June 2012

June 2012

Print Post Approved PP 400063/0010

DISTRICT

SIDES 2012

BUSH BOYS bag North West’s first STATE TITLE

STATE

CHAMPS

Much, Much

MORE

AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER LAWN BOWLS MAGAZINE

Volume 35/9zz

Volume 35/ Issue No. 9

CONTENTS 06 District Sides 2012

26 Blind Bowls National titles

Action from the 2012 Queensland District Sides Championships held on the Gold Coast in May.

Queensland’s blind bowlers continued their dominance of the national titles at last month’s Australian Championships.

11 State Championships

27 2012 Black Douglas

Find out who took gold and who went home empty-handed from the 2012 State Championships.

Karen Murphy became just the second bowler ever to notch up three Black Douglas crowns last month.

24 Interview - Anthony Fantini

34 Coaching

Anthony Fantini has hit the big time, being named in the Aussie A Squad. So why do we know so little about him?

Want to improve your singles game? Learn how, with some help from Queensland Bowler coaching expert Mick Cherry.

4 | queensland bowler

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Offensive behaviour not helping clubs Over the past year I have been fortunate enough to attend a number of club and district meetings, covering a wide range of issues.

The majority of these meetings have been positive, however, on occasions some have become quite heated.

While heated debate shows passion and commitment to the organisation, it is disappointing when the behaviour of individuals becomes offensive.

Recently I attended a meeting where the language used by some individuals was extremely offensive to everyone present.

As long as this behaviour is tolerated within our clubs, we should not be surprised that membership is in decline.

PERSONAL ATTACKS

In the course of some meetings I have witnessed personal verbal attacks on the volunteers who give up so much of their time and energy to manage our clubs and districts.

Most management groups, whether committees or boards, are elected by the membership.

As such they are given the responsibility and authority to make decisions regarding the direction of the organisation.

Of course, not all members will agree with their decisions all of the time.

However, should an individual, or the wider membership, become dissatisfied with the manner in which the management group is fulfilling its roles and responsibilities, they will find that most constitutions have avenues for either individuals or the entire management group to be removed.

Short of undergoing this process, boards and committees should be allowed to conduct their duties without ridicule or harassment.

As long as these personal attacks are tolerated within our sport, why would anybody want to volunteer?

RESPONSIBILITY

Management groups take on the responsibility for the management of the organisation.

On occasions they may delegate these responsibilities to others, however, the management group is still liable for the action of those delegates, as if they had themselves exercised the power.

Therefore the management group is responsible regardless of who exercises the power.

This poses the question, what does your club or district do to ensure that those elected to management positions undergo the necessary personal development to guarantee they have the required knowledge and tools to fulfil such important roles?

INDUCTION

With this in mind, and given the economic climate we are operating in, it is important that club management groups undertake some form of induction.

Furthermore, the club management should ensure they understand with whom the organisation is competing for business.

No longer are we just competing against other clubs and sports, we are now competing with the entire leisure industry.

Officials need to ensure they take this into account when making decisions or determining the direction of the organisation.

Keith Fullerton, CEO Bowls Queensland

Editor: Wayne Griffin Editorial Assistant: Beth Newman Published by: Bowls Queensland ABN 17 231 978 960

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

your say Dear Editor

As an affiliated member of Bowls Queensland, I do not consider the creation of strategic plans, high performance training squads and other elite programmes, to be a waste of our money. However, the very basic requirements of club bowlers must also be given serious consideration.

The bowlers of this state expect our affiliation fees (paid multiple times for members of more than one club) to be used to administer, foster and promote our sport the way the bowlers want it promoted and played.

After about 12 years of very successful competition in both Super Challenge and Premier League I think the bowlers of this state have spoken loud and clear, these are the types of competition they want to play.

Both of these competitions are men’s competitions, which have been modified on several occasions to try to accommodate the lady bowlers.

I think it is about time Bowls Queensland (most especially the ladies section), in conjunction with the executives of both Super Challenge and Premier league, used all their influence and administrative ability to support the lady bowlers of Queensland to bring about a stand alone ladies competition.

I suggest this competition be played at the same time of year as Super Challenge and Premier League.

Don Gibson Bribie Island Bowls Club Letters to the Editor, Queensland Bowler, PO Box 476, Alderley, Q 4051 or via email news@bowls-queensland.org Letters must be short and may be edited to ensure appropriateness of content.

Fax: (07) 3855 0010 Email: advert@bowls-queensland.org Subscriptions: To subscribe, fill out the form on page 34 and post it, together with a cheque for $25 (inc gst) to: Queensland Bowler Subscriptions PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051.

queensland bowler | 5

DISTRICT SIDES 2012

GOLDEN

GLORY

AS COAST

SEES DOUBLE GOLD COAST TWEED PUT LAST YEAR’S DISAPPOINTMENT BEHIND THEM WITH VICTORY FOR THEIR MEN AND WOMEN AT THE 2012 DISTRICT SIDES CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Above Gold Coast Tweed Men - Back Row: Anthony Keipe, Nathan Rice, Neville Jenkins, Nigel Smith, Mark Thatcher, Dean McWhinney, Darren Mullens, Sean Baker, Geoff Williams (manager) Front Row: Ryan Bester, Max Jaffray, Peter Richards, Anthony Fantini, Rohan Wilson, Sean Ingham, Jason Carpenter, Brett Clifford

Gold Coast Tweed were back to their scintillating best last month, claiming a District Sides double in Queensland’s Division 1 finals at Musgrave Hill Bowls Club.

The Goldie teams, who claimed doubles in 2009 and 2010 before slipping to a dismal defeat in 2011, had a point to prove at this year’s championships.

Cunningham proved their were still some teams capable of claiming the Goldie scalp, 66-61, while Fraser Coast came tantalizingly close to toppling the competition big guns, 72-71.

The favourites still finished on top of their section, however, and took the chocolates when it mattered most, losing just one rink during the three-game Division 1 finals.

The return of some big names, especially in the men’s team, helped bolster the sides for this year’s event.

The results speak for themselves, with Gold Coast Tweed’s women going through undefeated, while the men dropped just one match during the four-day championships.

The Guys The Goldie boys kicked off their campaign with a devastating 108-shot victory over competition minnows Maranoa/ Warrego, 126-18.

While it was clearly their biggest win of the competition, it wasn’t their only impressive victory, with Burnett suffering a similar fate, 119-38, while Southern Downs were soundly beaten, 87-34.

Of course, it didn’t all go the Gold Coast’s way.

6 | queensland bowler

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Gold Coast skipper, Nathan Rice, was excited to be back at the District Sides for the first time in recent years.

“We’ve got great depth and there’s always someone there to take a place” he said.

“It’s always a pleasure playing for Gold Coast. It’s a strong district and there’s a lot of history here. This [win] is up there with the lot of them,” he said.

“Sean (Baker) had the young boys there and they played well. There’s a lot of potential there. Young Dean (McWhinney) is in the state side now, he led well and all the other boys did their job.

“It was a great team effort. It was always going to be a tough (final) day, but we all stuck together and to come away with a win was fantastic.”

The Goldie boys had some serious competition for the Division 1 flag, with Brisbane North, Sunshine Coast and Cunningham all reaching the top-flight play-offs.

However, with the memory of last year’s disappointing failure still fresh, the Gold Coast side came out firing on day four.

First to fall were defending champs Brisbane North, who pushed the Coast boys close, before going down on two rinks, 65-50.

Below Gold Coast Tweed Women - Back Row: Lauren Wilson, Charlie Harkness, Rochelle Harkness, Sue McKenzie, Christina Pavlov, Ellen Joselin, Ann-Marie Peart Front Row: Dawn Forrest (District President), Heather Penrose (Manager), Lenore Rutley, Bev Perkins, Linda Gardiner, Cheryl Heaps, Gail Waitai, Teresa Armitage, Val Jackson

Aaron Hewson was the only Brisbane North skip to hold his ground, defeating Anthony Fantini, 18-12, to salvage a little pride for the 2011 champs.

The Gals The Gold Coast girls also had a little youth on their side, with Queensland under-25 reps Lauren Wilson and Charlie Harkness included in their A-team line-up.

WITH SO MUCH

FIREPOWER

IN THEIR RANKS

FAILURE WOULD HAVE BEEN EMBARRASSING

Next to crumble were Cunningham, who slumped to a 36-shot defeat in game two, 86-50, leaving Gold Coast Tweed with one win and 50+ shots in hand heading into their third and final game against the Sunshine Coast.

They weren’t the only Queensland reps either, with Sue McKenzie, Christina Pavlov, AnnMaree Peart and Gail Waitai also in the ranks.

That mixture of youth and experience paid off in spades, with the Goldie girls coming through the competition undefeated.

Despite their virtually unassailable lead, Rice said his side still had something to play for.

They were run close quite a few times, however, with Gateway dropping their round two clash by just one shot, 43-42, while Brisbane went down by four in round five, 48-44.

“We still wanted to earn our win, we wanted to try and win all our games. We played well in the first two games and we wanted to go out on a high,” he said.

Day three was extremely tough for the Gold Coast girls, with Brisbane North (44-38) and Downs (47-45) pushing the 2009-2010 champs to the wire.

The Sunny Coast boys, who stormed through sectional play undefeated to reach the Div 1 play-offs, ran their rivals close in the final round clash.

But in the end they couldn’t hold back the Gold Coast tide, going down by 10 shots, 69-59.

“We stuck in there, it was pretty tight at one stage but the boys hung in there and it was a good result,” Rice said.

The Gold Coast skip said the absence of some of his district’s biggest names, including Mark Casey and Brett Wilkie, gave his side a chance to show their greatest strength. v35/9

“Bakes obviously had the experience to keep the young boys intact. It’s good to see the young boys playing for us and it’s good experience for them.”

But when the dust settled GCT were undefeated in Section B and through to their fifth Division 1 finals in six years.

Ironically their first clash in this year’s play-offs was against their B-side teammates.

The Goldie’s understudy outfit had dropped just two games en route to finishing second in Section A, behind the Sunshine Coast.

However, despite their impressive record, they couldn’t overrun their A-team rivals, going down 51-34 in the Division 1 clash.

Continued on page 8 ► queensland bowler | 7

► Continued from page 7

DIVISION

WINNERS

2012 DIVISION 1

Men - Gold Coast Tweed Women - Gold Coast Tweed

DIVISION 2 Men - Gateway Women - Mackay

DIVISION 3

Men - Bundaberg/Port Curtis Women - Gateway

DIVISION 4

Men - Gold Coast Tweed B Women - Central Queensland

DIVISION 5

Men - Burnett Women - Leichhardt

Last year’s runners-up, Brisbane, put up a tougher fight in game two, going down by just 10 shots, 36-46.

The Brizzy girls proved their recent foray into top flight bowls was no flash in the pan with another fantastic run at this year’s event.

Just two narrow losses in three days of sectional play saw them cruise into Division 1 behind the Goldie.

And while they couldn’t halt Gold Coast A’s unbeaten run, they did clock up impressive wins over Sunshine Coast (51-28) and Gold Coast B (61-44) to finish runners-up for a second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast A had a real scrap in their third and final game.

With Brisbane snapping at their heels, the Goldie girls needed a win to ensure they raised the Division 1 flag, but the Sunshine Coast side weren’t going down without a fight, pushing their rivals to the wire before dropping the match by just five shots, 42-37.

“When you’re playing these games, you’ve never got it won until the final bell,” Gold Coast skip Sue McKenzie said.

“It can happen in the last couple of ends.

Things can change so easily, with three rinks you only have to lose by a couple of shots on each rink and you’re down.

Sunshine Coast skip, Jewel SmithFranklin, said she was really proud of her team for pushing the champions so far.

“The girls have done well right through the week. They’ve really performed excellently,” she said.

“The top four teams that are here are really close, there’s not much between them.”

McKenzie said she had faith in her side going into the competition.

“We’ve got a reasonable side. It’s not a side of champions, but it’s a side of girls that like each other’s company and try to play the best they can together.”

The performance of young guns Lauren Wilson and Charlie Harkness proved to be a major positive, McKenzie said.

“Young Lauren was with me and she played superb bowls. She’s going to be a super, super bowler.

“And Charlie, she’s just experienced. She may be young, but she has the experience and she plays awesome bowls as well.

“It’s great to have them on the team and I wish there were many more like them.”

MOVERS & SHAKERS

So who’s on the rise and who is in District Sides freefall in the women’s competition?

ON THE UP ► MACKAY

One team that will be pretty pleased with their efforts in 2012 is Mackay.

The northerners, who have struggled to get past Division 3 in recent years and had never hoisted a flag at Queensland’s premier district event, took out the Division 2 title.

Despite dropping their opening Div. 2 clash with Downs, Mackay fired back with wins over Tropical Far North and Brisbane North to seal their victory.

ON THE UP ► BRISBANE

Brisbane was another outfit that impressed again at this year’s championships.

While Gold Coast Tweed just pipped them to Queensland’s top district title, the Brisbane girls should be pretty happy with their campaign.

8 | queensland bowler

“You’ve got to keep your eye on the master scoreboard at all times. It doesn’t really matter if your rink goes down so much, as long as you’re keeping as close as you can to cover the rest of the girls or they’re covering you, so to speak.”

Brisbane have traditionally been one of the competition’s weaker top-eight sides, only breaking into Division 1 in 2010, when they finished third.

Last year’s second place finish, while a fantastic achievement, was somewhat diminished by the dismal performances of competition big guns Gold Coast Tweed and Gateway, both of which were very obviously off form.

However, with the Gold Coast back to their best in 2012 and boasting two seriously tough Division 1 teams, and a superb Sunshine Coast side also in the mix, Brisbane proved beyond any doubt that they are just a hair’s breadth away from becoming Queensland’s top district side.

Continued page 10 ► v35/9

► Continued from page 8 IN FREEFALL ► GATEWAY

Gateway’s women completed their fall from District Sides supremacy this year, with the former champs failing to secure a seat at the top table for the first time since the women’s competition kicked off in 2007.

In fact, not only did Gateway fail to reach Division 1, they couldn’t even reach Division 2, instead settling for the Division 3 flag in 2012.

Gateway were the inaugural winners of the women’s championship in 2007, a feat they backed up with consecutive titles in 2008.

Gold Coast Tweed’s dominance in 2009-10 saw Gateway’s women slip into second place, while some major changes to the team saw them fall further in 2011, when they finished bottom of Division 1.

Despite claiming the Division 3 title, this year’s result is by far their worst to date and selectors will have their work cut out over the next 12 months.

IN FREEFALL ► CUNNINGHAM

Cunningham also suffered a major fall from grace this year, with the 2011 champions also relegated to Division 3, where they ran in second behind Gateway.

The loss of some big names from their championships winning side, including star skips Maria Rigby and Estelle Welsh, meant it would always be difficult for Cunningham to repeat the heroics of 2011.

However, nobody expected such a dramatic slide from the defending champs.

UPS & DOWNS

IN THE MEN’S EVENT ON THE UP ► CUNNINGHAM

Once a force to be reckoned with at Queensland’s District Sides, with four Division 1 titles in the bank, Cunningham has struggled to make its mark in recent years.

However, 2012 may have marked the district’s return to top-flight bowls, with Cunningham reaching Division 1 for the first time since 2006.

While they would have hoped for better than their third place finish, a win over the Sunny Coast boys in Division 1 play-offs is not to be sniffed at, and there is plenty to build on for 2013.

ON THE UP ► MACKAY

After six long years floundering in Division 3, Mackay’s men have finally broken back into the top eight.

Unfortunately they couldn’t match their female teammates and take out the Division 2 flag, instead finishing third behind Gateway and Caboolture.

On the bright side, they only lost their clash with Brisbane by two (60-58), went down by 10 to Caboolture (68-58) and defeated division winners Gateway by 27 (74-47)…so all in all they weren’t too far off the mark.

GOING DOWN ► NORTH QLD

North Queensland’s foray into the top eight was a short-lived affair, with the side heading back to Division 4 in 2012.

The northerners put in a decent showing last year, reaching the Division 2 finals, even if they did fail to win a single divisional game.

However, just three wins from nine in this year’s sectional play saw them slip back down the District Sides ladder.

GOING DOWN ► TFNQ The boys from the tropics have become a regular feature in Divisions 3 or 4 in recent years, so it came as a huge surprise when they were runners-up in 2011.

Not only that, but they were only narrowly beaten to the Division 1 flag by Brisbane North, on margins.

However, Tropical Far North were back to their old stomping ground this year, finishing bottom of the pile in Division 3.

It must have been a long way down for the TFN boys, but at least the only way is up. Or is it?

BRISBANE’S GIRLS ARE ON

THE EDGE OF GLORY Brisbane ladies: Back row - Jean Harris (manager), Wendy Ferguson (reserve), Marie Webber, Rae Imberger, Sue O’Toole, Jenny Blundell, Judy Collingwood, Ann Burton (coach) Mary Vicenzino Front row - Desley Mc Dougall, Michelle Russell, Patsy Saunders, Carol Squires (President), Karen Mateer, Kerrie Wilson, Sue Bond 10 | queensland bowler

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OVERCOMING THE ODDS Jubilant Jenny puts tough year behind her with against-the-odds state singles win Less than a year ago Jenny Blundell wasn’t sure when she would be back playing bowls.

Last month, the Everton Park bowler completed an astonishing return, defeating Lyn Cuthbertson to become Queensland’s state singles champion and the first Brisbane bowler to lift the trophy since 2003.

Two knee replacements, coupled with concerns over her daughter’s health, saw Blundell out of the sport for most of 2011.

So coming into this year’s state championships, she was just happy to be playing again.

“I’ve had a tough time. I’m happy to be playing bowls and happy that I’m starting to play some good bowls,” the 63-yearold said.

Blundell certainly showed off her talents in tight matches, having to overcome some of the competition’s big guns en route to the final.

The Brisbane ace showed she could more than match it with the state’s best bowlers, beating Queensland rep Brenda Thompson in her post-sectional playoff.

The challenges weren’t over for Blundell either, with a semifinal match up against 2006 champion, Sue Brady.

Both matches reached 24-24 before Blundell took them out.

But close results didn’t faze

Brisbane ace, who kept a narrow focus throughout the tournament.

“I didn’t think about winning, I just thought about playing well and then if you play well anything can happen.”

“It’s just one end at a time, sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t...it was just my day.”

Blundell grabbed an early lead in her title clash with 2009 champion, Cuthbertson.

However, the Tweed Heads bowler fired back and, buoyed by a home crowd on the coast, leapfrogged Blundell for an 18-15 lead.

But her ascendency was short-lived, with Blundell levelling the scores at 18-apiece, before pushing on for a 25-22 win.

Jenny Blundell

“It would have been nice to get up, but I’m not disappointed.

I’ve been pretty happy with the way I played, so to be runner-up in the state, it’s still a pretty good effort,” Cuthbertson said.

“I was just happy to get back into the final again.

“It’s good knowing that you’ve got that behind you (the 2009 title), but I was really happy to be back there again.”

Jenny & Lyn v35/9

queensland bowler | 11

Coolum girls crack state champs safe Coolum trio, Liza Burgess, Marilyn Clayton and Louise Witton, staged a come-from-behind win to take out this year’s women’s state triples title.

Trailing 7-9 after seven ends, the Coolum girls grabbed seven shots to one over the next four ends to take a 14-10 lead.

Witton’s side stamped their dominance on the contest after that, keeping Leigh Fortington’s team of Carol Williams and Faye Clarke at an arm’s length.

Witton reached a commanding lead in the final ends, eventually taking the title, 27-19.

The skip was ecstatic with her side’s win, in her first state championships since moving to Queensland from New South Wales last December.

“It’s fantastic, it’s amazing. Something that you dream of and you hope that you can get to do and when it happens it’s a bit surreal, but it’s fantastic,” Witton said.

After playing together in Super Challenge, Witton said her side had confidence heading into the tournament.

“We’ve just got a good understanding and great respect for each other so that really helped us, we’re good buddies.

“We’ve started very well in each of our matches and the girls just backed themselves to draw. We lost a five that put them a few shots ahead, but we pegged them back and just stayed steady.”

In an all-Sunshine Coast final, Noosa Beach bowler and runner-up skip, Fortington, said she was glad the title went to a neighbouring team.

“To have two people from the Sunshine Coast in the final is fantastic,” Fortington said.

Despite losing, the Noosa skip was happy with the result, in her team’s first competition as a triples side.

“I’m more than happy and so are the girls. We’re just so thrilled to get this far. We all get on really well, they’re both lovely ladies.

“We just played the game and enjoyed it. That’s the most important thing. We seemed to lose our weight a little bit, just in the middle.”

Witton said her teammates would get little say in a decision to return and compete for back-to-back titles next year.

“Definitely, they have no choice, we will be back.”

Maree Gibbs , Marilyn Emerton, Carol Williams & Jane Bush

Second time lucky for Bush’s fab four At last year’s State Championships, Jane Bush missed out on the fours title by only one shot.

Twelve months later, Bush was on top of the world after she, Marilyn Emerton, Carol Williams and Maree Gibbs took out this year’s title in a dominant 27-6 display.

Up against Noelene Dutton, Pamela Rowe, Gail Waitai and Christina Pavlov, Bush’s crew burst out of the blocks in the title decider, leading 4-0 after two ends.

They never looked back, with the foursome stretching their lead to 14-5 with 10 ends played.

Bush kept their opposition almost scoreless for the rest of the final, finishing with a resounding 21-shot win.

The Paradise Point bowler couldn’t keep the smile off her face after the match.

“I’m just excited as. The final was just a thrill and to win it is even better,” Bush said.

Bush said her team had come into this year’s tournament with a clear focus after their heartbreaking loss in 2011.

“We really had a game plan this year...this was the event we were really going to focus on and try to take it out.”

Louise Witton Liza Burgess and Marilyn Clayton 12 | queensland bowler

Despite Williams, the only change to the 2011 side, playing in her first state championships, Bush said she had confidence heading into the competition.

“[Carol] came in as a reserve this year and played out of her tree. So long as she was settled down, we knew we’d go well.

“I think it always helps if you play in a team where you know the players, because otherwise you can spend a lot of time working out who can do what and where,” Bush said.

Williams capped off a great debut titles with the win, after making the triples final earlier in the week.

Bush, who won a tough semifinal clash with Margaret Rowles, 17-14, said her side had a clear strategy coming into the final.

“The other girls had played so well in their semifinal game... we kept our eye on them.

“We definitely had a game plan, that we would go tee to tee.

“A lot of their girls are good at hitting the head and we knew they were bowling well, so we made the decision to go long.”

“Once the lead and second were nailing it, then we really thought we could take it out.”

Pine Rivers’ Pamela Rowe, 25, was the youngest bowler in the final and paid tribute to her opponents after the match.

“I think our first game was a great game. We had so many bowls in the head and I think we just got outplayed in the final, they played awesome.” v35/9

Double delight for Brisbane boy Jamie 2012 is turning out to be a very good year for Jamie Smith, with the Wynnum Manly bowler clinching two state titles at last month’s championships on the Gold Coast.

Wild was gracious in defeat, congratulating Smith on his incredible victory.

Smith was ecstatic following his win over Queensland rep Robbie Wild in the singles showdown.

“You can’t get too down on yourself even if you can’t win. You’re doing the best you can and that’s all you can do.

The 24-year-old kicked off his title run in the fours, before picking up the singles crown just three days later.

“It was a great game. We gave it all we had and if you give it all you’ve got then you can’t be disappointed in the end. Jamie played awesome,” Wild said.

Both bowlers lifted their game in the do-or-die clash, and Smith said the standard of bowls was “brilliant.”

O’Brien always believed his side could go the distance in the fours, especially with Bester at the helm.

A close semifinal win over Morrie Penfold, 25-23, helped prepare Smith for the tight title decider.

But Smith struck out in the dying ends, grabbing three to get himself a 22-18 lead, before eventually taking the title, 25-19.

Bester made the most of his home advantage during the final at Broadbeach and looked on track for a comfortable, leading the match 18-8 at one point.

His ascendency didn’t last however, with Bester pushing ahead again for a six-shot win.

“It’s a shame that he couldn’t be crowned as well.”

The decider was a real nail-biter, with the rivals neck-and-neck throughout the match.

Bester’s crew of Paul O’Brien, Ben Savva and Smith overcame Dean McWhinney’s side of Joe Mills, Sam White and Graeme Shillington in the final, 23-17.

However, a timely six put McWhinney right back in the match, while two on the next end saw him snatch the lead.

“Robbie was pretty unlucky. We were both on fire today and it just went my way. Next time it might go his,” he said.

“The end of that semifinal was very tight so that put me in the right frame of mind, playing match-winning bowls, and fortunately it just clicked in the final.”

part of Canadian international, Ryan Bester’s crack fours outfit.

“We were confident, obviously with someone like Ryan Bester skipping you, confidence is certainly there.”

McWhinney’s late comeback was a blow he said, but the side’s never-saydie attitude kept them going.

“You‘ve got to hope that they miss at some stage and you can jump on it and jump ahead, but it was an amazing game and a great guy to play against.”

Three days earlier Smith notched up his first Queensland state title as

“We just couldn’t drop our shoulders.

We had to get back in there and we did and luckily we scored on five of the next six ends.

“We were out-bowling them, it was just one end that was an aberration.

We were on top, we just had to get back to what got us there in the first place.”

Left: Smith in action during the fours final. Inset: With his winning fours teammates, Paul O’Brien, Ryan Bester & Ben Savva

14 | queensland bowler

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Damien McGee, Peter Baker, Gary Cummins

Bush boys crowned Queensland’s top trio Cloncurry skip takes down Canadian star in triples title clash Cloncurry bowlers Gary Cummins, Peter Baker and Damien McGee took everyone by surprise, including themselves, when they clinched this year’s state triples title on the Gold Coast.

The boys from the bush beat Ryan Bester’s side of Clinton Bailey and Chris McKibben in the title decider, 17-13, to become North West Queensland’s first state champions.

Their underdog status meant the Cloncurry boys weren’t under any pressure to perform, something McGee thinks worked in their favour.

“No-one really expected us to go through and win a state title, we’re just hillbillies from the bush. The boys went well and we had nothing to lose, so that’s how we played,” the Cloncurry skip said.

A win over defending champions Paul O’Brien, Ben Savva and Sean Ingham in the semifinals gave McGee’s outfit a lot of confidence going into the championship decider at Musgrave Hill.

“The blokes were starting to pick up and they were playing well [through the competition]. I was confident that I was starting to play okay too...on any given day anything can happen,” McGee said.

16 | queensland bowler

Despite leading for most of the final, the Cloncurry boys were feeling nervous throughout the match.

NO-ONE REALLY

EXPECTED US TO WIN

A STATE TITLE

WE’RE JUST

HILLBILLIES

FROM THE BUSH “We were down a few ends in a row and if we’d miss those ends, we’d have gone behind. So, it was good that we managed to get one in on every end and managed to keep in front,” McGee said.

This year’s championships were the first for Canadian international Bester, who said he was disappointed for his teammates that they couldn’t take the title out.

“We played two really tough teams today. To get to the final in any state is pretty good, so I’m happy with that,” the Broadbeach-based skip said.

“It was disappointing for Clinton and Chris. They played well through the qualifying just to fall short.”

Bester’s side were on the back foot for much of the final, despite being pre-match favourites.

McGee got out to an early lead, albeit a narrow one, up 7-4 after 10 ends.

The margin was narrowed to one shot after 14 ends, but the Cloncurry boys managed to keep their noses in front and hang on for a 17-13 win.

Before the match, Bester requested that the final be played to the full 25 ends, rather than stopped when the time limit was reached.

After the match, the Broadbeach bowler said the rule hurt his team’s chances at the title.

“The time limit is probably not a very good rule to have in the final, because we had to go for it in the second last end which hurt us a little bit,” he said. v35/9

Neville Jenkins, Sean Ingham, Sean Baker

& Nigel Smith

Out of luck favourites clinch come-from-behind victories in men’s Open and Over-60s state pairs finals.

Queensland reps, Sean Ingham and Sean Baker, lifted the state open pairs crown following a stunning fight-back win over Joe Mills and Steve Tong in the title decider at McKenzie Park Bowls Club.

Despite starting the match as firm favourites, the former Broadbeach clubmates were staring down the barrel of defeat by the midway point, trailing Mills and Tong 14-5 on the 10th end.

Baker finally got a few points on the board, but after 13 ends Tong was still sitting pretty on 16-9.

However, that was all about to change, with Baker stringing together six straight ends, 1-3-4-4-2-1, to lead 24-16 with just two to go.

Tongy fought hard to get back in the game, but with time running out there was just no way back as Ingham and Baker wrapped up the title, 24-19.

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“They came out on fire as we knew they would,” Baker said of his rivals after the match.

“But once the green started to drop a bit of pace we just found it a bit better than they did and managed to score shots on a few consecutive ends.”

Baker, who remains the only bowler to have lifted all four Queensland state titles, was tipped to take at least two trophies from this year’s championships.

However, following an early exit from the

singles, the state and national rep reached the triples quarterfinals and fours semis, only to face defeat on both occasions.

“I’ve had a pretty rough couple of weeks actually,” he admitted after his pairs win.

“I feel I’ve been playing really well but the results just haven’t gone my way, so I’m pretty happy to get this one, especially as people had me tipped to win a few titles… one out of four isn’t too bad.”

Continued on page 18 ►

queensland bowler | 17

► Continued from page 17 Meanwhile in the men’s over60s final, South Tweed stars Nigel Smith and Neville Jenkins successfully defended their title with a stunning one-shot win over Allen Elliot and Geoff Hawken.

Ann Russell and Patty Elliott

Despite getting off to a good start, Jenkins’ reign looked all but over by the 19th end, with Hawken leading the match 19-12.

However, the defending champs rallied in the final ends, picking up a couple of fours to sneak past Hawken for their second over60s crown.

“I’d pretty much given up,” Jenkins admitted after the match.

“

I’”m not sure if we played badly in the last end, or if we got nervous, but they got another four and that was it.

”

“I was ready to throw in the towel, but then we got that four and we were right back in it… then we picked up another four to win.

“It’s always good to win a title, but to win it in a game like this is great,” he said.

A shell-shocked Hawken had no explanation for the surprise defeat.

“I don’t really know what happened there to be honest,” Hawken said.

“On that second last end we were holding three and then he (Jenkins) collected the kitty and they ended with four.

“I’m not sure if we played badly in the last end, or if we got nervous, but they got another four and that was it.”

Hundreds of photos from this year’s State Championships and District Sides can be found on Bowls Queensland’s Facebook page at www.facebook. com/bowlsqueensland 18 | queensland bowler

GOLDEN GIRLS OVERJOYED TO FINALLY FALL ACROSS THE LINE Musgrave Hill’s Ann Russell and Patty Elliott clinched their maiden state title last month, with a hard-fought win over Pacific Paradise’s Jacqui Warner-Taylor and Jan Curran in the pairs final at McKenzie Park.

“The final was a tough game…in fact it was a tough competition overall. Three of our games we only won by one shot, so it was very tight,” Welsh said.

“I’ve won the triples before, so hopefully I can come back and get another one some day.”

“This title has been a long time coming,” Elliott said after the Estelle Welsh & win. “We’ve been runners-up Kath Wastell before so to finally fall across the line this year is great.

“The girls played a great game and there was nothing in it at the end….but thank God we won.”

Despite getting off to a slow start, which saw them trailing 3-11 after seven ends, the Musgrave girls rallied midway through the match, taking seven of the next eight ends to lead 17-12.

The Sunshine Coast duo fired back, clocking up six to trail by one heading into the final end.

But Russell and Elliot weren’t going home without the title, taking two on the last end for a 21-18 victory.

In the Over-60s final, Kath Wastell and Estelle Welsh defeated Margaret Fairbairn and Jewel Smith-Franklin 27-17 to clinch the inaugural pairs crown.

The duo had navigated a competitive section to reach the semis, where they beat North Toowoomba’s Shirley Jensen and Val Mahony, 20-16, for a shot at the title.

Smith-Franklin gave credit opponents for a fantastic win.

to

her

“They just played that little bit better than us in the final. We perhaps ran at it a little bit too much to start with, we just lost our rhythm and they got on top of us.

“We came back two or three times but we just couldn’t quite get there. But it’s been an excellent competition and while we would have liked to win, it’s pretty good getting to the state final.” v35/9

Big Month for Bowls in Qld As always May was a big month for lawn bowls in Queensland, with this year’s District Sides and State Championships staged on the Gold Coast from May 9 - 24.

Thankfully, excellent weather on the Coast provided perfect conditions for bowlers and spectators alike and the championships went off without a hitch.

These are two of the most important events on Queensland’s bowling calendar, as they give bowlers from across the state the chance to compete at the highest level.

Bowls Queensland would like to extend our sincere thanks to all host clubs and officials, without whom these championships would not be possible.

DISTRICT SIDES Bowlers came from all over the state to battle it out for the title of Queensland’s top bowling district.

Congratulations to all who took part, especially those who went home with a Division flag.

Well done to Gold Coast Tweed on taking out the men’s and women’s Division 1 titles.

To get the double is a great achievement and shows the depth of talent on the coast, although I’m sure having the home advantage didn’t hurt.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Many of the bowlers who took part in the District Sides prolonged their stay on the coast to compete in the 2012 State Championships.

It paid off for at least one visiting team, with Cloncurry’s Gary Cummins, Peter Baker and Damien McGee winning the triples title.

Hopefully this win will encourage more bowlers from outside the southeast to enter next year’s championships.

Congratulations to all the winners in both the men’s and women’s events and once again, thanks to the clubs, officials and volunteers that made it possible.

BLIND BOWLERS Aspley Bowls Club played host to the Australian Blind Bowlers Association National Championships last month.

By all accounts the championships, which were contested by bowlers from New South Wales, Victoria, West Australia and Queensland, were highly successful.

Queensland’s blind bowling association is one of the four associations with whom Bowls

Queensland is involved with, through the Sports Connect partnership established by our development team.

Bowls Queensland assisted by producing programmes for the event and assisting with the opening ceremony.

Unfortunately this event clashed with the Queensland District Sides and I was unable to attend.

However, Bowls Queensland was well represented at the event, with CEO Keith Fullerton and state development manager Brett Murphy both attending.

BOARD INDUCTION An induction seminar was held for the new board, elected at the March AGM.

This induction ensures all directors are clear on their roles and responsibilities, meeting procedures and the laws that govern companies and corporations.

The knowledge obtained at these seminars ensures Bowls Queensland continues the good governance it has provided in the past.

AWARDS Bowls Queensland directors have been presenting the 2011 Awards to the recipients in their home club.

The winners unfortunately had to wait for these presentations due to the heavy bowling schedule after the March AGM. All awards will be presented by early June and a full report on the winners will be provided in the July magazine.

If clubs would nominate more candidates, the Annual Award Night could be reinstated in 2013.

VALE

The sport of bowls lost two of its greatest champions last month with the passing of Queensland’s Stan Coomber OAM and Norm Cunico.

Stan, the Prince of Leads, was one of the greatest bowlers the nation has ever produced, while Norm worked tirelessly for the advancement of the sport at club, district, state, national and international level.

STAN COOMBER During a long and decorated career, Stan made a significant mark on the sport of lawn bowls.

He played more than 300 games for Queensland and pulled on Australia’s green and gold no fewer than 28 times, most notably during the 1972 World Championships.

Stan was a member of the first Queensland coaching panel and a selector at state, district and club level for many years.

In 2000, Stan was inducted into the inaugural Queensland Hall of Fame and received an Australian Sports Medal.

He also played a key role in luring the 2009 and 2010 Queensland Opens to Bribie Island Bowls Club, where he served as chairman.

In 2009 his outstanding contribution to the sport over a four decades was recognised when he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his service as a player, coach, selector and administrator.

NORM CUNICO A former BQ and BA president, Norm Cunico was a lifelong advocate for lawn bowls.

Bowlers in Queensland and around the country are mourning the loss of two great men of our sport.

During a long and distinguished career, Norm spent more than 17 years as the bowls delegate to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, during which time he served on the ACGA board of management and Australian Commonwealth Games Foundation investment committee.

Both of these great men did a tremendous amount for our sport over the years and they will be very sadly missed.

Norm served as BA president from 1994-95 and was inducted as one of only five life members in 1996.

Stan Coomber OAM, one of the greatest-ever leads to play the game of sport and Norm Cunico, one of the sport’s great advocates and administrators, both sadly passed away in April.

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to their families.

Ron Chambers BQ Board Chair 20 | queensland bowler

Australia farewells two true bowls champions

He was a driving force behind the establishment of the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games squad program, which commenced in 1996, and remains in place to this day.

Through this pioneering program, junior elite bowlers and junior athletes in all Commonwealth Games sports received financial assistance to ease the burden of costs associated with international competition.

In recognition of his outstanding work, Norm received life membership of the ACGA in October 2010. v35/9

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queensland bowler | 21

A GOOD MARKER WON’T MAKE A GOOD GAME BUT A BAD MARKER MAY JUST RUIN ONE With so many singles championships going on at present, marking has become something of a hot topic. Hopefully the following tips

will help you develop the skills you need to become a competent marker. Marking is covered in three sections — before the game, during the game and after the game.

BEFORE THE GAME

PRESENTATION

Always present yourself well and be aware of the dress code.

INTRODUCTIONS On arrival introduce yourself to the controlling body and the umpire of the day.

Be aware of the Conditions of Play and have a thorough knowledge of Law 55, which describes the Marker’s Duties.

If an umpire has not been appointed, identify a competent third party to act as an umpire if required.

BEFORE STARTING THE GAME Introduce yourself to the players and tell them the following: ► that you would like time to centre the mat before they deliver the jack. ► that you will mark touchers before the next bowl is delivered. ► that you would like permission to remove dead bowls from the ditch or green as soon they come to rest. ► ask if they would prefer to have distances given using feet and inches or metric measurements and if they would like you to indicate with your hands. ► enquire if they would like you to position the jack where they prefer during the trial ends.

EQUIPMENT You will need to carry a chalk spray or chalk, wedges, a pen or pencil, a coin, measure and if required, shot indicators.

Do not carry any items in your pockets that could easily fall out and have water available to drink.

If an umpire is not on duty have the necessary measuring equipment close by.

22 | queensland bowler

POSITIONING

DURING THE GAME

► After the mat has been centred and the jack delivered, centre the jack with your hand (never use your foot).

► Don’t hesitate to check a dubious jack length. Have the length checked if necessary. This duty must be exercised with extreme caution and only if there is no doubt in your mind. ► Your position on the rink is important for two reasons - you should not obstruct a player’s view of any pegs or indicators on the bank and you should also be in a position where you can see and act quickly upon anything that happens in the head.

The ideal position is to stand approximately one metre (two paces) to the rear of and one metre to the side of the jack.

Try to stand in the same position and side in every end as the players will get use to where you are standing and ensure that your shadow does not affect the head.

► Do not move when a player is on the mat ready to deliver a bowl. ► Remain on the green at all times if possible. ► If the jack goes into the ditch, stand to one side of the rink (not on the bank).

COMMUNICATION

► Mark with chalk all touchers as soon as they come to rest. Put marks on both sides so that the bowl does not have to be picked up to be checked if moved from its original position.

You may need to nominate a toucher and advise the players if you cannot mark it. Remove any marks from non-touchers.

► Use the bowl and jack indicators to show their position in the ditch. Remove the indicators when the end is completed.

► Try to anticipate questions so that you have the answers ready. When the bowl is on its way up the rink, take a step forward and to the side of the head to check the distances of any key bowls already in the head and which bowls are shot. You will then be ready to answer the next question without having to re-visit the head.

► Be accurate as you can when giving distances. Practice your distances, a bowl is roughly 5 inches, the jack 2-1/2 inches and be familiar with the length of your foot and stride.

► Only answer questions asked by the player in possession of the rink.

► Only answer the question asked, in general, don’t provide information that has not been asked for. Equally use common sense, for example, if you are asked “am I holding shot” and the player is holding two shots, you should say “yes, you are holding two” or if asked “is the bowl jack high” and the bowl is not exactly jack high, tell the player how far short or past jack high it is. If a player asks you to show them the position of the jack, hold your hand directly above the jack for a second or two. ► If you are unsure which is shot bowl, say that it is a measure. Don’t be forced into making a decision when you are unsure.

► Move to the front of the head when a running bowl is delivered - you will be in a much better position to see if the bowl becomes a toucher as that is the bowl you should be focusing on. If possible advise the adjacent rinks that a running shot is being played. ► Beware of a bowl from the neighbouring rink. Always stop a bowl or any other neutral object from a neighbouring rink that is likely to disturb the head on your rink. ► Never move a bowl except for a bowl declared dead.

► Do not engage in conversation with the players unless they want you to.

► Do not stop or catch bowls which are about to enter the ditch.

MEASURING

If you are asked to measure, don’t measure unless asked to do so by both players. I personally feel that if an umpire is present, they should be used. However, if you do measure the shot, point to the bowl you believe is shot after completing your measure.

Do not move it, as the players may want v35/9

with

joan brotherton

To me marking is an art form, and a very important part of our sport. While a good marker won’t make a good game, a bad marker

can easily ruin a match. I have endeavoured to outline the most important aspects of marking in the limited space available, but I am sure your district umpire committee would be able to provide more detaialed information if required.

DURING THE GAME

to call for an umpire for confirmation. If you do call an umpire, give them as much information as possible and make them aware of what equipment will be needed.

TIME MANAGEMENT

This is important, do not constantly rush around or hold up players, as this can effect their concentration. Practice a routine that you can use in every game you mark and you will soon gain confidence.

When the last bowl in an end has come to rest:

► Remove any jack or bowl indicators from the bank and then move to the front of the head and wait for the players to

AFTER THE GAME

declare the head. ► Confirm with the players the number of shots scored and by whom and tell them the running totals of the scores. ► Walk quickly to the other end and remove from the green the mat used in the previous end and be ready to check that the mat has been properly positioned and centre the jack. ► As the first bowl is on its way up the green, update the score card and update or check that the scoreboard is correct. ► Do not enter on the scorecard a total score which is higher than that required to determine the winner.

When the game has been completed, the marker should make sure that both the players check and sign the scorecard before the players leave the vicinity of the rink.

Record the time the game was completed. The card is then handed to the official on duty.

Some events may require the use of shot indicators and you will need to enquire as to the correct procedures required for each particular event.

I hope this info helps the next time you are marking, but most of all I hope you enjoy marking and are rewarded for a job well done.

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ANTHONY FANTINI Helensvale ace Anthony “Fanta” Fantini has become the latest in a long line of Queensland bowlers to receive the call-up for national duty.

The 35-year-old, who debuted for Queensland just two short years ago, was named in Australia’s A squad following an outstanding performance at the 2012 Australian Sides at Broadbeach.

A native of Manly in Sydney’s north, Fantini spent his childhood in New South Wales.

However, after a six-year stint in the army, he followed his parents in a move to the Gold Coast, where his bowls career has flourished.

Queensland Bowler sat down with Anthony for a chat at last month’s State Championships.

So, Anthony, congratulations on being named in the Australian A squad. How does it feel to be recognised by national selectors?

“That was a pure shock [when I got picked]. It’s been a big build up to that moment, though. Last year we played the Australian Sides down in Nelson Bay, we were going for four in a row but it was a disastrous result for Queensland. As a personal result, that was the worst I’d ever played.

All year it just burned inside me. So going into the Sides this year, it was more a personal thing. I wanted to prove that it was just an off day in Nelson Bay. I came out and blazed away and got off to a flyer. We had a few scares but I think that sort of solidified our resolve. But the Aus A selection that was totally unexpected. Every game you play for Queensland you just play for your spot. So, you play it like it’s your last game and that’s how I go about things. Playing as if it’s my last.

Having made the A side now, has your mind turned to a spot in the top Australian team?

To be held in that type of company would be an absolute dream come true. But with the quality of bowlers that they have, especially the success they’re having, it’s going to be very hard to break into that. Who knows what can happen? But if given the chance, I’d take it with both hands and give it 110 per cent.

You play with a lot of representative bowlers at your club, Helensvale. How has that helped your game?

I think what makes Helensvale so strong is the mateship. We were just saying the other week, within the area [Pacific Pines] itself and Helensvale, we’ve got four Australian players, Lynsey (Armitage), Wiz (Brett Wilkie), Lurch (Nathan Rice), Case (Mark Casey) and not forgetting Anthony Kiepe. Then you’ve also got, myself and Mark Thatcher. Basically it’s almost like a state side just living in one suburb.

When you’re playing against the best, week in and week out, that’s obviously going to have some effect on you as well.

You haven’t always played on the Gold Coast, though. How did you first get into bowls?

My old man introduced me. I had a couple of footy injuries (rugby league) and the doctor said, ‘well you can’t really play too many contact sports...this [bowls] is where we go.’ So, I took it up and just seemed to be like a duck to water.

24 | queensland bowler

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I played a lot down south as a junior, up until I was 17. Then I gave up bowls for six years while I was in the army.

What was your time in the army like?

I was deployed in Townsville and Darwin…all over the place. There were a few hair-raising experiences.

Obviously with that type of environment, there’s some stuff you can talk about and some stuff you can’t.

I was a tank driver originally, then I was a tank commander. Two knee reconstructions sort of finished that.

I did an injury and then I re-injured the same knee and that was the end of me. I thought I better get out on my own terms rather than get kicked out, so that’s how I ended up on the coast.

At what point did you start to take bowls seriously after your time out from the sport?

It was always a goal of mine to play for a state. I was at McKenzie Park, which is where I was living at the time, and Mark Casey came up and said, ‘would you like to come play with us?’

So, I went up there (Helensvale) and the whole idea was just to cement a spot in their top side. It was probably once we won Premier League the first time when I was there, which was 2008, that was when I thought, ‘Hey, I can do this’.

How much practise are you able to fit in with your current job?

I’m a pit manager at Jupiter’s (Casino), so I can play bowls during v35/9

the day. Other jobs start at nine and finish at five, so it makes it hard for them to practise, whereas everyday I finish work at four or six in the morning. I can wake up earlier, have a four-hour rollup, a nap before work or play bowls during the day. Just the lack of sleep makes it tough.

Sometimes I wish I had a normal job, where I could just take time off, especially for events like state championships. It’s really hard to get the time off.

When you aren’t playing bowls, what do you like doing?

Nathan (Rice) and I play a lot of golf now. We started off as hackers…we’re nowhere near Tiger Woods’ status yet, but we’re slowly getting better. We’ll get out there with [Pine Rivers bowler] Aaron Hewson and have a hit. Just something completely different away from bowls.

I love going to the beach. I moved from Mermaid and bought a place up at Pacific Pines, which is on the other side of Helensvale, so now I’m about 10-15 minutes away from the nearest beach.

Where to next for you?

Obviously to try and cement my spot in the Queensland side and go out and do the best I can. Then if anything happens from that, then that’s an absolute bonus. I think to remain in the national selectors’ sights you have to be doing very well at state. If you’re not playing well at district you’re not going to get chosen for the state side. So, it comes back down to every game, you have to treat it like it’s your last. queensland bowler | 25

ABBA President John Vance (centre) presents Chris Backstrom (QBBA President) and Betty Murray (Queensland team Manager) with the overall shield.

Queensland’s dominance of blind bowls titles continues Queensland once again proved itself the strongest force in Australian blind bowling, taking out the overall trophy at last month’s national titles at Aspley Bowls Club.

The Maroons won medals in almost every category, including four gold, giving them their sixth overall title in seven years.

Chermside bowler Joy Forster was also named the female bowler of the event.

The Chermside bowler was also selected as the Australian women’s B2 representative in a selection camp directly following nationals.

Forster won three medals, including two gold, in the championships.

Her gold medals came in the B2 ladies pairs, where she teamed up with South Australia’s Kath Murrell, and the B2 mixed pairs with Queenslander Rob Barker.

The world champion also won bronze in the B2 ladies’ singles.

Barker added to his medal tally with a second gold in the B2 men’s singles.

26 | queensland bowler

Teenager Jake Fehlberg built on his breakthrough 2011, with a strong showing at Aspley.

Fehlberg grabbed bronze in the B3 men’s singles and also medalled in the B3 men’s pairs with Frank Dawson.

Queensland Blind Bowling Association president Chris Backstrom was another multiple medal winner, clinching gold in the B4 men’s pairs with Neville Slingsby, as well as silver in the B4 mixed pairs with Jan McLean.

“

Former QBBA president Christine Henry was the bronze medallist in the B3 singles.

Backstrom said the tournament was a great success for the Maroons in home conditions.

“It was great that we did so well. Just a great result,” he said.

We had a goal to win 60 per cent of our games every day and we achieved that most days.

McLean picked up another silver in the B4 ladies’ singles and her second gold in the B4 ladies pairs.

Rene Crawley was another multiple medallist for the Queenslanders, with silver in the B1 ladies’ singles and gold in the mixed B1 pairs.

Her pairs partner Bryan Forster also picked up silver in the open singles.

“In the lead up, I was more worried about the organisational side of things but the administration was great and everything went really well.”

”

Backstrom said Queensland’s impeccable weather helped the home state during the 10 days of competition.

“Only a few of us had ever played at Aspley, but the weather was beautiful the whole time, which made it easier.”

Despite being the home side, the team stayed together in a motel for the competition, to help solidify their bond.

“We wanted to stay in a motel to further the team bond and that definitely helped us,” Backstrom said.

“We have a good morale within the club and we have a lot of incredibly dedicated directors. We are a good, united group, who all support each other.”

With the biggest contingent of all the states, Backstrom said continuing improvement across the board was the key to the team’s success.

“You don’t win just by having a big team. Everyone performed really well over the competition.

“We had a goal to win 60 per cent of our games every day and we achieved that most days.

“We also improved on previous years. I know, personally, that I won more games than in previous years,” he said.

Backstrom paid tribute to state coach, Kerry Meehan, who is retiring from coaching duties this year.

“Kerry has been a great coach.

Under her direction, we have won five out of six nationals.” v35/9

Karen Murphy became only the second-ever woman to win three Black Douglas titles at South Tweed Bowls Club last month, with a 25-14 defeat of Lynsey Armitage in the final.

Murphy, who is the only bowler to claim a hat-trick since Ruth McRae in 1994, had previously lifted the trophy in 2005 and 2009.

The Aussie rep put an early stamp on the final, streaking out to an 8-5 lead.

However, Armitage showed her trademark mental toughness to battle her way back into it, denying Murphy a golden chance at 11-22 down.

The Helensvale bowler played two sensational bowls to take three shots and cut the deficit to eight.

Murphy nipped her comeback in the bud, though, with two close shots on the next end.

Armitage pulled up short, giving her national teammate a chance to draw for a win.

She executed the shot perfectly to sew up the match and take the trophy.

Murphy was lucky to make the final and can thank Victoria’s Carla Odgers for her shot at a third title.

The NSW player dropped her first post-sectional clash to former national

teammate Julie Keegan and looked on track to lose section four as a result.

However, Odgers came to the rescue, clocking up a massive 18-shot win over Keegan in the last post-sectional round to push Murphy through on margins.

In her semifinal match up, Murphy dominated against Tassie ace Rebecca Quail, winning 25-12.

Her final opponent, Armitage, had a

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much more comfortable run to the title decider, winning all of her sectional and post-sectional matches.

She hit a bump in the road during her semifinal clash with Beth Quinlan.

Down by 12 early on, Armitage clawed back to trail 23-24, before Quinlan’s attempt to knock up a short bowl shifted the kitty in Armitage’s favour, handing her two shots and the game.

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queensland bowler | 27

It’s good for your greens Effective management of the growing medium is key to the production of any good turf stand.

A wider understanding of the role and natural benefits of organic matter in the soil medium has led to the increased use of organic products as a source of long term nutrient supply and as an indicator of soil fertility.

There are two potential sources of organic matter additions to the soil profile — production by the turf grass plant itself, or contributions through topdressing.

Many studies have found that a soil organic matter concentration of 3 – 5% is required to realise many of the benefits that are provided to the turf grass plant.

Maintaining organic matter levels in this ideal range is likely to provide a sufficient and diverse microbial population, an ideal total exchange capacity (TEC), and contribute to a stable soil structure.

Microbial Populations

After any decomposable organic matter tissue is added to the soil from either source, there is a rapid multiplication in the populations of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and protozoa.

Complex carbon compounds are oxidised to produce carbon dioxide, water, and the formation of new compounds.

Microbes also mineralise long chain amino acids to yield inorganic, plant available compounds such as nitrates and sulphates.

As decomposition proceeds, microbes slowly break down complex plant components into new, simpler compounds.

with

maurice hinton

These simple compounds are broadly termed ‘Humic’ substances and are classified into three chemical groupings based on solubility (Fulvic Acid > Humic Acid > Humate).

In a similar way to clay particles, humic substances have a very high surface area per unit mass.

The surface area of humus is also negatively charged and can have a TEC five times greater than that of a clay particle.

Therefore additions of an organic matter source containing high levels of Humic substances can provide a significant increase in the ability of the soil (especially inert sands) to retain and exchange nutrient cations.

Organic matter plays an important role in aggregate formation and stability.

Organic matter provides a natural ‘glue’ that assists with the formation of larger soil particles.

This allows for better oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, which favours further microbial development.

Improvements in soil structure also lead to better turf grass growth and development through more uniform water infiltration and drainage.

All of the organic products available have to some extent undergone the composting process where microbes have altered the original material.

Composting methods vary greatly in their ability to build particular strains of microbes in the final product.

The ‘Traditional’ composting process (Dynamic Lifter) utilises a pile of material (up to two metres high) with good moisture and limited oxygen movement throughout.

Heat builds to as much as 70 °C as microbial activity develops within the pile.

This particular process tends to favour the development of humus with poor stability and the less desirable nitrifying bacteria in the final product.

Newer technology has seen the development of low temperature, aerobic composting (TX10).

Constant rotation of the organic pile maintains temperatures at or below 15°C, which produces humus with superior stability and high concentrations of the more favourable actinomycetes and mycelium fungi.

Observation of the organic matter levels in the soil (via a soil test) over time provides us with the best indication as to when and what type of organic matter additions should be made.

The plethora of organic products available all affect the three key soil properties (mentioned above) to a differing degree, therefore product selection becomes critical.

Products like TX10 that utilise new composting technology can provide stable humus with more diverse and desirable microbial populations.

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

28 | queensland bowler

v35/9

EXPANDING YOUR PREMISES? Know the pitfalls and provisos

with

Curt schatz

From time to time you will make a decision to expand the licensed footprint of your premises or construct an expansion of your licensed premises.

It is vitally important that you understand some of the pitfalls associated with such a proposal and to ensure that you satisfy all of the requirements attaching to these intentions.

All too often I see clients who, despite being halfway through their expansion project, haven’t ticked all the necessary boxes.

These boxes include Town Planning, Council, Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, and it is clearly important that you have a construction contract that is acceptable.

TOWN PLANNING

OLGR

Most premises have been properly approved by the relevant local council to conduct the use of the premises under the relevant Town Plan.

There is a legal principle within the provisions of the Liquor Act that talks about “contiguity”.

However, I do see situations from time to time where the original approval was not actually obtained properly.

Therefore the use is actually, or arguably, unlawful.

When you are seeking to expand the size of your premises, it may result in what is called an “intensification of use”.

The most common problem that this can create is a requirement of the Council for you to have more car parking spaces.

If you wish to expand your premises and thereby expand the licensed area, you will need the approval of the OLGR. This approval will generally be forthcoming where the land that you want to expand onto is contiguous.

There is a Guideline 35 in the Act, which sets out what is necessary for property to be contiguous.

In the main it means that the land needs to be adjacent to, alongside or abutting the current licensed property.

Depending on the circumstances you may not have sufficient land to accommodate this extra car parking requirement.

It also means that there should not be large improvements that stand between the existing licensed premises and the proposed extended licensed area. If there is, then this will be problematic.

So the first thing to ascertain is whether or not you need town planning approval for a development or expansion, and if you do, to understand and accept, both legally and commercially, any conditions that are attached to such approval.

Furthermore, one of the tests of Guideline 35 is that it would be immediately apparent to any consumer that the original premises and the extended or expanded premises are part of the same business. This obviously applies to colour schemes, signage, style of construction and the like.

If it involves extra car parking, you may have to become creative, for example underground or in the air.

So in relation to expanding the licensed premises, issues to do with contiguity may be relevant.

COUNCIL From a construction perspective it will be necessary for you on most occasions to get a building approval from the Council for the proposed extension.

This obviously involves having plans professionally drawn, lodged with Council and approved.

It also involves a council building inspector or certifier ultimately approving the extension for the Council records, once it has been constructed.

30 | queensland bowler

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS It is very important that you negotiate a construction contract with a builder, where the contract is fair to all parties concerned.

There are tricks for young players in relation to these construction contracts.

We would strongly recommend that you have these building or construction contracts vetted by an expert in the area, with a view to ensuring that they are appropriately drawn, and protect you.

Finally, OLGR will approve the extension provided that all of the various certificates are given.

This includes certificates from Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, Council, and any other relevant authority that has an interest in the premises.

These are some of the pitfalls, and if you intend to expand your licensed premises, please give me a call and I can run through these with you.

If you have anything further to discuss regarding these matters please contact Curt Schatz on (07) 3224 0230. v35/9

Is your club in experiencing financial difficulties?

Recently Bowls Queensland’s development team have been fielding a lot of phone calls from clubs suffering financial difficulties.

Add this fact to the widely circulated rumours of some Queensland clubs asking their members for financial assistance or, in some cases, sending letters state-wide to ask other clubs for money, and it makes you wonder exactly how many clubs out there are in serious trouble?

with

brett murphy

produced a document to assist clubs who may be dealing with solvency issues.

This document discusses, in general terms, what is meant by the terms “solvency” and “insolvency”.

Or worse still, how many are no longer financially viable?

While there will always be gossip and innuendo about how the club up the road is going, the recent actions of some clubs indicate there are indeed some serious problems out there.

The question must be asked, “are these clubs trading insolvent?”

Bowls Queensland in conjunction with Korda Mentha and Mullins Lawyers have

It also outlines some practical considerations to assess whether your club has solvency issues.

Various options for clubs that are facing actual or potential solvency issues are outlined, as well as a list of contacts that can provide assistance.

This document has been produced to assist clubs in ascertaining what options are available when trading difficulties (whether temporary or terminal) arise.

The document discusses the following topics: •

Explaining insolvency

•

Implications of directors trading whilst Insolvent

•

Options available to clubs facing insolvency

•

Summary and contacts listing

To obtain your copy of the Solvency & Bowls Club document, contact BQ on (07) 3355 9988 or download it from the BQ website, visit www.bowlqld.org and go to the Key Documents section Next month’s magazine will include a checklist that can help your club determine its current position.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Original entry forms only, no photocopies accepted.

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

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queensland bowler | 33

STAN’S SINGLES TRAINING ...IT’S SIMPLE, BUT VERY EFFECTIVE Having trained several singles champions, at all levels of the sport, I am always on the lookout for uncomplicated training methods for singles players.

If an exercise requires complicated scoring systems the players can easily lose focus on what we really want to achieve.

If you happen to move the jack away from your three scorers with the last bowl, then bad luck, you may only score one.

For scoring you use the mat to measure. Any bowl within one mat-length scores one point

Stan, who sadly passed away last month, had kindly suggested that this exercise may be of some use to my junior bowlers at Bribie Island and I have had great success with it ever since.

Don’t be distracted by people or conditions... get “in the zone”, just as you have to in a singles match against any opposition, and remember that one bad bowl will not cost you the match, unless you let it.

For many players the only obstacle to success is their own lack of confidence.

The Caterpillar

Once the mat length becomes too easy, change to a mat width

It is simple, easy to play and requires nothing more than a mat, two jacks, four bowls and a scorecard.

The mat is always on the T and we play maximum length in one direction and minimum length in the other direction. To do this we set a jack on the T at one end and on the 21metre mark at the other. You can start on either length, it’s your choice.

It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but, with a little persistence and determination, it will improve your singles game greatly.

In this exercise you are playing your biggest opponent and the one person who is capable of stopping you achieving your goals.

If you are training fairly new bowlers you can increase the distance to two mat lengths until they achieve success and then revert to the shorter distance.

This next exercise was used on a regular basis by the late great Stan Coomber OAM, who you may remember as one of Queensland’s greatest-ever leads.

After a warm up and practice ends to establish green conditions and prepare for play, you set up as follows:

Mick Cherry

You play your four bowls to the jack and do not score until all four have been bowled.

I especially dislike scoring systems that include minus scores for failure. In my view you either achieve (and get a score) or you don’t.

Stan’s super singles training exercise

with

for you, while any bowl outside one mat length scores one for the opposition. So four point are scored each end.

It is possible to complete the exercise within a very short time, although this rarely happens.

Get in the zone & face your toughest opponent This exercise requires total concentration to achieve success and is obviously one for training alone or perhaps with your coach.

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

I would suggest you try adding this difficult warm up exercise.

Lots of coaches use it and it goes by various names, but former Queensland state coach, Peter Gagaler, called it a caterpillar.

The idea is to deliver a bowl to a certain spot and then trying to pass that bowl with your second, then again with your third and fourth.

Hopefully what you should end up with is four bowls in a line with between half a metre and a full metre difference in length for each bowl.

A couple of ends of the caterpillar will help you to really fine tune your weight control.

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