April 2013

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AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER LAWN BOWLS MAGAZINE Volume 36/7

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Volume 36/ Issue No. 7

CONTENTS 06 Blind Bowls Champs

10 Super Challenge

Australia’s blind bowlers held their first-ever training camp in preparation for the World Championships in England.

Burleigh go back-to-back in Super Challenge Gold, while Kawana storm to women’s title.

07 Trans-Tasman

12 Australian Sides

Aussies whitewash arch-rivals New Zealand at annual Trans-Tasman series in Auckland.

Qld kicks off its Australian Sides campaign in Bendigo later this month, but how will the Maroons go down south?

08 Premier League

14 Cover Story - BQ Awards

South Tweed’s Sharks snap up the silverware in Premier League finals at Pine Rivers.

Bowls Qld honours the state’s top players, clubs and volunteers from 2012 at an awards ceremony in Brisbane.

4 | queensland bowler

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From the Chair with Ron Chambers

Australian Blind Bowlers

Bowls Queensland hosted the Australian Blind Bowls Team at Wynnum Manly Bowls Club recently, for the side’s first-ever training camp in lead-up to the 2013 World Championships in the UK.

Queensland state coach Bill Cornehls and Australian blind bowls coach Graeme Clements put the players through their paces, with the help of some local bowlers, who acted as sparring partners for the national side.

It was a very successful session and will hopefully set the team up for a successful World Championships campaign.

I would like to thank Wynnum Manly Leagues Club and all the sponsors, whose generosity helped make this camp possible.

Premier League

Congratulations to the mighty South Tweed Sharks on their impressive double at the recent Premier League Finals at Club Pine Rivers.

The Sharks took out both the premier and the reserve grade titles, which is no mean feat considering the quality of the competition.

Spectators had the privilege of watching some of the state’s best bowlers in action, in what is undoubtedly one of the country’s toughest interclub tournaments.

Super Challenge

The world’s largest interclub tournament came to thrilling climax last month, with Bowls Super Challenge finals held at Tweed Heads Bowls Club.

The standard of play in both the men’s and women’s events was exceptionally high and spectators were kept on the edge of their seats as the finals unfolded.

In the gold division Burleigh Heads went back-to-back for the men’s title, while Kawana Thunderbirds grabbed the women’s gold. In silver, Rainbow Beach lifted the men’s title, while Bramble Bay captured the women’s crown. In Bronze, Pacific Paradise and Wellington Point were the men’s and women’s winners respectively. Congratulations to all teams.

Bowls Queensland AGM

Council delegates descended on Bowls Queensland headquarters in Brisbane on March 27 for the AGM. A notice of motion was presented by Caboolture District in regards to the constitution by-laws relating to the Bowls Queensland Sections. This motion fell well short of the 75 per cent support necessary to alter the constitution.

Discussion was also held on returning the men’s District Sides teams to 16 players. A recommendation was submitted to the board and this will be considered in due course.

Des O’Neill was elected Director of Finance, with Diana Wenham and Allen Bennet returned as Board directors.

Editor: Wayne Griffin Reporter: Naomi Cescotto Published by: Bowls Queensland

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Editorial: Queensland Bowler PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051 Phone: (07) 3355 9988 Fax: (07) 3855 0010 Email: news@bowls-queensland.org Advertising: Wayne Griffin Phone: (07) 3355 9988

your say Dear editor,

I was extremely pleased to see your article on the Past Presidents Association of QLD in last month’s Bowler.

At the moment I am currently president of the Darling Downs branch and we are finding it a struggle to get new members.

I put this down mainly to very busy bowls fixtures and the amount of money floating around in tournaments, maybe even the presidents are getting younger and therefore busier with other commitments.

We are trying to alter our agenda to attract new members. Our meetings are now held every two months. We meet at various bowls clubs for morning meetings, followed by lunch and bowls. We are trying to get bowlers, men and women, interested in weekends away. Anyone is invited, not just the past presidents.

It has been noticed that past presidents organisations are getting fewer every year and we are struggling to get keen interest in our association.

For further inquires I would be only too pleased for anyone to contact me. My mobile number is 0421856788.

John Croft President Past Presidents Association Darling Downs Dear editor,

Recently Queensland state coach Bill Cornehls conducted a coaching clinic at Pomona Bowls club.

I would like to thank him very much. He was very helpful and encouraging and most polite, even when we probably would have caused lesser coaches to pull their hair out.

It was a full day session, starting with a very interesting talk on mindsets and much more. Then onto the green for some drills!

All bowlers got a one-on-one coaching lesson to sort out any individual problems.

Bill also gave us a program, which we can copy and share with bowlers who missed out on going. Great stuff!

It was a great day. It was very hot, but at Pomona we have a shade-cover, which kept us reasonably cool.

I would recommend the coaching clinic to all bowlers. It was well worth going to.

Tina Camp Pomona Bowls Club Inc Fax: (07) 3855 0010 Email: advert@bowls-queensland.org Subscriptions: To subscribe, fill out the form on page 34 and post it, together with a cheque for $26.80 (inc gst) to: Queensland Bowler Subscriptions PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051.

queensland bowler | 5

Australia will send its best-prepared team ever to this year’s World Blind Bowls Championships in England, according to national blind bowlers coach Graeme Clements, all because of the never-say-die attitude of Bowls Queensland.

“This dream of Queensland’s to run a training camp for our blind bowlers’ national squad, it’s never been done before, cost wise we couldn’t do it, but we didn’t know how determined (CEO) Keith Fullerton was,” Clements said.

“What he’s done to give our blind bowlers a better chance of bringing home medals for Australia is unbelievable, amazing.”

Clements said never in the history of blind bowls had the Australian squad come together for a training camp before a world titles.

“Queensland is the best state in Australia for disability bowlers, no doubt about it, the BQ chairman (Ron Chambers) and CEO (Fullerton) support it, that makes a huge difference to the players going into a world titles to know they’ve got respect and support,” Clements said.

“Also, with access to a coach of the calibre of Queensland state coach Bill Cornehls, it’s been a great help, especially since this year’s world titles are in England and Bill has played there as an Australian rep.”

The Australian squad got together at Wynnum

Blind Faith Manly Leagues Bowls Club in Brisbane for an intensive team preparation over three days, from March 11-13, organised

by Bowls Queensland staff.

Local Wynnum bowlers volunteered to roll up against the Australian team and Cornehls told them to play to win.

“No one will go soft on them in England, they’re defending champions and everyone will be out to stop them winning back-to-back,” Cornehls said.

Australia has won four world titles since blind bowlers started to contest the Harry Atkinson Trophy, put up by a South African family in 1977.

The competition is held every four years, with Australia winning back-toback in 1985 and 1989, again in 1997, and winning the last blind world titles in Melbourne in 2009.

National coach Clements said he had a list of trophies and medals he would like the Australian squad to bring home but really, he just wanted to make sure everyone played their best.

“I reckon our chances are good in all classifications,” Clements said.

“It’ll be difficult to go back-to-back, it’s a very different playing environment in England.”

Clements said the biggest threats to Australia’s campaign would most likely come from South Africa, England and Scotland, with New Zealand tough and

Malaysia likely to field some strong younger players.

A team of eight “Aussie Stars” was selected at playoffs in Brisbane in May 2012, from a list of 32 names of possible blind bowler reps forwarded by state selectors.

Qld girls ready to take on the world

Queensland has two reps heading to this year’s World Blind Bowls Championships.

Joy Forster, 63, from Chermside Bowls Club, is defending singles champion from 2009. She will play in the B2 category with the help of director Bruce Jones from Enoggera Bowls Club.

Christine Henry, 67, from Moorooka, will be supported in the B3 singles by new director, Ruth Telfer from Corinda.

Telfer replaces much loved previous director Bev Rush from Mackay, who is unable to make the trip.

Australian Blind Bowls Association president John Vance from Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland said there are four categories of legal blindness recognised by world blind bowls and Australia would enter a man and a woman to play singles in each category, and the same reps would also play mixed pairs in their category.

Vance said he was very excited about the team’s chances overseas but concerned about covering costs.

“We’ve got a couple of grant applications pending, but if any clubs would like to hold a fund raiser for us, that would be beaut,” Vance said.

Countdown to England

National blind bowls team, front row, Sharon Dunk, Christine Henry, Maree Fenech, Joy Forster, back row, Wayne Thomson, David Goddard, Ralph Simpson, Tony Scott.

6 | queensland bowler

Fund Raiser Bowls Day OPEN FOURS Chermside Bowls Club Sunday, May 26 From 9.30am BBQ Lunch - $15 per player Come and help our Aussie Blind Bowlers get to England!

RSVP Pat Hobson 3865 2167 or Anne Barnes 3262 3027. v36/7

Photo courtesy of Bowls NZ

Aussies roll Blackjacks at home There were only four Queensland bowlers out of 30 on representative duties for Australia in last month’s TransTasman, but they made their presence felt in Auckland.

Australia’s series whitewash came down to the last few bowls and Broadbeach’s Sean Ingham played one of them.

In the development side triples, with both sides locked up, it didn’t look good for Australia when New Zealand went two-up in the final end.

“They wanted payback, no doubt, but we played well under pressure,” Armitage said.

Playing for the last time in her maiden name, Armitage, who marries bowler Brad Clarke this month, was particularly thrilled with the unbeaten record of Australia’s women’s triples team, with Natasha Van Eldik, Armitage and Karen Murphy going five out of five against New Zealand.

A last-ditch drive by Ingham put the jack in the ditch, giving Australia a one-bowl win and taking revenge for the drubbing New Zealand dished out to the Aussie development side in last year’s series.

“We’ve never lost a game of triples together, even with the different surface over there, starweed, which was squashy underfoot and ran at about 18 seconds, we quickly worked out we had to get the jump on and close the gap early,” Armitage said.

“It was particularly pleasing to beat the Kiwis on their own turf,” Wilkie said.

“I’m a slow starter and playing at that level, I worked out I needed more bowls in the head before I drive,” Jones said.

Armitage said there was always a great rivalry against New Zealand, but especially in this year’s Trans-Tasman after Australia beat them to three gold medals at the recent World Bowls Championships in Adelaide.

“Brett (Wilkie) told me how important it was to keep calm, I tend to get worked up when I’m losing, but I kept calm on the second day and won everything,” Jones said.

Queensland stars Brett Wilkie and Lynsey Armitage were pumped Australia brought home eight out of nine trophies, retaining its world number one ranking.

Bribie’s Natasha Jones, 17, on debut for Australia, had a good first day and an even better second day, learning from her mistakes.

“It was a great team effort by all to win five out of six series trophies and all three overall trophies on offer.”

Jones dropped her opener with New Zealand’s Taylor Bruce 21-15, but on day two there were no concessions as she kept a cool head to storm to victory in two matches against Bruce.

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Australia won the U-18 girls, overall, development men, women, overall and senior men, women and overall titles, losing only the U-18 boys, in the three day test series which has been running since 1979.

Wilkie said the focus for the Australian squad would now turn towards slow greens in preparation for an upcoming tour of Scotland and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

queensland bowler | 7

y z n e r F g n i d e Fe South Tweed was on a high last month after winning a rare double in the comp touted as the toughest in Australia.

The Premier League Queensland (PLQ) grand final was played at Club Pine Rivers on March 10, with both the premiership and reserve grade trophies gobbled up by the Sharks.

The host club thought they were in with a chance after a feeding frenzy at the pointy end of the season saw them devour powerhouse Club Helensvale in the preliminary final, the Pirates humbling the Hawks by 33 shots, 74-41.

The eventual premiers didn’t have such a comfortable entry into the grand final, with competition newcomer Broadbeach giving them a run for their money, before the Sharks ground out a narrow 12-shot win, 62-50.

South Tweed got their confidence back in the final though, winning three rinks to two to take the trophy and deny the mighty Pirates the final honour.

The PLQ 10-team competition boasts it is the strongest in Australia, with many present and past international, national and state players in the line-up, like Kelvin Kerkow, Steve Glasson, Brett Wilkie, Nathan Rice, Mark Casey, Anthony Fantini, Lynsey Armitage, Anthony Kiepe and Ryan Bester.

Sharks player Nigel Smith said Australian coach and former world number one Steve Glasson had proved to be a star recruit for South Tweed, defeating Pirates’ star Michael Brown in the grand final by nine shots, 24-15.

8 | queensland bowler

“Apart from his vast talents, Glasson is inspirational, he develops a brilliant relationship with his rink so they’re all at ease and able to play the tough shots,” Smith said.

“Glasson’s lead Hec Beswick was a rock in a critical position, not only in the finals series but all season, second Phil Brandon was a terrific support by constantly having bowls in the head and new recruit and third, Shannon Gittoes, had a great array of shots.”

Glasson’s rink also had a good win in the preliminary final against Broadbeach, defeating Sam White by 10 shots, 23-13.

Sharks’ giant slayer Neville Jenkins also had a happy grand final, defeating 2013 PLQ Skip of the Year Robbie Wild by eight shots, 19-11.

Whenever the Pirates held shot throughout the match, the Sharks would either take shot or get a close second.

They kept shutting down the free flowing play Wild thrives on.

This rink also had a great victory in the preliminary final, defeating Mark Casey’s all-conquering Broadbeach rink, 21-16.

This was a crucial win that helped the Sharks into the Grand Final, given Casey had claimed the scalp of Wynnum Manly Leagues skip Trevor Broadbent by 22 shots, 32-10, in the elimination final.

In the final rink, Sharks star Kelvin Kerkow went down by two shots, 20-22, during an enthralling clash with Pine Rivers star recruit Kurt Brown.

Brown led for most of the game but was unable to get a clear margin.

In the overall context of the match, this was critical for the Sharks as the other two rinks were nearly always in front.

“It’s ironic that Pine Rivers smashed the Sharks in round one, by 50-shot margins and all rinks losing, and then the Sharks never lost again for the season, nor in the grand final against Pine Rivers, a remarkable turnaround,” Smith said.

In the elimination finals on March 9, third placed Helensvale played Capalaba and won in a tight match 58-51, while Broadbeach was convincing over Wynnum Manly Leagues, 72-43.

In Reserve grade, the Sharks beat Capalaba in the grand final by 44 shots, 99-55, making it a rare PLQ double celebration for South Tweed.

Sharks Reserves finished the season in third place but had no trouble in the elimination final on March 9 against Ferny Grove Fire, burning them up by 43 shots for a 106-63 entry into the Reserves grand final.

All agreed Club Pine Rivers hosted a magnificent final series in their double under cover green complex.

AeroBowls Premier League Queensland’s major sponsors are AeroBowls, Club Pine Rivers, BCIB, Fresh Start and Wynnum Manly Leagues Club.

Pictured above: George Fraser (Manager), Rod Heaton, Geoff Hawken, Kelvin Kerkow, Neville Jenkins, Peter Richards, Phil Brandon, Brendan Hoey, Dean McWhinney, Steve Glasson, Nigel Smith, Shannon Gittoes, Hec Beswick. v36/7

Sensational end to Super Challenge season The world’s largest inter-club competition came to a thrilling climax last month, with star-studded teams from across Queensland battling it out at the 2013 Bowls Super Challenge finals.

After 10 weeks of intense competition the top sides clashed at Tweed Head Bowls Club on March 23-24 for a share of the $350,000 prize purse.

In the men’s Gold division, Burleigh Heads racked up impressive back-to-back titles, with a thrilling win over the Booval Swifts.

Burleigh rolled Swifts in the singles and pairs, taking the match three rinks to two, but it was a close call, with just one shot separating the sides.

Dean Smith kicked off Burleigh’s campaign with a 31-26 win in the singles.

However, the pendulum seemed to swing Swifts way, with the Ipswich side taking out the triples (27-17) and fours (25-23).

With their title defence on the line, Burleigh turned up the heat on the two pairs rinks.

Graeme Shillington and Andrew Waddell levelled the score for Burleigh with a massive 29-9 win.

That’s when things got exciting…!

Ian Law and Gary Pearson were matching their Swifts rivals shot for shot, with the sides locked at 17-all heading into the final end.

With the pressure mounting, Law drew shot with his final bowl, leaving Swift’s Greg Tate with only one option, to drive, as Pearson tried to consolidate at the head.

But Tate’s radar was off, with both drives missing the mark and Burleigh took the match, 18-17, for their second consecutive Super Challenge Gold.

“It’s a great achievement to win two in a row, with the club being in the last three Gold finals,” Law said.

“It shows Burleigh’s strength, we’re getting stronger every year and we’re going for the hat-trick in 2014!”

The Silver title went to Rainbow Beach, who defeated Brisbane club, Darra Cementco, in the final.

Meanwhile, Pacific Paradise took out the men’s Bronze title, defeating Gold Coast club Robina in the final.

In the women’s event it came as little surprise when Kawana Thunderbirds lifted the Gold division trophy at Tweed Heads.

The Sunny Coast girls had dominated the comp throughout the season and were top of the ladder heading into the finals.

Boasting an all-star line-up that included former Aussie rep Julie Keegan and past

state players Emma Brown, Jane Bush and Linda Morish, the Thunderbirds were hot favourites in their title clash with Caloundra, despite Caloundra’s victory over Kawana earlier in the season.

Keegan, no newcomer to the Super Challenge finals having clocked up five Gold titles in the last six years, paid tribute to the strength of Sunshine Coast clubs.

“It was a good game, the fours led most of the way, with the triples seesawing,” she said.

“It was great to have two Sunshine Coast teams in the final, it really shows the strength of the district.”

Keegan’s four of Noelene Dutton, Emma Brown and Linda Morish defeated their Caloundra rivals 20-11, while Jane Bush’s triples side of Willa Permpoon and Carol Williams won 23-15, giving the Thunder a 2-0 win on the big day.

Bramble Bay picked up the women’s Silver title with a two-rink win over Mooloolaba in the final, while Wellington Point overcame Musgrave Hill 2-0 for the Bronze title.

BURLEIGH HEADS: (Back row) Ron Haigh, Steven Coffey, Max Pattison, Graham Absalom, Andrew Waddell, Graeme Shillington, Bob Marin, (Front row) Shane O’Toole, Jeff Heape, Don Brown, Ian Law, Bob Hynes, Dean Smith, Gary Pearson.

Kawana Thunderbirds: (Back row) Willa Permpoon, Carol Williams, Barbara Fields, Linda Morish, Noelene Dutton, (Front row) Jane Bush, Julie Keegan, Wendy Fitzgerald, Kenny Fitzgerald, Emma Brown, Noela Whitton.

10 | queensland bowler

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The date has been set and the countdown is on!

The first-ever playoff between Queensland’s male and female state singles champions will take place on day six of the 10-day State Championships on the Sunshine Coast next month.

Big guns ready for bowling battle of the sexes

The venue will be Tewantin Noosa Bowls Club and the playoff will follow the women’s singles final.

The men’s singles challenger will be decided earlier in the week, on Wednesday May 18.

It’s an exciting field of contenders vying for the right to be named Queensland’s singles champion and take their place in the first-ever Battle of the Sexes playoff for a Cook Islands holiday.

Almost 100 women and 130 men have thrown their hats in the ring, with plenty of Queensland and Australian players in the mix.

Defending champions Jenny Blundell from Everton Park and Jamie Smith from WynnumManly Leagues have signed up again, alongside Club Helensvale stars, Brett Wilkie and two-time champion Nathan Rice, who took out Queensland’s singles crown in 2009 and 2011.

Aussie captain Lynsey Armitage has given the Queensland State Championships a miss this year, in favour of a honeymoon in America with her new husband Brad Clarke.

In the women’s comp, big names returning in 2013 include Mareeba’s Sue Brady, Queensland reps Christina Pavlov and Pam Rowe and lots of up and coming youngsters, including Trans-Tasman star Natasha Jones, Queensland Under-25 squad twins Bolivia and Cassandra Millerick and Emma Brown (nee Spicer), now playing for Kawana after a move down south from Marlin Coast.

The 2013 Cook Islands Challenge will take place at Tewantin Noosa Bowls Club on Saturday, May 18.

Come along and witness a piece of Queensland bowling history in the making.

Who will win this bowling battle of the sexes and claim the amazing $6000 holiday for two to the idyllic Cook Islands? v36/7

queensland bowler | 11

Quietly Confident Queensland ready for success in Bendigo

Lucky Charm

Some new faces and combinations will have a chance to shine at the Australian Sides Championships in Victoria later this month.

Helenvale bowler Pam Rowe reckons the Queensland selectors have done the right thing, choosing her to play Australian Sides this year.

In his sixth campaign as Queensland coach, Aussie great Bill Cornehls says he won’t be drawn into comparisons with previous teams because every side deserves a chance to create its own history.

“The selectors don’t just choose good players, they pick players into positions to give what they believe is the best overall combination for the state,” Cornehls said.

“It’s all about the team, the power of one.”

Cornehls said the Queensland men’s team to contest the national title in Bendigo boasts lots of experience.

“They’re all great players, the trick is to get all 12 playing to the best of their ability at the same time,” Cornehls said.

“On the law of averages, this doesn’t happen often, so it’s my job to keep them hanging in there, grinding away to get more points on the scoreboard.”

Cornehls wouldn’t reveal his strategy for success in Bendigo.

However, he did say he’s excited and interested to see how Queensland’s campaign unfolds, especially with two big names missing from this year’s side.

Former Queensland ace Mark Casey will take the green for arch-rivals, New South Wales, at this year’s championships, while Brett Wilkie is unavailable due to family commitments.

“One door closes, another one opens, everyone has a chance to shine,” Cornehls said.

“It’s my job to keep them honest, watch for any undesirable elements creeping into their game and remind them of the basics.”

In-form Gold Coast teen Sean Ingham will play second in his debut appearance at senior level, while 2012 Club Player of the Year, Dean McWhinney, will play lead in his second consecutive selection.

12 | queensland bowler

They join old hands like Australian selector Kelvin Kerkow, Premier League Skip of the Year Robert Wild, Nathan Rice, Sean Baker, Anthony Kiepe and others.

The men play for the prestigious Alley Shield, first held in 1959 and won by Queensland.

Queensland has been on a roll since 2008, winning four of the past five titles.

Meanwhile the women’s team for 2013 Australian Sides is in a rebuilding phase, Cornehls said.

“We’ve got quite a few new faces, a new mix, and again, Queensland assistant coach Betty Andrewartha and I will be looking at the big picture, how they work together as a team of 12.”

Bribie’s Natasha Jones, Coolum’s Liza Burgess and Tweed Head’s Lauren Wilson will play their first Australian Sides alongside experienced champions like Mareeba’s Sue Brady, Australian captain Lynsey Armitage, Tracy Foster and former NSW rep Louise Witton, who will skip in her first appearance for Queensland.

The women play for the Marj Morris Trophy, donated in 1979 by a keen Victorian bowler and tireless campaigner for fashionable bowls wear for women.

An Overall State Championship trophy was introduced in 2008 and won by Queensland in its inaugural year and again in 2009, but since then it has proved elusive.

Cornehls hopes 2013 will be the year the overall trophy is wrested back to Queensland.

There are three parts to the Bendigo show, which kicks off on April 26.

Firstly, six outstanding Queensland bowlers will contest the Super 6 Series, a two-day appetiser for Australian Sides, giving Australian selectors a good look at the best the states have to offer in singles, pairs and triples.

“They didn’t choose me last year and we lost, they chose me in 2011 and we won, they didn’t choose me in 2010 and we lost, they chose me in 2009 and we won,” Rowe joked.

In fact, Rowe’s rink under skip Carmen Anderson won “Best Performed Rink” at Australian Sides 2009 and Pam can’t wait to carve up the greens again in 2013.

“It’s the overall feeling you get, playing for your state at Australian Sides, it’s a huge team effort,” Pam said.

“It’s inspiring to be there with all the best players in the country.”

Rowe started playing as a 12-year-old at Alligator Creek, south of Townsville.

Now 26, she works in Brisbane as a theatre nurse and plays at Club Helensvale.

“I’ve matured because of the work I do, you have to be very focused and control your emotions and it’s helped my bowls.

I’m better prepared mentally and clearer about what shots to play and what to do next,” she said.

Rowe has had a great 12 months, getting fit and snaring Hawks’ nice guy Anthony Fantini, whom she describes as “a breath of fresh air”.

In a happy coincidence, both Rowe and Fantini will play the same disciplines and positions in Bendigo (triples in the Super 6 and third in their Australian Sides team).

In the Super 6 Singles, Queensland selectors have given the nod to 2011 Champion of Club Champions winner Sue Brady and former international rep Anthony Kiepe.

2012 Champion of Club Champions singles winner Kristy Thatcher will lead for Lynsey Armitage in the women’s pairs, while in the men’s pairs, youngster Sean Ingham will have a chance to impress with his skip skills, joining with Robert Wild from Pine Rivers in lead.

In the Women’s Triples, Queensland will field a dynamic combination of Natasha Jones, Pam Rowe and Louise Witton, while Nathan Rice will skip for Mark Thatcher and Anthony Fantini for the men. v36/7

autumn WINTER

13

For stockists freecall 1800 001 399 or www.breakaway.com.au

Hall of Fame

Halls of Fame honour those who have brought a sport its greatest glories. They are permanent tributes to people who made a difference, who set an example, who performed at the highest levels, over and over again. Their names become synonymous with the sport. Halls of Fame seek to immortalise those who inspire others, whether it’s to play a game, watch a game or contribute in some other way. Sport needs these shining lights.

Bowls Queensland’s Hall of Fame honours some of our state’s greatest stars, amazing players and admirable role models like Artie Booth, Keith Poole, Stan Coomber, Edda Bonutto and Greta Fahey. (If you haven’t heard of them, look them up!)

This year, for the first time, the Hall of Fame honours four men who have contributed at the highest level, not on the green, but behind the scenes. Without volunteer administrators, bowls would not be the great sport it is today. These four men have given a lifetime of quality contributions to the sport of lawn bowls in Queensland.

Jack Prandolini OAM – Stanthorpe Bowls Club Jack Prandolini OAM is a gentleman of the sport, still elegantly dressed, a great orator, and a great head for lawn bowls. At almost 89 years old now, Jack remembers the year 1975 as a big year for politics (the year the Whitlam government was dismissed) and a big turning point in his own life. Jack walked into Gaythorne Bowls Club to sign up and he’s been in a bowls club ever since, doing whatever he can to advance the sport. Jack was awarded a life membership of the RQBA in 2000 after almost two decades of impressive service, during which time he held the posts of RQBA president, Queensland delegate to Bowls Australia and Queensland delegate to the Commonwealth Games Association. At national level, Jack served as chairman of the national events committee and vice-president of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association.

He was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2002 for his dedicated contributions at district, state and national level, particularly in the area of junior bowls. Jack is a life member of the Brisbane District, where he served as publicity officer, junior promotion officer and president.

Bob Fraser – Solander Lakes Bowls Club Bob Fraser will be well known to those who regularly attend bowls tournaments in the state’s south east corner. He is always delighted and honoured to present a medal or two to the high achievers of our sport. Bob has been a dedicated servant of bowls in Queensland for more than 50 years, at club, district and state level. “I’m honoured,” Bob said at the BQ Awards Ceremony at Enoggera Bowls Club on March 22, “thanks very much to Caboolture District bowls and my wife.” Bob had already done so much he was made a life member of the RQBA in 1996. Yet 17 years later, Bob is still an active administrator, outgoing president and incoming vicepresident of Bowls Queensland’s men’s section, elected by his peers to continue his service at the state AGM on March 27. Bob received his Meritorious Service badge in 1987 and a Distinguished Service award in 1992.

He is a past president of RQBA and has been chair of the state umpire committee, among a host of other positions at club and district level.

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Earl Klease – Cleveland Bowls Club “I played a lot of bowls and I just think if you play a few championships, you should put something back in when you’ve finished playing,” Earl Klease said. And he has lived up to his words, putting plenty back in – 46 continuous years of service in administration over three different districts – Southern Queensland, Downs and Gateway – and still counting.

The 78-year-old has been Gateway secretary for the past 20 years, not to mention his three life memberships, of Downs, Gateway and Bowls Queensland. Earl has played a big part in the direction of the sport in Queensland, serving as president of the RQBA in 19981999, BQ board director for nine years, three years as Queensland’s delegate to Bowls Australia, and four years as coordinator of the match committee. He also served at national level, as bowling director with Bowls Australia for three years.

Earl started out at Inglewood and moved to Toowoomba and then Brisbane, maintaining his game and his service throughout all his moves. He was highly regarded wherever he went and his inclusion in the Bowls Queensland Hall of Fame is sure to be a popular choice with bowlers

Ted Singleton – Geebung Bowls Club A posthumous Hall of Fame award was accepted on behalf of Ted Singleton from Geebung Bowls Club by his three sons, Ted Jnr, John and Rob Singleton. “Ted’s contribution to lawn bowls in Queensland over 50 years make him a worthy inclusion in the state’s Hall of Fame,” said Pine River’s Arthur Graham, who nominated Ted. “He was active in the sport until the day he died in 2011, he was 88, and he had as impressive a career in bowls administration as anyone could ever have. It’s very important his achievements become an official part of Queensland’s bowling history.” The Singleton boys said their father would have been “humbled, delighted and honoured” with the Bowls Queensland Hall of Fame award.

Ted started out at Banyo Bowls Club in 1966 and he was a super organiser and shameless promoter of bowls events, including organising the first Trans-Tasman series in 1979.

He thrived at national level, where he was a delegate and executive officer of the Australian Bowls Council, a national selector, and the Australian team manager for the 1981 SGIO Games, the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and the 1984 World Bowls Championships in Scotland. In 1985 he organised the first-ever Pacific Championships at Tweed Heads. Ted had a remarkable career at district and state level also, awarded life membership of North West Queensland District in 1979 and holding positions at state level such as coach, selector, vice-president and president. He was awarded life membership of RQBA in 1987.

Ted was also a performer on the green, winning a Banyo club’s pairs title in 1963 and a state pairs crown in 1964. In 1965 Ted was selected for the Queensland side to play NSW and Victoria, but was unable to play. In 1968 and again 1969 he was selected as a non-playing captain for Qld’s and he was capped for Australia as a non-playing captain at the 1984 World Championships. Although Ted is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the Trans-Tasman and Pacific Championships. (Pictured bottom left Ted Jnr with award).

Photos: Stu Taylor

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Player of theYear Male Club Player of the Year – Dean McWhinney Lanky green keeper Dean McWhinney, 22, with his best years still ahead of him, already has many fans in bowls, the biggest being his mum Jackie and husband Graeme Shillington, who made sure everyone knew what a great choice it was when Dean was announced as 2012 Club Bowler of the Year at the BQ Awards ceremony. Dean had an outstanding year at club, district, state and national level in 2012, winning a host of club and district titles, including club singles, pairs and fours, district triples and Champion of Club Champions fours at district and group level. He also made his debut with Queensland’s senior squad at the 2012 Australian Sides at Broadbeach, where he played lead in the championship’s best-performed rink. Dean was Player of the Series at the 2012 Gold Coast Winter Carnival, where he also won the mixed pairs. Other proud achievements were wins in the Burleigh $10,000 Classic Fours, Kingscliff Prestige Pairs and Bribie Island Prestige Pairs. Dean’s goal for 2013 is more of the same, keep his place in the Queensland state side and hopefully catch the eye of the Australia selectors and have his name added to the Australian development side. (Pictured top left, with mum Jackie and her husband Graeme Shillington)

Female Club Player of the Year – Robyn Devereux A vocal women’s bowls sisterhood from Mackay cheered enthusiastically at the BQ Awards ceremony when Robyn was announced as 2012 Club Player of the Year for Queensland. Robyn, 57, blitzed her club and district championships in 2012 and was named district Bowler of the Year for her outstanding performances.

Robyn cares for her mum and plays bowls whenever she can. She is quiet and unassuming, but she admits it was a good year for her on the green, winning club singles, triples, fours, district singles, triples and fours, and Champion of Club Champions singles and fours at district and group level. Robyn is a good friend and role model as a club bowler, always helpful and willing to have a roll up if someone wants practise. Robyn has muscle memory for bowls, managing to turn out impressive results with very little practise, and inspiring her pairs, triples and fours teams as skip. “She’s always willing to help, if someone can’t work out why they’re not bowling well, Robyn will always take the time to give them some suggestions, even if they’re bowling against her. She has such impressive form on the green, she’s someone to listen to,” teammate Pauline Oliver said. (Robyn Devereux pictured page 17)

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Male Junior Player of the Year – Sean Ingham As far as junior bowlers go, you can’t get a much finer example than Sean Ingham and his rocketing trajectory towards the top of his sport.

In 2012, Sean scored a hat-trick in Bowls Queensland Junior Player of the Year awards, three back-to-back honours, a fitting end to what has been a remarkable junior career for the Gold Coast 18-year-old.

Sean is taking a well-earned holiday in New Zealand after helping Australia bring home its impressive trophy haul from the 2013 TransTasman in March. He was instrumental in last year’s 2012 junior boys win on his first outing for Australia in the Trans-Tasman, winning all of his singles and pairs games. In the Trans Tasman just completed, on only his second call up for Australia, Ingham helped reverse the fortunes of last year’s losing development side and turned the 2013 team into a winner.

Sean’s other achievements in 2012 include winning a swag of junior and open titles, including an Australian junior pairs gold and fours bronze, Queensland Junior State Championship Pairs, Senior State Championship Pairs, Australian Open Under-18 Singles, Pine Rivers Junior Classic singles and pairs, Broadbeach Men’s Triples, Junior Golden Nugget Singles and Gold Coast Under-18 singles. Sean was also part of the Gold Coast-Tweed’s winning District Sides team and represented Queensland at Under-18 level during the Maroons’ win over NSW in Mackay. Sean’s mum Robyn, (pictured centre page 16) accepted the award on his behalf.

Female Junior Player of the Year – Natasha Jones Natasha isn’t the first member of the Jones family to be named Bowls Queensland’s Junior Player of the Year. Older sister Zoe took out the award back in 2007. Natasha’s success in 2012 has catapulted her into the spotlight as one of Australia’s most exciting young bowlers, earning her a spot in Australia’s Under-18 squad. Natasha, 17, has just returned from making her debut for Australia at the 2013 Trans-Tasman in Auckland, where her Under-18 Girls team contributed to the national side’s impressive sweep of the trophy pool, bringing home eight out of a possible nine titles.

Natasha’s achievements in 2012 include winning triples gold and fours silver at the 2012 Queensland Junior State Championships, where she also reached the semifinal of the singles, she was a quarter-finalist at the Senior State Championship triples, winner of the 2012 Bribie Island club mixed singles and Caboolture District singles title, winner of Queensland’s All Schools Cup Challenge title and runner-up at Queensland’s 2012 Mixed Pairs state finals with fellow Bribie club mate Richard Strawbridge. Natasha’s biggest wins came at the 2012 Australian Junior Nationals, where she won gold in the singles and pairs, jettisoning her into the junior girls team to represent Australia in the singles at the 2013 Trans-Tasman. (Pictured bottom page 16)

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Player of the Year

Bowler with a disability

2012 Players of the Year, Bowlers with a Disability, were world champion blind bowler Joy Forster from Chermside and Australian Open Lifestream bowler Nathan Appleton from Dalby.

You’d never know Joy wasn’t fully sighted if you saw her on a bowls green, but as a B2 category blind bowler (not as severe as B1 totally blind, but with less vision than the other legally blind B3 and B4 categories), she can see only very large letters and shapes. Joy, 63, is feisty and she plays bowls with skill and joy, “because it’s fun”. She paid tribute to her director of 11 years Bruce Jones from Enoggera Bowls Club for helping her get where she is today. Joy will travel to England in June as part of the Australian blind bowls team, to defend her singles world title.

Nathan Appleton, 21, has been plugging away on a bowls green since 2007 at Dalby, but it wasn’t until last year’s Bowls Queensland State Multi-Disability Bowls Championships at Chermside that he made the selectors sit up and take notice. Since then, Nathan has been impressing fellow bowlers from all over the country, including at the Australian Open in February. Nate’s next challenge is playing in the open singles at the Queensland State Championships on the Sunshine Coast (May 13-23). He says his dream is to represent Australia at a Commonwealth Games, possibly even as early as Glasgow 2014.

In 2012, Joy’s achievements include winning singles gold at the 2012 Australian Open and singles at the 2012 Queensland Blind Bowlers Association state championships. Joy will defend a number of world titles at the 2013 World Blind Bowls titles in July.

In 2012, Nathan’s achievements include winning his club’s B singles, triples and fours, runner up in club open singles, runner up in district singles and district Champion of Club Champions B singles. He was the Lifestream singles winner at 2012 MultiDisability Championships, earning him a spot representing Queensland at the Australian Open and he also represented for Condamine at the 2012 District Sides.

Representative Player of the Year

Club Helensvale’s Anthony Fantini and Tweed Heads’ Kristy Thatcher are Queensland’s Representative Players of the Year, 2012, as voted by the Queensland selectors.

Thatcher, 27, didn’t expect to win and she told the audience at the BQ Awards Ceremony she wouldn’t be very popular, “not bringing mum along to share something special like this”.

“Mum’s been my greatest support, and Tweed Heads Bowls Club too, they’ve been great,” Kristy said.

Kristy made an outstanding debut for Queensland in 2012 and was named Player of the Series during Queensland’s interstate test series with NSW. She showed true grit to take the 2012 Champion of Club Champion’s singles crown against Bargara’s Gail Crompton at Bribie in October.

Another highlight in 2012 was when she unwittingly bundled former international and titleholder Ian Taylor out of $20,000 Salisbury Super Bowl in a Battle of the Sexes that went Thatcher’s way 25-22.

Anthony Fantini, 35, is a back-to-back winner of the Rep Player award, following up an impressive year in 2011 with another one last year.

Fantini (pictured below) was an integral part of Queensland’s victory over New South Wales during the interstate series at Taren Point.

He was also Queensland’s Player of the Series during the Maroon’s impressive win at the 2012 Australian Sides Championships in Broadbeach, a performance that earned him a call-up to Australia’s A Squad.

18 | queensland bowler

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Blind bowls director Bruce Jones with award winner Joy Forster

Tweed Heads president Joy Oswald with winner Kristy Thatcher

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Volunteer of the Year Considering the number of volunteers working in the sport of lawn bowls, BQ chairman Ron Chambers said it was surprising so few bowlers were prepared to nominate either themselves or a hard working clubmate for their efforts in 2012.

“I’d like to see at least one nomination from each bowls club in Queensland in this category in 2013!” Chambers said.

He said the 2012 winners were both amazing people with generous hearts.

Calliope’s John Wessling, Manly’s Norm Broadhurst, Broadbeach’s Barry Gilbert

Club Super Club of the Year Who isn’t proud of their club? Calliope Central thinks it’s the best, Manly on Brisbane’s bay side is very proud of its rebuilding efforts and the Broadbeach Bulls? They’re fit to explode with club pride! All three clubs have been named as Queensland’s 2012 Clubs of the Year at the BQ Awards, in the small, medium and large categories.

Calliope Central vice president John Wessling and manager Brad ‘Buddha’ Henderson had a flying visit to Brisbane to accept their award on March 22. “The flight was late leaving Bundaberg, I reckon we’ve got an hour and a half if we’re lucky before we go back to the airport,” Wessling said. The boys got their 2012 Small Club of the Year award and a photo with Bowls Queensland chairman Ron Chambers and MC Kelvin Kerkow, and then the mad dash back to the airport. “Thanks very much for the award and just to let you know, we are the best!” Henderson said, with a cheeky grin.

2012 saw Calliope Central put some big plans into action. The club undertook a feasibility study into the construction of nine townhouses on club land not viable for club facilities. If successful, this project will fund a major redevelopment of the club’s facilities to the benefit of all members and the sport. The club hosted its first big-money tournament, with 14 teams attending the $7000 event. The club has over 1000 social members, 80 registered bowlers and about 50 regular players.

A Queensland Government Sport and Recreation officer based at Calliope Central works with all sporting organisations in the region, assisting with grant applications, fundraising, membership drives and much 20 | queensland bowler

more. The club also hosted many charities groups throughout the year, allowing them to use the greens and clubhouse facilities free of charge for fundraising purposes.

2012 was a big year for Medium Club of the Year winner, Manly, in Brisbane’s east. The bay-side club underwent some major renovations after receiving grants to install synthetic greens and refurbish the clubhouse. Club membership jumped by almost 11 per cent as the club raised its community profile. Primary and high school groups were invited to experience bowls at Manly during the year, with an eye to building future bowler numbers and interest in bowls as a family sport. A number of social groups use the greens each week, including the Wynnum Manly War Veterans.

The club also maintains strong ties to local charities and makes an annual donation to the Queensland Cancer Council.

Broadbeach Bowls Club had a bonzer year in 2012. The Gold Coast club, which has won the right to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games bowls events, ably demonstrated its ability as one of Australia’s leading bowls venues when it successfully hosted one of the country’s top tournaments, the Australian Sides Championships. The Bulls also played host to hundreds of bowlers from across Queensland during the 2012 District Sides Championships. Broadbeach was very proactive promoting the sport, hosting over 5000 barefoot bowlers throughout the year and increasing membership by almost 14 per cent. Broadbeach also enjoyed fantastic on-green success in 2012, with club bowlers winning the state pairs and fours titles, while Broadbeach women took out the Champion of Club Champions fours crown.

“The sport needs more like them and we need you to tell us about them so we can sing their praises,” he said.

Coorparoo Bowls Club’s events specialist Robyn McGilvery and Wondai Country Club’s jack-of-all-trades Trevor Kilford are 2012 Queensland Volunteers of the Year.

Robyn (pictured below) was recognised as the driving force behind the rejuvenation of Coorparoo, taking on various roles including coach, PR person, board chairman and club president for six years.

She said it was important to preserve the historic club for future generations, “that would be a dream come true”, she said.

Terry Kilford was unable to attend the awards ceremony in Brisbane on March 22, but he was nominated for his unstinting support of the Wondai club.

He was praised as a tireless worker, taking on the greenkeeper’s role and turning the club’s greens into some of the best in the district, he works behind the bar, he’s been club president five times and he keeps the other volunteers feeling good too, ”he’s very popular around here”, his nomination read.

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New green named for Nerang club stalwart The latest in a long line of clubs to introduce a synthetic surface, McKenzie Park Nerang has named its new green in honour of life member John Savill.

“John’s done an enormous amount of work over the years for the club, it exists because of him, really,” club vice president and fellow life member John Combridge said.

No job was too big or too small for Savill, a former ambulance officer and long time club president who spent many weekends at shopping centres around the northern Gold Coast, selling raffle tickets to support bowls at Nerang.

Now 86, Savill plans to enjoy the occasional roll up on the new green named in his honour.

The True Draw synthetic surface was opened with much pride at Nerang Community Bowls Club on March 2.

Combridge said it has made a huge difference because now bowls roll on, no matter what the weather.

“Plenty of times our grass green has been flooded out this year and we move everyone on to the synthetic surface and it’s perfect, it drains well,” Combridge said.

“Speed variation isn’t a problem either with the new synthetic surfaces, ours runs true at around 14 because it’s only just gone in, but with a few tweaks it should be up around 16.”

24 | queensland bowler

Combridge said there would always be “one or two” who complain about having to adapt their game to a new surface but overall “it means more bowls, so we’re very happy!”

The club, on Cayuga Street next to Nerang’s PCYC, has been running for 16 years and now offers one grass and one synthetic green, professionally maintained, to cater for social and competitive bowls.

“It’s a friendly and vibrant place to play bowls, with easy parking and flood lights to cater for night bowls,” manager Coralie Bush said.

“We’re looking to start up a corporate competition on a weeknight and hope to bring in some juniors through the local schools.”

There are three retirement villages in the near vicinity of McKenzie Park and although they have their own rinks, Combridge said the Nerang Community Bowls Club was a popular meeting place for forging new friendships.

Club bowlers plays Pennants, Super Challenge, Summer 9s and interclub championships, with the free coaching sessions on Friday mornings proving popular with both beginner and improving bowlers.

Pictured top: The “John Savill Green” is declared officially open by Alex Douglas MP, John Savill and Cr Tracey Gilmore. Above: Alex Douglas MP, club chairman Ray Hiles, Cr Tracey Gilmore, ladies’ present Barbara Mathers, life member John Savill and club vice president John Combridge v36/7

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Rebel Rollers The Robina Rebels tour group have had their appetite for overseas travel whetted after a highly successful and very economical week-long trip to Singapore, where they were treated as honoured guests.

Because of the humidity, bowlers usually roll up after 4pm and play until early evening.

The group stayed at the Singapore Recreation Club and played a warm-up social game against Singapore Cricket Club bowlers before embarking on a more formal weekend competition against Singapore Cricket and Tanglin clubs.

“These clubs were wonderful hosts, our team was well looked after with food and beverages,” Rebels treasurer Ross Handler said.

Being on the equator and very humid with showers many afternoons, the Gold Coast boys struggled with the extremely slow pace of Singapore’s outdoor grass greens.

However, the Rebels enjoyed the novelty of playing on a fourth storey rooftop at Tanglin club and found the outdoor synthetic green more to their liking.

“It’s the first time either of these clubs have hosted a visit like ours and I think it worked well,” Handler said.

“We feel very privileged and grateful they took us in, these are private clubs and not open to the public and it gave us a wonderful insight into another country and culture.”

Handler said the group formed to give working bowlers from Robina Bowls Club a chance to get together on Sundays and visit other areas and play competitions in a social atmosphere.

“Before we went to Singapore, we tripped around southeast Queensland on day trips and occasionally a bit further for weekend tournaments,” Handler said.

“The Australia Day weekend was chosen as our first venture overseas, to Singapore, and we were very impressed.”

Handler said the Robina Rebels were unanimous in their vote to plan another overseas bowls trip, with visits to Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines under consideration.

Pictured above: Singapore’s Tanglin Club bowlers (white and green shirts) hosted Robina Rebels (yellow shirts), front row from left, Robina board chairman Terry Marsh, Graham Riordan, Ross ‘Baggage’ Handler, back row, Bruce Walsh, Ian Chambers, Steve Guthrie, Paul Blyth, Phil Shepherd and Garry ‘Nuisance’ Newsome.

Busy Lizzie bowls ‘em over at 101

Ipswich bowler of more than 60 years Liz Jordan got a nice surprise on her recent 101st birthday.

occasional game of Barefoot Bowls outdoors with family.

“Enthusiastic people like Liz enhance the profile and development of the sport and we wanted to give her a special gift to mark the occasion, turning 101,” former Taylor Bowls general manager Tim Howard said.

Mrs Jordan said it was ‘a big thing’ to have her name on a set of bowls.

Taylor Bowls presented her with a complimentary set of bright pink bowls, inscribed with her name ‘Liz 101’.

“My father always told me to keep a sport and I agree, you have to do something that keeps you active,” Mrs Jordan said.

26 | queensland bowler

Liz has been playing bowls since the 1950s and still bowls every week, but indoors now, out of the sun, although she still has the

She said the best part about playing bowls was the competition, meeting people and catching up with friends made over many decades in the game.

Mrs Jordan’s sister-in-law Alma Jordan, 86, who also used to be a bowler, lives in Ebbw Vale near to Liz and said she was a real character.

“The way she skips across that busy Brisbane Road on the way to the railway station,” Alma said, “it makes your heart go pitter patter!” v36/7

Good news for the north

with

brett murphy

There have been some changes to the structure and staffing of Bowls Queensland’s development team over the past few months. These changes have been necessary for a number of reasons, the most important being an ongoing need to provide greater service to clubs in the state’s north.

Firstly I would like to thank Lesley Bates for all her hard work during 2012.

Lesley, who returned to her career in real estate in January, travelled close to 30,000 kilometres during her time with Bowls Queensland, visiting clubs and taking the promotional van to far-flung reaches for school visits and club promotions.

Lesley was an integral part of our team and her hard work and dedication was a great asset to the development of the sport in Queensland.

Our long-term goal has always been to expand our development capabilities into the north of the state and Lesley’s departure has given us an opportunity to restructure the development team.

The exciting news for us, and hopefully for all of our northern clubs, is that there will now be a full time development officer based in Townsville.

At the time of writing this article, Bowls Queensland CEO Keith Fullerton and I had just returned from conducting interviews in Townsville for this position.

I am happy to announce that Tim Blake will be the new state development officer for North Queensland.

Tim will visit and provide assistance to clubs in North Queensland, Tropical Far North, North West and Mackay districts, as well as parts of Central Qld and Leichardt.

Tim has been playing bowls since the age of 11 at his home club of Mystic Sands and with 10 years experience in the bowls system, he understands the culture and requirements of the sport.

It is also beneficial that Tim progressed through the junior ranks and has been heavily involved with school bowls programs.

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Tim has lots of experience working with people with disabilities, which is also a large part of what we do in the development team.

He is keen, eager and above all passionate about the sport of lawn bowls and I believe he will be a great asset to Bowls Queensland and particularly to clubs in the north of our state.

As mentioned earlier, Tim will be based in Townsville and thanks to Cutheringa Bowls Club, Bowls Queensland has rented office space for Tim to work out of...not that he will be spending much time in the office, with over 90 clubs to visit at least once a year.

Tim will have access to all the same resources we have in Brisbane, including one of Bowls Queensland’s promotional vans.

Having a van based in Townsville will allow increased promotional activities, in particular visits to local schools to showcase the sport.

I have said many times in the past that what works down south in Melbourne doesn’t necessarily work up here in Queensland.

Well that is also evident within Queensland itself, with what works in Brisbane not working in Cairns or Townsville.

With a development team member based in the north, it will be much more cost effective and efficient for them to conduct multiple visits to clubs to assist with program implementation.

Tim will commence work with us in the Brisbane office on April 22 for training, before heading on the long drive back to Townsville with a promotional van.

We won’t be throwing him in the deep end completely though, as I will come to Townsville to help get Tim settled in and conduct a few local club visits with him.

I look forward to this new, exciting time for the development team and I hope all clubs in the north will take advantage of having a local development team member available.

We have also had a change of staff in the regional development officer position, which is based in Toowoomba and funded by the Department of Sport & Rec, with our previous employee taking an opportunity to further his career in the United Kingdom.

After a few false starts I am happy to say we have appointed local Toowoomba identity, Col Clifford, to the position.

Col is well known in the Toowoomba region through his work in the media and involvement in the Great Endeavour car rally.

Col’s background in all forms of local media, promotions and marketing, and his previous experience with working with local charity and disability organisations will be a great asset in this role.

While Col has only been in the position for a handful of weeks, his contact base has already paid dividends, with the local clubs having had articles published in three different newspapers on four occasions.

He is also well advanced in working on goals set by the clubs as part of the funding, including promotional and marketing opportunities and sponsorship and funding.

I welcome both Tim and Col to the Bowls Queensland team and look forward to long and successful relationships with them and the clubs they will be servicing.

queensland bowler | 27

(Fig. 1)

Q A: &

reader questions answered

with

joan brotherton

Every month we receive dozens of umpiring questions from Queensland Bowler readers. Over the next few issues I will try to answer as many of these questions as possible. But please remember, you should always contact your club or district umpire panel for an official response to any umpiring concerns you may have.

► The jack is delivered and hits the opposing skips foot. What happens? (Fig. 2) If a jack in its original course is displaced by an opponent, it should be re-delivered by the same player. Law 33.1.1.2.

► Can a player stand in front of the head and request the bowler to put a bowl where the player is standing? (Fig. 3) Yes, but as soon as the bowl is delivered, a player who is controlling play from a position that is either level with or in front of the jack, should take their position as described in Law 36.1.2. Law 36.1.3.

► When measuring for a shot a player displaces the jack with his/her measure. What action shall be taken?

28 | queensland bowler

If the jack is displaced by the equipment being used by a player during measuring, an opponent should put the jack back to its former position. Law 33.4.1.

► A bowl in course on its own rink glances off a live bowl, touches the jack and comes to rest in the ditch between the boundary pegs. Is this a live bowl?

Yes. A bowl in its original course which touches the jack, even though it comes to rest in the ditch within the boundaries of the rink of play, is a live bowl and is called a toucher. If the bowl in its original course does not touch the jack, it is called a nontoucher. Law 24.1.

► A bowl from the next rink is played wide and appears likely to pass over the mat. Can the mat be lifted? (Fig. 4) Yes, if a bowl from a neighbouring rink, moving in its original course and on a bias which will take it back onto its own rink, is travelling on a path which will bring it into contact with the mat, any player on the rink on which the mat is being used can lift it so that the bowl can pass and then replace the mat in its original position. Law 19.2.5. ► May the skip lift the jack to allow a bowl from the neighbouring rink to pass through the head?

No. If a jack at rest on the rink is in danger of being moved by a bowl from a neighbouring rink, any player at the head or the marker should stop the bowl. ► v36/7

If the bowl was in its original course and was delivered on a bias that would have taken it back into its own rink, it should be replayed. Law 33.6. ► What should the umpire do if the boundary peg is (a) leaning or (b) out of its correct position? (a) If the boundary peg is not vertical, it should be put so before the player or the umpire decides whether or not a jack is within the boundary. Law 5.7. (b) If a player or the umpire finds the boundary peg in the wrong position, they should not move it until the end has been completed on any rinks affected. The peg should then be correctly positioned by the umpire or by agreement between the skips, or opponents in singles, on the affected rinks. Law 5.8. ► In a singles game, where the green is very fast and the jack had been placed on the 2 metre mark, all the bowls finish in the ditch. Would the end be replayed?

No, it is a tied end. No shots were scored as no bowls are left within the boundaries of the rink of play. Law 41.1.3.

► In a representative game the Controlling Body approves the use of stickers on the bowls. One member of the team does not wish to use them. May the umpire allow the player to play without stickers? (Fig. 5) No. All bowls belonging to players within a team or side should have these markings on them and the markings should be all the same design and colour. Law 8.1.8.4. ► A bowl in motion (nontoucher) enters the ditch and disturbs a toucher. What happens? (Fig. 1) If a toucher in the ditch is displaced by a dead bowl from the rink of play, an opponent or the marker should put it back to its former position. Law 28.7 ► A drive misses the head, but rebounds back onto the rink and rests on the jack.

What would you as an umpire rule?

The bowl would be dead as it is not a toucher and rebounds onto the rink after contact with the face of the bank or with the jack or a toucher in the ditch. Law 27.1.2.

(Fig. 5)

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(Fig. 2)

(Fig. 3)

(Fig. 4)

queensland bowler | 29

Don’t fall victim to Social Media Syndrome

with

Curt schatz

There is obviously a temptation to use social media for marketing purposes. This is the case for many industries, but in particular the club industry. This article sets out some of the concerns in relation to this trend.

I think I’m going mad. Not that it’s my fault. I am developing SMS (Social Media Syndrome) a condition which seems impossible to escape.

Not that I have an affliction myself, but I am very concerned for others who do. People who are otherwise sensible are apparently being consumed by this phenomenon. Even our best and brightest are not immune.

Our Olympians recently found their affliction with the condition to be nonperformance enhancing and I have concerns for the wellbeing of a host of other sports stars and celebrities.

These sports stars and celebrities are now being encouraged by large corporations and their marketing agencies to use social media accounts, sometimes subliminally, in the promotion of products…who would have thought that marketing agencies would use such tactics.

It is little wonder that the practice is developing. Kim Kardashian reportedly has 15 million twitter followers. That amounts to a significant audience that can be contacted instantaneously through their mobile phones and computers.

But the practice is becoming a legal issue, with a number of celebrities being accused of using their social media accounts for marketing purposes contrary to the terms of use or code of practice.

In June 2012, English football star Wayne Rooney twittered (I know the correct term is tweet, but I think twit is more appropriate) “my resolution – to start the year as a champion and to finish it as a champion… #makeitcountgonike.me/makeitcount”.

That was found to amount to passing off an advertisement as personal comment.

Fellow footballer Rio Ferdinand and glamour model Katie Price have also been the subject of complaint. Mr Ferdinand tweeted “really getting into the knitting….

Can’t wait to get home from training and finish that cardigan … you’re not you when you’re hungry@snickersUk#hungry#spon” across a series of tweets, all sent within an hour.

The last indicated that it was sponsored, but the others did not.

Each tweet was found be part of an orchestrated series in a marketing campaign.

Similarly, Ms Price made comment including “large scale quantitative easing in 2012 could distort the liquidity of govt. bond market” before concluding with the same final tweet as Ferdinand. In each case the final tweet included a picture of the person holding a snickers bar in the promotion of Mars products.

While most people will never have the number of followers that high profile personalities attract, the principles remain the same – any advertising content which is placed on social media should be examined to see whether it complies with relevant codes of practice.

The nature of the ads should also be examined to consider whether it may infringe other laws, such as the Competition and Consumer Act, should the material be misleading and deceptive.

To ensure that you do not breach any laws relating to the use of social media in promoting your premises, it is wise to secure some legal advice relating to your proposals.

If you have any queries please contact Curt Schatz on (07) 3224 0230 or Andrew Nicholson on (07) 3224 0261.

Mars argued that each of the earlier tweets was “obviously identifiable” as an advertisement, as they were statements made out of character.

I am not aware of Ms Price’s knowledge of the state of European fiscal policy or of Mr Ferdinand’s ability to knit one purl two, but that would seem to be the case. However, the regulator disagreed.

In another example, swimmer Libby Trickett was censured by the Australian Olympic Committee for retweeting a comment sent to her by a sponsor containing their name during the Olympics.

Hospitality law requires the best heads in the business.

When it comes to legal advice for a club, you need more than just legal advice you need lawyers who know your industry.

With specialist divisions in hospitality and business services, we understand your industry and all its legal requirements.

We minimise your risk and help grow your business.

For more information contact: Curt Schatz, Partner

Level 21, Riverside Centre 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane Qld 4000 Telephone 07 3224 0230 cschatz@mullinslaw.com.au

30 | queensland bowler

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Aged to

perfection

A sore back forced Tully Matriarch Grace Cresdee out of the game she loved six years ago, but she wasn’t laid up for long.

The former Far North champion runner and tennis star turned her bowling hand to cards and bingo.

She now spends her Saturdays at Tully senior citizen’s centre instead of burning

up the greens, but she is still a treasured member of the Tully bowls community.

Grace joined Tully Bowls Club in 1970, at the age of 58.

She will celebrate her 101st birthday on April 24, 2013.

Grace was at the peak of her powers between 1988 and 2004, when she won a swag of championships, including A-grade singles (1988), FNQ Championship Pairs (2003) and Championship Fours and Tully Mixed Triples (2004).

Alan loved the friendships at Booval Swifts, serving on committees, the bingo roster and running the Tuesday evening triples.

Alan is a valued life member and it is only in recent years he has been unable to turn out for his regular Saturday afternoon game.

Alan turned 90 on February 19, 2013.

Grace was born at Charters Towers in 1922 and met and married husband John in Pentland, where she went to high school.

The couple ran a retail business in El Arish for more than 26 years.

Grace moved to Tully in 1984, closer to daughter Jenny Flegler, although still lives independently in her own home.

Booval Swifts (Ipswich) Patriarch Alan Evans Morgan started playing bowls in 1988, after a long career at Qld Rail.

“It wasn’t long before he became a tireless worker at the club,” men’s secretary Ray Parcell said.

“There wasn’t an evening when the flags were not lowered and the mats, jacks and corner flags were not stored.”

Hervey Bay Bowls Club Inc. May Weekend - Sat 4th and Sun 5th May 2013

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2 Points per win plus ends. If scores are tied for first place a three end tie breaker will be played.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE MONDAY 23/04/13 Bowls Office 07 3208 4366 Email logancitybowls@bigpond.com Cheques to Logan City Rec & Sporting Club

queensland bowler | 31

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Welcome to the Queensland Bowler April edition of Henselite’s Spot the Jack competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Entries must be received by April 30. Winner will be announced in the June issue. Multiple entries allowed.

Original entry forms only, no photocopies accepted.

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

This month’s winner Congratulations to: Jan Aldridge from St. George You will receive a free set of Henselite bowls of your choice from a selection of bowls, colours and sizes. * By supplying your email address you agree to receive a copy of the next Henselite eNewsletter containing details of discounts, specials, new products and bowls information.

You can unsubscribe at any time.

33 | queensland bowler

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Learning your Lines Once a player gets past the basic learning stage and has established their delivery, we move into the area where there are really only two things to think about when playing a shot…line and length.

It takes a while for new bowlers to reach the stage where their delivery is reasonably automatic, but once they have, it’s time to work on fine-tuning their delivery.

Bowlers tend to concentrate on the result rather than the execution of a shot, but the fact is, if you get it right on the mat, the result will take care of itself.

This month we are going to concentrate on line and how important the set up on the mat is to maintaining consistency.

A little time spent on the preparation of the shot and establishing a delivery line will leave you free to concentrate entirely on the length (or speed) of the delivery.

Eyes on the prize: Carly Griffiths could visualise every shot.

For many players it’s very easy, they are able to visualise the line the bowl will take and they simply start their bowl along that line and watch the result.

with

Mick Cherry

I coached a very good junior player for several years, Carly Griffiths, and she was so fast on the mat that I firmly believed that I should try to slow her down and therefore improve her results.

I would ask her what she looks at when delivering, and she would simply say, “I don’t look at anything…I just let it go and I know where it’s going to finish”.

I would have loved to argue with her logic but she won four state and two national titles in singles.

It took me a long time to realise that she actually visualised every shot and was capable of doing so very quickly.

For us mere mortals, who actually have to work hard to play good bowls, I like to teach a simple method by using straight lines.

Players think far too much about the bias of the bowl and for many their deliveries tend to show that.

Arms swing across the body, wrists turn at delivery point and the hundreds of other variations of a round arm delivery.

I often say to bowlers who come to me for help, “forget it’s a bowl, just think of it as a ball which you are trying to send down a straight line on the green. It will turn into a bowl about halfway down without any help from anyone.”

Okay, back to the straight lines.

For this exercise we will imagine that our straight line runs between the centre of the mat to the rink marker on the opposite end of the green.

Yes, I know that we have wider bowls or faster greens, but it’s just an exercise…you can pick a line at the other end to suit your bowls or green speed.

The first thing we have to do is to ensure our feet are pointing exactly along that line and that we are facing along that line.

For all the best news, views and comps make sure you get your copy of the

If we are twisting our body in any way to enable us to face along the line then there is too much room for error. We must be standing square with the line.

The eyes must be fixed on a point along that line, preferably about halfway or the widest point.

During the delivery we take a natural step along the line and we aim to roll the ball over the point we have selected on the green.

The eyes must be fixed on that delivery point and remain so until your ball passes over it. This will make you stay down.

Once it passes over that point the bias will take over and your ball will magically become a bowl.

For those purists, I realise that the bias takes effect much earlier, but it is only really noticeable when the bowl slows down.

Try to send four bowls along the line and over the delivery point.

You will notice that if you have been successful all four will finish in a straight line up the green.

Don’t be tempted to adjust your line, because it doesn’t matter whether they are wide or narrow, only that they are in a straight line up the green.

If you have used the same delivery speed each time they will be in a very close group, but don’t worry too much about length at this stage.

Then it’s time for a small adjustment if necessary for the next set of bowls, until you have managed to finish them all on the centre line.

It’s all a matter of knowing your bowls and selecting the right line.

Next month we will talk about weight and the several thousand methods I have heard to get it right.

Practice hard everyone!

To: Queensland Bowler Subs PO Box 476 Alderley, Qld 4051 Name.............................................................

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

each month!

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Get yours home delivered for just $26.80* per year State....................................p/c.....................

Please enclose a cheque/money order for $26.80 (*inc gst)

34 | queensland bowler

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