Meet the Gerick Siblings

If you haven’t come across the name Gerick in the junior bowls circuit yet, it most likely won’t be long before you do.

There are three Gerick names to watch out for: Cody (just 17), Riley (almost 15) and Lacey (13). All three featured heavily in this year’s January Junior State Championships in Toowoomba, with the Gerick siblings taking home medals in the Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours. Cody took home the bronze in the U18 singles and the gold in the U18 pairs along with Oliver Corken. Lacey and Riley were the proud champions in the U15 pairs. Cody and Riley won the silver in the Triples along with Travis Pearce. Then, to top it off, the siblings took out the gold in the Fours along with Travis.

More recently, Cody notched up a Secondary Schools Cup win with partner Madelyn McDonald representing James Gerick siblings L-R: Lacey, Riley & Cody Nash High School. This was a back-to-back win for Cody after his win alongside Tilah Mason in last year’s Cup. Cody had been coaching Madelyn for just three weeks prior to the event and this was her first proper game. Cody was also runner up to Queensland’s young gun, Kane Nelson, at the Junior Golden Nugget held in August.

In all, Cody has quite a few memorable bowls moments notched up so far, but for both Cody and Riley one of their most special first moments was winning their club championship Pairs together when Cody was 15 and Riley was 13.

Riley recalls his bowls’ highlights as being in the last 32 in the Australian Open Men’s Singles, playing with Ryan Burnett for the Sunshine Coast District and playing Division 1 pennants with Kurt Brown and world champion Darren Burnett.

Lacey’s most memorable moments so far are when Katelyn Inch and Lacey played in a tournament at Pine Rivers, and for Lacey it was great to play with someone who she looks up to. Getting picked in the girls’ Junior Nugget was also a highlight for Lacey, especially being the youngest one there.

The Gerick trio officially started playing bowls around the end of 2017, with Cody being the first to start, then Lacey, and then they finally convinced Riley!

In their words, the siblings had been “around bowls for most of our lives, as Nan and Pop play and we would have to go with them to the club on school holidays because mum was working”. One day, Bob Hill approached the siblings and was curious if they wanted to take things further. He and his wife Narelle helped them with progressing in bowls. Bob and Narelle often watch and provide transport if their mum is working, for which the trio is very grateful. “We are so thankful, as without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Their love for bowls is clear when you ask them how many hours a week they play bowls. They train every Tuesday to Friday for around two hours and normally play games on weekends. Even on the rare occasions when they aren’t doing anything on the weekend, they might even sneak down and have a roll up.

Along with this love and commitment to bowls comes a large degree of travelling. They play for Kawana Thunder, which is an hour and twenty minutes from where they live. Sometimes, all three can be playing at different clubs on the coast for pennants. This makes it hard for their mum, Bettina, who is a single parent. However, the Gericks have friends who have invited them to stay at their homes and/or help them out with lifts to and from places, which they very much appreciate.

Premier League this year was full on as Cody and Riley played for different clubs, Riley for Kawana and Cody for Hamilton, but again people were so supportive and they both thank everyone who offered to help. Their biggest supporters are Nan and Pop who have been there since day one and the trio stressed how much they appreciate everything their grandparents do for them.

While bowls takes up most of their time, there are other sports and hobbies Cody, Riley and Lacey enjoy. The main other sport they have all played is Rugby Union and they have all played Rugby League as well. Cody and Riley have both gone to a couple of state carnivals for rugby union and they have all had their fair share of sporting achievements outside of bowls. Riley was the captain for the school U14 rugby team and Lacey went to the Wide Bay carnivals for soccer and basketball. They are all decent swimmers as well, with Cody’s biggest achievement outside of bowls getting gold in breaststroke for Wide Bay and placing 8th in the state that year.

Riley and Cody can both play the guitar, with Cody also playing the ukulele. At school, Cody still plays a little bit of volleyball and basketball and Riley plays a bit of Touch. Lacey’s other loves are football (soccer) and art.

The three siblings all look up to Ryan Burnett and Katelyn Inch and think Katelyn is a great role model for so many juniors. They all agree that Ryan is a great bowler, who is encouraging and is very passionate towards the game. Both Katelyn and Ryan are good coaches, offering much help and support and the trio stressed they really appreciated them both.

When it came to asking how bowls had affected other areas of their life, their responses were individual. Cody said bowls has affected his life in many ways. “I have met plenty of mates and made some awesome memories. Sometimes it gets a little difficult at school, especially being in year 11.” Riley said playing bowls has been one of the best decisions of his life. “I have made so many mates and achieved some amazing things.” Lacey said she really loves playing bowls and travelling to different places. “I’m especially thankful for the friendships I’ve made along the way. I have a list of goals that I want to achieve. I’ve just turned 13 so have some time.”

However, each of them has encountered their fair share of hurdles along the way. Cody said that school can get quite full on, especially around Australian Open time, but there are some awesome teachers who offer their support. “Sometimes, with mum being a single parent, it does make things harder, but we have some awesome people around us who help. Honestly, sometimes you come across people who aren’t the nicest but that’s life, most people we have come across are super nice and supportive.” Lacey has found that being a girl trying to come through the ranks in bowls is super difficult. “I have found it hard to be able to play competitively as normally the women play comps while I’m at school. Since joining Kawana, I have been able to play club championships and pennants for the first time. I would love to see open gender pennants and more open gender tournaments in general”.

The Gerick siblings go to James Nash State High School and when they were asked how they would like their school to support their involvement in bowls, their response was: (see next page)

Lacey Gerick Riley Gerick Cody Gerick

Lacey, Cody & Riley Gerick with Travis Pearce proudly walking to accept the 2022 Fours Junior State Title at North Toowoomba BC Reigning Fours State Champions Travis Pearce with Riley, Cody & Lacey Gerick

Cody: “Honestly, I’d love to see a barefoot bowls day with the school and more involvement such as including it in the school program like they used to. We aren’t the only bowlers at our school. Travis Pearce, Tilah Mason, Hayden Oster and his two brothers Alex and Liam also play bowls.” Riley: “Some help in getting more kids into the sport and some more promotion of the game from schools in general would be nice.” Lacey: “Even though they don’t know it, lawn bowls is the school’s most successful sport.” Cody, Riley and Lacey all have future bowls ambitions and goals. For Cody, there’s so much he’d like to achieve with bowls, however, his biggest goal is to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games and win a gold medal. He adds, “hopefully my brother will be there with me”. He’d also like to win the Australian Open Pairs and the World Champion pairs, again with his brother.

Riley thought Cody covered his own ambitions pretty well, but added that “there won’t be enough room on the page for all my ambitions”.

Lacey would like to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games and bring back two gold medals. Some other things she’d like to achieve along the way are to win the girls’ Junior Nugget and the girls’ Australian Open Singles.

When asked what advice they’d give to young bowlers, Cody said, “the worst time you’re going to have playing bowls is that awkward starting period as it takes a while to ‘get in the rhythm’ but, honestly, give it a chance, it gets so much better. I’m sure we all agree playing bowls was the best decision that we have ever made. Sure, natural talent helps but hard work and dedication will get you places”. Riley’s advice was “bowls can bring the best and worst out in some people. 99% of people you come across are awesome but there’s always going to be a few rough characters. Don’t let it bother you, it usually means they don’t want to lose to you”. Lacey said, “I have made so many friends through bowls and have made some awesome memories. I have played a fair few sports but I just love bowls, it’s a sport for everyone”.

Cody, Riley and Lacey want to send a big thank you to everyone along the way who has supported them.

2022 U15 State Pairs Champions Lacey & Riley Gerick

2022 U18 State Pairs Champions Cody Gerick & Oliver Corken

Third Arm Bowling Tournament

The North Queensland Arm Bowlers recently held their third annual Arm Bowls Tournament at Suburban Bowling Club in Townsville. Thirty six bowlers, both men and women, filled all nine rinks to play three games of 16 ends, three bowls pairs and no time limit. Scoring was: 10 points a win, 5 points a draw, end win counted.

In the final tally, Peter Sturzaker and Angus Miller won overall by two shots with Wayne Erikson and Gary Polkinghorne tying for 2nd place with Geoff Garner and Harry Poole and 3rd place went to Ray Trunic and Rod Butcher. The winner’s trophy was donated by Noorla Bowls Club and mounted by Wayne Erikson. Thank you to the sponsors of the medals, Ron and Dianne Jepson.

Club Tweed celebrated its bowlers in their 90s last month, with 27 out of 34 of age 90-plus bowling members in attendance. After morning tea, Club Tweed’s Chairman, Leigh Tynan, addressed the room of over 90 bowlers.

Leigh commended the bowlers’ achievements, as most are still full bowling members who play social bowls or in Club Tweed’s over 90s singles championship.

L-R: Gary Polkinghorne, Ron Jepson (sponsor), Angus Miller, Peter Sturzaker & Wayne Erikson (who mounted the trophy)

Contributed by Wayne Erikson & Michele Emmerson

Club Tweed celebrates its nonagenarians

Club Tweed’s nonagenarians surrounded by their friends

The self-proclaimed “oldest of the oldies” Rex Dell, who was born in 1923 (99 years old) extended his thanks on behalf of the over 90’s crew. Club Tweed’s Board and Management applaud the over 90s for their health and continued membership at Club Tweed.

Bowls is a sport for all ages, walks of life, gender and disabilities. This group is a prime example that bowls is a sport for life and some could say it is the key to longevity. Contributed by Emma Boyd

Beenleigh Greens were a Sea of Pink

Beenleigh Bowls Club, home of the Mighty Muddies, held their annual Pink Day raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness in September. The day is a club select mixed event and the support was overwhelming as always, with two full greens swimming in pink with many spectators also dressed in pink.

The day started with skips picking their teams out of a hat then the fun really began, instead of ditch to ditch or spider we played “bowl closest to the pink ribbon stretched across the greens”. The winners got chocolates and the runners up a good laugh.

Two bowl triples were the order of the day and we all know how much a bowler loves that third bowl. First game was 18 ends or the bell and while most didn’t make it to 18 ends everyone was ready for the huge variety of yummy pink offerings for morning tea, all made by our bowlers. The array of raffle prizes was also donated by our generous bowlers. Game 2 was another 18 ends or the bell with individual quiche lunch provided afterwards. Everyone agreed they had a pinktastic time and are looking forward to the next event.

In total we raised over $630 to help support Breast Cancer Awareness. One in seven women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and about one in 600 men. In 2022, more than 3200 Australians will pass away from breast cancer, this is why it is so important to have your breasts screened regularly and to self-check for changes or lumps. Our club hosts the Breast Cancer Screening bus many times throughout the year, this is a free service and we encourage you to come on down to the top of the town and have a free screen.

Contributed by Amy Armstrong

North Mackay BC on a Roll

North Mackay Bowls Club has had a very good year, with the men winning second division pennants and the women winning first, third and fourth divisions.

The men’s club champion once again was Chris Banney. The pairs event was won by Neal Blucher and Ian McDonald, while the fours was taken out by Doug Dungavell, Peter Miller, John Stronach and Ray McCarthy.

The two bowl triples winners were Ian Beveridge, Dave McKendry and Clint Vassie, while Alex Cameron, Peter Grant and Clive Wales took out the three bowl triples title. Bert Hobbs won the Senior Singles trophy. Ken Lane won the B Singles. Our top men are looking forward to playing in first division pennants next year.

Senior Singles winner Bert Hobbs

Maleny BC Celebrates 85 Years

Maleny Bowls Club 85th Anniversary celebrations took place on Sunday, September 11 2022.

Lawn bowls was first played in Maleny in the early to mid 1930s, when the owner of the Maleny hotel, William Henry Rixon Burnett, built two private bowls rinks at the Maleny Hotel. Being an electrical engineer, William Burnett installed a 32 volt generator to floodlight the two rinks.

In 1937, a public meeting was held in Maleny to discuss starting a lawn bowls club and the Maleny Bowls Club was born.

The bowls club was built on land owned by William Burnett next to the Maleny Hotel (the present site of the Maleny Bowls Club).

The land was initially leased to the Maleny Bowls Club for 20 years for £35 per year. In 1955, at the end of the lease period, the land was sold to the Maleny Bowls Club for £550.

Over the past 85 years, the Maleny Bowls Club has prospered despite wars, floods and pandemics thanks to the dedication of the many volunteers who have kept the club successful and a fun place.

Part of the official 85th Anniversary was the naming and unveiling of The W.H.R. Burnett Green with Wendy Bulger (Maleny Bowls Club Chairperson), Kerry Green (Bowls Qld), Andrew Powell MP (Glasshouse), Carol Cook (WHR Burnett grand daughter) and Eric Tomsene (SCDMBA).

Contributed by Brett Gillis

L-R: Chairperson Wendy Bulger, BQ Director Kerry Green, Andrew Powell MP (Federal Member for Glass House), Carol Cook (WHR Burnett granddaughter) & Eric Tomsene

Andrew Wallace MP (Federal Member for Fisher) cutting the anniversary cake

Players at the 85th Maleny Bowls Club Anniversary

Partriach at Maryborough

Maryborough Bowls Club stalwart Bill Hovard has proudly received his Patriarch badge after turning 90 on July 12, 2022. Bill joined the club in 2005 and has served as a board member and has also been Vice Chairman. In 2014, he was a part of the winning team in the club’s Championship Fours and was runner up in 2016 in the Club Pairs. In 2019, Bill was honoured to be named the club patron, a position he still holds proudly. He continues to enjoy playing bowls with his many mates he has accumulated over the years and strongly believes that this has contributed to his long life. Bill says it is a pleasure to be a member of this great club and looks forward to many more years of friendship and good bowling. Congratulations Bill – the pleasure has been all ours.

L-R: Alan Blackwell (Men’s President) & Ray Relton (Fraser Coast DBA Representative) present Bill Hovard with his Patriarch badge

Contributed by Bob Magee

Tewantin hosts 72nd QLD QRI Social Bowls

The 72nd Queensland QRI Social Bowls open Triples was held at Tewantin Noosa recently, with play on the Monday & Tuesday, the AGM on the Wednesday and the final day played on Thursday 1st September. This prestigious event is held in a different location each year and this year the winners were the Gladstone team of James Waters, Peter Hoath & Dale Newman. Peter’s brother, Edward George Hoath, who passed away earlier this year, had been President for Condamine District and a Queensland State and Australian Fours previous winner. Peter played with his brother’s bowls in his memory and George (Poddy) was remembered at the presentation, where his ‘EGH’ bowls were proudly on display.

Gladstone’s winning team L-R: James Waters, Peter Hoath & Dale Newman Peter Hoath proudly displaying his late brother, Edward’s, ‘EGH’ bowls

Mackay City’s Centenary

Past President and Patron Vince McSherry with the banner promoting the club’s centenary

A significant milestone for Mackay and District bowls occurs next year in early February when the Mackay City Bowls Club celebrates its centenary. Current Patron and immediate Past President, Vince McSherry, can hardly wait for the celebrations to begin. “It will be a great weekend in February 2023 when we celebrate our 100 years at Mackay City Bowls Club with our members and the local community. We will celebrate the wonderful contribution of 100s of bowlers who have built the culture of our club over many generations.” The three-day event commences on Friday, February 3 and continues through that weekend. An invitation to all past and present members is extended to join in the festivities, which include a wine and cheese meet and greet, memorabilia display and an afternoon of mixed historical/hysterical bowls from yesteryear. The official formal dinner on the Saturday night will be followed on the Sunday with an invitation to all the 13 district clubs to send a fours team for a celebratory game that we all love. For more information, please contact mackaycitybowlsclub@bigpond.com or (07) 49574410. While The Albert Bowls Club’s greens were under metres of water during the recent Gympie floods, the rinks were ready for the Dodt Cup played in July. Forty-five years ago, three brothers Kevin, Brian and Merv Dodt from the Albert Club in Gympie, donated a perpetual trophy to be contested by clubs in the Gympie District: Albert, Kandanga, Pomona, Rainbow Beach, Kenilworth, Tin Can Bay, Gympie, Imbil, and in later years, Cooloola Coast. The annual competition is played over a weekend, with Singles, Pairs and Fours. This year, 2022, Kandanga Club notched up their twentieth win over the 44 years, with Rainbow Beach the next nearest contestant on eight wins. Although the Dodt boys are no longer with us, the trophy is still keenly fought for. The Kandanga side was happy to donate their winnings back to the Albert Club to assist them with restoring their Club facilities after the damage caused by floods earlier this year. However the Dodt cup holds pride of place at Kandanga Country Club.

Contributed by Warren Sturgeon

Kandanga wins Dodt Cup

Kandanga Team Back row L-R: Doug Smith, John Westerlo, Tony Smilie, Mark Jabore & Sash Adkins Front Row L-R: Barry Andersen & Cameron Oster

Darling Downs LBA Pennant Winners

Division 1 winners Drayton Bowls Club back row L-R: Liz McCleary, Tracy Foster, Jo Worsley, DDLBA President

Margaret Morris, Linda Tickle, Desley Dann & Karen Livingstone. Front row L-R: Imelda Brumpton, Lorraine

Callaghan, Lorraine Blaine & Thelma Cooper Congratulations to the following winners who won Divisions 1-3 in the Darling Downs Ladies Bowls Association Pennant last month. • Division 1: Drayton Club • Division 2: North Toowoomba Club • Division 3: West Toowoomba and South Toowoomba Bowls Clubs

Division 2 winners L-R: Theresa Thomas, Zoe Stewart, Susan McManus, Karen Lavender, Carroll Benso, Jules Johnson, Joy Pauli, Del Clarke, Betty Williams & Ann Jones (absent Letitia Weir, Liz Marshall) Division 3 winners L-R: Kay Hewitt, Jackie Maxim, Denise Parkinson, Gina Hawker, Julia Brownie, Trisha Lockhart, Nat Smith, Heather Brownie & Marlene Hannant (absent Jan Thomas)

Contributed by Joyce McGeorge

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Chrissy Pavlov Awarded Life Membership

Life Membership is an honour bestowed on individual club members whose exceptional, loyal and outstanding service and contribution has provided a measurable benefit to a club over an extended period of time.

Life Memberships don’t come around often and certainly not easily; it takes a special someone to devote so much of their time and energy into one club or society and our very own State Selector and Queensland Open Ladies State Manager Christina (Chrissy) Pavlov fits that bill without any hesitation.

Broadbeach Bowls Club is lucky to have Chrissy Pavlov etched into their honour roll after her recent appointment as a Life Member was sprung on her at their recent AGM. Remarkably, it was kept a surprise from someone who spends so much time at the club!

Chrissy joined the Broadbeach Bowls Club in 2004 and quickly became a Ladies Committee Member, a position she has held for 17 years. In 2014, Chrissy was voted onto the board and soon after was named the Director for Ladies Bowls.

Chrissy has juggled her commitment to the club’s administration whilst also playing at a high level. Christina is a multiple club, district, State and Australian Champion and a capped Queensland Representative in both the Open and Senior teams.

Whilst some say she stepped away from representative bowls too early, she moved into a State Team Manager role and later State Selector, paving the way for future stars of our game to be given the opportunity to wear the maroon kookaburra. A selfless act. Chrissy also finds time to devote to Bowls Queensland, serving as a member of the coaching committee from 2015-2017 and selection committee for the past five years. Despite having more than 20 years of bowls under her belt, Chrissy says she still has a strong love for the sport because of the camaraderie and tactical elements of it.

Chrissy Pavlov (right) with BQ CEO Brett Wilkie celebrating Broadbeach BC’s 70th anniversary last year

Chrissy Pavlov (right) with Tahlia Camelleri

“I love bowls because it is such a challenging sport and it’s not as easy as it may look to some people,” Chrissy said. “I think because it’s challenging and the fact that it’s a very skilful sport with strategic aspects, it keeps drawing me back to it.”

Chrissy still regards herself as a bowler first and foremost and has an impressive list of accolades to back up her assertion, her proudest achievements to date have been playing for QLD, winning the 2011 Australian Super Six pairs with Lynsey Clarke and winning the 2013 Australian Open Over 60 pairs with Sue McKenzie. It is Chrissy’s love for the sport that helps fuel her work on the selection committee.

The Broadbeach Grade 1 ladies have won 6 out of 7 District Pennant Flags with Chrissy part of those teams as a player and manager over the years. Chrissy has shaped a thriving culture for women’s bowls at Broadbeach, creating an inclusive environment, one where all are accommodating of each other and constantly attracts new bowlers to the club.

We thank all the Chrissy’s of the bowls community for their efforts in keeping our game great.

Laidley ladies celebrate 75 years

A lovely day was had by all at the Laidley Ladies Bowls Club on August 24 for its 75th birthday celebration. A delightful morning tea was served, followed by 15 ends of bowls in very cold and blustery weather (what a challenge). Players went back into the club for a delicious lunch, which was served by the committee volunteers. Many thanks to these ladies. We cannot do without you, especially in the smaller clubs. After lunch, it was back onto the green for another 15 ends. Despite the cold and wind, we really did enjoy our bowling. Once the afternoon bowls was finished, we moved back into the club to continue with the presentations and celebrations. President Dorothea Moyle was very informative in her speech about the many years of service to bowls in the area. Dorothea also thanked the many past presidents of the Ladies Club that came along to socialise and enjoy the celebrations. It was very nice to see clubs from surrounding areas, along with past members, travelling many kilometers to join in with the celebrations. On behalf of Bowls Queensland, I would like to thank Dorothea and her committee for the invitation. It is always a pleasure to meet new people and catch up with the ladies I haven’t seen on the bowls circuit recently. Many thanks to all and may you survive and thrive for at least another 75 years.

L-R: Laidley Ladies’ President Dorothea Moyle with BQ Director Carmel Gibb

Contributed by Carmel Gibb

First time win for Mackay Bowling Club women

Mackay women played in the Annual Johnston Shield held at the Sarina Bowling Club on August, 30 and September, 1. The format for the event was singles, pairs and fours, with the club needing to win two of the three events. The Mackay ladies defeated the Marian and South Suburban Bowls Clubs on the way to the finals against Northern Beaches. Mackay singles player, Carol Savage, defeated Leanne Lewis in the singles. The fours team of Janice Nelson, Denise Mezzen, Julie Caban and Robyn Schatkowski had a nail-biting game which could have gone either way, with Mackay club having a two-shot lead going into the last end. Northern Beaches were holding 4 shots till the Mackay third player Julie played a beautiful shot to cut back to put Mackay club only one shot down. The skips played their bowls and could not change the end, with Mackay ladies being the victors. Whilst this game was being played, the pairs team of Marie Mayfield and Dot McNamara were playing their game and were down against Northern Beaches, but were starting to make a comeback with 5 ends to go. As the fours team had won the pairs game, they did not have to complete their game. Mackay players enjoying the win congratulated the Northern Beaches players on hard fought competition. This sponsored event has been running for 74 years. The Mackay club has competed in this event since its formation in 1993 (29 years) and this is the first time the club has won. MDLBA President Lyn congratulated both teams. Alison Graham, daughter of Naomi Graham and granddaughter of Alex and Margaret Johnston, made a congratulatory speech and presented the Shield to the Mackay Club President Dot McNamara. The club wishes to congratulate all players who took part in this event.

Contributed by Robyn Schatkowski

L-R: Alison Graham, Julie Caban, Janice Nelson, Robyn Schatkowski, Dot McNamara Carol Savage, Denise Mezzen & Marie Mayfield

Coaching with BQ Coaching Committee Technique and style

By Dennis O’Toole

Delivery of the bowl to a target is the be-all-and-end-all of our sport of lawn bowls. To do this, we must have the brain (computer) accept the movement of the body’s motor performance. There are two components:1. The brain relying on the technical requirements to be observed. 2. The individual’s relaxed motion of the body using a variety of controlled movements. Firstly, and most obviously, the technique to consider is, what line do you want the bowl to travel. If I say, walk from the mat to the boundary peg, you would look at the peg and walk in a straight line towards it. The brain would calculate the distance, all of your senses would respond and you would be relaxed. However, if I was to say please play your bowl along the required line to reach the target, the thought process is totally re-arranged, because our belief in our own body’s motor performance has been subjected to influence by all the people who know better. Perhaps you should have consulted a credible coach. The question that we have to ask ourselves firstly is, “do you know where you intend to play your bowl”? Pretty awkward if you don’t. This is the first constant we must observe and it requires a technical or brain associated response, a calculation by the brain to respond to the body’s motor movement to play the bowl in the correct direction with the appropriate force. The factors in your style required are: • Is your body in a position to be able to step in the direction you wish your bowl to travel? • Can you bring your bowling arm through parallel to your body and your step out foot? • Can you release your bowl under your eyes? • Are you staying down long enough to ensure your bowl travels to the point you have focused on? If not, some part of the movement is out of whack. Here we may have to explore the second technical constant which is: • Are you balanced throughout the delivery sequence? • Are you stable at the moment you need to apply the correct force? If no, or not sure, you may have to look at your body structure at the commencement of the sequence. • Is your body position allowing you to make the correct forward motion. • Is your balance and stability being affected by you not stepping forward but across or away from the body. This can have the result that you are not being stable when you are trying to release the bowl. Remember, bowls is a forward motion sport. Try taking the arm on the backswing past the body before you step. This helps your timing and rhythm. Ensure your arm is still back until your front foot is stable. You now can apply the appropriate force that your brain has calculated. Throughout the delivery sequence the motion or momentum of the body’s parts must be controlled. Hence the observation that the delivery is smooth and relaxed. This applies especially to the step taken and the speed of the arm swing. Always remember force is applied by the speed of the arm swing forward, how close the arm is to the body and how long you apply this force. Your consistency will be increased if you release your bowl smoothly so that it runs along the running surface of the bowl in an upright position. Dumping a bowl will always affect the force applied, as will the introduction of a wobble. Although most coaches suggest that you hold your bowl in a comfortable position, you still must have it in the hand so the bowl can come out smoothly onto the running surface. The last of the constants or technical necessities is that you design your delivery sequence so that you can consistently repeat it. Remember to train to excel in your routine, believe it is as good as you can get it and don’t change it during a game. Also remember your own style of doing the sequence of the bowling delivery comes from the following constants of technique: 1. Knowing your intended line. 2. Being balanced and stable at the right time. 3. Controlling your body’s momentum. 4. Releasing your bowl smoothly. 5. Being consistent. How you place your feet, grip the bowl, stand, step, bend and deliver your bowl is something for you and a credible coach to work out. Remember, you are training your body’s motor to perform. Once the brain accepts these movements you are in business.

ECKA’S TIP

Many players will think about the opposition and their history or recent form. The most important aspect of being in control is being confident and fully aware of your own game. It is more likely you will succeed in the game by playing to your strengths and controlling the various aspects of your game to improve on the match.

UPCOMING COURSES

• Urangan Bowls Club, Club Coach Course 15/10/2022 & 16/10/2022 • Urangan Bowls Club, Skills and Bowling Arm Training

Course 17/10/2022 • Chermside BC Club Coach Course 29/10/2022 & 30/10/2022