UMPIRE COLUMN

Laws of the sport of bowls - rink possession, mat position & player changes

What a wonderful month we have all had, first it was the State District Sides over four great days, a few problems with the weather but we got through it. This was then followed by two weeks of State Championships with both these events bringing us all together in friendship and very competitive bowling. All those attending and watching on live streaming witnessed great bowls with many events going down to the last end before a winner was known. WELL DONE TO EVERYONE.

During the past month I have continued to receive many questions regarding the interpretation of various laws and I thank all members again for the opportunity to discuss their queries and trust that I have been of assistance to you all. Some of these queries are as follows:

Q: A Player is on the mat and felt that the players not in possession of the rink were too close to the mat. What is the Law covering that?

A: Section 1.3 – Possession of the rink (page 28) 12. Position of players: 12.1: In relation to the rink of play: 12.1.1 Players at the mat-end of the rink who are not delivering a bowl must stand at least 1 metre behind the mat. Important: Players on the mat shall be given every chance to play their bowls without interference and while they are in possession of the mat no other player should be within 1 metre of the mat.

Q: What happens at the head-end if they are members of the team not controlling play? A: 12.1.2: Players at the head-end of the rink and who are not controlling play must stand:

12.1.2.2 Behind the jack and away from the head if they are members of the team which is not in possession of the rink. 12.1.2.3 On the surrounds of the green if the jack is in the ditch, or 12.1.2.4 Well clear of the head if it is not possible to stand on the surrounds.

Q: Where do players of the team that are controlling the head stand?

A: 12.1.2.1 Behind the jack if they are members of the team which is in possession of the rink. 12.1.3 As soon as a bowl is delivered, a player who is controlling play from a position that is either level with or in front of the jack, must take their position as described in Law 12.1.2.

Q: What is the situation regarding stickers (adhesive markings) on the bowls?

A: Law 52 – Bowls (pages 72, 73 and 74) 52.1.8 The Controlling Body can supply adhesive (stick-on) markings for players to temporarily fix to both sides of their bowls or allow players to use their own markings. When these markings are used: 52.1.8.1 They are part of the bowl for all purposes under the Laws of the Sport of Bowls. 52.1.8.2 There must be only one layer of markings fixed to either side of the bowl. 52.1.8.3 They must not be put over the serial number and the World Bowls Stamp which are present on the bias side of the bowls, and

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52.1.8.4 All bowls belonging to players within a team or side must have these markings on them and the markings must all be the same design and colour. However, players may use markings which are different in size from those used by other players in their team or side where this is necessary due to differences in the sizes of either the manufacturers’ rings or the distinguishing marks on the bowls. 52.1.8.5 If opposing teams or sides have the same design or colour of markings and an alternative is not available, players in the team or side listed second in the draw must remove their markings.

Also, Domestic Rule – 4.7.4 (page 120) For Domestic play in Australia, adhesive (stick-on) markings (as permitted under Law 52.1.8) may cover the distinguishing mark on the bias side of the bowl.

Important to note: The adhesive markings must be properly affixed to each bowl. The surface of a bowl is smooth and does not have protruding surfaces. Only one adhesive sticker per side of a bowl is allowed at one time. For example, you must remove old stickers before placing new stickers on your bowls.

Photos below are correct as per Laws 52.1.8, 52.1.8.2 & 52.1.8.3

Photos below are incorrect as per Law 52.1.8.3

Large sticker correctly placed on the bowl Small sticker correctly placed on the bias side of the bowl

Large sticker incorrectly placed on the bowl – is overlapping or protruding Small sticker incorrectly placed on the bowl as it is covering the serial number and part of the World Bowls stamp

WINDSOR CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

By Alan Brown

In 1921, then-Mayor and avid lawn bowler, Bob Lane of Windsor Town Council, asked Windsor residents if they would like to form a bowls club and 24 people unanimously agreed. They chose to start the club at its current location with construction taking place from May 1921 to May1922. During the construction, the Windsor Bowls Club had friendly competitions with residents of Auchenflower, Balmoral and Clayfield to promote their soon-to-be-opened club facilities. On the day of the club’s launch, 77 people signed up to be members.

On April 22, 2021 Windsor Bowls Club celebrated its centennial milestone with members and guests including the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner, Trevor Evans MP, Councillor Andrew Wines, Centenary Chairman Mal Greig and distinguished members Bev Whitehead, Lottie Redfern and Dot Kennedy.

After a great rendition of Advance Australia Fair by the local Holy Cross Primary School choir, MC for the day Alan Brown (Brownie) welcomed everyone and introduced Centenary Chairman, Mal Greig. Mal welcomed everyone with a particular mention to the members from the Bribie Island Bowls Club which was established by Windsor Bowls Club members in 1929. He remarked it was a time to celebrate and recognise the club’s many achievements. Mal went on to say that while Windsor Bowls Club had battled floods and storms, embraced technological changes and survived financial crises, 2020 was the biggest challenge when the club’s doors were forced to close for a time during COVID-19. Surviving the shutdown was an outstanding effort.

He thanked the many people involved in helping the club survive particularly our bowlers who returned in numbers to the greens after shutdown and performed so well in the last 9 months. The club won a Division 2 Pennant in late 2020 and are now 2021 Champions of the GR8 Bowls Tournament in Men’s Division 1 and in Ladies Division 3. The club may only have 69 bowls members (not quite as many as the 400 of our Bribie Island cousins) but it’s a strong, competitive and proud club.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner paid tribute to the club and said that after 100 years, the Windsor Bowls Club remains the heart of the local community where residents love to relax, socialise and play a great game of bowls. This has shown to be true by the local community who have returned in force to celebrate the freedom of the outdoors in 2021. Dining and Barefoot bowls functions at the club are booming in 2021 as many people look to local community clubs for their fun and enjoyment. We are more than a bowls club, we are part of the Windsor Community and proud of it.

Trevor Evans MP took the opportunity to also talk about the club being a community hub to announce a grant of over $10,000 through Stronger Communities Program to upgrade the club’s security system.

Councillor Andrew Wines formally launched the Centenary Booklet which outlined 100 years of achievements by the club. One notable point was that the club hosted the first ever Qld televised bowls event in 1965, the Men’s Metropolitan singles final. A short video was also produced and is available on the club’s website.

The celebration was also a chance for the Windsor Bowls Club to accept Centenary Plaques from Bowls Australia, Bowls Queensland and Brisbane District Bowls Association.

With the formalities over everyone enjoyed a sumptuous morning tea, followed by a friendly game of bowls in the early afternoon. Cr Andrew Wines, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Centenary Chairman Mal Greig and Trevor Evans MP decided to give the bowlers some expert tips prior to the game starting.

As the club enters its second century, Centenary Chairman Mal Greig noted the need for current and future governments at all levels, bowls administrators, clubs and bowlers to work together, be innovative and take the game of bowls to a successful future.

“It remains important to preserve the club’s history, so that in another100 years the new generation of bowlers can look back and admire the achievements,” he said.

Small bowls clubs like Windsor are an important part of the bowls community and will remain key to the future development of the sport. The club’s members look forward to being part of the Windsor Bowls Club for some time to come. It is a great club and they are all proud to be members. Members of the club are honoured to remain custodians of this great clubhouse and the sport of bowls for another century.

Kerry Green, Greg Flynn, Mal Greig & Brian Marshall with the BQ plaque

Golden Oldies Bev Whitehead, Lottie Redfern and Dot Kennedy

BA Plaque L-R: Wade Mutzelburg, Mal Greig & Micheal Sorrensen Cr Andrew Wines, Mal Greig, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner & Trevor Evans MP

WHAT’S YOUR CLUB BEEN DOING?

Gold city’s facelift and new green

L to R: Errol Shuttleworth, Jason the contractor & Harry Bartlett By Bob Wine

Gold City Bowls Inc. was incorporated as an amalgamated bowls club in June 2018, which combined three bowling associations in Charters Towers. At that time, we owned two properties and had two ageing bowls greens requiring urgent replacement. In January 2020, one of the properties was sold and the club moved permanently to the property at 12-14 Prior Street Richmond Hill, located next door to the RSL club. This property was neglected and seriously in need of significant repairs, maintenance and the bowls green and overhead shade cover needed replacing. The sale of the property and the move to Prior Street all took place in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and was dramatically affected by the associated restrictions. Nevertheless, bowls games were possible on the old and worn carpet bowls green at Prior Street and the members persevered under strained and difficult conditions. The club committee set about negotiating the funding and construction of a replacement carpet bowls green. Again, this process was more difficult because of the Covid-19 regulations and restricted operations. There did not appear to be any worthwhile grant funding options available for such a large project. The club was compelled to make use of the proceeds from the sale of the other property to pay for a new carpet green without any grant funding assistance. After numerous postponements, construction of the new bowls green commenced in early December 2020. The project was plagued with multiple delays and a series of wet weather periods until the final completion of the project on Thursday 29 April. The contractor, Jason, did an excellent job on the project and the club now has a quality playing surface which should provide an assurance of continuation of the sport of lawn bowls in Charters Towers for years to come. Jason was supported by two club members Harry Bartlett and Errol Shuttleworth whilst the project was under way. They also spent many hours working on establishing and maintaining lawn grass on the bowls green surrounds. They painted the exterior of the club buildings, saving the club thousands of dollars. Great job fellows. You have done a great service to your club. While members were unable to play bowls from December through to April whilst the bowls green was under construction, the Gold City Bowls selectors sent a team of players to the North QLD District Men’s Blue Pennants event in the Bowen district area on April, 16-18. Most of the team members had not played

bowls for almost five months, yet the team managed to record three wins and one draw from seven games and was placed fourth overall in the event. Congratulations to the team members for showing such a high level of commitment, perseverance and bowls skill. From now on, there will be the opportunity for game practice on our new carpet bowls green in preparation for Pennants and other important events.

By Elaine Forster

On March 28 the Holland Park neighbourhood and families arrived to celebrate a community treasure. Holland Park Sports and Community Club had been sitting quietly in a corner of Mott Park for 80 years; the question was, “how do we become a welcoming place, sustainable into the future?” . From bowls clubs born in the forties and reformatted when Lynndon Bowls Club closed and amalgamation happened, to now as the club optimistically moves to the future. We realised we needed to be engaged in the community and build a safe, fun space for friends and families. Today, the club is a welcoming resource for many groups: Jeannie’s Dance Studio, Wednesday night Tango with Judy Gaunt, Abbotsleigh Art, Lotus Car Club, Coorparoo Probus, Sunrise Toastmasters. Families and organisations can hire spaces for events from baby showers to wakes, from small meetings to large seminars. To celebrate our 80th milestone, music, food trucks, face painting and barefoot bowls were on offer and children participated in bowls competitions (the local school has lawn bowls as a school sport, coached by Bowls Queensland trained club volunteers). The Union Pacific Model Railroad Club downstairs was able to join the party and open its doors to the public. Treasure your records, as it is good to look back. Proud families searched for connections to the club at the historical display. The ladies club had kept archival records but the where the men’s records are remain a mystery. During the Covid-19 closures, the club’s facilities were improved and due to a grant, the club is now an accessible venue. We have a renovated kitchen and bar, and an unused shed was converted into a colourful coffee shop. Mott Park dogs and their owners stop by for an early morning snack and coffee break, school mums drop in and stay for kindy bowls, while tradies and bowlers enjoy cappuccinos and iced lattes. Covid-19 bowled a curved ball but the club now takes aim for a sustainable future.

Blake Walker & President Bronwyne StieglerTaite

Atherton’s ladies in action during their “Under the Roof” event

WHAT’S YOUR CLUB BEEN DOING?

FATHER & SON WIN AT GOOSIES

By Tony Allsop

Chris Banney has been highly successful during the Goosies Club Championships in Mackay, winning the singles, pairs with son Scott, and skipping the winning fours team, but missed out on the two bowl triples. Chris has been playing the past few years with Northern Beaches club, but has declared for Goosies this year, and has been a club member for many years. The club’s ladies have also had a great run. Their latest success was winning the District Symons Shield from the other ten competing teams. Northern Beaches club ran second. Entries for the Goosies $10,000 will be called shortly and entries for the Under The Shed comp in February 2022 will open later in the year.

Father and son duo, Chris & Scott Banney

FIRST HARRUP SHIELD WIN FOR GRACEMERE

The winning team L-R: Ron Wigginton, John Sleaford, Nigel Chippendale, Noel Smalley, John Newman, Rod Mooney & Nick Jones

By Garry Walker

The Gracemere Club has won the 2021 Harrup Shield following their 2-1 win over Yeppoon Club in the final played at Victoria Park on May 9. The Gracemere Club was founded in 1991 and this was their first win in the event, after being defeated in three previous finals in 2005 at Victoria Park, Rockhampton in 2017 and in 2020 at Victoria Park.

The only remaining member from the 2005 game is John Newman, making this win incredibly special for him as he has been through the highs and lows that a bowls club goes through. To make the final, the team defeated defending champions, Victoria Park in the semi-final, in a game worthy of a final. The Victoria Park Club had earlier eliminated Diggers Memorial, while Gracemere had a good win over the Rockhampton Club.

The Harrup Shield has been played for since the mid 1950s and is keenly contested by all clubs in the Central Queensland District. The 2022 Harrup Shield will be held at the Gracemere Bowls Club.

By Brigitte Ackerman

The Village, Redcliffe ANZAC Shield 2021 A glorious autumn day dawned for Anzac Day 2021. Many club bowlers, visitors, including a large contingent of bowlers from The Village, a major and valued sponsor of the club, mingled in the Scarborough Clubhouse sharing stories and catching up with past friends. Paul Rishman, the club organiser (a returned member), conducted a brief remembrance service, then play got underway for the ANZAC Shield. After the game, bowlers returned to the clubhouse for refreshments, raffles and the playing results announcement. The day ran smoothly thanks to the efforts of our organisers Paul Rishman and Val Hansen and all our wonderful volunteers. Lest we forget.

Winners of the Anzac Day Shield for 2021 were: Noel Gardner (Skip), Pat Murphy (2nd) and Bev Hill (Lead)

Organisers Paul Rishman & Val Hansen

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AUSTRALIAN BLIND BOWLERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Beatrice Kassulke

Twenty-eight bowlers from all around Australia travelled to Port Macquarie for their National Championships. It was pleasing to note that there were nine bowlers who attended the Nationals for the first time. The Queensland Team had two new members, WA two, Vic one and NSW three. The Queensland team consisted of 14, with seven players and seven directors. Competition was strong in the B2, B3 and B4 categories with only three competitors in B1 (totally blind). On the second day of competition, rain disrupted play after the first session, which meant the other sessions for that day had to be rescheduled. As a result of the rain, only two competition events, Open Singles in each category and Open Singles with a combination of B1/B2 Players and B3/B4 Players could be played in the round robin format. The other scheduled events of B1/B2 Drawn Pairs and B3/B4 Drawn Pairs were played as a knockout event, with medals being awarded but points for the overall best performed State could not be included. Queensland had no competitors in B1 Category. In B2 Category, Peter Uther with Director Bernie Clark (Queensland) received the silver medal in B1/B2 Drawn Pairs with Margaret Rosewall (Victoria). In B3 Category, Queenslanders Jake Fehlberg with Director Grant Fehlberg (silver) and Lynne Seymour with Director Bob Seymour( bronze) were beaten in the B3 Open Singles by gold medalist Fred McConnell from New South Wales who was a first time participant in this event. In the B3/B4 Open Pairs Queensland took out Gold – Tony Tully with Director Andy Thornley and Jake Fehlberg with Director Grant Fehlberg, and Silver – Fred Tarry with Director Bruce Hill and Dennis Wormald with Director Christine McGrath. In B4 Category Open Singles Queensland’s Dennis Wormald with Director Christine McDonald was awarded the bronze medal behind Sharon Dunk (NSW) and Peter Campion (Vic). The knockout B3/B4 drawn Pairs was won by Jacky Hudson (NSW) and Fred Tarry with Director Christine McDonald (Qld), silver Martin Bock (NSW) and Dennis Wormald with Director Christine McGrath (Qld) and bronze went to Fred McConnell (NSW) and Jake Fehlberg with Director Grant Fehlberg (Qld). The ABBA Shield for the Best Performed State was awarded to Western Australia. Whilst the players and directors can be required to play three two hour games each they all enjoy the strong competition and the friendships they have formed while competing in this event. QBBA thanks Bowls Queensland for their continued support in blind bowls.

Winners L-R Andy Thornley, Tony Tully, Jake Fehlberg and Grant Fehlberg - Gold B3/B4 Open Pairs

Beatrice Kassulke with Fred Tarry and Dennis Wormald & Christine McGrath with Ripley (Fred’s director Bruce Hill had to return home before presentation) - Silver B3/B4 Open Pairs Lynne & Bob Seymour - Bronze B3 Open Singles

A small group of blind bowlers play every Monday at Geebung Bowls Club, Geebung. They would love to have more members, so if you are interested, please contact Secretary Liz Blake qldblindbowlers@gmail.com.