DUAL MEMBERSHIP

with BQ’s Peter Williamson

Last month I attended the State Consultative Board meeting convened by Bowls Australia at Broadbeach during the Australian Open. The meeting commenced with an overview of the National Integrity Framework proposed by Sports Integrity Australia which is a process initiated by Sport Australia. The National Integrity Framework is a suite of policies which address specific threats and are designed to mitigate the threats to sport by providing a safe, fair and healthy environment for participants at all levels of sport. The main policies within the National Framework are the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy, Competition Manipulation and Wagering Policy, Member Protection Policy, Improper use of Medicine and the most important Child Safeguarding Policy. The Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) Hearing Process on Complaints, Disputes & Discipline was also discussed. There were differing comments on how it would operate at a national level, without being cumbersome in the time frame, from the start of a complaint to finalisation. Particularly, by whom and how it is decided whether a complaint is handled at what level through to Australian Disputes review. The Women in Bowls working party paper was discussed, which included a workshop facilitated by Sports Business Partners (SBP) who will put all ideas into a report. A discussion and workshop on National Governance with a report to follow was put together by SBP.

Peter Williamson

In 2013 John Dawson, who was the Bowls Queensland Umpire Committee Coordinator at the time, wrote an important article for the Queensland Bowler magazine regarding the “Pros and Cons of Dual Membership”. This article has been edited slightly to align with the current day situation. It remains important for all clubs, districts and dual members to be aware of of this information.

The Pros and Cons of Dual Membership

Having a number of players being members of more than one club can be a lifesaver for some country clubs. In fact, without multiple memberships many Queensland clubs would simply cease to exist. There is also the obvious advantage for the really keen bowler in that they can compete in numerous championships. However, apart from the cost of belonging to more than one club, there is another price to pay! A dual member can only represent the club in the District Champion of Club Champions that they had declared for. If you are a member of more than one club in Queensland, you must declare to the appropriate district which club you will represent in the event that you succeed in winning a club championship. This declaration must be made before the start of that competition. The State Conditions of Play for Champion of Club Champions stipulate that no member can represent more than one club in a bowling year. The penalty is that if a dual member represents a club at the District Champion of Club Champions other than the club for which they declared, they and the club will be disqualified from all disciplines. This disqualification applies to the club in all events, singles, pairs and fours, even if that player only competed in one discipline.

To explain the situation more clearly, let’s say that I am a member of two clubs, Club A in District C and Club B in District D.

I declare for Club B and play in the singles championship losing in the first round. I also play in the fours championship at my other club, Club A, with more success and my team goes on to win. Club A, along with all other clubs in the district, enters teams into the District Champion of Club Champions in all disciplines, with me included in the fours. As I had already declared for Club B, my inclusion in the Club A team at these championships was illegal and the club would be disqualified in all three disciplines, leaving them no representation at all in the Champion of Club Champions.

Could Club A have excluded me from the district event and played a substitute instead?

Sadly no! While eligible substitutes are allowed in the competition, a substitute is a proxy for a player, so it would be as though I was still playing in that team.

Here’s another scenario, remembering that I had declared for Club B.

Suppose that after entering the fours Club Championship at Club A, I play one bowl in the first end of the first round. I then realise that if my team were to win the Club Championship they could not, with me as a member, go on to play in the district Champion of Club Champions. Too late…I had become a constituted member of that team and, as at that stage it is not possible to have a replacement player, the only option would be to have a substitute for me. If that team then went on to win the club championship it would still have me included as part of that team, even though I had not contributed to the win. This means that Club A should not enter a team in the fours in the Champion of Club Champions. As this club had not entered a defaulting team this would not stop them participating in these championships in the other disciplines, singles and pairs. Sounds complicated? Not really, dual members can play club championships at as many clubs as they are a member, but before the championship commences the dual member must have declared for just one club and that is the only one they can represent at district or State level for that bowling year. If I had omitted to declare for a club then the first club that I played for in any club championship in that bowling year becomes my declared club in all disciplines. I could not, for example, declare for singles at Club B and the fours at Club A. Some clubs, in an effort to make sure they are not left without representation at the Champion of Club Champions, have made it a condition of membership that you can only play in their club championships if you are declared for their club. If dual membership is for you, then make sure that you are aware of the limitations both for yourself and the clubs that you intend being a member of. If you play in any championship at any other than your declared club, you are preventing that club from being represented in Champion of Club Champions in that event should your team win. Before joining more than one club you should also find out if they have any conditions regarding dual membership. Declaration forms are available from your district.

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QLD Multi Disability Championships

This event will be held at Souths Suburban and Mackay City Clubs from July 19-22, 2021. The number of entries has been good for the four disability groups: Sporting Wheelies, Deaf, Blind and Lifestream. Thank you to Mackay Regional Council and Souths Leagues Club for their support of this event. This event will be live streamed on Bowls QLD Facebook and website. Well done to our QLD Blind Bowlers who won medals at their recent National Championships.

QLD vs NSW Test Series

Congratulations to all selected in the Open, U25 and new 40-59 men’s and women’s Queensland teams to take on NSW at Taren Point (Sydney) on July 28-29. This three-test series will be live streamed by Bowls NSW.

QLD vs NSW U18 Test Series

Thank you to Chermside Bowls Club who will host and sponsor our annual Under-18 QLD vs NSW Test Series. Eight players of each gender will contest this series for each State on August 7-8. Five tests will be played over the two days in singles, pairs, triples and fours disciplines. This event will be live streamed on Bowls QLD Facebook and website.

Australian Indoor Singles QLD Qualifying

Men’s qualifying was held on June 26-27, the women’s event will be held on July 11 at Tweed Heads and Paradise Point Bowls Clubs.

Congratulations to the following players who made it through and will play in the Australian Indoor Championships in August: Chris Le Lievre, Andrew Waddell, Trent Healey and Peter Thompson.

Australian Open

Well done to all Queenslanders who did well in the Australian Open. It was a shame many Victorians could not make the event, although it was great that it was still able to be played after being cancelled in 2020. of event at your club as part of a statewide push to entice new people to try our sport. This could be an Open Day, Barefoot Bowls Session, Bring a Friend Day, Bring a Relative, Family Fun Day, Community Day, fancy dress theme or whatever you may like to call it that would be popular in your area. Your local RBM will be happy to assist if needed. Bowls QLD will provide promotional material to assist clubs if they would like to utilise it. More information will be distributed to clubs during July. These days need all club members to get behind them by inviting their friends and family to come along, also by volunteering to assist on the day.

Dual Members

Please take the time to read the article on pages 6-7 regarding members of more than one club playing in Club Championships/Champion of Club Champion events. If you are a member of two or more clubs, please make sure you declare which club you would like to represent by completing the form supplied by your district and advise all clubs/districts involved.

Secondary Schools Cup

Thank you to the many clubs who are running school bowls sessions to get an entrant into our State Finals at Club Pine Rivers in August.

Junior Bowls

I encourage clubs who do not have any juniors or regular junior sessions to consider trying to start some. Maybe start with club members inviting family members along to try it? Do you have any members willing to run these sessions? It would be great to see some more junior events on the bowls calendar at club and district level which gives our current juniors events to enter. Our three RBMs are willing to assist in promoting junior bowls including approaching schools with initiatives like Secondary Schools Cup, Sporting Schools and Rookie Rollers etc.

Come and Try Month – October

All clubs are encouraged to support Bowls Queensland’s Come and Try Month in October by holding some form Brett Wilkie

Choice of Champions

Proudly sponsored by

Triples Bronze Medal Winners L-R: Jessica Srisamruaybai, Chloe Stewart & Claire Turley (Queensland)

One of the most prestigious events on the national bowls calendar, the 2020 Australian Championships, did not eventuate last year with the onset of the pandemic and was rescheduled for May 24-28, 2021. The new schedule was set as below:

• Triples: Monday, May 24 • Pairs: Tuesday, May 25 • Fours: Wednesday, May 26 • Mixed Pairs: Thursday, May 27 • Singles: Friday, May 28

Staged at Dandenong Club, Victoria, the Australian Championships pits the winners of every State/Territory Championships against each other, in an effort to find the sport’s best singles, pairs, triples and fours combinations in both the men and women’s events.

Seven BCiB Australian Jackaroos and prominent international and home-grown stars featured in what was to be a six-day tournament. The women representing Queensland were national player Chloe Stewart, former world champion Claire Turley, former Jackaroo Julie Keegan and New Zealand Blackjack Katelyn Inch, former Jackaroo Maria Rigby and emerging Jackaroo Cassandra Millerick. Queensland men were one-time Jackaroo Sean Baker, emerging Jackaroo Matt Lucas and Sean Ingham. Unfortunately, the Victorian Government announced a seven-day lockdown for Victoria commencing from midnight on May 27, the day of the Mixed Pairs, until June 4 after 34 active COVID cases were found in the State. Bowls Australia (BA) regretfully made the decision to halt the event immediately to enable participants and spectators to return to their home states safely. It was an unfortunate abrupt ending for the rescheduled games. However, the Triples, Pairs, Fours and part of Mixed Pairs events still took place, with some great play on show and some Queensland victories emerging.

Triples

Starting off on May 24 with the Triples events, New South Wales were to take a clean sweep, with victories for both the men and women’s teams.

The first match of the day saw the women’s trio of Kate Matthews, BCiB Jackaroos Genevieve Delves and Natasha Van Eldik overcome the Northern Territory’s Colleen Orr, Jen Sullivan and Karen Lane 25-4. Following that, our Queensland trio of Chloe Stewart, Claire Turley and Jess Srisamruaybai proved strong early, but with proceedings tied at 4-4, Matthews led the charge to help the squad to a 20-7 victory, rewarding the Queensland women with a bronze medal. Triples men’s team with Jay Dawe, Jamie Anderson and Sean Baker put up a good fight but Tasmania’s skilled play outmanoeuvred them and our Queensland men were out of the running. Meanwhile, in the men’s sectional draw, NSW’s Corey Wedlock, Gary Kelly and Brendan Aquilina commenced slowly against South Australia’s trio of Nathan Black, Sam Dietrich and Craig Mills dropping the opening seven shots of the match. The squad would storm home to take a 21-15 win before a second round bye ahead of the team’s final sectional matchup against the ACT, in which they romped home to a 32-4 win after just 16 ends. They would meet Tasmanian trio Mark Nitz, Rob McMullen and Will Coad in the gold medal match, and after one of the most titanic encounters of the day they proved too strong to win 15-10 and complete the state’s clean sweep in the first discipline of the competition. Victorian trio of Nathan Wilson, Matt Wilson and Dane McKinnon took home the bronze medal following an emphatic 27-13 win over the ACT.

2020 Australian Championships – Triples Medals Men

Gold Medal: Brendan Aquilina, Corey Wedlock and Gary Kelly (NSW) Silver Medal: Will Coad, Robert McMullen and Mark Nitz (TAS)

Bronze Medal: Matt Wilson, Dane McKinnon and Nathan Wilson (VIC)

Women

Gold Medal: Kate Matthews, Genevieve Delves and Natasha Van Eldik (NSW)

Silver Medal: Jenny Suttie, Kim Saunders and Candice Hodgetts (TAS) Bronze Medal: Jess Srisamruaybai, Claire Turley and Chloe Stewart (QLD)

Sean Baker

Jimmy Anderson with Jay Dawe in the background

Men’s Pairs Silver - Chris Le Lievre & Matt Lucas (Queensland)

Pairs

May 25 (day two) was pairs day with Victoria and NSW sharing pairs honours, emerging victorious in both men’s and women’s tournaments. Queensland weren’t far behind, claiming the men’s silver and the women’s bronze medals. In the men, one-time Australian Jackaroo Lee Schraner and teammate Brad Marron sealed the event for Victoria following some clutch deliveries in pivotal moments, to claim a well deserved gold medal defeating the QLD partnership of Chris Le Lievre and Matt Lucas. The Victorian duo endured a lengthy opening encounter against the South Australian pair of Nathan Black and Craig Mills, with both willing to drive frequently creating numerous dead ends throughout the contest. It was ultimately cut short of the scheduled 15 ends, with the Victorians prevailing 17-10. Tasmanian pair of Will Coad and Robert O’Neill were next on the agenda for the Victorians, who eased through the matchup with a 19-8 victory, placing one foot in the final. However, to reach the final they would need to overcome a strong contest against Western Australian’s Cody Packer and Matt Mitchell, who’s target was to win by five shots in order to progress to the decider. The match see-sawed with the Western Australians leading by five or more in nine of the 15 ends, and holding shots to ensure their place in the gold medal playoff with one Schraner bowl to come. Schraner drove to perfection, eliminating all but one of his opponent’s bowls to surrender the match 14-10, but progress to the final on shot differential.

In the final, Queensland’s pair of Matt Lucas and Chris Le Lievre stood their ground, but the Victorians claimed the gold with a 18-4 win, giving Queensland the silver medal. The women’s tournament began on shaky ground for championship winning pair Natasha Van Eldik and Genevieve Delves, who suffered a first up defeat to Victorian duo Carla Krizanic and Lisa Trewarne. They clawed their way back from six down to boast a 15-13 lead heading into the final end before the Victorians collected four to take the win. The New South Wales pairing followed up with a 14-9 victory over Queensland’s eventual bronze medallists Katelyn Inch and Julie Keegan, who had defeated Karen James & Ruth Moore (ACT), cementing NSW’s place in the final on shot difference, being two ahead of their northern opponents. The final was between Van Eldik and Delves and the young Tasmanian pair of Jorja Maughan and Lauren Banks, and following a titanic battle, Van Eldik and Delves broke through for the pair’s second gold medal of the week with a 15-9 victory.

Women’s Pairs Bronze - Julie Keegan & Katelyn Inch (Queensland)

Julie Keegan 2020 Australian Championships – Pairs Medals

Men

Gold Medal: Brad Marron and Lee Schraner (VIC)

Silver Medal: Chris Le Lievre and Matt Lucas (QLD)

Bronze Medal: Jeremy Henry and Aaron Teys (NSW)

Women

Gold Medal: Genevieve Delves and Natasha Van Eldik (NSW)

Silver Medal: Laura Banks and Jorja Maughan (TAS) Bronze Medal: Julie Keegan and Katelyn Inch (QLD)

Winners Women’s Fours Gold - Isabella Lawson, Leigh Fortington, Maria Rigby & Ester Regan (Queensland)

FOURS

The women’s Fours tournament commenced in the early hours of the morning on May 26. It was the Queensland foursome of Isabella Lawson, Leigh Fortington, Maria Rigby and Ester Regan who edged out Tasmania by shot differential after the five sectional rounds. They commenced the day with a 20-12 victory over the ACT, before following up with a 21-13 win over New South Wales to apply pressure on the rest of the field. Their penultimate matchup against their closest rivals Tasmania was touted as the match of the day, and the ladies from the Apple Isle emerged with the chocolates with a score of 17-10, meaning that whoever won their final encounter with more shots would win the title.

Queensland came up against Victoria, while the Tasmanian quartet of Candice Ayten, Kim Saunders, Jessica McMullen and Mikayla Baker faced the ACT. They finished up at 10.30pm “in the freezer” according to Ester who described the cold conditions.

It was the maroon state who claimed a three shot victory and ultimately the gold, with Tasmania winning but only by two, meaning they would have to settle for a fourth silver medal of the week, while New South Wales took home bronze. In the men’s event it was Warilla’s Aaron Teys, Corey Wedlock, Brendan Aquilina and Jamie Turner who boasted an undefeated day and survived four epic encounters to claim the gold medal. The quartet’s opening match of the day was against Queensland’s eventual bronze medallists John Newell, Jade Groenewege, Sean Ingham and Sean Baker, who they overcame with an 18-15 victory, commencing their campaign in scintillating fashion. The tight finishes would continue, as Teys did what he does best and delivered in the big moment against Victoria, sealing a 12-11 win with the final bowl of the match, sending his trio of teammates into raptures. The climactic finishes were not done, with the champions being pushed to a 12-12 draw against South Australia, but it was enough to seal their spot in the decider, with Western Australia waiting. Following a tight tussle, New South Wales managed to break out to a 13-7 lead with two ends to play before skip Daniel Trewhella produced arguably the bowl of the tournament. Needing to collect a large sum, Trewhella conjured up a delivery that would knock away the only opposition bowl within the vicinity of the jack, with his staying in the count to score a whopping five to bring them to within one shot going into the final end.

Men’s Fours Bronze - John Newell, Jade Groenewege, Sean Ingham & Sean Baker (Queensland)

The champions would claim that tense end by one shot to emerge victorious 14-12 and claim the state’s fourth gold medal of the week.

MIXED PAIRS & singles

Unfortunately, the mixed pairs and singles matches did not go ahead as planned due to the abrupt cancelling of the Australian Championships due to a sudden lockdown in Victoria.

BA would like to thank participants and spectators for their understanding. Article source and images: Bowls Australia

2020 Australian Championships – Fours Medals Men

Gold Medal: Aaron Teys, Corey Wedlock, Brendan Aquilina and Jamie Turner (NSW) Silver Medal: Mark Simpson, Daniel Trewhella, Tom Mitchell and Peter Ker (WA)

Bronze Medal: John Newell, Jade Groenewege, Sean Baker and Sean Ingham (QLD)

Women

Gold Medal: Isabella Lawson, Leigh Fortington, Maria Rigby and Ester Regan (QLD) Silver Medal: Candice Ayten, Kim Saunders, Jessica McMullen and Mikayla Baker (TAS) Bronze Medal: Maelene Reynolds, Angela Platt, Shirley De La Harpe and Debbie Howard (NSW)

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

2021 Australian Open women’s pairs champions - Kelsey Cottrell & Lynsey Clarke 2021 Australian Open Over 60s women’s pairs champions Sue Brady & Maree Gibbs

2021 Australian Open Over 60s men’s pairs champions Max Jaffray and Neville Jenkins 2021 Australian Open women’s fours champions - Sam Ferguson, Kelsey Cottrell, Lynsey Clarke & Anne Johns

Having been crossed off the calendar in 2020, the world’s largest open bowls tournament, the $250,000 Australian Open (AO), was back on the Gold Coast on June 12-25, 2021, with events staged across 13 Gold Coast clubs. This tournament had been secured from 2019 for a five-year tenure to 2024 to stay on the Gold Coast as part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games legacy. Unfortunately, current COVID-19 restrictions put a stop to the 300+ international players who journeyed from overseas to compete in 2019. The number of bowlers across Australia was also compromised by the Victorian lockdown restrictions in place, leading to a withdrawal of around 350 Victorians and necessitating redraws. However, the show would go on with around 2,000 entrants across 14 disciplines ready to vie for glory.

Women’s Singles

A total of 13 Queenslanders were through from the knockout rounds to fight on for the prestigious women’s singles cup. Day 13 would put Australian Jackaroo Natasha Van Eldik (NSW) into the bowls history book when she became the first woman to win three Australian Open women’s singles titles as well as the first to go backto-back after her final win of 21-12 over pairs teammate Jamie-Lee Worsnop. Natasha had secured her place in the finals when she won 21-5 in the semi-finals over Amanda Haevecker. Jamie-Lee secured her place in the finals when she dashed the dreams of Queensland’s Kelsey Cottrell by a 21-17 win in a thrilling semi-final, which saw Worsnop trail 12-16 late in the match, before scoring nine shots in the last four ends to secure her win and deny Kelsey her second singles title.

Men’s Singles

The men’s singles finals would be a face-off between two Commonwealth Games Singles gold medallists: Aaron Wilson and Queensland’s Wayne Turley. Wilson overcame three-time AO singles champion Aron Sherriff in the semis, while Turley showed current Australian Jackaroo Barrie Lester that he was still a force to be reckoned with.

Close at the beginning, Wilson moved up and away from Turley and is now an Australian Open champion for the second time following a sensational 21-13 win in the gold medal match.

2021 Australian Open multi-disability open pairs champions - Tony & Serena Bonnell 2021 Australian Open men’s singles runner-up - Wayne Turley

2021 Australian Open multi-disability men’s singles runner-up - Damien Delgado 2021 Australian Open men’s fours runners-up Jamie Anderson, Brad Lawson, John Green (NSW) & Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick

Over 60s women’s pairs

It was a Queensland vs. Queensland affair in the women’s over 60s final when Maree Gibbs and Sue Brady claimed the 2021 crown over reining champions Jude Waites & Jane Bush in a 17-15 tight finish.

Over 60s men’s pairs

It was a maroons against blues over 60s men’s pairs final after Queenland’s Max Jaffray and Neville Jenkins and NSW’s Phil Means and Jack Littlewood had wins in the semis. The Queensland duo claimed the golden honours defeating the New South Welshmen 21-12.

Multi-disability Finals

Josh Thornton claimed his first multi-disability men’s singles gold since 2015, coming from behind to defeat talented Queenslander Damien Delgado 21-17, who had progressed from his knockout round 21-13. The women’s final saw Kim Saunders edge out Queensland’s Serena Bonnell. However, Serena teamed up with her husband Tony Bonnell to win the open pairs title. Tony and Serena Bonnell def Bruce Wakefield and Graeme Skellern 15-9.

Under 18 singles

Queensland’s Chloe Runge and Kate Argent-Bowden met in the finals, having won their semis by seven and two shots respectively. Young South Australian star Kate Argent-Bowden produced a magnificent display to defeat Chloe Runge 21-9 after 19 ends. The boy’s semi-finals were a closer event, with Joseph Clarke and Bailey Meti going into the finals with a one and two shot win respectively. Coffs Harbour’s Clarke claimed honours over Meti 21-15 following a 27-end marathon.

WOMEN’S Pairs

Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic took on 2013 conquerors Lynsey Clarke and Kelsey Cottrell in the women’s pairs finals. Ryan and Krstic had proved too good for Queensland’s Ester Regan and Carmen Anderson in the semis and knocked out maroon women Dee-Anne Robertson and Bolivia Millerick in a close 15-14 quarterfinals game. Clarke and Cottrell edged out singles finalists

2021 Australian Open multidisability women’s singles runner-up - Serena Bonnell 2021 Australian Open men’s pairs runners-up - Gary Pearson & Cohen Litfin 2021 Australian Open under 18 girls’ singles runner-up - Chloe Runge

Natasha Van Eldik and Jamie-Lee Worsnop by one shot to secure their finals position. In the finals, Jackaroo duo Clarke and Cottrell claimed their second gold medal for the tournament following a monumental win over Ryan and Krstic 17-10.

MEN’S PAIRS

The men’s pairs final, which saw Matt Johnstone (NSW) and Cody Packer (WA) pitted against Queensland’s Gary Pearson and Cohen Litfin, was a match to be remembered, with the Johnstone/Packer duo just edging ahead 22-20 earning Queensland the silver medal. Earlier, Pearson and Litfin won 19-15 over fellow Queenslanders Matt Lucas and Kevin Anderson in a seesawing semi-final. They met WA Cody Packer and Matt Johnstone who overcame Queensland’s Nick Cahill and John Green.

Women’s Fours

Queensland’s Kelsey Cottrell’s Awesome Foursome continued their fours domination by claiming the 2021 title in a thrilling 12-9 final at Broadbeach on the penultimate day of the Open. In their semi-final game, they had proved their class against SA team skippered by Sharon Cavanagh 22-6. In the finals, Cottrell skipped Sam Ferguson, Anne Johns and Lynsey Clarke against Jamie-Lee Worsnop, Brianna Smith, Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic. In a nail-biting contest, Cottrell’s side was able to edge ahead to lead by four on the final end. Krstic had a longshot look at levelling the game with her last bowl, but missed and fell short.

The title went to Cottrell, Johns and Clarke’s third fours crown, with Ferguson picking up her first, having subbed in for Rebecca Van Asch.

Images thanks to Bowls Australia

Men’s Fours

The men’s fours final was rather more one-sided, with David Ferguson skipping Ray Pearse, Aaron Hewson (QLD) and Ben Twist to an 18-3 victory over the 2019 men’s fours winning combination of three Queenslanders and a New South Welshman Brad Lawson, John Green (NSW), Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick and Jamie Anderson.

2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPIONS

Men’s Singles: Aaron Wilson Women’s Singles: Natasha Van Eldik Men’s Pairs: Matt Johnstone & Cody Packer

Women’s Pairs: Lynsey Clarke & Kelsey Cottrell

Men’s Fours: Ray Pearse, Aaron Hewson, Ben Twist & David Ferguson

Women’s Fours: Sam Ferguson, Anne Johns, Lynsey Clarke & Kelsey Cottrell Over 60s Men’s Pairs: Max Jaffray & Neville Jenkins

Over 60s Women’s Pairs: Maree Gibbs & Sue Brady

Under 18 Boys’ Singles: Joseph Clarke Under 18 Girls’ Singles: Kate Argent-Bowden Multi-Disability Men’s Singles: Josh Thornton Multi-Disability Women’s Singles: Kim Saunders

Multi-Disability Open Pairs: Serena & Anthony Bonnell

Vision Impaired Singles: Fred McConnell

How to ensure compliance with new minimum wage and superannuation obligations

If you’ve not done so already, there has never been a more important time for your Bowls Club or business to review your employment arrangements, with increases to the minimum wage and minimum mandatory employer superannuation contributions both coming into effect.

Minimum wage increase

On 16 June, the Fair Work Commission ordered a 2.5% increase in the minimum wage. The effect is that: • Hourly rates for the lowest-paid part time workers in Australia will rise by $0.49, up to $20.33 per hour. • The new full time minimum wage for a 38-hour work week will rise by $18.80 to $772.60 per week.

For many industries, this change will take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2021. However, there are some exceptions for industries that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Hospitality Industry. Accordingly, workers covered by the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award will not be entitled to the wage increase until the first full pay period on or after 1 September 2021.

Superannuation Guarantee increase

From 1 July 2021, minimum employer superannuation contributions known as the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) are also due to increase from 9.5% to 10%. This change will affect all employers across all industries from 1 July.

It is important to remember that the minimum SG contributions are calculated based on an employee’s Ordinary Time Earnings (OTE), which is the amount you pay to your staff for their ordinary hours of work including things like commissions and shift loadings. Accordingly, it is important to carefully consider whether payments beyond an employee’s basic salary or wages, such as termination payments, bonuses, or allowances, may constitute OTE and therefore require the employer to make additional contributions under the SG.

Considerations for Employers

With the changes to the minimum wage and SG, now is the ideal time for Bowls Clubs and other employers to review your employment contracts and any relevant Industry Awards or Enterprise Agreements to ensure compliance with your current obligations. As part of this process, you should: 1. Check whether your Club or your employees may be covered by an

Industry Award, and if so, confirm the classification which applies to relevant staff members under the Award, the hourly rates which apply to that classification, etc. The

Award most likely to be relevant to Bowls Clubs is the Registered and Licensed Clubs Award, although other Awards such as the Hospitality Industry (General)

Award or the Miscellaneous Award may be relevant in some situations. 2. Review the terms of any written employment contracts. In some cases, if the employment contract states that the employee’s remuneration includes superannuation, then you may be able to redistribute their overall package by decreasing their take home salary and increasing their superannuation contribution, whilst still paying the same amount in total to the employee.

This may be an option for clubs to explore if they are struggling financially to pay the increased superannuation contribution, but obviously it would risk upsetting staff whose take home salary would be reduced. Clubs looking to explore this option would also need to ensure that they comply with any relevant Award. 3. If your Club employs any staff members on sponsored employment visas, you should check with your migration advisor to ensure that you comply with any special requirements. For further information on this, have a look at our recent article on the Mullins website, written by

Migration expert, Corina Chen.

Last words

We understand how taxing it can be to navigate legislation and awards that continue to shift and change – particularly when your employees are asking questions about how these changes will affect their pay check. If you have any questions, or if you want a better understanding of what these increases mean for your club and your employees, please give me a call at 07 3224 0353.

If you require any guidance or advice, please contact Matthew Bradford at 07 3224 0353.

QLD TEAMS FOR UPCOMING TEST SERIES AGAINST NSW ANNOUNCED!

Bowls Queensland selectors have announced new Queensland teams to play NSW at the Taren Point Bowling Club in Sydney on Wednesday and Thursday, July 28-29. These teams include Open Men and Women, Under 25 Men and Women and the new 40-59 age group in men and women.

The last time the open teams played was in the Australian Sides Championships at Ettalong NSW in April 2019 after all QLD Interstate Series were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. For the Under 25 Team, their last series was in February 2019 at Tweed Heads. This is the first ever series for 40-59 age group after last year’s planned inaugural event was cancelled.

Players will be looking to impress selectors to gain a spot in the open teams to contest the Australian Sides Championships at Broadbeach from October, 7-10. Congratulations to all players selected, well done.

Selected Teams:

Open – Women

• Pamela Rowe, Julie Keegan, Kelsey Cottrell,

Lynsey Clarke (sk) • Natasha Jones, Dee-Anne Robertson,

Cassandra Millerick, Bolivia Millerick (sk) • Jessica Srisamruaybai, Emma Spicer, Claire

Turley, Chloe Stewart (sk)

Open – Men

• Nick Cahill, Bradley Lawson, Matthew Lucas,

Aron Sherriff (sk) • Jay Dawe, Jacob Nelson, Sean Ingham, Sean

Baker (sk) • Chris Rosanes, Jamie Anderson, Steven Tong,

Brett Wilkie (sk)

Under 25 – Women

• Shervawn Wilson, April Wilson, Aymee Bellert,

Jacinta Weier (sk) • Lexie Foot, Julia Allen-Best, Jessie Cottell,

Isabella Lawson (sk)

Under 25 – Men

• Jesse Turnbull, John Hammond, Tyler Pettigrew,

Nic Gosley (sk) • Mitchell Mears, Zac Adams, Dale McWhinney-

Shillington, Justin Cribbin (sk)

40-59 – Women

• Liza Burgess, Brenda Balchin, Yvonne Lovelock,

Maria Rigby (sk) • Frances Craig, Noelene Dutton, Tracy Foster,

Wendy Wilson (sk)

40-59 – Men

• John Newell, Paul Gilbert, Ben Walsh, Wayne

Turley (sk) • Mark Edwards, Mark Armstrong, Gary Pearson,

Tim Smith (sk)

A special congratulations to the débutantes for this event. Kelsey Cottrell is back in QLD after playing for NSW; Chris Rosanes, Nick Cahill and Bradley Lawson make their open team debut; John Hammond, Zac Adams, Justin Cribbin and Alexis Foot are new to the Under 25 QLD team. Liza Burgess, Brenda Balchin, Frances Craig, Tim Smith, John Newell, Paul Gilbert, Ben Walsh, Mark Edwards, Mark Armstrong and Gary Pearson are new to the 40-59 team; Wayne Turley will make his QLD debut in the 40-59’s after playing many games for NSW. Thank you to Chermside Bowls Club who will host and sponsor our annual Under 18 QLD vs. NSW Test Series. Eight players of each gender will contest the series on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August. Five tests will be played over the two days in singles, pairs, triples and fours disciplines.

QBBA LIFE MEMBERSHIP

By Liz Blake

At the recent AGM, we surprised our games director, Beatrice Kassulke, with Life Membership of QBBA (Queensland Blind Bowlers Association).

Beatrice (pictured front centre) has been involved with QBBA for more than 10 years. She has also been involved with State and National Championships. A well deserved award.

We would love to have more members - so if interested contact Secretary Liz Blake at qldblindbowlers@gmail.com

L-R: Marion Morrison, Wayne McDonald (President), Beatrice Kassulke (Games Director), Narelle Young (Treasurer) & Jenny Skinner (VP)

By Lesley Bates and Neil Grummitt

The 60th birthday of this welcoming club was celebrated in May with previous dignitaries and presidents being welcomed by the proactive current president Neil Grummitt. Neil and the club welcomed foundation members Matt O’Neill, Mick Wesche and Harold Nicholson, as well as past presidents Matt O’Neill (life member), Joe Muscat (life member), Mike Wood, Bob Kinnane, Darren Addie, Arthur Grace and David Woodland.

The green’s eight rinks were overflowing with bowlers from the Mackay District all joining in to wish the club many more years of success. All glasses were charged with the compliments of Pioneer Valley and an extremely boisterous rendition of “The Flowing Bowl” was led by Arthur Grace followed by the club chant of “Everywhere We Go” accompanied by loud feet stomping. It was a fabulous experience and the club will follow up with their annual open fours weekend carnival, called the “Pot of Gold”, on November 27-28, 2021.

Set in a picturesque and quiet rural area an hour’s drive from Mackay, the club has tennis courts, one green, games/pool/ kids’ activity area, bar and function room and is the social and sporting hub of this friendly community. The club is heavily involved in introducing and encouraging primary and secondary school bowling activities, and with the children of members, the future of Pioneer Valley is very bright.

ThuRsday Island Bowls Club - A True Community Hub!

Positioned on the foreshore of Torres Strait, Thursday Island Bowls Club is always moving forward and keeping the community spirit alive. The club renewed its bowling surface around a year ago and the Community Gambling Grant has recently provided a new playground.

From June, 7 the club opened its doors for a fortnight to Queensland Health as the island’s Pfizer vaccination centre. Everyone aged 16 years and over had the opportunity to receive the jab to help protect the local population. While this wonderful club located in a tropical paradise is not the easiest to access, members will welcome you with open arms so be sure to place our most northern Australian club on your bucket list to visit.

Thursday Islanders & Queensland Health staff Back L-R: Sophie, Rose, Karen, Lisa, Sharnie, Heather, Dominic, Marsat,Leila & Tiffany Front- President Russell Hubbard

Presidents Dennis Agnew & Joclynn Stebbings

Promoting bowls at retirement villages

By Lesley Bates

Lesley Wade Micheal

Another facet to our position as Regional Bowls Managers is that Wade, Micheal and I visit retirement lifestyle villages with bowling greens on their premises. This relationship is to encourage new bowlers to visit our bowls clubs, proposing that residents go further with their bowls and compete in outside competitions.

Oak Trees at Rasmussen is one such community. Manager Veronica Hollands has cemented this relationship by becoming a major sponsor for the North Queensland District Ladies Northern Challenge (previously called the 5D Shield). NQDLBA president Gwen Thomas was delighted with this result of sponsorship after meeting with Veronica. Teams from Tropical Far North, Mackay and North Queensland will compete in Townsville from July 13-15. Veronica has also embraced Bowls Australia’s Roll Back the Clock program, which will be held in their community area and will be purchasing a Rookie Rollers Kit for children who visit their relatives.

My own club, Alligator Creek, has a relationship with Carlisle Gardens Retirement Lifestyle Village and we have a yearly competition. They also sponsor Thuringowa Bowls Club and the club has several members who enjoy the lifestyle that the village offers.

Recently, Oak Trees hosted an open day with food vans, bowling, Rookie Rollers, a rock and roll band, people dressed in 50/60s style costumes, skating, dancing, tours of the complex and a live broadcast where I had a five-minute segment on what is happening in the bowls community. Radio FM103.9 support Suburban, South Townsville, Jubilee and Ingham Bowls Clubs with their community radio announcements. I encourage clubs to visit these communities and to welcome the residents into our clubs. The benefits of these friendships are multi- fold.

Lesley Bates, Veronica Hollands (Manager Oak Trees) & D.J. Tee Johnson of FM103.9

Rookie Rollers on a roll

By Lesley Bates

At the Regional Bowls Conference in 2019, it was decided that the Bowls Australia Sporting Schools program of Junior Jack Attack be revamped and rebranded to stop confusion with our Jack Attack Program aimed at community and corporate bowlers. We decided that “Rookie Rollers” would appeal to the audience we are accommodating which is primary school level.

Extra equipment was designed and existing apparatus refined. New games were introduced, with our media and marketing department producing freshly designed cards for the easy teaching of the games and new folders, promotional material and a sample of rubber bowls for the Regional Managers. We take our program information when we visit schools and encourage the Physical Education teacher to apply for the Federal Government funded Sporting Schools Program which gives the schools the capacity to buy the Rookie Roller’s kits and coaching.

I have visited and have 186 schools on my register. The RBMs are also pushing to have knowledge of the program introduced into the National Coaching Course so more people are

Back- Graeme Murdoch (Thuringowa BC), Lesley and Mrs. Lund Principal of Mt. Fox Front- Kayla and Arlie

aware of its existence. I am so lucky to have the support of accredited coaches as well as club members who have done a simple course and this takes the onus off of overtaxed teachers as well as myself. There is payment for the coaching and the time is recognised for the coaches’ reaccreditation. It can be paid to the coach, their club or their district. Graeme Murdock is one such helper and we had a wonderful visit to Mount Fox State School. It is a two student school and the Principal, Jenni Lund had been given an information kit by fellow Principal and Macknade bowler Michael Blake at a recent conference in Townsville. Sisters Kayla and Arlie were delighted with the visit and wish to join the sessions when Macknade State School apply for the program in term three.

Members regularly ask what Bowls Australia is doing to encourage the young into our sport- this is one initiative. Junior development starts at club level and a lot of my districts are getting programs off the ground. Mackay District Men purchased 12 kits for their clubs and North Queensland Men have ordered four kits, both with grant money. If you have any questions on the program, please contact your Regional Manager- we are always pleased to help with this and will visit any school that you propose to encourage.

RBM - NORTH QLD

Lesley Bates 0429 213 207 lbates@bowls.com.au RBM - CENTRAL QLD

Wade Mutzelburg 0429 442 818 wmutzelburg@bowls.com.au RBM - SOUTH EAST QLD

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

Division 1 winners Salisbury Division 1 runners-up Kallangur

175 teams compete at q7

By Max Adams

2021 was another successful year for Q7 Queensland with 175 teams competing for total prize money of $150,000. The finals this year were held at the majestic facilities of Club Musgrave over two full weekends in May, with clubs from all over the participating area represented. Several club members who had travelled long distances had to return on the second weekend as a result of their superb performance. The initial weekend was taken up entirely with quarter finals while the following Saturday consisted completely of semi-finals. Sunday morning saw the final of division 3-6 which resulted in:

Division 3

Winner Beenleigh Runner-up Broadbeach

Division 4

Winner Woodford Runner-up Tweed Heads

Division 5

Winner Tweed Heads Runner-up Beenleigh

Division 6

Winner Manly Runner-up Robina

The afternoon game saw Salisbury and Kallangur battle it out in Division 1 for the $8,000 winner’s prize. The successful club was Salisbury. 2022 will see a brand new Q7s competition, with singles and fours being replaced by 2-bowl triples and 3-bowl pairs. The traditional four bowl play will round out the three disciplines. The later start will continue, but sectional play will be reduced to eight weeks with the entire competition finishing before Easter.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WALTER AND SHARON!

Congratulations to Walter and Sharon Jacobs from Aero Bowls on their 50th wedding anniversary!

Walter and Sharon celebrated many happy years together on the Gold Coast, surrounded by friends and colleagues.