Coming up: State Champs 2021

From the President

with BQ’s Peter Williamson

The Bowls Queensland AGM and Council meetings have now come and gone and of significance to myself was being re-elected State President. I humbly thank the membership for their confidence in my ability to continue working for the betterment of bowls in Queensland.

The previous board, with the work of the finance director and finance manager, put together a financial report with an operational deficit of $163,852 while taking into consideration the reduction of $560,363 of affiliation fees to clubs. Without State Government funding, the events that were conducted would not have been possible without further cost to BQ funds.

The year of 2020 saw a decrease in club membership of 819, some of whom may not have rejoined their clubs following the forced COVID closure of clubs. Numbers are also down from the average over the past three years. It is hoped clubs also have been able to attract new members.

Staff and the match committee are working to get all in place for the forthcoming State District Sides and State Championships hosted by clubs in the Gateway District.

Club Manly will play host to the annual Australian Defence Forces Bowls Association versus BQ Presidents XII from Friday afternoon on April, 16 to Saturday, April, 17. Spectators are welcome to come and support our ADF personnel and players from throughout the State. This event will also be live-streamed on the BQ website and Facebook page.

Peter Williamson STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE HELD MAY 4 -17

Winners Women’s Triples State Champions 2020 L-R: Chloe Stewart, Jessica Srisamruaybai & Claire Turley

The 2021 State Championships will commence on Tuesday May, 4 and finish on Monday May, 17. All events will be played at clubs in the Gateway area, with final games played at Capalaba Sports Club. Queensland’s State Championships are open to all Bowls Queensland affiliated bowlers. These championships enable players to compete for State titles in Singles, Pairs, Over-60s Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Triples and Fours. Capturing a coveted State crown places the winner in the company of some of Queensland’s greatest bowlers. Winners of the 2021 Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours and Mixed Pairs advance to the Australian Championships in October.

Schedule:

• Mixed Pairs – May 4, 5 & 6 • Men’s Triples & Women’s Triples – May 7 & 8 • Men’s Fours & Women’s Fours – May 9, 10 & 11 • Men’s Pairs & Women’s Pairs – 12, 13 & 14 • Men’s Over 60 Pairs & Women’s Over 60 Pairs – May 12, 13 & 14 • Men’s Singles & Women’s Singles – May 15, 16 & 17

See www.bowlsqld.org/events/state-championships for more information.

Division 1 winners, Gold Coast Tweed Men & Women ‘A’ 2019

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BQ Board and AGM

It was great to catch up with and meet some new delegates at the recent Bowls QLD AGM/Council Meeting. After having reduced numbers at last year’s postponed AGM in September, we were able to return to a full complement this year.

Two nominations were received for President from Peter Williamson (Belmont Services) and Helen Wood-Bradley (Darra Cementco). Congratulations to Peter who was successful in being elected by the District Associations, thank you to Helen for showing interest in the position. Two nominations were received for the two Bowls Queensland Board Director positions up for renewal: Brian Marshall – Beaudesert BC, Geoff Osborne – Coolum Beach BC.

Thank you and well done to the BQ Staff who worked tirelessly leading up to and on the day of the AGM. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make this day a success.

World Bowls Championships

World Bowls has conducted a review of their events and decided to run the World Championships every two years instead of every four years. This will commence in 2023 on the Gold Coast and then 2025 in China. This will replace the Asia Pacific Games and Atlantic Rim Championships.

QLD Junior State Squad

Our Junior Squad members will attend a training camp on April 14-15.

ANZAC Test Series

This event will be held at the Manly Bowls Club on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 April involving the BQ Presidents XII verses the Australian Defence Force Bowls Team.

QLD Multi Disability Championships

Entries are open for this year’s event held in Mackay at the Souths Suburban and Mackay City Clubs from July, 19-22. Thank you to Souths Suburban, Mackay City, Souths Leagues Club and the Mackay Regional Council for their support of this event which encompasses the four disability groups: QLD Blind Bowlers, QLD Deaf Bowlers, Lifestream (Intellectual) and Sporting Wheelies (Physical). Please contact Bowls QLD if you would like to join one of these groups or be classified.

QLD Representative Team Trial

The QLD selectors have named 24 women and 24 men to attend a QLD Representative Trial on Sunday, April 18. This trial will include players being considered for the Open, Under 25 and the new 40-59 age group to represent QLD versus NSW on July, 28-29.

QLD State Championships

Thank you to Capalaba Sports Club for being a sponsor of the $50,000 2021 State Championships from May, 4-17, as well as hosting all the finals. Sectional play and post sectional rounds will be played at various clubs in the Gateway District. Thank you to Life Without Barriers for sponsoring the Over-60 Men’s and Women’s State Pairs events.

Australian Indoor Singles Qualifying

The men’s qualifying will be held on June, 26-27 and the women’s event will be held on July, 10-11. Both genders qualifying will be held at Tweed Heads and Paradise Point Bowls Clubs.

Secondary Schools Cup

We will be running the Secondary Schools Cup again this year with schools across the State playing off in their districts for the opportunity to play in the State finals. Information has been sent out to clubs, districts and schools.

Volunteer Grant

The Australian Government is inviting organisations via a restricted non-competitive process to apply for a Volunteer Grant under the Families and Communities Program – Volunteer Grants Activity in 2021. The 2021 Volunteer Grants round begins with a call for Expressions of Interest, with your local Member of Parliament (MP) using a community committee to develop a list of organisations to nominate.

Following the Expression of Interest process, the MPs will nominate organisations from their lists. The nomination period is between April 6 and 2:00 PM AEST April 29, 2021. Only organisations nominated by their MP will receive an invitation to apply for the 2021 Volunteer Grants. The application period is between May, 20 and 9:00 PM AEST June 9, 2021. More info: www.communitygrants.gov. au/grants/volunteer-grants-activity-2021volunteer-grants

Brett Wilkie

Choice of Champions

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