Bowls Plus NSW September 2016

FR EE

August 2016 | Volume 6 Issue 5

Distributed FREE to Bowling Clubs

Your Local Bowling

& Lifestyle Magazine

Coconut water: Is the hype true?

Why your club needs a professional website Another successful Golden Nugget

Bowling at

Cherry

Street BALLINA

HEALTH ADVICE – LIFESTYLE – TRAVEL – HISTORY BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 1

Create your own native bird haven.

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HARMONY ™ Wild Bird seed mixes and cones have been specially formulated with a selection of seeds, fruit and nuts to attract a wide variety of native birds into your garden, whilst providing them with a healthy supplement to their natural diet.

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The choice of responsible wild bird feeders.

www.harmonywildbird.com.au 2 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

Tweed Theatre Company Inc. proudly presents...

The Princess and the Pea Written & Directed Music & Lyrics

by Natalie Trengove

by Jim Fury

Backings arranged and recorded by David Fennell

September 24 & 25 ~ October 1, 2, 8 & 9 all Matinees at 2pm ~ Theatre seating at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre Tickets online: www.tweedtheatre.com.au 1800 674 414 or at the door Tweed/Murwillumbah Information Centre BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 3

From the Editor Cherry Street Sports Club will once again host the popular Summerland series over the Summer holiday season, so be sure to head to beautiful Ballina for the chance to win some super cash prizes. Read more on pages 8-10.

The Grumpy Lead has written a letter to the editor regarding the change to the fixed fee affiliation system proposed by Bowls NSW (see page 6). Bowls Australia’s CEO Neil Dalrymple talks more about membership capitation on pages 16-19.

The Golden Nugget event was a great success with determined competitors and some excellent skills on display. See page 12-13 for more details.

Finally, have a look at page 30 to see why your club needs a good website. Every club needs a good online presence to attract new members and inform current players of events and offerings. If you need a new website, there’s a special deal running for Bowls Plus readers on page 31.

Until next time,

Jo

Congratulations go to Jeremy Henry on winning the Australian Indoor Championships. Opponent Curtis Hanley (17-years-old) showed remarkable skill and strongly challenged Henry in the second set, leading to an exciting finish (page 14).

IN THIS ISSUE The Grumpy Lead on fees

P6

Cherry Street in Ballina

P8

The Golden Nugget

P12

Indoor Championships

P14

BA’s CEO on Membership Capitation

P16

P12

FR EE

August 2016 | Volume 6 Issue 5

Distributed FREE to Bowling Clubs

Your Local Bowling & Lifestyle Magazine

Coconut water: Is the hype true?

Is coconut water good for you?

P26

Puzzles

P27

Club websites

P30

Volume 6 Issue 5

Bowls Plus New South Wales ABN 39605662440

Tel: 0402 644 920

Bowling at

Why your club needs a professional website

Cherry

Street

Another successful Golden Nugget

BALLINA

on the cover

L to R: Paul Henricks, Bowlers Paradise; Kris Lehfeldt, Ballina’s Cherry Street Sports Club’s Bowls Coordinator and Adam Hately, Manager of Taylor Bowls.

Read more on pages 8-10.

HEALTH ADVICE – LIFESTYLE – TRAVEL – HISTORY BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 1

Publisher | Cornerstone Communications Editor | Jo Grey | Email: editor@bowlsplusqld.com.au | Phone: 0402 644 920 Ad Sales | Email: sales@bowlsplusqld.com.au | Phone: 0479 042 695 Artwork & Design small t design | 07 3359 3336 | tracy@smalltdesign.com Contributors Greg Kelly, Kirsten Braun, Kristy Thatcher, The Grumpy Lead, and Bowls Australia Distributors David Allen Express Transport Visit www.bowlsplus.com.au to subscribe ($24 per year).

www.bowlsplus.com.au

Copyright: All material appearing in this magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or part is not permitted without permission from the publishers.

Notice: While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine is accurate, no responsibility is accepted by the publishers for material supplied by an individual, company or organisation or for any typographical errors.

The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher.

4 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

r e t t le

to the editor

Dear Editor,

I am a new novice bowler and I thought it might help to let clubs who are trying to recruit, and maintain new bowlers to their clubs, understand what may be happening in the bowls world through my experience.

In November of 2015 I started to approach my local clubs to determine where my wife and I wanted to go through the coaching process and become members. We wanted to be coached together and after a few trial coaching clinics we made our choice and away we went.

We enjoyed the coaching process and lodged our application to join which was successful. We completed our coaching and were given our certificates to bowl - and soon discovered that there was a serious lack of support given once you have become a member and finished your coaching.

Our coach was as helpful as he could be, but over the next few months as I tried in vain to bowl at the club competitions, I was constantly told I needed a partner for pairs or a team for fours or triples.

I am still working and was unable to find a partner, and my wife was unable to bowl as she had an injury that stopped her from bowling. I bowled in as many social games as I could but I was seeking more competition. My frustration grew when pennants came along and only the bowlers who show up each year for pennants were selected and the novices were left out. My club had teams in all divisions so I thought I had a chance to join in. I made sure it was not my ability that was in question.

Editor: Has anyone else experienced a lack of support from their club after the coaching process? How do we attract and retain members if clubs aren’t supporting novices? Please let me know if you have had a similar experience as The Frustrated Novice, or if you would like to respond on behalf of your club. Email editor@bowlsplusqld.com.au or use the contact form on the Bowls Plus website: www.bowlsplus.com.au

My frustration grew, all I constantly heard was “we need new bowlers in the club”. I ended up looking around other clubs to see if I could move on and find a club who will actively try to place me in team events and I believe that I have found a club to transfer to.

My point is, if you are going to spend time and effort to recruit new players, there needs to be follow up to ensure they are then welcomed into the club comps if they want to pursue that avenue.

To those novice bowlers that may have a similar problem I would suggest you look around for a club that will help you after they have you on board. To clubs I would suggest that you follow up on new bowlers and make sure they have been brought into the fold.

Sincerely yours, The Frustrated Novice

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 5

r e t t e l

to the editor

I see that our Bowls NSW is following the lead of Bowls Australia and Bowls Victoria of replacing the capitation affiliation method of affiliation fees with a fixed fee affiliation system.

I refer to the following excerpts of BA’s “Affiliation and Eligibility To Play Policy” 4.1 All players within Australia must be affiliated with at least one (1) STA as a result of their being a full, financial member of an affiliated Club with STA and BA membership.

4.3 No beginner, social or recreational player shall be permitted to play in any competition or social games until they become financial, affiliated members of a Club with membership of an STA and BA. This policy is very clear at 4.3 that any club’s membership category that gives ANY right to play cannot avoid paying an affiliation fee based upon the capitation system. Some clubs have thought that by having a social or similar category of bowler whereby the bowlers in that category could not play pennants or officially sanctioned events, they could avoid paying affiliation fees and hence lower members’ subscription costs and more members. Some clubs may have even gone further by preventing these category members from executive positions in the club in the hope that they would fly under the BA radar in the annual BA paperwork. As a result both Bowls Australia and Bowls NSW have been short changed by this sort of “non-affiliated” bowling member. One could assume that NSW is no different from other states on this issue.

The change to fixed fee offers an AMNESTY to this situation.

Bowls NSW and Bowls Australia have provided readily available and detailed reasons for introducing the fixed fee system. I suggest that you check these reports out. The fixed fee system is simple; clubs pay a fee based upon previous years’ fees, adjusted for CPI; irrespective of the number of bowling members, irrespective of the categories of bowling members and irrespective of how a club imposes an affiliation charge in the club’s membership subscriptions or otherwise.

We can’t avoid a downside. This is where a club has diminishing membership with little chance of reversing the decline. In this situation the affiliation fee per member would steadily increase without some concessions being gained from BA and BNSW. To me, the options to increase membership are less constrained than in the past and rewards the members of clubs whose boards and committees expand the community’s bowls playing activities beyond our current stereotypical position. Adaptability is necessary in any 6 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

economic situation to be alive to the future. It will be up to our boards and committees to grasp change and not even think of “the good old days” as something to be glued to, but as a pair of shoulders from which to fly into the future. Reactionary conservatism won’t cut the cake in bowls or anywhere else!

So here are some things to think of: • The board/committee now has to budget for the affiliation fees.

Previously, a set amount was excised from the annual membership but now the affiliation fee will be fixed for the club and hence will be variable per member depending on the number of members and the costing structure of membership categories and any other income strategy to cover the affiliation fee.

• Different membership category options for different sanctioned/ social bowling arrangements for cost sensitive members could lead to different conscience free variable subscriptions.

• New styles of membership categories could expand the playing base.

How about budgeting a component of each game’s green fees by a member or player towards the affiliation fee?

What is important is that clubs now have much more choice in how they manage their membership and how to meet their affiliation obligations.

Sometimes I reflect on how my age group have the conservative attitudes they do when, if they looked back at their younger days, how they bucked the system with their two sandbags in the rear of their FJ utes and oh, those beaver tails on the FJ sedans. I still won’t tell my children or grandchildren what I got up to in my earlier years. So let us be open to younger ideas and let us be open to the younger starting to manage bowls in their way. Fixed fee has potential to open our minds to these opportunities.

Cheers (or is it grumps?)

The Grumpy Lead.

Do you share or disagree with The Grumpy Lead’s perspective on the fixed fee affiliation system? Please send comments or replies to editor@bowlsplusqld.com.au.

See Bowls Australia’s CEO Neil Dalrymple’s explanation on membership capitation on page 16.

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Huge cash prizes in Ballina’s Summerland series

Paul Henricks, Bowlers Paradise and Adam Hately, Manager of Taylor Bowls are pictured either side of Cherry Street Bowls Coordinator Kris Lehfeldt at the announcement of the two-year sponsorship agreement on August 15.

8 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

The most prestigious tournament in the Northern Rivers is without a doubt the Summerland Series of Pairs & Singles held at the Cherry Street Sports Club over the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

The Cherry Street Ballina Sports club is a bowler’s paradise and the event, now in its 56th year keeps getting bigger and better.

This year the Bowlers Paradise Bowls Shop on the Sunshine Coast and Taylor Bowls are the new sponsors with naming rights to the $25,000 Pairs and Singles.

The 2017 Summerland Greenmaster Bowls Pairs is played over three days in between Christmas and New Year, on December 27th and 28th, with finals held on Thursday December 29th (2016).

The 2017 Summerland Taylor Bowls Singles, now played over five days, commences on Monday January 2nd, 2017 with sectional play every day until the final on Friday January 6th.

The resurgence of the Ballina Summerland Singles with an over-subscribed field of 128 in January this year, proved that competitive men and women bowlers want more similar events and will support major singles tournaments that are well run with the right format of play.

The 2016 change to the format for the singles tournament was applauded by all bowlers and was a resounding success, after the field increased from 64 to 128 with Gold and Silver divisions.

The singles field is played in eight sections of four bowlers on each of the four qualifying days, with the section winners and runners up playing one post section knockout round to reduce the field from eight to four bowlers in both Gold and Silver divisions.

After the four days of qualifying rounds, the final 16 in Gold and Silver will play off to find the winners in each division.

In the singles in January, Kevin Higson from Cementco won through to the semi finals defeating local Jamie Eichorn 21/20 and at the same time Sean Ingham from Broadbeach won 21/20 against this year’s Gold Coast

champion of champions Jade Groenewege with the same scoreline 21/20.

Higson won his semi final match 21/16 over highly rated Troy Somerville and again Ingham won 21/20 over Steve Halmai in a great match The experience of 59-year-old Higson, leading 19/9 at one stage held off a late charge by Ingham to win 21/17 and collected Gold Division winners prize of $3000 from president Paul Flood.

In the Silver Division, Kawana’s Kurt Brown defeated young rising star Ryan Digby 21/19 with the result in balance until the last bowl and Brown picked up the Silver Division first prize of $1200.

In previous years, the popular singles of 64 entries was oversubscribed by 20 or more bowlers and in some cases, a qualifying event was held. Now there is a full field of 128 bowlers from 50 clubs across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Northern Rivers and Sydney.

Back in 2014, Georgia White was the first lady to play in the Summerland series and this year, 31 ladies entered in the Pairs and Singles.

Today, Australian Ranking Points are awarded to this premier event.

Allan Abbott (Yamba) and Ballina’s Alf Boston are the defending Pairs Champions having won last year against hot favourites NSW champion team of Chris Herdon and Carl Healey.

Bowls Coordinator Kris Lehfeldt has been a major force behind the changes, along with the support of Board Chairman Dac Cameron and General Manager Tere Sheehan. This is the formula for a successful, well-run club, plus of course Michael Anderson as the doyen of greenkeepers. Cherry Street Sports Club - a Bowlers Paradise in the beautiful Northern River Region of New South Wales.

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 9

L A ND S E R E M R I M E U S CHERRY STREET S

PAIRS WINNERS

SINGLES WINNERS

2004 C Teys (Ballina) J Dolan (Wynnum/Manly)

2005

2005 G Bailey (Musgrave Hill) B McNish (Musgrave Hill) 2006 N Burgess (Lennox Head) S Globits (Helensvale) 2007 C Ramage (Raymond Terrace) N Downes (Soldiers Point)

Shane Globits (Paradise Point) 2006 Neil Burgess (Lennox Head) 2007 Brian Baldwin (Musgrave Hill) 2008 Washed out 2009

2008 B Cheyne (Springwood) J Mills (Redlands Bay)

Brett Wilkie (Helensvale)

2009 C Herden (Sth Tamworth) D Ferguson (Engadine)

Jamie Eichorn (Yamba)

2010 - Washout

Michael Anderson (Ballina)

2011 D Willcocks (St Kilda) S Baker (Broadbeach)

2012

2012 B Wilkie (Helensvale) K Lehfeldt (Ballina)

2010

2011

Mathew Pietersen (St Johns Park) 2013 Aaron Teys (Warilla) 2014

2013 M Bayliss (Tweed Heads) J Smith (Wynnum Manly)

Ryan Bester (Broadbeach)

2014 C Teys (Ballina) A Teys (Warilla)

Ray Glasser (Paradise Point)

2015 Alan Abbot (Yamba) Alf Boston (Ballina)

10 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

2015

2016 GOLD - Kevin Higson (Cementco) SILVER - Kurt Brown (Kawana)

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 11

The Golden Nugget Since the commencement of this event in 1986, it has become known as one of the most prestigious tournaments in Australia. Each year, the Tweed Heads Bowls Club selects a field of outstanding bowlers to compete in The Golden Nugget within Australia and New Zealand across four days. Since South Tweed legend Ken Williams beat Rob Parrella 31-30 in front of’a packed grandstand of more than 1500 in the first final back in 1986, the tournament has been recognised as the best and most successful singles event in the nation.

This year, The Golden Nugget took place from Monday, 8 August to Thursday, 11 August, with an edge of the seat set of finals that kept spectators mesmerized.

DAILY RESULTS Golden Nugget Invitational Singles August 8

Golden Nugget Invitational Singles August 9

Round 1 - Monday pm

Round 2 - Tuesday am

Round 3 - Tuesday PM

MEN

MEN

MEN

Section A

Section A

Section A

Scott Thulborn def Ryan Bester 25/22

Ryan Bester def Steve Halmai 25/16

Jeremy Henry def Ryan Bester 25/24

Steve Glasson def Aron Sherriff 25/13

Scott Thulborn def Aron Sherriff 25/17

Scott Thulborn def Steve Glasson 25/12

Jeremy Henry def Steve Halmai 25/21

Steve Glasson def Jeremy Henry 25/22

Aron Sherriff def Steve Halmai 25/12

Section B

Section B

Section B

Aaron Wilson def Kelvin Kerkow 25/8

Kelvin Kerkow def Paul Girdler 25/10

Kelvin Kerkow def Aron Teys 25/8

Paul Girdler def Aron Teys 25/19

Aaron Wilson def Leif Selby 25/24

Aaron Wilson def Brett Wilkie 25/16

Leif Selby def Brett Wilkie 25/16

Brett Wilkie def Aron Teys 25/12

Paul Girdler def Leif Selby 25/24

WOMEN

WOMEN

WOMEN

Section A

Section A

Section A

Lynsey Clarke def Anne Johns 25/22

Kelsey Cottrell def Rebecca van Asch 25/18

Jo Edwards def Carmen Anderson 25/2

Jo Edwards def Kelsey Cottrell 25/10

Jo Edwards def Anne Johns 25/5

Kelsey Cottrell def Anne Johns 25/11

Rebecca Van Asch def Carmen Anderson 25/16

Lynsey Clarke forfeit to Carmen Anderson

Rebecca Van Asch forfeit from Lynsey Clarke

Section B

Section B

Section B

Sandra Keith def Karen Murphy 25/22

Ellen Ryan def Chloe Stewart 25/16

Ellen Ryan def Natasha Scott 25/14

Natasha Scott def Sandra Keith 25/13

Carla Krizanic def Chloe Stewart 25/23

Karen Murphy def Carla Krizanic 25/21

Karen Murphy def Ellen Ryan 25/23 Carla Krizanic def Sandra Keith 25/10 Natasha Scott def Chloe Stewart 25/24

12 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

Images: Kristy Thatcher, THBC Bowls Assistant Coordinator

Round 4 - Wednesday PM

Round 5 - Wednesday PM

Semi Finals - Thursday AM

MEN

MEN

MEN

Section A

Section A

Aaron Wilson def Scott Thulborn 25/18

Jeremy Henry def Scott Thulborn 25/22

Jeremy Henry def Aron Sherriff 25/15

Jeremy Henry def Kelvin Kerkow 25/20

Steve Glasson def Steve Halmai 25/18

Ryan Bester def Steve Glasson 25/10

Aron Sherriff def Ryan Bester 25/12

Scott Thulborn def Steve Halmai 25/19

WOMEN

Section B

Section B

Kelvin Kerkow def Leif Selby 25/18

Brett Wilkie def Kelvin Kerkow 25/22

Aron Teys def Aaron Wilson 25/23

Paul Girdler def Aron Wilson 25/12

Brett Wilkie def Paul Girdler 25/13

Aron Teys def Leif Selby 25/7

WOMEN

WOMEN

Section A

Section A

Jo Edwards def Rebecca Van Asch 25/12

Jo Edwards def Lynsey Clarke 25/20

Kelsey Cottrell def Lynsey Clarke 25/15

Anne Johns def Rebecca van Asch 25/19

Carmen Anderson def Ellen Ryan 25/21

Kelsey Cottrell Def Carmen Anderson 25/18

Section B

Section B

Chloe Stewart def Sandra Keith 25/14

Karen Murphy def Chloe Stewart 25/24

Natasha Scott def Karen Murphy 25/19

Ellen Ryan def Sandra Keith 25/10

Carla Krizanic def Ellen Ryan 25/20

Carla Krizanic def Natasha Scott 25/24

Jo Edwards def Ellen Ryan 25/23 Kelsey Cottrell def Carla Krizanic 25/9

Final - Thursday PM MEN Jeremy Henry def Aaron Wilson 25/16 (first Golden Nugget win for Henry)

WOMEN Jo Edwards def Kelsey Cottrell 25/19 (fourth Golden Nugget win for Edwards)

Congratulations to all!

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 13

King Henry retains crown Jeremy Henry has defended his crown at the Australian Indoor Championships.

Reigning champion Jeremy Henry has gone back-to-back at the Australian Indoor Championships; etching his name in the record books as the first man since Kelvin Kerkow (2006-07) to win successive titles.

Henry claimed the title in straight sets, 11-2, 9-8, but it certainly wasn’t the one-sided affair that the scoreline may suggest, with his young opponent Curtis Hanley showing ability and prowess far above his tender age of just 17.

It was the third national indoor title for Henry, who also won in 2011, elevating him above Kerkow in the multiple winner stakes, but more than a few victories behind National Coach Steve Glasson’s nine titles.

“I’m over the moon,” Henry said after triumphing.

“I started really well but Curtis came back strongly in the second set; I had to play a couple of bombs to get me over the line.

“The first set I was really on top of it, nailing it, so he had to change something so he pulled the mat up and played short, and he was getting the best of it, until he got one unlucky break and lost a 4 which gave me a sniff that I capitalised on.

“The first end he had 2 bowls within six inches and I was lucky enough to get 2 shots, and the same in the second end, he had a bowl four inches away and I got another 2, so he has a bright future ahead of him.”

14 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

By virtue of his win today, Henry is afforded direct entry into next year’s World Cup, alongside women’s winner Natasha Scott, although he doesn’t require the ticket, as he is given admission to defend that title too.

“I’m looking forward to that event, I’ve won it three times and going for four, so who knows what’s possible.

“In front of your home crowd is pretty special, I mean I love Tweed Heads, but I work at Warilla so the crowd really get behind me for that event, it’s something special.”

Hanley was upbeat in defeat, and said he was eager to come back big and better next year.

“I just got beaten by a class act in the end,” Hanley said.

“I hope to come back next year to go one step further, but I have to go through the qualifying process again but I’ll do my best.

“I’ll be finishing year 12 this year, and then I think I’ll spend a year focusing on my bowls, try to get a few titles under my belt and throw my name out there to the selectors and hopefully get picked for something.”

The semi-finals and finals of both the men’s and women’s disciplines of the Australian Indoor Championships will be televised on SBS’ The Bowls Show from Sunday, September 4 at 1:00pm and will run across four episodes.

Article and Image: Bowls Australia

World Bowls submits recognition request file to International Olympic Committee The sport of bowls has jumped over the first hurdle in its quest to become an Olympic sport, as Inside The Games reports.

World Bowls has submitted its recognition request file to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sports department.

able to progress an application for our sport to be included in future Olympic Games.”

Acceptance by the IOC would pave the way for potential inclusion at the Olympic Games in future.

Bowls has been a Commonwealth Games sport since the inaugural edition of the event’s precursor, the 1930 British Empire Games.

Lawn bowls is already an established event at the Commonwealth Games, but the sport’s efforts for IOC recognition were previously hindered by a requirement for 75 affiliated countries.

It is a core sport and must be included in the sporting program of each edition of the Games.

This has recently been lowered to just 50 nations, however, to give World Bowls the option of applying.

“Preparation of the IOC recognition request file has been a mammoth task requiring completion of a detailed questionnaire consisting of over 40 pages accompanied by around 120 supporting documents, which also includes a very positive letter of support for our application for IOC recognition from the Commonwealth Games Federation,” said Gary Smith, chief executive of World Bowls.

“Our recognition request file will now be studied and processed by the IOC sports department before passing to the IOC Executive Board for consideration at their December 2016 meeting.

“Obtaining IOC recognition is a necessary initial step in order to be

It was not included in the program of the 1966 Games in Jamaica’s capital Kingston due to no sufficient bowling greens being available.

At the 2014 Games in Glasgow, the men’s and women’s fours events returned to the program for the first time since the 2002 Games in Manchester, while two new Para-sport events - mixed pairs and open triples - made their debut.

In October of last year, the sport of boules launched a campaign to get onto the Olympic program in 2024.

The French game is governed by the Confédération Mondiale Sport Boules (CMSB).

Article: Bowls Australia and Inside the Games BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 15

Membership capitation and the Fixed Fee Model approach From Neil Dalrymple – Bowls Australia Bowls Australia CEO Neil Dalrymple has taken the time to address one of the most important issues currently concerning the sport of bowls, the membership fee structure, in an attempt to dispel some mistruths and highlight the benefits of a fixed fee model.

For those who want to get directly to the heart of the matter, there is a Frequently Asked Questions section at the end of this article that addresses some common queries pertaining to membership capitation.

16 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

Preamble Over the past 12 months I have had many conversations and fielded many questions with Bowls administrators across Australia and at all levels of the sport about the topic of membership.

Earlier this month, I visited the Tamworth region in NSW and once again, many of the questions at a forum staged with local clubs related to membership and “a fixed fee model” – a model whereby the 2016/17 Membership Fees are charged to State and Territory Associations (STA) based on the amount paid by Member States to BA in 2015/16 plus 3%, as opposed to the “per member” model that was previously in place.

The model introduced in 2016/17 is designed to provide an incentive to disclose members and participants and for these details to be included into the Bowls Connect database, therefore providing a better indication of membership and participation figures. It is also designed to encourage clubs to be more flexible with the categories of membership offered and to facilitate a more progressive revenue flow from membership There is still a lot of debate and lack of understanding about this issue but clearly, despite much written information being circulated, a face-to-face explanation to clubs, associations, districts and zones is the most effective means of communicating this information and the changes it has on the sport as a whole, as well as on each organisation individually.

It is often an emotional conversation and it is important that any change is explained clearly, especially when it relates to money and what is being paid to the peak bodies for Bowls at State and National level.

This graph articulates the extent of this decline, showing a total national membership of 450,000 in 1982 and its continual decline to around 180,000 in 2015.

Conversely, over the last five years, regular social participation in Bowls in Australia has increased year-on-year, at an average annual rate of 3.92% as outlined in the 2015 National Bowls Census Report.

This trend is supported by research conducted by Bowls Australia in 2011 commissioned in conjunction with La Trobe University and the “Megatrends” research conducted by the Australian Sports Commission in 2014.

Both research reports identified that social participation in sport is expected to grow at the expense of formal and traditional membership offerings. This is consistent with the reality at club level, with many clubs now relying more and more on participation programs and social bowls for revenue.

The main reasons for this trend centred around a changing attitude of society, with individuals becoming increasingly reluctant to commit to the traditional club structure of Australian sport, competing entertainment interests, greater demands in the workforce and a general trend of wanting to participate in their sport that was more flexible in timings and offerings.

This is demonstrated in Table 2 (below), which demonstrates the growth in social participation at the expense of traditional formats, and table 3, which identifies the overall increase in total participation.

Table 2:

In this document, I wish to explain some of the changes to membership occurring in some states and territories and the background surrounding these changes.

Membership and Participation trends It is important to firstly explain that the basis for change to the membership structure is due to a number of factors and trends but most importantly, it is in response to a 23 year-on-year decline in formal membership across the sport in Australia, as can be seen in table 1 below.

Table 1:

Table 3:

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 17

Formal membership in Bowls in Australia has continued to decline in 2016, but some solace can be taken from the fact that it was only by 2%; the lowest percentage decrease in many years. Total participation in Bowls in Australia continues to increase at an average rate of 3.92 % per annum, due to the growth of social participation as emphasised in the charts above.

The recent decline in formal membership was offset significantly by an increase in membership/participation in Victoria by 9%, whilst membership in NSW (men) has declined by 10%. Bowls Victoria introduced the fixed fee model in 2014/15 and this recent increase demonstrates the value of having a more flexible membership model

What’s wrong with the current (per-member) membership model?

The current model of charging STAs on a per member basis has been identified as being unsustainable into the future, due to the changing participation preferences of bowlers moving away from traditional membership. A sport that has recently faced similar challenges to bowls is tennis, which has also changed their membership model for the same reasons.

To provide background to the issue, Bowls clubs across Australia have been increasingly setting up social membership categories as a response to continual fee increases to individual membership fees, to avoid paying full individual capitation fees to their STA and BA, but are wrongly giving playing rights to these bowlers.

This trend has caused the STAs and BA to respond to the declining membership base by increasing their membership fees to maintain their revenue base. In practice, a

per-member capitation fee has previously lead to an increased per member cost to clubs and therefore clubs under-reporting or introducing non-capitated membership categories to avoid increasing their permember cost.

This is clearly not a sustainable model and BA believes clubs should be encouraged, not hindered, to diversify their membership categories to maximise their membership.

The financial model for Bowls in Australia still relies on revenue being generated from the grass-roots of the sport (i.e. membership). BA’s revenue from membership is approximately 35% of total revenue, whilst most STAs are well over 50%. One of the great opportunities for the sport is to become less reliant on membership revenue is by generating other sources of revenue, which can be achieved through a more robust and accurate database of members and participants.

For these reasons, introducing a new membership model and moving away from a per-member capitation model is the path that BA are now embarking on.

The aims and benefits of a new fixed fee membership model The new membership fixed fee model was introduced by BA for the STAs in the 2016/17 financial year. Each STA will pay a fixed fee based on what they paid BA in 2015/16, plus an additional 3% to account for CPI. Future % changes will be determined by the BA Board in their budgeting process.

BA is actively encouraging the STAs to adopt a similar model with their constituent members. The aim of the new model is to gain

18 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

a truer understanding of the members and participants playing in the sport, while at the same time allowing clubs to become more flexible with their membership offerings.

As a result of having a true record of participants, BA and STAs will be able to: • Highlight the reach of the sport of bowls with Governments and funding bodies as a means to generate greater levels of investment; • Promote bowls as a more attractive sponsorship prospect; • Improve the understanding of the demographics and geographical spread of members/participants to improve planning for facilities, events and member services; • Limit membership fee increases on a per capita basis; • Enable organisations to plan more effectively by providing a fixed membership fee for which to budget for.

The new model is designed to provide an incentive for clubs to disclose all members and participants and for these details to be included into the National Bowls Connect database, therefore providing a better record of membership and participation figures.

It is envisaged that, by knowing exactly what the membership fee is for any given year, clubs will be able to design a membership portfolio that suits them and which enables them to offset their fixed membership fee and potentially grow their revenue through membership By adopting this process, it is envisaged that the number of actual participants in our sport will continue to increase as a result of this amended membership fee structure.

FAQ: Why has BA moved to a new membership capitation system?

The ‘old’ system negatively impacts on clubs who are gaining members, we’d like to move to a system that rewards good performance.

Have any STAs moved to the new system, and if so, what have been their results?

Yes, Bowls Victoria moved to this system two years ago. This year they have recorded a 9% membership increase – the first state to increase their membership in 33 years.

Are clubs being advantaged or disadvantaged by the fixed fee model?

Advantaged, the more members a club has, the cheaper the affiliation fees are.

Have any other sports moved to this system?

Yes, Tennis transitioned successfully to this system in 2013.

What fees do bowlers pay and who does it go to?

Summary and concluding remarks In summary, it is important to highlight that it is at the discretion of each STA to determine the membership fees charged to their members, who in most cases are the Clubs. However, BA strongly recommends that the best membership option for each is a fixed fee model.

A number of STAs are already moving to a club-based fixed fee model rather than a per-member fee. Bowls Victoria implemented this type of model in 2014/15 and NSW (men) have introduced a similar one for 2016/17. Other STAs are contemplating the move in the next 12 months.

The fixed fee membership model enables more flexibility for clubs to set their own membership categories and an applicable membership fee amount, and provides clubs with certainty around how much they have to budget for yearly membership fee payments to their STA. Bowls clubs need to consider, where possible, how they can utilise their club’s assets to generate other sources of income and not rely on the traditional membership sources, as has been the case for many years.

Flexible participation/membership options, corporate and social bowls formats, and the adoption of national programs such as Jack Attack and Jr. Jack Attack all provide new revenue opportunities for the sport and its clubs into the future.

The sport of Bowls in Australia is at an interesting juncture in its history and it is important that administrators at all levels embrace the challenges and opportunities that exist so that we can secure a strong and prosperous future for our great sport.

In order to shed more light on the topic of membership capitation, BA have prepared answers to the following Frequently Asked Questions.

Each bowler pays a fee to their club for membership. Of that fee, on average $48 goes to the applicable state/territory association. Of that $48, $11 goes to Bowls Australia. Of that $11, approximately $0.50 goes to World Bowls.

Is membership really an issue?

Yes, clubs with a strong membership base will be stronger clubs. But clearly it isn’t the only issue.

Why are there such healthy participation numbers yet such poor membership numbers?

Participation isn’t linked to a fee payable to the state/territory association and therefore is a far more accurate number, demonstrating the sport of bowls is alive and healthy.

What does this mean for membership classes that clubs can offer?

Ultimate flexibility. Any club is free to offer any membership class that suits their needs.

Who is the real winner out of this new system?

Just about everyone. Clubs, state/territory associations and the sport in general.

If you require any further information about what has been outlined in this document, please contact me at ndalrymple@bowlsaustralia.com.au.

Neil Dalrymple Bowls Australia, Chief Executive Officer BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 19

Australians in the Boer war Many Australian Boer war volunteers were from the bush or the rural suburbs of cities, and were good at handling a rifle and a horse.

Was It Discipline Or Was It Skill?

While the British troops often excelled on foot, Australian soldiers gained respect for their horsemanship if not their discipline.

“The English troops as a rule have a heavy, vacant look about them while our compatriots, on the other hand, looked smart enough to steal a policeman’s watch if they were given half a chance.”

The Australians had to learn the army ways as they went. The British forces had had years of training, but were often not as skillful on horseback as the Australians.

Some of the Australian troops may not have been as well trained as their British counterparts, but often their skills and tenacity made up for it.

The nature of the terrain meant it was a war fought on horseback rather than on foot.

Report From The Front One of our greatest poets, Banjo Paterson was a newspaper reporter during the Boer War. The stories he filed while containing fact, also had an air of patriotism about them.

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DATED APRIL 28, 1901

“Australians are thought a lot more of over here than English soldiers. The Boers say the English Tommy are too damn slow, and that if the Australian had never chipped in they might have had a chance to hold their own. The Englishmen are very poor horsemen at the best of times.”

Trooper Richard Henry Edwards

Boer War: wounded soldiers returning to Ladysmith camp after a battle Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Reproduction after a watercolour by F. Dadd after photograph. By: Frank Daddafter: C. H.

Banjo Paterson c1930 Image courtesy National Archives of Australia From: Australians at War www.australiansatwar.gov.au Reprinted with permission from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs

The Second Anglo - Boer War, 1899-1902.

Mounted British troops and wagons of Sir Redvers Buller’s relief column advance on Ladysmith in February 1900. This image was created and released by the Imperial War Museum

Would You Have Made The Cut? Imperial Bushmen had to have the following experience: • Good shooter • Good rider • Good eyesight • Good hearing and be practical bushmen of experience • Be between 5ft 6 inches and 5ft 11 inches tall • Not over 11 stone 10 lb.

Rate of Pay • Qrt-M Sergeant 8/6d per diem • Trooper/Private 5/-d per diem • Special War Gratuity for service in South Africa £5

Going Under Cover Aussie know-how was not just restricted to good horsemanship.

They had to stay on their toes to avoid the Boers infiltrating their ranks.

The Boers got to know the skill of the Australians, and rather than fire on them would sometimes try to infiltrate their camps to gain information by wearing an Australian uniform as a disguise.

To counter this, a constantly changing signal was developed. If the person on horseback did not respond correctly, our soldiers would know they were Boers.

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 21

Bowling Over the High Seas A report by Ann Armstrong - passenger The idea was simple and just my idea of heaven. A 14 night cruise for a maximum of 50 lawn bowlers, sailing Brisbane to Brisbane on the Sun Princess and a game of bowls at a local Club near each of the six ports of call around the east coast of New Zealand.

A member of the Kallangur Bowls Club, Phil Blank, a gentleman with a passion for organising, hand delivered flyers advertising his plan to most Brisbane Clubs including Cleveland and posted more to Clubs far and wide. The trip was booked out six months before the departure date 24th January, to the surprise of the local travel agent Phil had approached.

The Sun Princess proved to be a very comfortable home. We had 4 days of cruising and a scenic sail through the Fiords to enjoy before our first call at Port Chalmers near Dunedin. Phil had arranged for a coach to collect us for a tour of the city before delivering us to the Westpac Bowls Stadium. This is an indoor facility like the one at Tweed Heads.

We were put into teams and played three short games with some of the locals. This setup is mainly used in the winter when it is very popular because playing outside is not possible. Most of the bowls group were seated together for dinner each night so much fun was had talking over the happenings of the day. Even our waiters were memorable, one preferring to be known as Bond, James Bond and Ketut (Kiss me Ketut). They were a side show every night.

Our next stop was Akoroa a French flavoured town of 600 inhabitants 85 kilometres south of Christchurch. The ship anchored and we clambered aboard a tender for the trip ashore. Akoroa is situated around a pretty bay. The bowls club, so Phil told us, was an easy walk away. Just as well we had a couple of hours to spare because it took all of that time as some of us looked into every shop and the markets along the way. This club had never hosted a visiting group before so the members all pitched in to try to kill us with food and friendship. There was only one green, an old artificial type of surface and it was lightning fast.

22 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

We were getting into our stride now and the next morning the ship docked at Wellington. The Wilton Bowls club members welcomed our group with a large lunch then a game of bowls on their weed greens. These strange looking greens consisted of what looked like tiny dandelions. They looked wet and slow but ran like our fastest greens.

We had a good look around Wellington and a great guide to tell us all about the effects of earthquakes and volcanos on the landscape.

We heard a lot about earthquakes everywhere we went but didn’t experience one thank goodness.

Napier Bowls club was our next call and then on to Tauranga to the Maunganui Sports Club; different again, very flash and modern with two good real grass greens and one artificial one. We enjoyed a tour and a visit to the local shopping centre where we discovered we had made the local paper as the Australian bowlers coming to play New Zealand (underarm bowling was mentioned! very funny). We played bowls with the ship for a backdrop.

For each day’s play Phil chose one team at random for a challenge match against a team of locals. The locals didn’t play fair and chose their best, even importing players from other clubs. Fearing a 6 zip drubbing Phil picked his best team for the last game against Mt Eden in Auckland. The format was arranged before the game, 18 ends, but when New Zealand was just in front at 16 ends they rang the bell! I’m glad that Australian cricketer bowled underarm!

After six days in a row of bowls, the four day trip back to Australia allowed tired muscles to recover. It was a wonderful trip, beautifully organized, the food and service top notch, even the weather was perfect, no wind no rain and smooth seas all the way. The 47 bowlers from 30 different clubs and three bowls supporters from around Brisbane and as far north as Tully will I’m sure agree it was a cruise with a difference that will be fondly remembered.

The next available Bowls Cruise departs Brisbane on 11 February 2018 (2017 cruise is fully booked).

Visit www.bowlscruise.com for further details.

N EWS F RO M T HE PBA

There was a great effort by Alan Law with a semi-final win in a 2/1 tie break and close match in the final. More live streaming next year on www.lawnbowlsnews.com.

Watch out for the 2016 Scottish International Open on November 5th -12th. The PBA Australia Qualifiers are Jamie Smith (QLD) and Lisa Featherby (WA).

The World Indoor Singles & Pairs are coming up on January 12th - 29th, with PBA Australia Qualifiers for Singles - Paul Butler (WA) and Pairs - Des Cann & Kurt Brown (QLD).

The International Open on March 5th - 10th sees PBA Australia Qualifiers Kurt Brown (QLD) and Dave Rankin (WA) on the green.

Stephen Halmai (South Tweed BC and Ballina BC member) travelled to the USA and played in the PBA USA qualifying events and will represent USA in the Scottish and International Open.

Congratulations to Jamie Smith (Broadbeach BC), the PBA Australian representative in the Scottish Open next year. Also, congratulations go to both Jamie and Bec Smith on the birth of their baby daughter. Little Penelope Violet Smith was born at 10:10 am on 20 August and weighed 3.552 kg. Penelope is Allison Rose’s (almost 2 years) new baby sister.

PBA Blast from the Past

Televised at Tweed Heads in early years - L to R: Steve Glasson, Ben Twist, Kelvin Kerkow, Karen Murphy, Brett Wilkie

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 23

Meet the new Jack Attack is Bowls Australia’s socialcompetitive version of bowls that can be enjoyed by new and experienced players.

How Jack Attack Works FORMAT OF PLAY

Below are the guidelines of how Jack Attack is played: • Two bowl triples (with teams able to be registed for more players to accommodate for absentees and/or busy working lives).

• Substitutions permitted.

• Two sets of five ends with a sudden death tie-breaker if needed.

• Approximately 60-75 minutes in duration for a match.

• The season to be six to eight weeks in length.

24 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

There is a new and very large audience out there, who are prepared to trial the sport, but making the jump from a corporate or social day to pennant is too significant or simply not attractive for most people. Therefore Bowls Australia have developed the Jack Attack program to fill the current gap in the market between competitive (pennant) play and social/barefoot bowls.

Jack Attack will closely replicate the style of play through the format and time limits that can be seen in the Australian Premier League. The format will be two bowl triples with powerplays and substitutes available.

HOST CLUB BOOKLET Bowls Australia have created a document to assist bowls clubs that wish to know more regarding Jack Attack. The Information for Host Clubs booklet has been developed to provide clubs with all the relevant information they require to successfully run a Jack Attack program.

Details that are contained in the booklet are: • What is Jack Attack?

• Why conduct a Jack Attack program?

• Who will coordinate the Jack Attack program?

bowls

INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

To find a Jack Attack venue close to home, go to www.jackattack.com.au and select the ‘Play Now’ menu option and enter in your postcode. A list of venues will then appear.

INFORMATION FOR CLUBS

• What will Bowls Australia do to assist?

• How Jack Attack works • Promoting Jack Attack • Retaining participants • The cost of the program • Where to now?

Download the booklet at www.jackattack.com.au

JACK ATTACK COORDINATOR It is essential that you have the correct individual at your club to run the Jack Attack program. Some key characteristics that you may wish to look for in a Jack Attack Coordinator are that they: • Are always happy; • Always have a smile on their face; • Are welcoming to all individuals; • Have a bubbly personality; • Are energetic;

Interested in hosting a Jack Attack competition at your club? Need some further information about it prior to signing?

• Are up for a challenge; and

The Jack Attack program is designed to increase participation in the sport of lawn bowls. Our national bowls census clearly shows that traditional membership is declining in line with modern society. In fact that’s happening in nearly all adult club-based sports. It also shows that there is a large number of bowlers who love to participate in the sport but are not transferring into traditional product offerings.

Bowls Australia have created a position description template for Jack Attack host clubs that can be modified and assist in the recruitment of the ideal coordinator. Download the Jack Attack Coordinator position description at www.jackattack.com.au

• Are willing to interact with a number of individuals.

Article and image: Bowls Australia BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 25

Coconut water: Is the hype true?

Coconut water is the liquid from inside an immature coconut. It differs from coconut milk or coconut cream which is produced from the grated coconut flesh. There are many claims of the health benefits of coconut water including: It’s a natural sports drink Partly true Coconut water is a natural source of electrolytes, in particular potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. Unlike commercial sports drinks, however, it contains no artificial flavours or colours. In one small study of 12 men, little difference was found between the rehydration properties of coconut water, bottled water and a sports drink. However, as sports drinks have been specifically designed and formulated for rehydrating athletes this group may benefit more from a sports drink as typically they contain more sodium. Similarly, those requiring rehydration due to severe vomiting or diarrhoea should use a product designed for this purpose rather than relying on coconut water. One study, for example, also found that coconut water didn’t contain the amount of electrolytes claimed on the packaging. For the rest of us, drinking bottled or tap water will probably provide the same hydration as coconut water and for less cost. Frequent drinkers of sports drinks (who are not elite athletes), however, might benefit from switching to coconut water as at least it does not contain as many artificial ingredients.

Helps combat urinary tract infections Partly true In Asian countries where coconuts are plentiful, coconut water is used to prevent urinary tract infections. Coconut water is a natural diuretic so it helps flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. However, a more effective strategy is to drink cranberry juice as it actually prevents E.coli bacteria, the bacteria most likely to cause a urinary tract infection, from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.

26 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

Helps weight loss True (but only through fluid loss) As previously mentioned, coconut water acts as a diuretic. So while it may cause a drop in weight on the scales, it is really only a loss of fluid. The other way coconut water could contribute to true weight loss is if a person substituted it for another type of drink that contained more kilojoules. For example, switching from a sugar laden fruit juice to coconut water could result in less kilojoules consumed and, therefore, weight loss.

Reduces high blood pressure Maybe One of the benefits of coconut water is that it contains high amounts of potassium which can reduce blood pressure. One small study involving those with high blood pressure found that those who drank coconut water experienced a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure. However, further randomised trials are required before coconut water could be recommended as a treatment for high blood pressure. In addition, while coconut water’s high potassium level may have health benefits it can also be a health risk (see below).

Too much of a good thing As with most things, too much coconut water can actually be bad for you. The high potassium level of coconut water can cause too much potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). Hyperkalemia can lead to changes in heart rhythm which can be fatal. People with heart conditions or kidney disease need to be particularly careful about the amount of coconut water they consume. Similarly, older people should also be cautious because as we age our kidneys become less efficient at removing potassium from the blood.

Article written by Kirsten Braun from Women’s Health Queensland Wide Inc., a not for profit, health promotion, information and education service for women and health professionals throughout Queensland. Visit www.womhealth.org.au for further information.

Sudoku

Fill-in crossword puzzle

Maze

Crossword answers

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 27

s t e p p Sni World Bowls Championships

The World Bowls Championships begins in Christchurch on Tuesday 29 November.

350 players and management from 34 countries sees this pinnacle of bowls being one of the major sporting events of the upcoming New Zealand summer.

For just over two weeks, games will be held across Christchurch with section play at the Fendalton Bowling Club, the Bowls Canterbury Centre, Bowls Papanui and the headquarters, Burnside Bowling Club. Burnside will host all four finals days which will also be shown live on Sky TV.

pan Booming in Ja ls ls w o B n w a Cup Lawn Bow L eoka Mayor’s

eld the 1st Kam to Gakuen st 2016 at The Kyo Bowls Japan h 21 e first n August Pref. This is th Tournament o to yo K y, it C a k rsity Kameo Gakuen Unive to yo University in K . to yo K utdoor awn Bowls in d six rinks of o an t extension of L e rp ca r o o urnament. rinks of ind entered the to installed two s am te 12 d green an artificial grass

PBA The World Indoor Singles & Pairs are coming up on January 12th - 29th, with PBA Australia Qualifiers for Singles - Paul Butler (WA) and Pairs - Des Cann & Kurt Brown (QLD).

The International Open on March 5th - 10th sees PBA Australia Qualifiers Kurt Brown (QLD) and Dave Rankin (WA) on the green.

Stephen Halmai (South Tweed BC and Ballina BC member) travelled to the USA and played in the PBA USA qualifying events and will represent USA in the Scottish and International Open.

28 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

State Pennants Congratulations to Warilla Bowls Club who won the 2016 Grade 1 NSW State Pennant Finals held at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club.

Bowling Mates Fo rever Kingswo

National Club 5 A Side Challenge

g Club Helensvale will be stagin their tenth annual National enge $60,000 Club 5 A Side Chall th from 8.30am on Monday 5 ion September through to finals act th ith on Thursday 8 September. W s 50 international representative in and numerous interstate stars attendance from 20 clubs across the country, be sure to attend.

od Bowls Club play Anthony er, Lobo, will soon rece kidney fro ive a m a live d onor, bow friend Gr ling ant McKir dy. The Pe locals me n rith t 12 years ago over a of bowls, game and have been mate since. Lob s ever o is curre ntly suffe from rena r ing l failure, w ith both h kidneys s is lowly failin g over the 17 months last . McKirdy offered h kidney aft is er seeing his friend deteriora slowly te. See Bo wls Austr website fo a li a r full stor y.

Australian Indoor Championship

Maclean & District Co-op Triples Classic Two Bowl Triples will be held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October. Five games of 18 ends, with total prizemoney of $4,440.

At the time of going to print, 15 men have won the Australian Indoor Championship across 28 years, and eight women have won the Australian Indoor Championship across 14 years of play.

Multiple Winners (Men) Ian Schuback 1995, 1996 Rex Johnston 1990, 2000

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rs of to winne e n o d l l We eppes 00 Schw ,0 5 1 $ dam e th n Pairs, A e p O f f i l Sam Kingsc port) and h t u o S ( h Taylor oint) wit P e s i d a r a eter White (P in over P w 3 1 / 6 1 their y. ax Jaffra M d n a n Leo

Steve Glasson 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Kelvin Kerkow 2006, 2007 Jeremy Henry 2011, 2015, 2016 Multiple Winner (Ladies) Karen Murphy 2007, 08, 09, 11, 12, 13

BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 29

Why your club needs a professional website Have you heard the phrase “Google is King”? In many ways, this is true. The internet is generally the first port of call when people are looking for entertainment, addresses and other information. Yet there are still many clubs that don’t have websites.

Even if they do, the websites don’t always showcase all the club has to offer.

search for things to do over the weekend, new hobbies, sports news, events and interesting things happening in their community. A website that adapts to the display of a computer screen, tablet or phone will allow people to find out about you quickly, and contact you using an online form for you to deal with at a time of your choosing, from wherever they are.

Promoting your club online is essential, no matter how many members you have or how big your club is. People want to know where you are, what you offer and what you do.

The goal of any advertising campaign is to increase customers, or in a bowls club, to increase the number of members or visitors. Bowls clubs that have a website are more likely to be contacted, get new bowlers and increase their earnings with supplementary activities because people know about them.

Here are 7 reasons why your club needs a professional website.

It’s open all day, every day Having a website is like opening a door and inviting potential customers into your business 24 hours a day, every day. People might not know that you are nearby, or what you offer. The best way to reach these people, as well as other members in your community and those further afield, is online. By having a website, your chances of being found are much higher than another club which has little or no online presence. Think of your website as being your club’s online brochure.

You get to make a good first impression Chances are many people will first learn about your club and what it offers from visiting your website, which then becomes your first opportunity to make a lasting, positive impression. A website that looks fresh and is easy to navigate makes a big difference with prospective new members. If your website content is outdated, oldfashioned and looks like it needs a spruce up, you’ll drive them away.

You can tell people about your wonderful club You have a message to share with others. Maybe you’ve got great greens, a wonderful social atmosphere, or an expansive bar. Or maybe you’ve got a series of tournaments coming up. Whatever your club offers, people should know about it. A website is the ideal way to show off your services and events. Players from other areas that want to visit your club are likely to visit your website first. If bowlers are visiting your area as tourists, then wouldn’t it be good to show them what your club has to offer?

You can be reached from anywhere and at any time The days of the phone book have long since passed and searching online for information happens not only at home or at work, but everywhere. Many people are on the go, using their phone or tablet to 30 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016

It’s an opportunity to increase membership

You gain credibility Before the Internet, most people combed through the yellow pages for when they needed a service or to find out information about a business. If you weren’t listed, then you probably weren’t credible (or rather, weren’t seen as being as credible as the businesses that were listed). Simply having a website gives you instant credibility with existing and prospective members. Also, if you have a website, then your existing members will be glad to promote the website, especially if they feature in some of the images!

Most people will visit your club’s webpage first to check out what you offer. It gives them a sense of the club without ever setting one foot inside. Without having a website, people searching for a new club might go with your competitor – not because they are better, but simply because they gain credibility through their online presence.

Communication with existing and future members You can update members on upcoming events, ladder rankings, tournaments, raffle winners, meat tray winners, onsite restaurant deals, photos or any other club news by simply ensuring that your website is up to date.

For more information on how to get your bowls club online, visit www.bowlswebsites.com.au Bowls Plus have negotiated a special deal for all Bowls Plus readers with Bowls Websites, specialists in designing websites for bowls clubs. Simply mention that you are a Bowls Plus reader and where you saw the magazine, to obtain a special deal for your club. See ad on p31 (next page) for details.

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www.bowlswebsites.com.au BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016 31

32 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES SEPTEMBER 2016