MARCH 2022

MARCH 2022

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CONTENTS

Cover Cunnamulla’s Matthew Russell in action at the 2022 Junior State Championships.

Volume 45 Issue 2

10 – Steven Bird-Monk taking after dad

12 – Matthew Russell proving bowls is fun at any age

16 – Getting to know BQ - Kerry Green

14 – Tony and Drummer

9

22 RBM

NEW STATE EVENT

BQ has announced a new State 8-A-Side event

Lesley Bates bids us farewell on her retirement

18 NEW GLADSTONE EVENT

26 CLUB NEWS

Find out more about the $50,000 Festival of Bowls

Catch up on news from clubs across Queensland

20 UMPIRE

32 AFFILIATION

Joan explains more about game anomalies

The benefits of being a BQ and BA affiliated club

Editor: Jo Grey

Subscriptions: To subscribe, send your contact details, together with a cheque for $48 (inc gst) to:

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Bowls Queensland Patron: Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young PSM, Governor of Queensland 4 Queensland Bowler March 2022

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From the President with BQ’s Peter Williamson

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the outgoing board, who have worked through trying times, for their time and effort in ensuring the best outcomes of all matters put before BQ. To have people on boards who put the sport before their own agendas is unusual, but the districts and clubs have done this with the incumbent board of BQ. Staff and committees need also to be acknowledged with what they have achieved this past year.

I believe it is timely to give associations a heads up to the proposed amendments to the Incorporations Associations Act expected to be implemented by 30 June 2022.

Internal grievance procedure policy

Dear Editor, When my shout-out for badges was published in the February 2021 Queensland Bowler issue, I never expected anywhere near the overwhelming response I was to receive.

I would like to thank the kind people who contributed and the Queensland Bowler magazine for sharing my request for badges in the first place. I would recommend to anyone wanting to ‘get the word out there’ to consider using the Queensland Bowler as a voice. My quest proved to be a roaring success and I would never have received so many extra badges, over 2000 in total, if I had just sat there and waited for them to turn up!

Brian Kebblewhite - Jindalee Bowls Club, Brisbane Editor’s note: Just prior to printing, Jindalee Bowls Club was affected by severe flooding. Our thoughts are with members of the Jindalee Bowls Club and also with other clubs that have experienced flooding.

Incorporated Associations will be required to have a grievance procedure policy for dealing with any disputes between members, the management committee or the association itself.

Associations will be required to detail a grievance procedure policy in their internal rules or constitutions.

BQ has been given the good news that the ADF Bowls Club may once again be able to play against the President’s side in the Anzac Test Series previously cancelled due to the Covid situation.

Selected players with the date and venue to be advised.

Peter Williamson

6 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Brian Kebblewhite

AUSTRALIAN OPEN ENTRIES DUE APRIL 8 Due to high-interest, entries for the 2022 Australian Open, to be held June 11-24, will remain open until 11.59pm, Friday, April 8, 2022. Go to: https://australianopen.bowls.com.au/bowls-australian-openentries/ to enter.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS CUP - 2022 BQ’s Secondary Schools Cup will be played across Queensland in 2022 with winners advancing through their local school and bowls club to a district play off. District winners advance to the State Finals on Wednesday and Thursday August 24-25 at Club Pine Rivers in Brisbane.

Teams will consist of Pairs (two girls, two boys or a mixed team). Both players must attend the same recognised Secondary School. Students must not have turned 19 on or before December 31, 2022.

At least one student per team must be a non-registered player (not a member of a bowls club). An exception will be made if the non-registered team member joins a bowls club and becomes a registered member during the course of this competition. Secondary Schools and bowls clubs are encouraged to align together to host an intra-school playoff to be completed by June 24. The winner will then proceed to an interschool bowls district play off to be completed by July 22. One winning team from each bowls district will then advance to the State Finals on August 24-25. Travel over a certain distance, accommodation and meals at the event will be covered for State Finals.

It is recommended for clubs and schools to organise a coaching program for the students prior to the competition, followed by the number of weeks needed to conduct the competitions to gain a club or school representative team.

Regional Bowls Managers (RBMs) will be available to assist clubs and schools with co-ordinating their local and district playoffs. Contact your local RBM (details below) or Bowls Queensland for more information and or to register.

Lesley Bates 0429 213 207 lbates@bowls.com.au

RBM - CENTRAL QLD

David Barnes 0429 442 818 dbarnes@bowls.com.au

RBM - SOUTH EAST QLD

Micheal Sorrensen 0447 507 040 msorrensen@bowls.com.au

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CEO REPORT with BQ’s Brett Wilkie BQ Board and AGM Nominations have closed for the four positions up for election on the Bowls QLD Board. Two nominations have been received for the Vice President position from Kerry Green and Graham Lewis. Current Director of Finance Greg Flynn is unopposed for this position. Four nominations have been received for the two board director positions from Colleen Ryan, Carmel Gibb, John Walker and Lesley Bates.

Each of the 20 District Men’s and Ladies’ Associations vote for these positions with the results announced at the BQ AGM on Wednesday, March 16.

Strategic Plan I attended workshop meetings during February to work on Bowls Australia’s new strategic plan which is up for renewal in 2023. Bowls QLD’s Strategic Plan is also up for renewal next year, we will be working on this throughout the year.

QLD Junior Camp Ten girls and 10 boys have been invited to attend a QLD junior camp at Chermside Bowls Club in Brisbane on April, 5-6. Christina Pavlov, Alan Thorp and Lynsey Clarke will be passing on their knowledge at the camp, which will be valuable for the development of these junior players.

QLD Representative Trial The QLD Selectors have invited 24 women and 24 men to attend a trial at Broadbeach Bowls Club on Sunday, April 24. Players invited will be vying for QLD selection in the Open, U25 and 40-59 QLD Teams.

QLD vs NSW The Under 18 Test Series will be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21 at Chermside Bowls Club including eight girls and eight boys.

The Open, U25 and 40-59 Test Series will be held in Sydney Taren Point on Monday and Tuesday, August 22-23.

National Champion of Club Champion Singles Good luck to Chloe Stewart and Jake Rynne who will represent QLD in this event at Broadbeach on April 23-24.

This is the postponed 2021 event.

Australian Championships Good luck to all our 2021 QLD State Championship winners who will now contest the Australian Championships at Broadbeach from April 26-29.

Disciplines include Women’s and Men’s Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours and Mixed Pairs.

QLD State Championships Entries for this years $50,000 QLD State Championships are open and close on Monday, March 21. This event will be played on the Gold Coast from Monday to Sunday, May 9-22 with all finals at Broadbeach Bowls Club.

The District Sides Championships will also be held in the Gold Coast/Tweed District at Musgrave Hill, Paradise Point, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach prior to the State Championships on May 4-7.

RBMs North Queensland RBM Lesley Bates has announced her retirement and will finish up on Thursday, April 14. Thank you to Lesley for her time devoted to promoting the game and assisting clubs and districts during her role as NQ’s RBM. We wish Lesley all the best in her retirement.

Bowls Australia will now be recruiting for this position.

Winners Congratulations to Ron Chambers and Gordon Pitts who won a set of bowls each in our promotion to sign up to receive the Queensland Bowler magazine and other news electronically. If you are not signed up, you can register on the Bowls QLD website at: https://www.bowlsqld.org/news-2 Flooding Our thoughts go out to our clubs and members affected by the flooding in South East QLD at the end of February (just as we were going to print for this edition). Bowls QLD offers disaster relief assistance for clubs to assist with their recovery. Call BQ at 07 3354 0777 for more information.

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8 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Brett Wilkie

NEW EVENT: 2022 state 8-a-side The State 8 A-Side Final will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 3-4 2022.

Bowls Queensland have established a new State-wide Interclub “State 8 A-Side ” set to commence in 2022, starting at club, through to district level, then onto group playoffs and culminating in State Finals.

This State 8 A-Side Event will encompass club sides of four women and four men contesting women’s pairs, men’s pairs and mixed fours disciplines.

Each club which wishes to enter a side will have an intraclub playoff if needed, if a club only has one side nominated, they will progress.

Successful club sides will then advance to district playoffs with the winning club side then advancing to group playoffs. The successful club side from each of the eight group playoffs will contest the State Finals.

IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP MARCH •

21st

Entries close - State Championships Bowls Queensland

•

6th

District Sides - teams due Bowls Queensland

•

20th

Entries Close - Qld Indoor Qualifyng Rounds - Men Bowls Queensland

•

22-23rd

ANZAC - President’s XII TBA

•

23-24th

2021 Australian Singles Champion of Champions Broadbeach

•

26-29th

2021 Australian Championships Broadbeach

•

27th

Entries Close - Qld Indoor Qualifying Rounds - Women Bowls Queensland

APRIL

For more events coming up, visit our website: https://www.bowlsqld.org/events-calendar/

9 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Could these juniors

Meet 7-year-olds

The Junior State Championships held in January this year showcased some of Queensland’s existing and emerging bowls talent. The youngest bowlers participating in the championships were 7-year-olds Steven Bird-Monk and Matthew Russell. The Queensland Bowler magazine caught up with Steven and Matthew to find out more about their bowls journey so far.

STEVEN BIRD-MONK – BURLEIGH HEADS BOWLS CLUB Steven (Stevie) started the sport after watching his dad, Chris Monk, play bowls and wanted to join in and play too. He loves bowls and says, “it’s fun and I get to play with my dad”.

Although Stevie also plays cricket and soccer, he spends a lot of time on the green. There’s nothing he doesn’t like about bowls and he practises at least three times a week. “I practise even more in the holidays,” he said.

Dad Chris coaches Stevie, and “Barrie Lester also helps me”.

Jackaroo and bowls co-ordinator at Burleigh Heads Bowls Club, Barrie Lester, said that Steven is a scholarship holder at Burleigh Bowls Club and is a Junior Dragon.

“He is part of our junior academy as we build to have more scholarship holders and juniors moving forward,” Barrie said.

“His scholarship supports him with his equipment, costs associated with his program along with mentoring and coaching from me,” he said.

“We support and encourage Steven in the sport of lawn bowls and in his school and future endeavours in life.

10 Queensland Bowler March 2022

be the future of bowls?

s Steven and Matthew

“Steven is well supported by all members and is a breath of fresh air to have around our club.

Both Steven’s parents are wonderful members and do an outstanding job to guide Steven in the right direction and see that he has plenty of enjoyment whilst playing the game.”

Stevie enjoyed his experience at the Junior State Championships and said, “it was awesome, it made me really happy!”

We asked Stevie if he had any bowls stories to share with us and he replied that his friends didn’t believe him at first when he told them that he played lawn bowls. However, the highlight so far has been when Jackaroo Aaron Teys gave Stevie one of his BPL bowls and signed it.

“I was too shy to go up to him even though dad is friends with him, so he got one of his bowls out of his bag signed it and gave it to me,” Stevie said.

“I was so happy and excited! Then Aaron gave me a big hug.

“Best night ever!”

Stevie proudly displays Aaron’s bowl in a case next to his trophies.

Stevie’s dad, Chris, would like to do a shout out to Burleigh Heads Bowls Club for always supporting Stevie from day one. Also, Chris would like to thank Barrie Lester who has been “a legend” with Stevie, both on and off the green.

“Barrie gave Stevie his first set of junior bowls for his sixth birthday, which helped him really get into the sport,” Chris said.

March 2022 Queensland Bowler 11

MATTHEW RUSSELL – CUNNAMULLA BOWLS CLUB Matthew started playing bowls at kindy with Mrs Marks, but said that he really enjoyed playing bowls “because my Pop and big brother Jacob play bowls too”.

He likes playing bowls because he likes having fun, meeting new people and also “maybe you can win or maybe not”.

“Also, my friends think it’s pretty cool,” he said.

Matthew plays bowls regularly. “I play every Friday night at club social night and I play on weekends when there are events on”.

When Matthew isn’t on the green, he likes football, motorbike riding, fishing, pig chasing and playing his guitar.

His Pop Monk and brother Jacob coach him.

“I love playing bowls with Jacob, he is really good at bowls. Sometimes he coaches me so that I can get better,” Matthew said.

“I really enjoyed it the State Championships and got to play against some really good players.

“I liked playing in triples and rinks with my big brother Jacob.”

During the Junior State Championships in January this year he got to meet “heaps of people and make new friends”.

However, the biggest highlight for Matthew so far has been being interviewed by Channel 7.

“When I was in Toowoomba I got interviewed and was on the news on TV! Matthew’s parents have added that during the interview with Channel 7, the interviewer asked Matthew, “what do you enjoy about playing bowls?”.

Matthew’s response was “sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t”.

12 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Matthew has already mastered bowls etiquette and sportmanship, handing the bowl to his competitor

Matthew Russell with big brother Jacob who helps coach him

Towards the end of the interview, the interviewer said, “there is only one thing on these young bowlers’ minds” and Matthew replied, “all you gotta do is just come on down and have some fun”.

Matthew proved to be a hit on the live stream at the Junior State Championships. He adopted a casual stance when waiting his turn, with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face.

Commentator Brian Marshall said that he’s “got his hands in his pockets, his sunglasses on and his sun hat on”.

“He really does look the part, it’s priceless to see. It really is great to see these young kids out there enjoying themselves.”

March 2022 Queensland Bowler 13

Seeing eye dog Drummer and tony

By Carmel Gibb, BQ Director

Carmel would like to introduce Tony Tully, from Club Helensvale.

Tony was born Charles Anthony Tully in England in 1963. He has four siblings; however, he is the only bowler. Tony has lived in Australia for 22 years and is married with six children.

Tony’s working life started with the Military in Ireland, followed by the London Ambulance Service for 10 years. When he moved to Australia, Tony worked on timber bridge construction with the Main Roads Department. When Tony was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition that causes cells in the retina to degenerate slowly and progressively, Tony retrained for admin duties with the Gold Coast City Council and worked there for just over 10 years.

Tony has been bowling for almost 12 months, although he has been a social member with Club Helensvale for the past 17 years. He took up bowls out of curiosity; he asked a mate for a roll-up and got six out of eight bowls on the jack and he was hooked.

Drummer, Tony’s seeing eye dog, goes everywhere with him. Everyone loves Drummer and, according to Tony, all the ladies and girls talk to Drummer before saying hello to Tony!

When asked what he would like to achieve during his bowling career, Tony replied, “to enter as many Australian tournaments as possible”. He’s going for gold.

When asked what he found difficult about being a bowler with a visionimpairment, Tony advised that organising transport to events can be an issue. Also, finding a mark a couple of metres in front to bowl to is another obstacle when you can’t see that far.

This year, Tony was crowned the ‘Most Improved Bowler of the Year’ at Club Helensvale, for which he was very surprised and grateful.

14 Queensland Bowler March 2022

it’s a wraP! #BPL14 #BPL14: LIONS CREATE HISTORY WITH MEMORABLE TITLE WIN

By Lachlan Williams

History had eluded the Sydney Lions for years, but for the first time since BPL06 in 2017, they are champions of the Bowls Premier League.

The Lions did it the hard way, finishing third and forced to play in two elimination finals before going on to meet home-team Moama Steamers in the final. The Steamers were the standout team all tournament, losing just four matches and finishing atop the ladder after round robin play. Moama jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first, before the Lions clawed back. Clutch shots from Ryan Bester and Kevin Anderson helped Moama fight back and secure the first set.

The Steamers appeared to be in the box seat in the second set, but the Lions dug deep, fighting on for a gutsy set win to force a tiebreak, the fourth from five games for the night. With the jack potted in the ditch, it was Ben Twist who was able to take the shot, hold on and claim a memorable win for Sydney. The victory takes the Lions to four titles, making them the most successful franchise in BPL history. It also gives Karen Murphy her fourth title, making her the equal most successful BPL player (level with Aron Sherriff and Aron Teys). Earlier in the evening, reigning champions Tweed Heads Ospreys‘ dynasty came to an end in the first match of the night, falling short in a tie-break thriller against cross-border rivals Brisbane Pirates.

Alex Marshall showed all of his class to put the jack in the ditch then follow up and draw shot to knock the Ospreys out. The Pirates looked to ride their form when they took on the Sydney Lions, with the match battled out into a tiebreak. Marshall looked to have drawn shot with his final bowl, but it was Aaron Wilson who upstaged the Scottish champion to save the game for the Lions to send them through to the preliminary final.

Home-town favourites and ladder leaders Moama Steamers enjoyed a relatively comfortable win over the Adelaide Pioneers in the semi final to advance straight to grand final, with the Pioneers forced to face off against the Lions.

The sides were neck-and-neck throughout, halving both sets with yet another tiebreak required to separate them.

Wilson once again stood up for the Lions, with the Sydney side sending the Pioneers packing in straight sets, and booking a spot against the Steamers in the final. #BPL14 will go down as one of the more historic events in the competition’s history.

#BPL14: SHERRIFF’S BPL DOMINATION CONTINUES, ALL STAR HISTORY CREATED

By Lachlan Williams

More history was created at #BPL14 with the first BPL All Star team announced, and a Bowls Premier League superstar writing himself into the record books.

For the fourth time, Aron Sherriff (Gold Coast Hawks) has been crowned as BPL Most Valuable Player (MVP). Sherriff polled 39 votes from 18 rounds in his return to the Gold Coast Hawks. He adds the MVP title to previous honours from BPL06, BPL07 and BPL11. He heads up the first ever BPL All Star team, with MVP runner up Ben Twist (Sydney Lions) and leading female vote-getter Kelsey Cottrell (Gold Coast Hawks) also named in the inaugural team. BPL14 Championship coach Steve Glasson was named as All Star coach.

BPL14 MVP Top 5 • • • • •

MVP – Aron Sherriff (39 votes) 2nd – Ben Twist (37 votes) 3rd – Alex Marshall (35 votes) 4th – Aaron Teys (34 votes) 5th – Matt Flapper & Ryan Bester (31 votes)

Leading female vote-getter – Kelsey Cottrell (13 votes)

BPL14 All Star Team • • • •

Aron Sherriff (Gold Coast Hawks) Ben Twist (Sydney Lions) Kelsey Cottrell (Gold Coast Hawks) Steve Glasson (Sydney Lions)

Photos: Bowls Australia March 2022 Queensland Bowler 15

GETTING TO KNOW BQ: MEET KERRY GREEN

Kerry Green arriving in style at the recent Junior State Championships event in Toowoomba

Strictly speaking, Kerry Green is now retired. However, as he currently holds the roles of vice president for Bowls Queensland and president of the Downs District, his ‘retirement’ days are full.

Kerry has country origins after being born in Blackhall, living in the Fassifern Valley, Darwin, Brisbane, Port Augusta and the Lockyer Valley. Leaving school when he was about 14, Kerry did time as a baker and pastry cook, which he has never done since. When he was 17, he went truck driving and that introduced him to how he would spend his working years. He spent 50 plus years in the transport industry, managing trucks and workshops.

Kerry’s introduction to the world of bowls commenced in 2006, after his son wanted to play. Kerry has always been a member at Laidley Bowls Club, but he is currently also a member at Beaudesert Bowls Club and plays there fairly regularly.

About six months after Kerry started bowling in 2006, he was elected as the Laidley club secretary. Since then, he has been in bowls management. He joined the management of the Downs District in 2008 and has held all positions except for secretary and treasurer.

Along the way, he has filled in for two years as a district president of districts different from his own. Currently, he is about to commence his seventh term as president of the Downs District.

Kerry keeps busy by tinkering with machinery and his water truck at home. He is a diesel fitter by trade and builds F100 trucks in his spare time. As far as bowls goes, he spends a lot of time “at bowls” but doesn’t always get the time to play himself, so hasn’t notched up major bowing wins along the way. He admits he would like to play bowls more but “sometimes you just have to do what you have to do”.

To all volunteers, or prospective volunteers, Kerry says, “if you are member of a club or district and you are not happy with the way people are running it, you do either one of two things. You either go and get a job on the board and see if you can change things or you go along with it and say nothing. The decision is entirely yours. We should all try our best and do what we can for the sport”.

Personally, Kerry has found his roles very rewarding and was proud to be the first male from the Downs District to be on the board of Bowls Queensland. He was actually holidaying in America when he was elected!

Kerry’s advice for new and young bowlers would be to start as young as possible.

“Get the right people to coach and help you progress in the game and keep your interest up,” Kerry said.

He believes we have some very good juniors playing at the moment. He urges anybody of any age wanting to take up the game, to do so as there are plenty of people at plenty of bowls clubs who will help you start.

16 Queensland Bowler March 2022

“It is probably one of the cheapest games you will ever play,” he said.

“You get to travel to different clubs, experience good camaraderie and make friends for life.

“Bowls is definitely not an old people’s game, because when you go out in later years and get flogged by a 15-year-old, you know all about it!

“You can have girlfriends or wives and play bowls too.”

Being on the Bowls Queensland Board for nearly six years, Kerry can guarantee that the people at BQ work very hard for the sport. He’s glad that he put his hand up to help bowls at State level and hopes he has made a difference during his time on the board so far.

Kerry has many good memories after being both a bowler and a bowls administrator for many years. However, his most memorable bowls moment was at a President’s Day game at Gatton during his time as Vice District President. He and the district president at the time were holding five shots and, for some reason, the latter put a big drive down and they ended up going down by seven, which was a 12-shot turnaround that made the opposition very happy!

BQ Vice President Kerry Green pictured at the recent Junior State Championships presenting medals to the U15 Triples winners: Sophie Kiepe, Stella Palmer & Travis Gibbs

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Festival Of Bowls Gladstone

The secret is out! Gladstone Bowls Club is excited to share details of their upcoming Festival of Bowls and invite teams from all other bowls clubs to compete in this event.

The Festival of Bowls is a new event, aimed at putting the spotlight back on lawn bowls and particularly on the magnificent grass greens of which Gladstone BC is very proud. The large and modern clubhouse, coupled with a bucket-load of famous Gladstone hospitality, the club and its 84 members are waiting to welcome visiting teams to their beautiful oasis.

Commencing with a Gala Welcome Dinner and Calcutta on Monday, May 30, you will be welcomed by Gladstone’s mayor, Matt Burnett. Calcutta tickets are just $50 per team, secured at nomination.

Kicking off on Tuesday, May 31, this Open Fours event will run up to, and including June 3rd, when winners will be announced and trophies presented. The winning team will score a huge first prize of $20,000. Other prizes will be on offer, including ‘Last day winning team prizes’ and a Sportsman’s Prize.

The event will be live streamed so your home club, friends and family can cheer you on and support their team from afar.

Gladstone BC President, Graham McVean, is sure the event will attract A Grade and aspiring A grade team entries with it’s $50,000 prize pool on offer. “We’ve already got 10 teams registering strong interest in the event,” Graham said. “It’s open to 28 teams, so don’t miss out!”

While the ‘Festival of Bowls’ puts bowls firmly in the spotlight, it also highlights Gladstone itself.

“Gladstone is a beautiful city, sitting on one of the best harbours in Australia; it is very, very attractive,” Graham said. “The best time for climate is end of May, early June, when the weather is just superb. Not only will there be lawn bowls to enjoy at the festival, but also the many attractions of Gladstone. We are aiming to elevate the game of lawn bowls, showing that lawn bowls is alive and well, particularly in Gladstone, at the Gladstone Bowls Club.”

Along with the Local Tourism Board and local industry, organisers have put together very attractive travel and accommodation packages to highlight and explore the Gladstone area. This extends to ‘partner packages’, where your ‘other halves’ can soak up what the area has to offer while you are busy enjoying yourself playing bowls and, of course vying, for the prize pool.

If you do happen to miss out on the May/June event, or if the timing doesn’t suit you, there will be a second festival of bowls event in September, when the weather in Gladstone is still superb and a $50,000 prize pool will again be up for grabs. What are you waiting for? Entry details at the bottom of this page. Call the club at (07) 4972 1191 or email gladbowls@westnet.com.au for more information.

18 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Gladstone

Festival of Bowls May 31st - June 3rd 2022

OVER

$50,000 PRIZE MONEY

All games played on

Greens

February 2022 Queensland Bowler 19

Umpire with Joan Brotherton Learning more about Game Anomalies It is great that we are still enjoying being able to participate in our wonderful game of bowls including various social, competitive and yearly competitions whilst still observing Covid restrictions. One of those events was the recent Junior State Championships, where a special thanks is due to all the officials, players and spectators. Thank you also to the live streamers, as being able to witness a great competition between our wonderful and competitive juniors that travelled from various clubs throughout Queensland was most enjoyable. Special thanks to North Toowoomba and Toowoomba Bowls Clubs and Club Toowoomba for your hospitality and the service you provided.

Members of Club Toowoomba with BQ Vice President Kerry Green (far left) before going out on the green to mark at the 2022 Junior State Championships

It was wonderful to watch the juniors play and some of the issues that I observed and commented on in the column last year did not happen, so well done and thank you.

As club and district competitions have now commenced, I have received a number of queries covering Domestic Regulations (DR) 2 - Game Anomalies which can be found on pages 115-118 of the Laws of the Sport of Bowls rule book. I suggest that DR 2 be read in full; however, the queries I have received relate in particular to the following: 2.2 Team Nominations: 2.2.1 If approved by the Controlling Body, the players nominated to form a team entered in a competition may be changed before their first round in that competition.

2.2.2 Any player withdrawn before the first round shall be regarded as not having entered the competition and can act as a substitute or replacement player in that competition.

2.3 Constitution of Teams: 2.3.1 A team shall become constituted when the jack is rolled in the first end of the first game to be played by that team.

2.3.2 Players in a team forfeiting or receiving a forfeit shall be constituted and cannot act as a substitute or replacement player in any other team in that competition.

2.3.3 If a player in a team becomes unavailable or is incapable of playing, the Controlling Body may authorize the use of one substitute player and/or one replacement player.

20 Queensland Bowler March 2022

2.4 Substitutes The main clause from which most queries arise is the following: 2.4.5 Substitutes must play in the same position as the player being substituted, except if it is the skip. If a substitute is required for a skip, then the other members of the team must rearrange their positions, as necessary.

Another issue that I have observed as an umpire which often worries me, is when players are deciding the result of an end and mainly when the player/s kick the shot bowls out. We need to be very careful when this occurs, as one could kick the bowl accidentally the wrong way and it could disturb the head. It could cause many problems so it is best to pick it up and place all shots in a group as per Law 22.4.

Following is the law that covers this: Section 1.6 – Result of an End (P35-36) 22. The Shot: 22.1 A shot or shots refers to the bowl or bowls (called shot bowls) which is or are nearer to the jack than the nearest bowl played by the opposing team or opponent in singles.

22.2 A bowl must not be moved until the opponents have agreed whether it is a shot or not, except where a bowl has to be moved so that another bowl can be measured.

22.3 As the shots are agreed, each bowl can be removed from the head.

22.4 Shot bowls can be placed in a group where they will not interfere with measuring.

22.5 If shot bowls have been placed in a group, the number of bowls in the group must be agreed by the opponents.

22.6 The skips or marker where appropriate must be told (or have signalled to them) the number of shots scored in each end.

Please continue enjoying your games and take care and observe all Covid restrictions.

Shot bowls placed in a group on a cloth as per Law 22.4 & 22.5

Shot bowls placed in a group as per Law 22.4 & 22.5

21 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Development with Lesley

Happy retirement to Lesley!

Lesley Bates pens her last column for the Queensland Bowler magazine and prepares for her retirement. Thank you for all your contributions to the magazine and to bowls in general, Lesley!

In September 2018, I was fortunate enough to become Bowls Australia’s Regional Bowls Manager for North Queensland. I had been doing a six-week house sit in Cairns and decided that I no longer wanted to live in a large city.

I was alerted to the opportunity to relocate north whist I was engaged as New Farm Bowls Club’s secretary and within a month, I had the job. My keenness was so great, I paid my way to Townsville for a personal interview instead of doing it remotely. Everything fell into place and I have rented the same three-bedroom townhouse for $260 per week just a 10-minute walk into the heart of town.

I “hit the road” within a week. My first visit was to Proserpine where the new board was holding their initial meeting.

Heather Brown, champion of Bowls Administration is club and district secretary as well as being the ladies’ club president. I learnt so much about governance, protocols and everyday challenges faced by small country clubs from her. Heather has been my sounding board on many occasions. I could add a very long list of other volunteers that are the backbone of our clubs and from whom I have gained extra knowledge and understanding of club world which has helped me perform my duties.

Attendance at district ladies’ and men’s delegates’ and AGM meetings has been fruitful as I have made valuable relationships and individual club meetings are always a source of information and ideas to pass onto other members.

Within the first 4 months of my appointment, the monsoon and floods hit Townsville so my relationship with the Sport and Recreation officers was invaluable in sourcing small grants and larger projects such a Magnetic Island and Ingham’s artificial surfaces renovation. I have solid and ongoing contact with Local, State and Federal politicians which is very important and I stress to them the need for extra resources to be directed to our sport and clubs.

During my tenure, I helped many clubs with grants and at this point $4 million (300 grants) have been given to my clubs. Highlights have been: 1. Three North versus South Tests (hopefully the venues will remain in the North) 2. Sports Expos in Rockhampton, Mackay, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa 3. Three successful bids for Bowls Australia annual awards: • 2021- Bev Rush, Volunteer • 2019 - Gary Costigan, Volunteer • 2018 - Suburban Townsville, Club 4. National and State titles for multi-disability bowls championships at South Suburban Mackay 5. Marked increase in Primary Sporting Schools’ participation with Rookie Rollers 6. Increase in coach and umpire accreditations 7. More awareness of how to obtain grants 8. The opening of Queensland’s newest club, West Tigers in Mackay district 9. Supply of Rookie Roller kits to many clubs 10. Friendships made during my tenure

Volunteer grants - Victoria Park Bowls Club

Having Townsville as the base for my 82 clubs allowed me to drive the distances required to service my six districts.

North West and Leichhardt district visits requires a seven to 10 day absence from home. I would love for the creation, within the next year, of a fourth Regional Manager’s position to cover Central, Leichhardt, Port Curtis and Bundaberg, with a base near or south of Rockhampton. Our 16 RBM positions throughout Australia are supported financially through licensing of products, grants and other sports based funding.

RBM - NORTH QLD

Lesley Bates 0429 213 207 lbates@bowls.com.au 22 Queensland Bowler March 2022

RBM - CENTRAL QLD

David Barnes 0429 442 818 dbarnes@bowls.com.au

RBM - SOUTH EAST QLD

Micheal Sorrensen 0447 507 040 msorrensen@bowls.com.au

Lesley Bates pictured above at various expos and promotional events

I am thankful for the support of the Bowls Australia team who have a priority and commitment to keep the RBM program going. Brett Wilkie and his team from Bowls Queensland have also contributed to the successes of Wade, Micheal, our new member David and myself in assisting clubs.

I have been so fortunate to have been in a position where I have travelled, given clubs the tools to be better off financially, provided sound advice and had the addition of many friends to my life. Thanks to the many people who have embraced me as your RBM. When I had my interview with Brett Wilkie, John Emerson and Deborah Bruce, Debs asked me, “Where do you see yourself in five years, Lesley?” My response was totally frank. It went something like this, “Retired, playing a lot of bowls and travelling around Australia”. So it was never a surprise that I would leave the position at my retirement age with my departure being at Easter.

As the longest serving female Regional Bowls Manager in Australia and for North Queensland, I trust my replacement will be given the same support and encouragement that I have experienced. The new appointee will take over my phone, so when you call 0429 213 207, they will be able to answer you by name if you are on my data base.

Cheers and great bowling! Lesley.

23 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Key considerations for managing and protecting your volunteer workforce Like most grassroots sporting organisations, bowls clubs are often reliant on the contributions of volunteers. In fact, Sport Australia estimates that volunteers donate 158 million hours to sport in Australia each year, or the equivalent of almost 90,000 full-time jobs. In the words of the former Sport Australia CEO Kate Palmer, “Research has conservatively valued that contribution at $3 billion, but to me and the Australian sporting industry our volunteers are priceless – they are the backbone of the Australian sport industry.”

Despite so many volunteers contributing their time to bowls and other sporting clubs, these organisations sometimes overlook many of the legal issues and requirements surrounding volunteers.

As such, this article provides insight into some of the key questions your bowls club should consider in relation to the use of volunteers.

Are your volunteers truly volunteers?

Clubs often get themselves into trouble when they do not properly consider this question. The general rule is that true volunteers are not paid for assistance they provide, and do not have any legal obligation to provide ongoing assistance. However, merely labelling someone as a volunteer does not make them so. In particular, you should be cautious about situations where someone starts out performing work free of charge, but your club then later decides to start making some sort of payment to the person. If your club gets this wrong, the person may be regarded as an employee at law and may therefore be entitled to benefits such as superannuation, annual leave, and the like.

Volunteer safety There are four main aspects to volunteer safety: 1. Even in situations where a volunteer is providing assistance to your club, it is important that workplace health and safety considerations are front of mind. Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), your club has various obligations to ensure the health and safety of all workers, including volunteers. Moreover, volunteers themselves also have certain duties to take reasonable care to ensure their own health and safety, and the health and safety of others, and volunteers must comply (so far as they are reasonably able) with any reasonable instruction given to them by your club to ensure the safety of the workplace.

2. In Queensland, volunteers are protected by various laws prohibiting discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, so it is important that your club has suitable policies and procedures in place to protect volunteers against such behaviour.

3. Remember that your club owes a duty of care to its volunteers and as such, if a volunteer suffers loss or injury as a result of your negligence, they may have a claim against your club.

4. In some situations, your club may be “vicariously liable” for the actions of volunteers performing work on behalf of your club.

In light of the above, it is important your club has appropriate insurances in place to protect not only against harm suffered by volunteers while performing work for your club, but

also to protect against harm caused by volunteers acting on your behalf.

Service of liquor by volunteers If your venue or event is exempt from requiring a liquor licence or permit under the Liquor Act 1992 (Qld), then volunteers are not required to have responsible service of alcohol (RSA) certification.

If your venue does have a liquor licence or permit in place, then volunteers serving or supplying alcohol are not required to hold RSA certification if performing duties under one of the following licence or permit categories: • community club licence (which will apply to most bowls club premises); • community other licence; • community liquor permit; or • restricted liquor permit.

In this instance, however, your club must ensure a person with current RSA training is available to supervise the volunteers. Penalties apply for noncompliance.

As Kate Palmer so aptly described, volunteers are indeed “the backbone” of the industry. Therefore, given the important role they play and the invaluable contribution they make to a club’s culture, it is essential to ensure you are correctly dealing with the above issues to not only look after the interests of your club, but also the interest of your volunteers.

Is it time to relook at your club’s volunteer framework, policies and procedures? If so, please feel free to call the author, Matt Bradford on 07 3224 0353 to ensure your club is compliant.

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WHAT’S YOUR CLUB BEEN DOING? BOWEN MEN’S FOURS CARNIVAL

Winners: Team Saggs L-R: Allan Brown - General Manager Abbot Point Operations, John Fielding, Gavin Milne, Bowen’s Peter Bruce, Barry Saroglia & Luchie Gardel

Runners-up: Team Brease L-R: Bruce Macs, Maric Hawkins, Jeff Brease, Steven Mottin with sponsor Allan Brown

By Linda Scells

The Bowen Men’s Fours Carnival was held on February, 12-13. This annual competition has been running for at least 31 years and is always fully booked. There are 16 teams, a full green, eight rinks and five games of 18 ends. The event is sponsored by Abbot Point Operations.

The Col Scully Memorial Trophy came into place in 2016 and is awarded to the winning team in this event. Col was a previous president and honour board playing member before his passing. His mother was also a long-time member.

Congratulations to all who participated and particularly the 2022 teams who made it to the winning spots.

Winners: Team Saggs John Fielding, Gavin Milne, Barry Saroglia, Luchie Gardel Runners-up: Team Brease Bruce Macs, Maric Hawkins, Jeff Brease, Steven Mottin Third place: Team Delaney Mark Defranciscis, Tony Sera, Greg Delaney, Adrian Peno Fourth place: Team Spanny Barry Jackson, Wally Kleidon, Shane Spann, George McDonnell 26 queensland bowler March 2022

GLADSTONE PLANNING A MASSIVE FESTIVAL OF BOWLS Members from Gladstone Bowls Club have been busy planning a $50,000 Festival of Bowls Open Fours to be held from May 30 to June 3. The 84 members of the club would like to extend a warm welcome to bowlers across Australia and invite teams to come and play on the club’s well-kept grass greens and enjoy the modern clubhouse.

The winning team will score a huge first prize of $20,000 and many other prizes will be on offer, including ‘last day winning team prizes’ and a Sportsman’s Prize.

For more information, see pages 18-19 in this issue of the Queensland Bowler magazine (March 2022) and make a plan to visit one of the most beautiful regions in Queensland, or you can call the club at (07) 4972 1191 or email gladbowls@westnet.com.au for more information.

Gladstone Bowls Club welcomes all bowlers to their upcoming Festival of Bowls

Bowlers enjoying a day on the green

Gladstone Bowls Club’s pristine grass greens

March 2022 queensland bowler 27

HAPPY 97TH BIRTHDAY TO MUSGRAVE HILL’S BILL!

By Ged Hall (On behalf of Gary Lynd)

Billy McDonald, much loved member of Musgrave Hill Bowls Club, recently celebrated his 97th birthday.

Bill was born in Brisbane in 1925 and worked as a coal miner in Ipswich. At one time, he drove the main ‘Dip’ under the Bremer River and was also a fitter and turner making mining equipment.

Joining Musgrave Hill around 2001, Bill won a flag for the club in 2005.

Betty, Bill’s 95-year-old sister, also bowls and meets up with her brother when she visits the club from Laidley.

Bill has been married to his wife Leila for 43 years and has lived on the Gold Coast for 45 years.

Bill is such an important part of Thursday Afternoon Triples that recently, when the club’s courtesy bus became unavailable, our Secretary Manager, Brian Baldwin, jumped in his car to pick him up.

Bill McDonald

Happy Birthday, Billy.

Bill McDonald celebrating his birthday with clubmates at Musgrave Hills Bowls Club

HELP NEEDED FOR MORANBAH BOWLS CLUB Moranbah Bowls Club needs your help. The club has announced that it is financially failing and it needs all the support it can get. The club’s motto is “Where everyone is welcome” so any support will be greatly appreciated.

How you can help: • •

If you are in the area, enjoy an evening at this great community sporting club Join the committee! If you have a love for lawn bowls, then the members ask you to please become part of a community team and help bring the club back to its former glory.

You can contact the club at 0467 607 528 or moranbahbowlsclub@bigpond.com 28 Queensland Bowler March 2022

BONGAREE’S BIG BEGINNERS’ BASH

By Rod Curtis, Coaching Co-ordinator

Bongaree Bowls Club ‘Beginners’ Bash’ One-Off Knockout 2022 Singles Competition took place recently and was a great success.

This new bowler competition concept has been running consecutively since 2017. It teaches, encourages, promotes and encompasses all aspects of bowls competition to the new bowler.

All of the participants are new members of the Bongaree Bowls Club who have taken up bowls within the last 12 months. There were 30 nominees for the event this year.

Congratulations to the winner, Bob Edwards, and the runner-up, Kim Hagan.

It proved to be a wonderful spectator day, achieved with the support of 15 markers, umpires and senior members.

The focus, friendliness, sportsmanship and professionalism showed the great job our 17 club coaches (yes, 17!) are continually achieving with our bowlers. Thank you to everyone who was involved in the ‘Beginners’ Bash’.

L-R: Runner-up Kim Hagan & winner Bob Edwards

Thirty beginner bowlers at Bongaree Bowls Club

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March 2022 Queensland Bowler 29

SOCIAL BOWLS COMPETITION AT BURNETT BC

By Trish Hansen

January saw the return of the QRI Bundaberg Branch Lawn Bowls Social Club to Burnett Bowls Club.

QRI President, Keith Ware, was happy with the rollup on the day, with all the regulars plus a new member, as well as some friends who were visiting.

Thank you to Roy and Vern Eggmolese who sponsored the day.

This year marks the 69th anniversary of the QRI Bundaberg Branch.

Congratulations to the winners Breeanna Pegg and Graham Mc Lennon, as well as runners-up Mark Kulikovskis, John Lodge and John Brazier.

L-R: Sponsor Vern Eggmolesse, winners Breeanna Pegg & Graham McLennon with sponsor Roy Eggmolesse

BUSHMAN’S BAKERY ‘under the shed’ at goosies

By Tony Allsop

Over the weekend of February 19-20, we played our major event of the year, The Bushman’s Bakery ‘Under The Shed’.

This event has $12,000 in prize money and is a tier three event, giving winning players higher points towards Bowls Australia rankings.

It was a very popular weekend, with the full 32 teams of four people participating after selling out within two weeks of opening nominations, with a reserve list of five teams.

The winning Bowen team L-R: Allan Rolf, Mark Drummond, Margaret Wilson & Robyn Stitt

Teams entered from as far away as Innisfail in the north to the Gold Coast south, west to Biloela and included teams from Brisbane, Townsville, Bundaberg, Yeppoon and, of course, the Mackay district.

The Friday evening Calcutta proved very popular and was drawn just before the major presentation.

Top prize went to sponsor, Peter Grant’s team, showing that what goes around indeed does come around.

The overall winner was the Bowen team of Allan Rolf, Mark Drummond, Margaret Wilson and Robyn Stitt, who also won the CMR Goosies $10,000 last year.

Second place L-R: Wayne Hadley, Jason Borg, Don & David Peet 30 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Second came the team of Wayne Hadley, Jason Borg, Don and David Peet, and in third place was Rob Spence, Paul Foot, David Blackburn and Steven Mau.

32 Queensland Bowler March 2022

March 2022 Queensland Bowler 33

Coaching with BQ coaching committee Important courses

By Dennis O’Toole

Selection Module Choosing selectors and the process of selecting the best and most compatible teams remains an issue throughout all levels of lawn bowls.

Our State coaches and presenters & assessors suggest that more clubs and districts attend the Selection Module that is available to everyone.

This module makes particular reference to a selection policy outlining the goals of the clubs or districts, the preferable people to become selectors and the method the selectors will use to pick the playing group.

There will also be focus on conflict that could arise, and a method of prevention, along with the right to appeal decisions and the correct way to go about it.

Please consider the advantages of this Selection Module as there is a lot to be gained.

COACHES’ WORKSHOP Another major incentive by the State coaches is the availability of a Coaches’ Workshop. This workshop focuses on the coach’s own skills and collective observations from the whole group.

The focus throughout this program is to:1. ensure coaches understand the fundamentals of the sport, 2. know the difference between technique and style, 3. produce effective methods of utilising the constants required and the variable way players are able to develop their own delivery sequence, 4. emphasise communication and the use of teaching with sports methodology, 5. enact specialised training with a purpose to players’ pursuit of perfection, 6. setting of goals to produce higher performance by following a definite scored process.

It is in clubs’ and districts’ interests to attend these two programs.

ECKA’S TIP Duty of care is a legal responsibility that you owe your players to keep them safe and look after their well being. It is not something to fear but rather a tool employed to keep you diligent.

Prevention is better than the cure. Plan well in an endeavour to foresee any risks, err on the side of caution and let common sense guide you.

UPCOMING COURSES

• •

Fifteen contestants attended Buderim Bowls Club for the recent advanced skills day run by the SCD Coaches ,with a good feed back by all who attended.

34 Queensland Bowler March 2022

Surat BC Club Coach April 9-10 Surat BC Skills & Bowling Arm April 4

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