’s Pairs - Serena Bonnell & Louise Hoskins

Kallangur, July 27-28 Golden Nugget

SILVER WINNERS

Tweed Heads, July 31-Aug 3

Men’s Pairs - Tony Bonnell & Brett Sellers

Stradbroke 10,000

Men’s Singles - Tony Bonnell Women’s Singles - Annette Goldsworthy

Point Lookout, August 21-24 BQ State Multi Disability Champs Chermside, Aug 28-31

BRONZE WINNERS

Australian Indoor

Triples - Tony Bonnell, Serena Bonnell & Louise Hoskins Women’s Singles - Louise Hoskins

Tweed Heads, Aug 28-31 BQ Secondary Schools Cup Pine Rivers, Sep 16-17 Australian U18 Champs NSW, Sep 30-Oct 2 Australian Champ of Champs NT, Oct 11-13 Capalaba Classic, October 14-15 BQ District Mixed Pairs State Final Souths Suburban, Oct 14-15 Australian Senior Sides

Pic: Grand slam for QLD at 2017 Multi-Disability Bowls Nationals, Annette Goldsworthy, Deb McGarry, Louise Hoskins

U25 Test Series, July 27-28, Kallangur

SA, Oct 16-19 BQ State Champ of Club Champs Mermaid Beach, Oct 21-26

Kallangur Bowls Club will host a three test series between QLD and NSW U25 teams over two days later this month (Thurs-Fri July 27-28).

BQ State Pennant

Spectators are welcome.

State Multi Disability Champs, Aug 28-31, Chermside The 2017 BQ and Sports Connect Multi Disability State Championships (singles and pairs) will be held at Chermside Bowls Club at the end of next month (August 28-31). Forms for classifications and entries can be downloaded from the BQ website (Events) or phone 3354 0777 or email admin@bowlsqld.org.

Tweed Heads, Nov 4-5 BPL06 Club Pine Rivers, Nov 14-17 Australian Champs Merimbula NSW, Nov 27-Dec 1

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SK IP N OT U P TO SC R ATC H? To replace, or not to replace, that is the question:

THORPY

PAV

MINIBUS

GIBBY

Coaching with Alan Thorp and the BQ coaching committee

Whilst travelling around the state of Queensland to various Districts conducting coaching activities, the P & As of Bowls Qld are confronted by a myriad of questions relating to SKIPS. Can you relate to any of these questions or comments?

‘My skip doesn't tell me or our team anything during the game, no communication at all.”

‘Our skip often turns away from me if I bowl a bad bowl, skip has really bad body language.”

‘Our skip is not the best bowler in our team...”

‘Why is the skip calling me on that hand?”

‘Our skip cannot set, read or build a head.”

‘Our skip saves the shots for themself.”

‘I have told our selectors I will not play in the team with this skip’.

‘Our skip is only skipping because they’re on the selection panel’.

‘My skip is hopeless and should not be skipping, we have no confidence or respect for our skip at all’.

As bowlers we would all be familiar with these sentiments and from a coaching point of view, if a Skip truly warrants the criticisms above, the team may have a real problem, as would the selectors.

The solution to many of the challenges above may be negotiated by using a commonsense approach by the team coach in collaboration with the selectors.

It is difficult given that on most occasions skips are the first chosen and the team is often built around the skip with their input which makes it very difficult for the selectors/coach to replace a skip in a team.

CO

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ACH

A skip should never be replaced during a competition no way.

A skip would have to be really playing poorly to be replaced, they often have other abilities in relation to skipping.

I was told if the skip is performing poorly then they should be removed. This coach did however state that it would be done with complete dignity and if the skip was to play on then they would be placed in another team in another position (lead or second) to gain form.

Consider the following statement: If a Skip is playing poorly, should they be replaced, yes or no, and how?

I have spoken with a number of coaches, players, selectors and skips and I made note of their responses (see pictorial below for a cross section of views).

As you will see, I received some spirited responses and many variations on the same theme in response to my research into the Art of Skipping.

Thorpy’s Summary

Here is a summary of how I see the matter, based on my consultations over the past few months.

This summary is not necessarily my point of view but I think it sums up the consensus of bowls minds perhaps greater than mine...

While some responders were unforgiving and aggressive, most had empathy and understanding for the double-edged sword that is Life as a Skip.

1

(Thanks to all who provided insights albeit anonymously - into this interesting and delicate subject.)

2

“

One of my favourite positions on this matter was the insight from Kawana coach Ian Shuey Schuback OAM, “one cold night doesn’t make a winter”.

“

“One cold night doesn’t make a winter” - Ian Shuey Shuback OAM

Everyone would have their own interpretation of this metaphor, but on the matter of skip performance, I took it to mean don’t be too hasty to judgement and replacement if a skip has a bad day.

THORPY’S TOP TIP

The delicate Art of Skipping and what happens if your skip is not up to scratch?

3

4

Skips generally would only be replaced if they request it or they are performing extremely poorly.

Correction is the Art of Bowls To play consistently good bowls, practise your ability to alter line and length as required. The ability to exactly repeat a particular shot is essential to progress to the elite level.

Skips may not necessarily be the best bowler in the team, however they may be a successful skip because of an ability to get the best from a team.

If you are interested in signing up for a competition or selection module, contact BQ 3354 0777.

UPCOMING COURSES

If a skip is to be replaced it would be done in consultation with all selectors and the team coach and conveyed to other team members prior to commencement of the day’s play.

August 12-13 Club Coach, Suburban BC (Mackay DBA) Aug 14-15 Selection & Competition, North Mackay BC (Mackay DBA)

Skips ultimately must shoulder the burden of a team’s performance, however it must be remembered that in a team (say fours) every member of the team has a specific role to play and is of equal importance.

Aug 16 Skills & Bowling Arm Training, North Rockhampton BC (CQDBA) Aug 17-18 Club Coach, North Rockhampton (CQDBA)

What do you think?

Email your “skips feedback” to the coaching committee via media@bowlsqld.org.

I am a skip and if I was to be replaced I would expect to be informed by the selectors at an official meeting with the team coach in attendance stating the reasons why.

I would rally around my skip and give all the encouragement and support required.

As a selector I try to maintain a skip for the duration of the competition, ie. District Sides. I would hope that if a skip was performing below standard then they would approach the selector/coach for a resolution.

The skip would have to be playing really poorly to be replaced, however I would speak with the skip and try to identify any problems that may be contributing to their poor performance. Quite often when a skip is struggling this approach can more often than not eliminate the problem and get the skip doing what they do best ‘SKIPPING’.

PL

AY E R

If a skip is playing poorly they should be replaced, loss of confidence and respect for a skip has serious implications on team performance and cohesion.

july 2017

SE

LECTOR

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Umpire with Joan Brotherton

on the move BQ Umpire coordinator John Kirkpatrick and I travelled to Townsville on June 16 to conduct a Marker / Measurer / National Umpire Officials Accreditation Course for NQDBA at Jubilee Bowls Club.

Special thanks to chairman Keith Jones for the wonderful hospitality!

Present were NQ district president Ron Mitchell, NQ district umpire coordinator Allan Laverton, RMB Tropical North QLD Paul Jackson and various members of NQDBA clubs Keith Bailey, Arthur Balkin, Betty Brown, Kaye Cooper, Tom Hendy, Iris Hogan, Darrell Mathewson, Jim Mitchell, Graeme Murdock, Patti Migeul, Trish Rice and Gwen Thomas.

Q&A 1

We put them ‘under the spotlight’ to see what the North loves (or not) about the noble art of umpiring!

It was an interesting, enjoyable exercise and a bit of relaxation at the end of two full days of concentrating on learning as much as they could to ensure they become competent officials and enjoy the role of Marker/Measurer/National Umpire and most of all continue to be of great assistance to their district and clubs.

Over the weekend, many questions were asked and answered regarding the Laws of the Sport of Bowls and these will be shared as Q & As in Bowler magazines over the coming months.

2

What’s it like as a volunteer umpire?

Very challenging, interesting, dreadful, good, have to use the brain matter regularly, difficult, enjoyable, answering and solving many different situations, answering difficult questions, keeping up-to-date with all new information with regard to all aspects of umpiring.

The best thing about being an umpire?

Answering different situations correctly, giving the correct results when asked, observing good bowlers and games, meeting and speaking with many players, enjoying the company of other umpires, learning new laws and measuring techniques.

3

The worst thing?

Sitting around all day without any calls!

Pic: Members completing their exams The photos were taken during the week-end of the members that attended.

It was a pleasure for John and I to work with you all.

4

The most challenging thing about being an umpire?

Lack of empathy and respect and arguing about the decision. Some players do not believe your decision or agree with it and they want to see it in writing or they continue to argue the point. We also have to make sure the general duty of care to all players and members is observed at all times.

Have something to share?

Email your umpiring experience to Joan via media@bowlsqld.org

Pic: North QLD umpires accreditation weekend, from left, NQ district umpire coordinator Arthur Balkin, Jim Mitchell, NQDBA president Ron Mitchell, Keith Bailey, Allan Leverton, Betty Brown (Suburban), BQ Umpires coordinator John Kirkpatrick, Kaye Cooper (Alligator Creek), Darrell Mathewson, Patti Miguel, Tropical Far North RBM Paul Jackson, Trish Rice, Iris Hogan, Graeme Murdock (Alligator Creek), Tom Hendy, Gwen Thomas.

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