September 2015 by Queensland Bowler

September 2015

Gone to the

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dogs!

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Banyo bowlers get behind guidedog charity day

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Greens Guru

Club Survival

Rino Parrella calls time on a long and illustrious career

Are you passive or proactive when it comes to promoting your club?

Simply the Best

Ryan makes history with first-ever back-to-back Golden Nugget

Disability Champs Schools Cup Camel Racing

...it’s been a busy month for BQ’s development officers!

AUS INDOOR

APL

Junior nugget

Queenslanders fall at the final hurdle. Clarke and Girdler go down fighting in Indoor final.

Countdown to APL03 begins. GOLD COAST and BRISBANE ready for the biff.

AO singles champ nails his first Junior Nugget at Tweed Heads Bowls Club.

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CONTENTS

Volume 38

Issue 08

19 28 06 Australian Indoor

16 Junior Nugget

Queenslanders Lynsey Clarke and Paul Girdler go down fighting in finals of Australian Indoor at Tweed Heads.

Rising Queensland star Jacob Nelson claims his first Junior Nugget title at Tweed Heads.

08 Golden Nugget

20 Club survival

Master blaster Ryan Bester has made history, becoming the first to win back-to-back Nuggets at Tweed Heads.

Are you passive or proactive? Clubs share their tips to thrive in tough economic times.

09 Gone to the dogs

29 Greens Guru

Banyo bowling greens go to the dogs as members raise money for blind charity.

Rino Parrella pens his last Green Guru column as he trades in his mower and tools for a sail-boat and caravan.

Editorial: Naomi Cescotto Contributors John Reynolds, Col Clifford, Cover photo of Ryan Bester by Stu Taylor Published by: Bowls Queensland

Editorial Contact: Queensland Bowler Ph: (07) 3355 9988 E: news@bowls-queensland.org Advertising: Wayne Griffin Ph: 0448 368 979 E: advert@bowls-queensland.org

Subscriptions: To subscribe, post a cheque for $36 (inc gst), along with your contact details to: Queensland Bowler Subscriptions PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051. Or call (07) 3355 9988 to subscribe over the phone with a credit card.

Bowls Queensland Patron: His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland

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september 2015

Nothing to sneeze at for Queensland, the two runners-up spots at this year’s Australian Indoor filled in champion style by Club Helensvale’s Lynsey Clarke and Tweed Heads bowls coordinator Paul Girdler. Winning her first Australian Indoor crown is Victoria’s Carla Odgers with Warilla’s Jeremy Henry taking his second title. WOMEN Mum-to-be Lynsey Clarke fought the good fight in the final of the Australian Indoor (Thurs Aug 27) at Tweed Heads. But in a tie-break that could have gone either way, it was Victorian Jackaroo Carla Odgers who prevailed, 10-8, 5-8, 4-2. It might seem odd to be talking about a ‘bucket list’ at just 31, but Clarke has already done so much in bowls, there’s not much else to do. “I have a massive desire to take out this title, it’s one of the only things on my bucket list that I really, really want,” Clarke said. “It’s back to the battlefield of the qualifying next year, bring on 2016!” Clarke was disappointed not to win the title this year, after coming so close (she’s made semis a couple of times before). “However I’m really happy and proud of my performance, especially carrying a little passenger, being seven months pregnant made things a little trickier,” Clarke said. “But the final was a really high standard game with both of us playing exceptionally well, there were some great conversions, it really could have gone either way.”

Carpet burn Locals go down fighting in Australian Indoor final

Clarke lost the first set on a measure, 10-8, and came back determinedly in the second set. Like the champion she is, she never stopped swinging for her 8-5 win, forcing the tie-break. “Unfortunately in the first end I struggled to find my weight, finishing a couple of feet over with all of my bowls, and Carla capitalized, scoring four,” Clarke said. “I knew I could still get back with a score on the second end, and I was millimetres off making three shots, but got one. “Needing three on last end of a tiebreak was tough and I could only manage one, I went down fighting!” Clarke felt the love at the Indoor, acknowledging generous support from so many people, including her family and the Club Helensvale crew. “The whole bowls world really…I couldn’t have got this far without them, it really helped spur me along,” Clarke said. “At the end of the day, runner up at the Australian Indoor is a pretty fantastic achievement and the $3000 cheque will definitely help put a dent in the layby at Baby Bunting!”

MEN It was a clash of internationals in the men’s final of the 2015 Australian Indoor, NZ Blackjack Paul Girdler against Northern Ireland product Jeremy Henry. As the busy bowls coordinator at a powerhouse club, Girdler works just five metres away from the Indoor arena. He has the inside knowledge. “It’s a great surface to play on and I love the challenge of playing the Indoor,” Girdler said. “It’s my third time (to qualify), I lost the final in 2012 against Mark Casey.” This year the $6000 winner’s cheque went to Henry, but not without Girdler putting up a fight, as he did all the way through the cut-throat tournament. They called him “Miracle Man” after his second round-one-shot win over defending champ David Holt, 8-9, 10-7, 4-3, which he followed up with a second one-shot win over Victorian Jackaroo Barrie Lester, 10-1, 3-9, 3-2. He found his flow in the semi against WA Bowler of the Year Tom Mitchell, 12-4, 10-8. And it looked like it might be Girdler’s year to go one better than 2012, with a comfortable first set 7-4 over Jeremy Henry, going for his second title. However the Warilla juggernaut steamrolled to the finish, up 8-0 in the second set, which turned into 11-4, forcing the tiebreak, which also went his way, 4-2. Despite the roar of the home crowd for Girdler, it was Henry who got to write his name in the history books. After his first Australian Indoor win in 2011, Henry represented Australia for the first time at a World Cup.

2015 Australian Indoor champions Carla Odgers and Jeremy Henry, flanked by women’s runner up Lynsey Clarke and men’s runner up Paul Girdler.

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As 2015 Australian Indoor winner, he will once again wear the green and gold, going for a hat-trick of World Cup titles in front of a home crowd in March next year, as Warilla has been announced as World Cup hosts for 2016 and 2017.

PLAYING CUT-THROAT They came from around the country, half of them for only one game, in the cut-throat, knockout that is the Australian Indoor, including six-time champ Karen Murphy, defending champs David Holt and Jamie-Lee Worsnop, club mates at St John’s Park, and the two young singles champs who roared at the Australian Open, Aaron Teys, 21, from Warilla and Ellen Ryan, 18, from Cabramatta.

Robbie Wild from Club Pine Rivers played like the champ he is, winning the first set 11-2, but WA juggernaut Tom Mitchell got the second 7-4, and the tiebreak, 4-3.

“It’s nice to have the invite back, it’s tough to qualify,” David Holt said.

“Sheer luck, by one shot, I was very lucky, 7-6, 7-7, and I’m very happy to be playing Barrie Lester in my second round too, I was hoping I’d get to play him,” Emura said.

Jason Carpenter from Helensvale was dismissed in the cut-throat first round, 13-3, 8-4, by NSW’s Lee Stinson. First-timer at the Australian Indoor Ken Emura from host club Tweed was thrilled to progress to the second round.

Eight Queenslanders, four men and four women, were in the starting line ups of 32.

Lester was punishing in the tiebreak, 10-6, 4-7, 6-0.

Unfortunately the Queensland women were clustered to eliminate each other, which they all lamented.

“You can’t have a bad end, it’s always a quality field, one of the best events in the country,” Lester said.

“It’s nice to be in the field but all the Queenslanders in one tiny bit of the draw…” Lynsey Clarke said, greeting her first round challenger June Beverley from Coolangatta. “I’m that excited to be here, it’s not funny,” Beverley said, later going down to Clarke 9-4, 13-0. In the last game of the opening day, Judy Whaites from Kawana went down by only one shot to AO singles queen Ellen Ryan, 12-7, 11-3, 3-2. Kristy Thatcher, on staff at Tweed Heads, spent most of her time during the Australian Indoor looking after everyone else. Clarke took no pleasure in leap-frogging her Queensland team mate to progress to the semis, the quarter-finals going against Thatcher, 5-8, 8-5, 4-0. The Queensland men also faced a tough draw, but not against each other. Top left: June Beverley; above left: Ken Emura; this picture: Jason Carpenter; right: David Holt and Jamie-Lee Worsnop.

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queensland bowler

Southern raid on Silver Nugget MEN

Best performed Queenslander in the 2015 Silver Nugget for development players aged 18-25 was Broadbeach’s Sean Ingham, who bowed out in the quarterfinals to Australian Open singles champ Aaron Teys 21-10.

Bester goes back-to-back MEN

Australian Male Bowler of the Year Ryan Bester from Broadbeach has done it again. The Canadian international has won consecutive Golden Nugget Prestige Singles, the first to go back-to-back in the competition’s 29-year history. Bester beat Queensland legend Kelvin Kerkow 25-13 in the final at Tweed Heads, the culmination of four days of high-octane lawn bowls (August 10-13). Kerkow himself is Nugget royalty, having won the title four times previously (1994, 1997, 2008 and 2011). Beaten semi finalists were Leif Selby (NSW), down by three shots to Bester 22-25, and Aron Sherriff (NSW), down three shots to Kerkow, 22-25. Other top talent in the men’s field included Australian singles rep Brett Wilkie, Golden Nugget 2014 runner up Mark Casey and former World Singles champs Jeremy Henry and Steve Glasson. Wildcard Scott De Jong Fitzpatrick from Broadbeach won a spot amongst Australia’s

Top 12 to contest Golden Nugget, as winner of the 2015 Tweed Prestige Open Mixed Singles.

WOMEN It was all-NSW in the women’s Golden Nugget decider. Australian Female Bowler of the Year Natasha Scott came so close to going back to back, bowing out in the semi 23-25 to eventual winner Anne Johns. In the other semi, five-time Nugget Queen Karen Murphy (1996-7, 1990, 2001, 2003) defeated two-time winner Carmen Anderson (2008. 2010) 25-19. In the final, Johns prevailed over the tenacious Murphy by one shot, 25-24, to claim her first Golden Nugget title. There were only two Queenslanders in the women’s field, Australian captain Lynsey Clarke and Kawana’s Emma Brown. Pictured above: 2015 champs Anne Johns and Ryan Bester with club chairman John Rayward. Top right: Silver Nugget winners Sarah Boddington and Jessie Noronha with Taylor Bowls’ Danny Keating.

Then it was Teys’ turn to go down to eventual winner Jesse Noronha in the semi, 21-11. Noronha went on to defeat NSW U25 singles champ Mason Lewis from Merrylands by just one shot in the tightly contested final, winning 25-24 to take his first title. Queenslanders Dean McWhinney and Eric Copeland were also in the starting 12.

WOMEN In the women’s Silver Nugget, 2013 inaugural winner Sarah Boddington was back on the dais, hanging on to defeat NZ U25 raider Tayla Bruce by just one shot, 25-24. Boddington had earlier defeated Samantha Noronha in the semi 21-11, while Bruce defeated Australian Open women’s singles champ Ellen Ryan 21-11. Queenslanders to play in the top 12 were Caloundra-based twins Bolivia and Cassandra Millerick. The 2015 Silver Nugget was played at Tweed Heads Bowls Club, July 21-22.

Gold Nugget 2015 competitors (from left) - Back row: Wayne Reudiger, Steve Glasson, Leif Selby, Kelvin Kerkow, Scott De Jong Fiotzpatrick, Dylan Fisher, Jesse Noronha, Jo Edwards. Middle row: Lynsey Clarke, Ryan Bester, Jeremy Henry, Karen Murphy, Aron Sherriff, Mark Casey, Anne Johns, Chloe Stewart. Front row: Carmen Anderson, Rebecca Van Asch, Sarah Boddington, Brett Wilkie, Val Smith, Natasha Scott, Emma Brown, Kelsey Cottrell

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Banyo bowls gone to the dogs Banyo Bowls Club bowled over Guide Dogs Queensland with generous support from a recent charity fun day. Guide Dogs Queensland CEO Barbara Tasker said the day was a huge success, with 25 bowlers, eight of them blind or vision impaired, raising a total of $1150 for the breeding and training of future guide dogs. The event was organised by Banyo bowler Neil Ritchie and his wife Joan, both long time supporters and ambassadors of Guide Dogs Queensland.

“Their ambassador dogs “Iggi” and “Lennox” even have their own special memberships at the Banyo Bowls Club, where they enjoy going along for cuddles and pats while raising awareness about the important roles of guide dogs in our society,” Ms Tasker said. There was a strong showing from Queensland’s blind bowlers, including national president Dr John Vance and his guide dog Vogue. Banyo men’s president John Collins said the club would like to make the charity bowls day for Guide Dogs an

In the Cann

annual event. (The date for next year’s event is Sat July 2, all invited.) If you might be interested in hosting a Bowls Day for Guide Dogs Queensland, please Freecall 1800 810 122 and ask for Hilary or visit www.guidedogsqld.com.au Pic: Banyo bowls for Guide Dogs, blind bowler Dr John Vance on the mat, with Guide Dogs QLD ambassadors Joan and Neil Ritchie and ambassador dogs Iggi and Lennox, and Guide Dogs QLD CEO Barbara Tasker.

Greg Robbie and Des Cann claim South Tweed $8000 Open Pairs

Algester’s Greg Robbie and Jindalee’s Des Cann (pictured left, by Peter Kulmer) sealed an excellent performance in the 2015 South Tweed Open Pairs (Aug 17-19) with a solid final win over Peter Leon and Ian Taylor. They went out hard (12-0, 6 ends) and although Taylor reduced the lead to six shots

(7-13, 10 ends), a pair of twos took Cann to relative safety (17-7, 12 ends). Two ends later, the $2500 winner’s prize was in the pocket (18-9, 14 ends). Tournament runner up was Helensvale’s Anthony Kiepe and Nathan Rice ($1200), third Southport’s Mark Lester and Dave Cooke ($800). 42 teams played.

Greg Robbie, South Tweed board director Kim Mitchell and Deputy Chairman Russell Boyd and Des Cann. Photo by Tony Cadell.

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Barry is the Greens Keeper at his local bowls club. He believes the friendships made are more important than the final score.

Men’s Fours celebrate wins

A combo team from host club Maryborough and Hervey Bay were the inaugural winners of the Maryborough May Day Men’s Fours Carnival. Bob Braid, Doug Johnson, John Cruice and Brian Benyon (pictured above) triumphed over 13 other teams. Games director Bob Magee said he hoped the field would double in size for next year’s event. Meanwhile coaching guru Barry Ward was on the winning side when he substituted for Jack Horn in the Hook Anderson Memorial Carnival at Diggers Memorial Bowls Club, Rockhampton, in May. The carnival was opened to women for the first time this year. (Pictured below, 2015 Hook Anderson winners Barry Ward, John Lang, Peter Hughes and Geoff Baldwin.)

Gold Coast Winter Carnival The 67th annual Gold Coast Winter Carnival will have a delayed start next year, running from July 1-12, so as not to clash with the Australian Open being played on the Gold Coast in June. However, the usual events will return, men’s and women’s singles, three-bowl men’s pairs, women’s pairs, mixed pairs, over 60s pairs and men’s fours. Recently crowned Bowler of the Year (Australia) Ryan Bester from Broadbeach was the star of this year’s Gold Coast Winter Carnival (May 28-June 11), which finished only two days before the

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Australian Open (Gold Coast) started. Bester was the only player to win two Winter Carnival trophies in singles and fours (teaming up with Colin Lowery, Keith Farrelly and Sean Ingham).

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South Tweed’s Nigel Smith and Nev Jenkins showed their usual impressive form, winning the Over 60s pairs. Sam White (Paradise Point) and Gary Mounsey (Musgrave Hill) won the Open Pairs and Musgrave Hill manager Brian Baldwin and club member Glennis Lane almost got washed away securing the Mixed Pairs title, playing in driving rain.

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South Townsville uniform history modelled by Freda Garard, club patron Vic Vern, Marie Vern, men’s president Barry Rissel, women’s vice president Lynette Riches, Les Joyce.

Monto Maestros

Monto won through to group champion of club champion play offs in the men’s pairs, thanks to a timely substitution by club stalwart Jack Muller, 79.

“Unfortunately for Monto, there weren’t too many members eligible to substitute when champion lead Alan Little was unable to play,” Muller said. “Rodney (Rideout) had to fall back on me.” It turned out to be a blessed pairing, with Monto defeating Mt Larcom and then Gladstone to make it into the Port Curtis district final, against Boyne Tannum, who had beaten Biloela along the way to the final.

South Townsville goes green “An image overhaul long overdue,” club PR Wayne Erikson said. Like all bowls clubs of the 1940s, South Townsville wore all white when the club kicked off in 1946. Over the years, other colours were introduced, including maroon, yellow, green and red, but white remained dominant. In 2010, the club opened its doors to the Townsville 8-Ball Club, boosting member numbers by 174. The new men and women social members spruced up the clubhouse and brought in new life and energy. By 2014, it was clear most of the members wanted to “move into the 21st century” and go for a more vibrant community sports club look. A uniform committee was put together to get some ideas for colours and styles. After months of fundraising and organizing sponsorship deals, the club finally had enough to subsidise most of the cost of new uniforms for the 130 bowling members. As for the design, well any club who has tried to design a new uniform will know just how difficult it is to reach consensus. The club finally voted on a totally new colour of green, with a tropical beach scene on the back, and a small mud crab on the front, to represent the idyllic locality of the South Townsville Bowls Club. With two full greens and shade, the club is a popular venue for southern visitors who come north for the Winter.

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South Townsville celebrates link to first lady of world bowls One of South Townsville’s claims to fame is that the club’s women’s singles champ between 1955 to 1963 (nine consecutive years) Mrs Gladys Doyle was also the first world women’s singles champ. The newly affiliated International Women’s Bowling Board ran the first Women’s World Outdoor Bowls Championships from December 4-12, 1969, at Elizabethan Bowls Club in Rockdale, Sydney. There were only six nations in the first international tournament, (the British Isles were not yet members). South Africa dominated, winning gold in the Pairs, Triples and Fours, and the overall Taylor Trophy. But South Townsville’s girl, Gladys Doyle, representing Papua New Guinea, won the Singles, beating South Africa’s Elsie McDonald (silver) by 13 shots in a countback, after they finshed equal on wins and points in the round robin Australia’s Norma Massey collected bronze, winning three of her five clashes.

september 2015

“The final started badly for us, we were 1-8 down after six ends,” Muller said. “But we fought back, Monto hit the lead, and after a very tense last couple of ends which had spectators enthralled, we held on to the lead to achieve an upset result.” Unfortunately, even with Alan Little back in the saddle beside Rod Rideout, Monto’s dream run came to a close end in the group final against Central Queensland (Aug 16), the result going against them by two shots, 14-16. Photo: Rodney Rideout and substitute Jack Muller win for Monto in the Port Curtis district champion of club champion men’s pairs. Photo thanks to Anastasia Perets, Central and North Burnett Times.

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junior News

GOLD! Nelson nabs Nugget BOYS Wynnum Manly’s Jacob Nelson has followed up his Australian Open U18 singles win with his first $1000 Junior Nugget title at Tweed Heads (Aug 1-2) Jacob collected some impressive scalps along the way, Victorian Joshua Corless 25-16 in the final, South Australia’s Joshua Studham 21-10 in the semi and Victoria’s Curtis Hanley in the quarters 21-17. Nic Gosley was the only other Queenslander to make it through to the final rounds, beaten 21-13 by Victoria’s Jordan Yates in the quarters. Other Queensland boys invited into the prestigious Junior Nugget field (Top 16 boys and Top 16 girls applicants from around Australia) were Mitchell Mears, Dale McWhinney Shillington and Hayden Vogler. GIRLS Best performed Queenslander in the girls Junior Nugget was Broadbeach’s

Jessie Cottell, who won the minor final against Victoria’s Elisa Rigoni 21-17 to see her finish in third place overall behind Junior Nugget 2015 winner Molly Wilton from NSW and runner up Tiffany Brodie from Victoria. (Final score 25-15.) Queenslander Taleah Putney had a tough draw, bowing out to eventual winner Wilton in the quarters, 22-14. Jess Srisamruaybai from Tweed Heads also made it through to the quarters on her home turf, beaten by runner up Brodie 21-14. Other Queensland girls to contest 2015 Junior Nugget were Michaela Bailey-Nelson, Brittanny Wiley and Rebecca Rixon. Pictured below: Back Row Left to Right: Mitchell Mears, Jayden Christie, Curtis Hanley, Ben Cotter, Makayla Gibson, Joshua Corless, Tiffany Brodie, Amelia Bruggy, Dylan Skinner, Kit Conlan. Middle Row Left to Right: Tyson Wilson, James Bodnar, Molly Wilton, Brittanny Wiley, Jessica Hogan, Hollie Keen, Michaela Bailey-Nelson, Mikayla Fuller, Mikayla Long, Elisa Rigoni ,Hayden Vogler. Front Row Left to Right: Joshua Studham, Jordan Yates, Lachlan Sims, Rebecca Rixon, Jessie Cottell, Jessica Srisamruaybai, Taleah Putney, Tayla Morrisson, Nic Gosley, Dale McWhinney Shillington, Jacob Nelson.

Junior Nugget winners Molloy Wilton (NSW) and Jacob Nelson (QLD) with Tweed Heads chairman, John Rayward.

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MACCAS PAIRS Samuel Collier from Thursday Island and Justin Cribbin from Townsvlle were the winners of the 2015 McDonalds Junior Pairs, played at Jubilee Bowls Club (Townsville), June 27-28. Bowlers came from Yungaburra, Ingham, Mystic Sands, Collinsville, Longreach, Thursday Island and Jubilee. They played a round robin event, each team playing each other twice for a total of 10 rounds, four-bowl pairs, 8 ends. Runners up were Liam Birch (Thursday Island) and Tom Lawlor (Ingham), pictured. “This is an NQ district event that has been running for nine years since 2007, it’s a great chance for kids from far-flung clubs to get together for a catch-up,” said BQ state development officer Tim Blake.

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september 2015

Friendly Fire Mates ready to rumble in APL 03

With APL03 fast approaching Queenslanders must be getting excited at the prospect of a QLD franchise claiming the spoils with both the XXXX Brisbane Gold and the Gold Coast Hawks naming powerhouse line-ups for this year’s much anticipated event. XXXX Brisbane Gold and the Gold Coast Hawks have already been identified by other franchises as teams to watch in APL03; and there is no reason why Queenslanders couldn’t be treated to an all Queensland final! With Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mark Casey returning to his home club’s franchise the Gold Coast Hawks after two year’s representing XXXX Brisbane Gold, this sets up a fascinating encounter when the two QLD sides go head to head. The Gold Coast Hawks have a star studded side with Casey joining forces with Australian Jackaroos and APL02 Hawks players Brett Wilkie and Nathan Rice on the biggest of stages. The team have over 500 international games between them, not to mention over three decades combined service to Gold Coast bowling mecca Club Helensvale; therefore they have earned the respect of other franchises. Inaugural APL champions XXXX Brisbane Gold wasted no time replacing Casey, bringing in another international superstar, former Solargain Perth Suns player Jeremy Henry. The Northern Irishman, along with Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kelvin Kerkow and Pine Rivers local star Alex Murtagh have been identified by defending champions the Murray Steamers as the team to beat this year. Don’t miss any APL03 action; get to Club Pine Rivers from November 10-13 to catch all the matches including a host of sectional matches from 11.30am Tuesday to Thursday or watch four hours of live APL03 action each night on Fox Sports from 5:30pm. By Kelsey Cottrell

september 2015

queensland bowler

Pialba Bowls Club chairman, David Stevens. Courtesy of Hervey Bay Independant.

How full is your club’s survival toolbox? There’s plenty of doom and gloom about the future of bowls, as age wearies the active volunteer base from a generation ago. However there are many clubs throughout the state who are full of ideas about how to not only survive but thrive in tough economic times. Here are a few clubs who feel very positive about their futures. Pialba Bowls Club at Hervey Bay is very

Toowoomba City bowls club is another proactive club with plenty of bounce factor.

Chairman David Stevens said he had a “spring in his step” since their merger last year with Hervey Bay Boat Club.

With major inner-city development taking place all around the club’s headquarters in Victoria Street, the club could have spent months grumbling about the inconvenience.

proud of its proactive outlook.

“We now have 218 bowling members when there were just 142 a year ago,” Mr Stevens said. “That’s a 56 per cent increase in bowling members in the past 15 months.” It took about five months leading into the club’s 2014 AGM for members to consider the option of the Boat Club taking over management of the Bowls Club, including its liquor and gaming licensing. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour. Now the bowlers can concentrate on their core business, developing a strong bowls club and looking after the bowling members. The Boat Club management has improved the facility to make it more welcoming and attractive to visitors, including developing a new gaming room and bistro serving lunch and dinner five days a week (Tues-Sat). “We attribute the growth not only to the improvements in the venue but the vibrant, friendly and inviting atmosphere created by staff and members,” Mr Stevens said. The successful merger of Pialba Services Memorial Bowls Club and Hervey Bay Boat Club is considered a “win win” for bowls in Hervey Bay and the community in general.

queensland bowler

Instead members got onside with developer Probuild, and leased out one of their greens to accommodate their work sheds. The company provided the bowls club with $20,000 to refurbish their kitchen and now the bowls club has been able to offer a take away food to service hundreds of new construction workers in the area. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” club secretary Graham Healy said. “We open for breakfast, smoko and lunch six days a week, with the possibility of servicing up to 600 workers. “It’s a great opportunity for our club to boost our finances and help out our community at the same time. The club has also seen an increase in social membership, with a lot of the construction workers joining for a casual roll-up. “The workers have a little licensed club right next door to their workplace, on Friday nights, the place is packed,” Healy said. The construction work taking place around Toowoomba City includes a power station, major retail shopping centre and a new city library.

september 2015

“We’ve sacrificed one of our greens for the next couple of years, but the club board was quick to understand the short term inconvenience will lead to a great gain for the club in the longer term,” Healy said. “Apart from the new kitchen, the club will also benefit from a new synthetic green, to be provided when all the redevelopment work is completed.”

One thing Moorooka always held sacred, even in the darkest of times, was the condition of its greens. Full time greenkeeper Brad Hearn is supported by a loyal “Dad’s Army”, tireless volunteers like Gardens Guru Donny Downs, 80, Mr Fix It Jim Skelton, 87, and Handyman Neil Chessor, 79, (pictured left with manager Neil Jennings). “I used to run a sheet metal factory, Donny was a diesel mechanic, Neil was a fitter and turner, we do whatever it takes, we’ve got a great outlook here, and we’re getting very good stories coming back from our visitors,” Skelton said. “Our team includes a carpenter, plasterer, plumber, and nurses.” “It keeps you young, having something active to do.” “We never, ever, let our greens go,” volunteer Val Whittle said.

Moorooka Sports and Community Club

was so burdened by debt three years ago, it was in danger of closing its doors. Today the club has put its considerable debt behind it and is looking forward to a bright future. “Our turnaround is due to the club getting back to basics,” volunteer Val Whittle said. “Firstly, a resolve by members to work to save the club, along with financial support from the members. “Secondly, a policy of strict frugality. “And thirdly, the tireless work of then president, Neil Jennings.” Bowlers with construction all around

Jennings recently become the club manager. “My passion is bowls,” Jennings said. “It’s taken a few years and a lot of work but from half a million dollars down, we’re now $100,000 in the black, and building.” “It can be done!” “There would be many clubs in a similar position to Moorooka three years ago, struggling because it costs $150,000 a year to run the greens, but only about $50,000 comes in each year in green fees.” Jennings worked on the bar trade and kitchen to get the club back in the black. “Now we’re all keen to get back to what we love doing, which is playing bowls.” Jennings said the club used to have 1600 names on their database and he’s written to each and every one offering a free voucher to give the club another try.

“We used to host state titles, district pennant finals, we even had the Today Show here for Australia Day bowls.” Moorooka bowlers of note include blind bowler Christine Henry and Moorooka club chairman Peter Ward, who won State Champion of Club Champion Pairs in 2013 at Bribie with Bill Mitilinios. “Adversity has bonded our members into a strong and cohesive club, Moorooka is a great place to be, please come and see for yourself,” Val Whittle said. It turns out club manager Neil Jennings is a jack of all trades himself. “Neil is amazing, he can do everything, and he does,” volunteer Jim Skelton said. “He’s a butcher by trade, but he’s run supermarkets, he’s turned the books around, he even learnt how to bake, he had to fill in a few times in the kitchen as the cook and he did a great job.” Volunteer Neil Chessor too said he would have a go at anything “except cooking!”

Moorooka volunteers Beth Chessor, Mary Solakis and Val Whittle.

september 2015

queensland bowler

Pictured: (Left to right) Capalaba Sports Club bowls development officer Greg de Weger, general manager Nigel de Ryck and treasurer Vic Fernie use the new TAB room to look over the expansion plans

Sports club breathes new life into Capalaba If you ever wanted to see a turnaround in a bowls club, have a look at Capalaba. The Redlands City club will showcase its new look at its $10,000 Capalaba Classic Open Fours next month (Oct 3-4), followed by State Mixed Pairs (Oct 10-11) and State Juniors in April 2016. The club has been actively ‘future proofing’ under the umbrella of Capalaba Sports Club and general manager Nigel de Ryck. The club has a three-pronged plan to become an attractive place to spend time, provide more opportunities for bowlers, and become a community hub. “The Board obviously wants to look after our bowling members, they are the core of our business,” De Ryck said. “But it has also recognised the need to expand in terms of premises, gaming facilities and dining opportunities to provide for community needs. “A lot of clubs are closing and it is primarily because they haven’t been able to provide the facilities that will attract patronage and the local community. “Our aim is to future-proof the club and make it self-sufficient. “We are planning for the next 10 years because we want to be here in a decade and much longer. “We don’t want to become another bowls club statistic.” One of the sports club board’s first decisions was to appoint a bowls development officer, a 25-hours-a-week paid position filled by Greg de Weger. The job brief is to develop and promote games and competition opportunities for

queensland bowler

Capalaba members, and to attract playing visitors. “I’ve been looking at a range of competitions to get other clubs to play here,” de Weger said.

“Last year’s inaugural event was an overwhelming success,” Fernie said. “We had about 24 local businesses donating prizes and fielding teams, and we raised more than $8000 for cancer research.

“Apart from the Capalaba Classic and we will probably repeat our Summer Sensations series and look at competitions such as lower-division Pennant.”

“We had more than 500 people here and all three of our greens were full.”

The club hosts bowling lessons for local schools, including Redlands College, Alexandra Hills State High School and Capalaba State College.

This year the club raised more than $11,000 for cancer research. One of the most exciting aspects of the club’s future is its long-term expansion plans.

And it is “home” to a range of other community clubs, such as the RSL Bowls Club, the Wynnum-Redlands Cycling Club, the Redlands Four Wheel Drive Club, a golf club, rock and roll dancers, and a ladies gym. Bowling members were among the first to benefit from the Sports Club’s refurbishment initiatives, with the creation of a new bowler bar and locker room leading directly off Capalaba’s three greens. This allows bowlers to enjoy after-game activities without interfering with or being bothered by non-bowling activities in other parts of the building. Attracting potential future competition bowlers through “barefoot” activities is also part of Capalaba’s ‘future-proofing’ plans. Treasurer and greens director Vic Fernie said barefoot competitions were not just a way to attract newcomers to the sport, it also provided the club with an opportunity to give back to its community. The club hosted its second charity cancer day to raise much needed research funds for breast and prostate cancer research in May.

september 2015

Stage one is already underway, with the relocation of the club’s entrance and TAB facilities and the expansion and refurbishment of the gaming area, bistro and bathroom facilities. The club has budgeted $4 million for longer-term growth, including the extension of the existing two-storey clubhouse over one of their bowling greens. This would be carpeted to provide a covered playing area, suitable for play in all weather conditions. The club is also looking to expand onto four hectares of adjoining land to build a gym, aquatic centre and medical facilities. “At the moment we lease 1.7 hectares of land from the Redlands Shire Council,” De Ryck said. “We are in discussions to purchase the property so we will be fully self-sufficient and in a much better position to expand to ensure our future.” De Ryck said there was no time frame for the stage two expansion but the club hoped to have it completed within the next 10 years. -By John Reynolds

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The 2015 Carnival comprised 10 competitions of singles, pairs, triples and fours, played at seven different clubs, July 7-20. The winners were:

Lou Dalakis & John Thain

Mixed singles Russell Harber (Charters Towers) Mixed pairs Tim & Eileen Swanson (New Farm) Open triples Trevor Ludlow (Alexandra, NZ), Wesley Hedges & David Eckersley (Mooloolaba) Open pairs John Thain & Lou Dalakis (Mooloolaba) Mixed pairs John (Aspley) & Jill Newman (Pine Rivers)

Sunny side up - carnival attracts record numbers Beaten semi finalists were Mooloolaba men’s president Rob Blanco and Bill Taylor visiting from Fitzroy Bowling Club in Melbourne. (Bill went one better in the Mixed Fours, winning with his wife Pauline and two other Victorians.)

The Sunshine Coast is already planning its 54th annual Winter Carnival for July 2016, on the strength of the record numbers at this year’s event. “Numbers were up 25 per cent on last year, 1064 players over the 11-day tournament, beyond expectation,” organiser Barry Sullivan (Mooloolaba) said.

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Open pairs Ray Lamb & Steve Mason (Buderim) Mixed pairs 2 Neville Woods & Anne Whyatt (Bunbury WA) Mixed fours Bill Taylor, Pauline Taylor, Helen Scully & Greg Dillon Full results www.sunshinecoastlawnbowls.com.au

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“It’s the cream of a big Sunshine Coast winter season, where complementary events are hosted by individual clubs from around June 15 to the end of July. “It’s been part of our Winter here since 1962.”

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A “grey nomad” from Charters Towers Russell Harber was crowned king of the 2015 Winter Carnival, defeating hometown favourite Monica C WLING LUB INSU BO final event, RA Duff from Kawana inS • the N R the prestige Mixed Singles.

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Open pairs Julie Keegan & Fay Whittaker (Kawana)

The $15,000 Sunshine Coast Winter Carnival is well known across the country and attracts bowlers looking for “sun, surf, sand and bowls”, Sullivan said.

“We had travellers from as far away as Western Australia and New Zealand.”

Mixed pairs Darren Maddrell (Pacific Paradise) & Tony Bush (Kawana)

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september 2015

Umpire with

Joan Brotherton

Law Book Q&A 1. As the weather has turned cold and wet, you are having problems on the mat with a tendency to slip. You ask the Umpire for advice as to what can be done?

6. A Skip asks the third how many shots do they have. The third is uncertain and measures between the bowls with their foot. Is this allowed?

Law 6.2.6 (Page 23) To gain better grip during adverse weather conditions a player can, before delivering their bowl, lift the mat, turn it over and replace it in its original position.

No. Law 23.3 (Page 36) No measuring (that is, the use of equipment, such as that described in Law 54, placed between the jack and bowls to decide which bowls are shot) will be allowed before the process of deciding the number of shots scored starts (as described in law 23.1).

2. A player is told during a game that they are foot-faulting and becomes upset and decides to ask the Umpire to explain the foot-faulting law. Law 7.1 (Pages 23/24) Before delivery a player must be standing on the mat with all or part of at least one foot on the mat. At the moment they deliver the jack or a bowl, they must have all or part of one foot on or above the mat. Law 7.2 (Page 24) Before delivery a player using an approved wheelchair must have one wheel on the mat and, at the moment they deliver the jack or a bowl, the player must have all or part of one wheel on or above the mat. 3. During a pennant game, one of the players has a fall and cannot continue in the game. What should happen? DR.2.5 Absentee players in a side game: DR.2.5.2 (Page 119) If a player has commenced the game, however is unable to continue the game and no eligible substitute or replacement player is available or allowed, play will continue as if one player is absent as per DR.2.5.1. DR.2.5.1.1 A team with an absent player plays as though the second is the missing player. DR.2.5.1.2 The order of play shall be maintained by the second of the complete team playing consecutive bowls. DR.2.5.1.3 Each player must use the number of bowls specified in the Conditions of Play for that event. Which means, for example in Pennant, each player plays with 2 bowls each, therefore, one team would play with 8 bowls and the team with the missing player would play with 6 bowls. I suggest players read the full Domestic Law regarding the above on Pages 119/120 as it sets out the correct procedures to be adopted in various situations. They are important and can affect the end result.

If a player measures before the process of deciding the number of shots scored starts, the defaulting team will lose the right to play any bowls remaining to be played in that end and the non-defaulting team will deliver their remaining bowls to complete the end. 7. A player plays their bowl and the Skip feels that it has not gone long enough. The umpire is called to measure the length. Does the bowl get placed on the line? No, it stays where it finished. Law 17.1.3 (Page 32) After completing its original course or after being moved as a result of play, it comes to rest at a distance of less than 14 metres, as measured in a straight line, from the centre of the mat line to the nearest point of the bowl. 8. The Umpire has been called to determine the shot and finds that it is a tied end. The players then ask what happens now? Law 24.2 (Page 38) The end must be declared tied and recorded on the score card as a completed end. Law 24.3 (Page 38) Following a tied end, Law 5.4 will apply. (Which is: in all ends after the first but apart from in an extra end, the winner of the previous scoring end must place the mat and then deliver the jack and the first bowl). I trust that the above is of help to you as there are many situations that arise in a game and a simple question to an umpire can help ease your mind.

I hope many of you are considering making enquiries about the new officiating courses that are available in your Districts as they have been made more attractive and simpler.

4. A bowl comes to rest and then falls and touches the jack whilst the next bowl is in course. Should this bowl be marked as a toucher?

We need more Officials to enable this wonderful game of bowls to continue to be successful.

No. Law 14.2.1 (Page 30) It falls and touches the jack before the next bowl is delivered. Therefore it fell after the next bowl was delivered.

There are now three (3) accreditations available to those who wish to perform specific roles such as Marker, Measurer and National Umpire.

5. A Skip inspecting the head accidently moves the jack. What should happen? Law 38.1.3 (Page 55) Displacement of a jack at rest. If a jack at rest within the rink of play is displaced by a player, the opposing skip or opponent in Singles must put the jack back to its former position.

Please contact your District Umpire Panel for more details.

september 2015

queensland bowler

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september 2015

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with Rino Parrella

Perennial Pests It’s been a mild Winter and now Spring is here, it’s time for the annual reminder about some “perennials” that crop up at this time of year. Spring Dead Spot If you applied a preventative to your greens in late Summer this year, hopefully you won’t see the arrival of any Spring Dead Spot. If you do find the tell-tale patches starting to appear, make sure you’re on the front foot in late Summer/early Autumn next year. Two applications of Banner Maxx, one month apart, will act as a preventative and should spare you the scurge of Spring Dead Spot come September. If you missed the preventative this year, treat any saucer-like patches with a spray this month, and follow up for the next two months. I use a mix of 1.2 ltrs of Rovral with 2.5 kg of Thiram, mixed with a wetter, sprayed on the patches, and drenched in well.

This mixture stops the patches losing all their grass, which is a good save, given if you lose the grass completely, it will take a long time to recover at renovation time. Keep up a monthly wetting agents programme because it’s useful for keeping away dry patches as the weather starts to heat up.

Black beetle is usually in high numbers after a dry Winter and Spring. They hatch their eggs in October so get ready with the insecticides to kill the larvae, as it can do a lot of damage.

Black Beetle Black beetle is usually in high numbers after a dry Winter and Spring. They hatch their eggs in October so get ready with the insecticides to kill the larvae, as it can do a lot of damage. Ground pearl Also look out for ground pearl, which starts to appear in the first heat of October. Most contact insecticide will keep ground pearl at bay. Weeds Spring is the time for weeds to start popping up around the greens and banks, especially clover and creeping oxalis.

It’s easy to fix if you keep on top of it.

Kleen lawn herbicide will do the trick on blue couch surrounds and Barmac DSMA herbicide on tiff greens.

After working for more than 30 years as a greenkeeper, our Greens Guru Rino Parrella will retire from Scarborough Bowls Club at the end of September. Scarborough was Rino’s first and last club; he followed his dad John into the trade when he was just 16 years old. Rino has been Queensland Bowler magazine’s Green Guru since August 2013. BQ: What are you looking forward to about retirement? Doing all the thing I wasn’t able to do as a greenkeeper, such as travelling, caravanning, and sleeping in, and not being in a rush every morning. BQ: What has been the best thing about being a greenkeeper? I would have to say working outdoors, the fresh air keeps you fit and healthy, and the flexibility. And being able to play lots of bowls of course! BQ: What is the worst thing about being a greenkeeper? Early starts, rushing to get the greens ready on time every day, hot and dry summers, difficulty getting holidays , and whinging bowlers that blame the green… BQ: Is it worth saving grass greens?

I’m biased of course, but yes, a good grass green beats a synthetic hands down. BQ: Best advice to get more out of a green? Recognise all the pests and diseases when they arrive and learn how to treat them. Mow and roll often in summer. Don’t let your greens die in drought times. BQ: Best advice to get more out of bowls? Surround yourself, and listen to better bowlers than yourself. Enter lots of singles events, club, district, state. Always be confident and positive, don’t beat yourself up if you lose, and learn by your mistakes. BQ: Best advice to get more out of life? Life balance is hard to achieve but important. Have someone to love and be loved back. Have something to do and keep yourself occupied. Always have something to look forward to, forward plan, but don’t be rigid, and have contingencies in place. Try not to sweat the small stuff. BQ: Memories from a lifetime on a bowls green? We would all like to be remembered by the good times and friends we’ve made over the years. And of course, one never grows tired of talking about the exciting games we’ve played and experienced.

september 2015

queensland bowler

Developing Bowls with BQ State Development co-ordinator Greg Caulley

Busy time for bowls development By the time you read this, our 5th annual State Multi Disabilty Bowls Championships will have concluded at Aspley Memorial Bowls Club (Aug 30 - Sept 2, photos and report in next month’s Bowler). I hope everyone was well pleased with the event and their results. The next event for the state development team is the 2015 Secondary Schools Cup, to be played at Club Pine Rivers (Sept 11-12), with 18 Queensland schools represented in the State Final. A couple of other recent highlights for lawn bowls in Queensland include:

Edge Hill Media Challenge

Edge Hill Bowls Club in Cairns hosted a recent charity bowls day to raise money for families devastated by the Ravenshoe gas explosion. BQ state development officer Tim Blake was there to facilitate the bowls. There was a popular Come & Try session in the morning, complete with colourful Jack Attack kit for the youngsters.

In the afternoon, the club hosted its inaugural “Media Challenge”. Inagural winners were ABC Far North (pictured, red shirts), from left, Sharon Molloy, Adam Stephen, Phil Staley, Kirsty Nancarrow, and Kier Shorey. Runners up were the Cairns Post team (blue shirts). It was very important for Edge Hill bowls club to do something useful for the

Ravenshoe community and so many people rallied around, for example, buying a $2 raffle ticket with $20 and saying “keep the change”. Edge Hill and the media groups hope to make it an annual challenge, to raise money for a needy community cause. A total of more than $4000 was raised for the Ravenshoe community. Well done to all.

Tara Camel Races What an amazing event.

I had the Bowls Queensland promotional vehicle working hard amongst all the hoop-la of the Tara Camel Races weekend.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to see much of the actual camel races due to my job to keep the bowls rolling, but thanks to photographer Stephen Mowbray I got to see a little bit of the action after all, if not live (pictured left). The BQ promotional vehicles are based in Brisbane, Maryborough and Townsville to help your club service Come and Try Days, town festivals or shopping centre promotions. Book online.

queensland bowler

september 2015

Want to upskill? A recent trip to Tropical Far North Queensland by Bowls Queensland’s volunteer coaching committee was well received. Barry Ward and Alan Thorp conducted a skills training course for around 50 keen bowlers from Mossman and Edmonton Bowls Clubs. The team’s Dennis O’Toole previously conducted skills training at Townsville district clubs Ayr, Ingham and Townsville. Pictured: Coaching the coaches at Mossman, Christy Colley, Alan Thorp, David Egan, Glenise Sharpe, Eric Smith, front, Barry Ward, Russell Hubbard.

2015 State Secondary Schools Cup club pine rivers, sept 12-13

Toby Furber and Corey Johnson (pictured) are the bowls stars from Atherton State High School in Queensland’s Far North, pumped to do battle against 17 other school rep sides in the state final of the 2015 Secondary Schools Cup. The final is usually played on the first weekend of the September school holidays, but in a break with tradition, the BQ state development team scheduled the play offs a week earlier, and it’s proved to be a popular move. The official opening is at 8.15am on Sat Sept 12 at Club Pine Rivers, followed by six rounds of nine-end, three-bowl pairs. The final four rounds will be played on Sunday, starting at 8.15am, with lunch and presentations set for 2pm. “Club Pine Rivers is a generous host and visiting teams, families and spectators should enjoy the competition and the venue, it’s a real coup for these students, playing state championships for glory for their school and club,” BQ state development officer Daryl Francey said, The 18 State Secondary School Cup finalists for 2015 and their supporting bowls clubs are: Atherton SHS/ Atherton BC Banora High School/ Tweed Heads BC Emerald SHS/ Emerald BC Fairholme College/ South Toowoomba BC Helensvale SHS/ Club Helensvale Hervey Bay SHS/ Urangan BC Monto SHS/ Monto BC Mount Larcom SS/ Mount Larcom BC Mundubbera P1-10/ Binjour BC North Mackay SHS/ Souths Suburban (Mackay) BC Rockhampton SHS/ Rockhampton BC St Augustine’s College/ Thursday Island BC St Benedict’s College/ Club Pine Rivers St Eugene College A & B/ Narangba BC St Patrick’s College/ Souths Suburban (Mackay) BC Westside Christian College A & B/ Goodna BC

At Edmonton Brothers, Carol Campbell, TFNQ district president Bernie Wolland, Faith Guesmer, Grahame Webster, TFNQ vice president Geoff Morton.

september 2015

queensland bowler

Curt Schatz

Club Law

Club Amalgamations – issues to consider No doubt most of you would have heard about another bowls club’s experience with an amalgamation or merger with another club. This trend isn’t unique to bowls clubs. A range of other licensed clubs are entering into mergers and consolidations as a result of operating cost increases, facilities becoming expensive to maintain, a drop in membership numbers and increased competition for customers and revenue. Options include merging with a similar club, amalgamating with a larger licensed club that is not a bowls club, or seeking private investment or management. When considering an amalgamation there are a range of issues that the clubs need to consider. The first is to start discussing a merger or exploring your options early. If the club leaves it until too late there will undoubtedly be financial pressure at this point meaning the club doesn’t have the luxury of taking its time to ensure all options are considered. Usually the club is in a weaker bargaining position at this point. A common option for amalgamation is a merger with a neighbouring bowls club. This has the benefit of consolidating two membership bases that are of a similar demographic with similar interests and ensures that members do not have to travel too far. Usually the clubs will pool their assets, operate out of one venue and sell off any remaining assets.

Where one of the clubs owns its own freehold land, then often the merged entity will move to the venue that is a Council leasehold (or similar tenure) so the freehold land can be sold off to generate cash that can be invested in the merged club. But there are other options. There has been a trend in recent times for bowls clubs to merge with other licensed clubs – particularly RSL clubs, Leagues clubs and general sporting clubs.

There has been an increasing trend towards private investment in bowls clubs. In these circumstances, the other club will generally either purchase the bowls club’s freehold land, or take over its Council lease, and take over the responsibility of operating the licensed clubhouse premises and maintaining the bowls greens. The bowls club members will all become members of the other club, but the bowls club can still continue to exist as an independent entity in its own right. This has the benefit of allowing it to continue with its own elections and committee, run its own competitions and continue to be affiliated with Bowls Qld and the relevant district – without having to move to another site or merge with a neighbouring bowls club, and without needing to also manage a licensed club business operation.

partner mullins lawyers

There has also been an increasing trend towards private investment in bowls clubs. This occurs when a bowls club sells its freehold land to a private entity and leases it back and/or where the bowls club enters into a management agreement with a qualified management company that takes over management of the licensed club business for a fee. The benefit from selling the freehold to a private entity is that it can unlock cash for the club to spend on its operations, but clubs need to ensure they will be able to service the annual rental payments under the lease back. The benefit from a management agreement is gaining access to a professional manager with the necessary skills to focus on the on-premises operation of the clubhouse, with a view to improving profitability and long term sustainable revenues for the club. With each of these options there are obviously many benefits but also potential disadvantages and risks that need to be thoroughly explored. For this reason it is important to start considering amalgamation options early to allow enough time for all options to be properly canvassed and to obtain advice on the options to ensure the best possible outcome and structure is achieved for the club, to provide maximum benefit for members into the future. Should you have any queries or require any further information, please contact myself on (07) 3224 0230 or my partner Matthew Bradford on (07) 3224 0353.

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

queensland bowler

september 2015

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 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 models, colours and sizes. Name.............................................................................................. Address........................................................................................... ....................................................................................................... State.........................................................Postcode........................ Daytime telephone........................................................................... *email.............................................................................................

Entries must be received by Sept 30. Winner will be announced in the Nov issue. Original entry forms only, no photocopies accepted. Only one entry per household.

Judy Grave from Pialba

september 2015

queensland bowler

Coaching - with

Cleveland’s Mary Ross

Club coaching...why it’s a great thing to do A club coach is most often the doorway to a club, as a new member gains confidence and their feeling of belonging by the attitude of the coach.

I always tell my pupils there is no such word as ”can’t” in our dictionary.

A short tour of the clubhouse and an explanation of the facilities available also helps to make them feel comfortable.

When beginning to coach, it is wise to tell the new bowler that there is quite a deal to learn, but if they are patient with themselves, they will soon ”get the hang of it”.

As a club coach for more than 20 years, it has always been my desire to introduce the basic principles of bowling to new members and to make them realise what a great game it is to be enjoyed both socially and competitively. It is so rewarding to see the progress new bowlers make, some very quickly and some not so, but all enjoying the challenge.

The mind is a powerful force and if you tell yourself you ”can’t”, you won’t.

I always tell them too that the most important thing is to enjoy not only the game, but the friendship of their fellow bowlers. A coach must be able to appraise the capability of the individual and perhaps give more attention to one particular aspect, if they are having a particular difficulty.

It is also necessary to keep their attention by allowing them to roll some bowls very early in their coaching. After all, this is why they came to be coached. Boredom can set in if a coach talks too much and there is no action! I mentioned how essential it is for a new bowler to have patience, but I must also add how absolutely essential it is for a club coach to have patience. A prospective member can easily be lost if the Coach shows impatience and their pupil starts to feel hopeless or embarrassed that they’re wasting your time. Also, it is also reassuring for a new bowler to know their “beginner” coach is always there to help, even after they have begun to actually play and master some elements of the game. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years as a Level 1 Club Coach. It has been my pleasure to have had many new members come to enjoy the game and enjoy the wonderful amenities a bowls club has to offer. I have formed great friendships with my pupils, some of whom have become very competitive bowlers, and I know all are enjoying the wonderful game of lawn bowls.

Mary Ross won State Mixed Pairs in 2013 with then 14-year old Jacob Nelson as skip. The seven-decade age difference between the two made no difference at all, the two working in great harmony on the green in a state final that showcased the beauty of bowls as a game for all ages. Jacob Nelson has gone on to many great successes since then, including his first Australian Open U18 Boys Singles title this year, and his first Junior Nugget.

queensland bowler

september 2015

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