Update 21st
March 2012
Bowling On – 21st March 2012.
As we march
inexorably towards the end of the bowling season It is probably timely to
undertake some introspection and properly look at the state of the game in the
Manawatu.
It is well
to remember I make these comments as a Columnist and not as the President of
the Manawatu Bowling Centre. I was a columnist before I joined the Centre
executive and while there are naturally overlaps my personal perspectives may
not be the views of my fellow executive members. Hopefully I can provoke
discussion and feedback on the following views:-
1. Not all
clubs are in a healthy state. We are seeing a lack of volunteers and an aging
group of mid-weekers means there are fewer capable of undertaking the heavy
work when greens are renovated.
2. Club
member numbers are back which is an undeniable fact and revenue falls
accordingly.
3. Centre
Events and National and regional commitments are taking up far too many days.
Why do we run open centre events and champion of champions? Champion of of
champions sorts out true club champions as teams first need to see off all
their home competition then the best of the rest in the centre. Why not make
those teams the ones that go forward to National Club championships instead of
starting from scratch again? Centre events no longer appeal to rank and file
bowlers.
4. The make
up of the Centre executive is archaic in its structure and those eligible for
election. Currently only club delegates can be elected to the centre which
clearly can deny other bowlers an opportunity they may be very suited to and
relish. The make up still sticks rigidly to numbers split equally by gender
even though there are nearly three times the number of males as females playing
the game. Availability and capability should be the criteria not by Club or
gender.
5. We have
too many greens in the centre. My view is Clubs are better off reviewing the
number of greens they use rather than looking to amalgamate as a solution. One
first class green is more an asset than three average or poorer greens.
6.
Unstructured bowls such as "mates in bowls" and business house remain
popular but do not result in members coming into the traditional game. Why not?
Time is the enemy and the traditional game takes too long.
7. The game
doesn't look attractive. Little colour and no carnival atmosphere.
8. Bowlers
feel alienated from Bowls NZ and perceive they are not interested in club
bowlers other than for the capitation fees they provide.
I hate
negativity but unless we front some of these issues the game will continue to
decline. I don't expect I'll get much feedback but a few volunteers on the
Centre who are stretched enough anyway running day to day affairs can't provide
the catalyst for change that we need, Clubs need to collectively work together
if we are to change for the better.
* I was
privileged to play in the Men’s Masters tournament this week played between
Manawatu, Hutt Valley, Kapiti, Wairarapa, Wanganui and Wellinton. Manawatu
finished third and after five rounds the points range was 22 to 20 making it
the closest tournament I have ever seen. And yes the rumours are correct my
four (the rest of whom seek anonymity) did lose 25-0 to Wellington. A reminder
for all of us that this game always has a humility lesson close at hand!
* Last week
our women's Masters finished one better in their tournament with Bev Budd not
dropping a game. She remains an extraordinary competitor.
* It is the
time of year when tournaments take precedence with champion of champion events
all but over. Several Clubs have asked me to promote their upcoming tournaments
and there have been just too many to list. I would ask bowlers to look at your
centre books to see what's ahead and give some support to your fellow clubs.
* Our Centre
will be represented by two fours (Terrace End's Fran Frith and Palmerston
North's Brian Little) when the national Club finals are held in Invercargill
next month. Both teams are up for travel costs of over $2000 and both are busy
fundraising. Please support their major fundraiser which is a triples tournament
at Terrace End on Easter Monday.
* Speaking
of Terrace End they hosted a very good finals day for champion of champion
events last Sunday. I thought their number three green played beautifully. Good
to see their greenkeeper Terry Rossiter rewarded for his good form this season
with a fours win in the Takaro team.
* National
Interclub and Intercentre finals are being played at Howick this weekend and
good luck to Northern women and both our representative teams.
Tony Jensen
