October 2014

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CONTENTS

Volume 37

Issue 10

Cover Story 06 APL Launch The biggest show in bowls was launched in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall on Sept 12. Get your free APL guide inside.

News 08 National Club 5-a-Side Host team Helensvale Hawks overcame Australia’s top clubs to win the 2014 $60,000 National Cub 5-a-Side.

09 Multi-Disability Champs

06

All the thrills and spills from the 2014 Multi-Disability Championships, held at Aspley Bowls Club in September.

16 All Schools Cup Two Sunshine Coast schoolgirls claimed an historic win at the 2014 All Schools Cup State Finals.

Columns

07

34 Don’t blame the bowls

08

Chop and change bowls all you want, but remember, a good workman never blames his tools, says coaching guru Ian Schuback.

Editor: Wayne Griffin Reporters: Naomi Cescotto Madeline Muir Published by: Bowls Queensland Editorial: Queensland Bowler PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051 Ph: (07) 3355 9988 E: news@bowls-queensland.org

16

Advertising: Wayne Griffin Ph: (07) 3355 9988 E: advert@bowls-queensland.org Subscriptions: To subscribe, fill out the form on page 22 and post it, together with a cheque for $36 (inc gst) to: Queensland Bowler Subscriptions PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051.

Photo: Neil McLean

Patron: His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland 4 | queensland bowler

v37/10

FUNNYMAN MICK LAUNCHES APL Watching Crackerjack star Mick Molloy work a crowd, it’s easy see why he’s paid the big bucks.

The funny man is back as APL ambassador in 2014, and he arrived for the official launch in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall wearing his full bowls kit from the 2002 hit movie.

He was well supported at the launch by eight of Australasia’s best bowlers, pictured above (back row) Ali Forsyth (New Zealand Blackjacks), Dylan Fisher (Melbourne Roys, Mark Casey (Brisbane XXXX Gold), Scott Thulborn (Adelaide Endurance), Brett Wilkie (Gold Coast Hawks), (front row) Karen Murphy (Sydney Lions), Clive Adams (Perth Suns) and Ryan Bester (Murray Steamers).

The mission for the day, Friday September 12, was to convince Brisbane’s lunch time crowd to have a crack at bowls on the special Mall carpet, and to enjoy themselves so much they would come back again soon, specifically to Club Pine Rivers between November 18-21 for the APL 2014 LIVE TV extravaganza.

6 | queensland bowler

“As far as selling our sport goes, APL is No 1,” Fox Sports commentator and APL bowler Karen Murphy said.

The good-natured sledging that was part of the rich tapestry of APL 2013 (especially the Kelvin Kerkow V Steve Glasson show!) has started up again, with Queensland “defector” Brett Wilkie one of the first targets.

Wilkie switched from Perth Suns to play with his home side Gold Coast Hawks this year, and the boys from the west are keen to show him he made a big mistake!

“Let’s just say, we’ll love to play against him…” the Sun’s Clive Adams said.

The $100,000 APL lawn bowls showcase at Club Pine Rivers will feature six Commonwealth Games gold medallists and 12 world champions, representing eight cities and regions throughout Australasia.

For all the info on APL 2014, grab your free 16-page pull-out guide inside this month’s Queensland Bowler.

Above, Dylan Fisher with Phillip, Laura and Belinda Topp from Forest Lake; Mick Molloy puts student Liz Chalmers through her paces, and Ali and Clive assist Melanie Marshall from Canberra. v37/10

A dissapointed St John’s Park side look on as Helensvale clinch the 2014 $60,000 National 5-a-Side title.

Inset below: 2014 champs Brett Wilkie, Nathan Rice, Anthony Fantini, Mark Casey and Anthony Kiepe.

HAWKS FLYING HIGH Hosts too good for Australia’s top clubs at eighth annual National Club 5-a-Side Challenge

It’s a national bowls competition all the best clubs want to win and in 2014, the bragging rights have gone to an elated host club Helensvale.

The four-day cream of the crop 5-aside ran over four days from September 8–11, arranged to be purposely arduous for the players, so the best-performed club under pressure, wins.

The Queensland powerhouse took a while to warm up, but gave no quarter in the final rounds, to drive NSW heavyweight St John’s Park back into second, with NSW’s Merrylands and Taren Point finishing equal third.

“It’s the only event I know of where you play from 8:30am – 5:30pm every day for three days, and if you’re lucky, you get to do it again on the fourth day for the finals, it’s extremely demanding,” Wilkie said.

In the second last round, there were still eight clubs in contention to take the lion’s share of the $60,000 prize money, posted with the support of 2014 sponsors IGA supermarkets and Coca Cola.

“It’s our fourth National Club 5-A-Side title, we won the inaugural competitions back in 2007 and 2008, had a dry spell until 2011, and now we’re back again in 2014,” Club Helensvale bowls coordinator and Comm Games Glasgow 2014 silver medallist Lynsey Clarke said.

Runners up St John’s Park choked in 2013, coming 18th out of 20 teams, but what a comeback in 2014, led by Australian Indoor title-holder David Holt.

Holt scored a surprise defeat over Club Helensvale’s Brett Wilkie to snatch the 2014 Indoor title, but Wilkie swept through the National 5-A-Side singles competition undefeated, making sure of it in the final against St John’s Park’s Ben Twist, 21-11. v37/10

“We had to fight hard in every game.”

Organiser Lynsey Clarke said the competition slightly favoured clubs from the sunnier states that bowl all year around.

Twist pushed back in the pairs, teaming up with Ben Morthorpe to give Helensvale’s Wilkie and Mark Casey a lesson, 20-14.

In the triples, mighty Nathan Rice, Anthony Kiepe and Anthony Fantini dominated the St John’s Park trio, 22-6.

In the fours, the boys shook hands on a 10-10 tie, St John’s Park unable to make up a 19-shot deficit with two ends remaining, giving Club Helensvale the National Club 5-A-Side title, 2.5 rink wins to 1.5.

“To win probably the toughest tournament in Australia is a great thrill,” a delighted Brett Wilkie said.

“It’s harder for the clubs in the other states to come play at this time of year because they’re off-season, whereas Queensland and New South Wales, we play all year round,” Clarke said.

“The beauty of this event is that you play in every discipline, which is very rare and exciting.”

“It’s also an invitational event so it’s also really tough each year to select just 20 clubs.

“There’s rarely a “surprise” win because all of the clubs are so good, they could be “expected” to win.”

There were two new clubs this year, both from Victoria; it was Altona’s first appearance and Clayton was returning after an absence last year.

queensland bowler | 7

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MULTI-DIS

2014

FOUR PAGES OF ACTION FROM THE 2014 MULTIDISABILITY CHAMPS IN BRISBANE

If you know someone who shies away from playing sport because of a disability, maybe lawn bowls is the sport for them?

Bowls Queensland has been recognised as “the most inclusive sport” by Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association Queensland, for two consecutive years, beating even the sport of swimming.

“If this is what disability bowls looks like, it’s a great start to my new job,” Bowls Queensland CEO Doug Evans told the full house at the presentations ceremony.

“There has been so much to be inspired by here at Aspley over the past five days.”

The fourth annual Queensland State Multi-Disability Lawn Bowls Championships was held at Aspley Memorial Bowls Club for the second consecutive year, August 31 - September 4.

“The championships are open each year to any bowler who has a disability classifiable by any one of four Sports CONNECT disability organisations, Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association, Lifestream Foundation, Queensland Blind Bowlers Association, or Deaf Sports and Recreation Queensland,” Bowls Queensland state development officer Daryl Francey said.

“The bowlers must also be financial members of clubs affiliated with Bowls Queensland.”

Disability bowls was included for the first time this year at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Blind world champion bowler Joy Forster from Chermside Bowls Club and her director Bruce Jones from Enoggera won a bronze medal. v37/10

Fellow Queenslander Tony Bonnell from Club Pine Rivers, a Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Assn bowler, also went to Glasgow, but finished out of the medals.

“With the next Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast 2018, Queensland bowlers with a disability are encouraged to explore classification and compete for selection,” Francey said.

Outstanding blind bowler of the 2014 Queensland State Multi-Disability Championships Jake Fehlberg, 19, has already signalled his intention to be in the mix.

“That’s my goal with my bowls, to be selected to play for Australia in the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018,” Jake said.

Pictured (clockwise from top): Disabilities Minister Tracy Davis rolls the ceremonial first bowl of the 2014 Queensland State Multi-Disability Championships, flanked by BQ state development officers Tim Blake, Daryl Francey and Charlie Harkness, Aspley chairman Ray Wilson, BQ chairman Ron Chambers, Aspley women’s and men’s presidents Jan McErlean and Jim Eastes, and disability sport reps Gail Dellar (Deaf) Chris Backstrom (Blind) Darren Davis (Lifestream), and Sylvia Hiltunen (Sporting Wheelies & Disabled) ; Christian Lenkse in action on the green ; bowlers Charlie and Dionne Farrow ; South Johnstone’s Louise Hoskins shows off her medal ; umpires Sue Bond, Barbara Tupper, Wendy Ferguson.

Read on page 10 ► queensland bowler | 9

Brett Wilkie, John Lang, Phil Siggers, Samantha O’Dea, Gail Dellar, Don Currie, Chris Backstrom and Bowls Queensland CEO Doug Evans

Thrills and Spills There were plenty of upsets at the 2014 State Multi-Disability Championships, played at Aspley Memorial Bowls Club (August 31-September 4).

2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and reigning World Singles champion blind bowler Joy Forster from Chermside failed to make it out of sectional play in her pet event, with the medals going to Thuringowa City’s Lynne Seymour, Brothers Edmonton’s June Brittain and Moorooka’s Christine Henry.

Former Australian men’s singles champion and Commonwealth Games bowler Tony Bonnell (Sporting Wheelies and Disabled) also failed to make the finals of his speciality event, bowing out in the quarters to a first timer at State’s, Brett Sellars from Bongaree (Bribie Island).

Also in the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled category, Kaytlyn Smith, 20, from Edge Hill 10 | queensland bowler

(Cairns), a multiple state and national title-holder, and current national champion, was booted out before the finals.

And Australian Open bowler and Lifestream star Nathan Appleton from North Toowoomba also failed to make the finals, in a category he’s dominated in recent years.

Kaytelyn Smith and Christian Lenske

in conjunction with Bowls Queensland, run various combinations of disciplines at the annual state championships, including singles (21 up, two hour time limit), pairs (two bowls, 15 ends) and triples (three bowls, 15 ends).

Earle Gray, Sandra Clark, Lynne and Bob Seymour

It was hard for any of the displaced champs to be disappointed though, all of them pleased to see the silverware and glory spread around, and in many cases, going to new faces this year.

“I was just smiling for weeks (after the Commonwealth Games) and I’m still smiling,” Joy Forster said.

“It’s been fantastic to stay around and see all these great bowlers doing so well, the men’s singles final had us all on the edge of our seats, it was great bowls,” Tony Bonnell said.

The individual Sports CONNECT organisations,

v37/10

Country Stars

Shine

Country bowlers dominated the top of the table in the Lifestream category of the 2014 state championships.

Deborah McGarry and Don Currie

Glasshouse Country Bowls Club took gold in the men’s singles, the mighty Phil Siggers, who never gives up, out-maneuvering Gympie star Andrew Reisenleiter (pictured below) 21-7 in the final.

In the women’s singles, Samantha O’Dea from Gracemere (via Rockhampton) reversed last year’s final result against Kaye Freeman from Cleveland, both of them playing dogged, inspired bowls, with Samantha finally snaring the gold medal by the smallest of margins, 21-20.

Noel and June Brittain

The Queensland Blind Bowlers Association (QBBA) state titles were vigorously contested over B2/B3 men’s singles, B4 men’s singles, women’s singles, open pairs and open triples.

Young Burleigh Heads sensation Jake Fehlberg, 19, was the pin up boy of the blind comp this year, winning two gold medals and one silver in the men’s events, and the “Bushy”, a trophy donated by former world blind bowls international Les Bushell, for the QBBA player considered “Best in State” at each year’s titles.

“It’s been my best year yet, winning national mixed pairs gold in Perth with Marian Morrison (Aspley) and silver in the men’s singles and pairs, and now two gold (singles and open pairs) and one silver (open triples) at State,” Jake said.

Runner up to Jake in the men’s B2/B3 singles was Tully’s Des Mackay and the bronze went to New Farm’s Chris Backstrom.

In the men’s B4 singles, Dennis Wormald from Club Pine Rivers won gold, with Australian Blind Bowls president v37/10

Jake Fehlberg

Boy Wonder Jake tops off an amazing 2014 with two Gold & Player of the Championships title John Vance from Tamborine Mountain winning the silver.

The open pairs bronze went to Lynne Seymour and Marian Morrison.

In the women’s singles, In the open triples, Thuringowa’s Lynne Fehlberg, Morrison Seymour won gold, It’s been and Don Dias had with silver going to be content my best year yet, to a first-timer with silver, winning national at State’s, Comm Games June Brittain mixed pairs gold in bronze from Brothers Perth and silver in the medallist Joy Edmonton men’s singles and pairs, Forster finally (Cairns), and now two gold finding form and bronze to win gold in and one silver at to Moorooka’s a formidable State.

Christine Henry. combo with Des In the open pairs, Fehlberg’s gold was won in duo with June Brittain, against men’s singles silver and bronze medallist combo Des Mackay and Chris Backstrom.

Vance.

In the open pairs, men’s singles runner up Reisenleiter skipped Darren Davis from Diggers Memorial (North Rockhampton) to a win over a mixed pair of Alan Duffy from Cannon Hill Bowls Club and women’s singles silver medallist Kaye Freeman, 13-10.

Lifestream general manager Greg Dunk said there had been some excellent bowls played during the 2014 championships.

“We’re all very happy, great competition, it’s always a pleasure to play here,” Dunk said.

Mackay and John

Triples bronze was won

by Sandra Clark from Aspley and Earle Gray from New Farm, anchored by Lynne Seymour. queensland bowler | 11

Newbies Nail It Big guns fall, as newcomers dominate Sporting Wheelies and Disabled State Championships at Aspley Bowls Club There were thrills and spills in this year’s vigorous Sporting Wheelies and Disabled comp, with two first timers at State’s ending up against each other in the men’s singles final.

Don Currie from North Ipswich and David Lenden from Musgrave Hill put on a masterful display of bowls for an appreciative crowd, going end for end, until Don cracked the code, winning gold, 21-20.

Mossman’s Mr Reliable Bernie Wolland was also turfed out early in the singles this year, in the quarter -finals, by eventual gold medallist Don Currie, 21-10.

In the women’s final, South Johnstone star Louise Hoskins earned her gold, putting on a fine display against Salisbury’s Dionne Farrow, 21-8.

I’ve In the open pairs, finally Rathdowney’s Deb met some McGarry had her moment golden glory, a wellgreat people, I’m ofdeserved reward for motivated now to months of hard work to build her form and do even better consistency. with my bowls McGarry was teamed

Another newbie at State’s, Bongaree’s Brett Sellars also had an impressive tournament, taking the scalp of Comm Games bowler and former Australian singles champion Tony Bonnell in the quarter finals (21-18), on the way to a semi final clash with eventual silver medallist Lendon, which Sellars lost 18-21.

“I’ve met some great people, I’m motivated now to do even better with my bowls,” Sellars said.

“He’s a member of the family now, we’ve “blooded” him,” said long time supporter of disability bowls and regular on the winner’s podium John Green from Souths Surburban Mackay.

up with 2014 men’s singles gold medallist Don Currie, the duo managing to steal the pairs title 15-14 from a seasoned duo who rarely let a chance go by, defending champs Bernie Wolland and John Green.

Sporting Wheelies bowlers David Lenden and below, Brett Sellars

The northerners had previously turfed out Serena Nicholls and Tony Bonnell 13-9 in the semi, while in the other semi, McGarry and Currie denied a final’s berth to Dale Mansfield from Springwood and wheelie Christian Lenske from Gympie, 18-14.

Belfast Bound

Deaf bowlers ask Minister to dig deep for World Championships trip to Northern Ireland Just as Australia’s blind bowlers travelled to England earlier this year to contest the World Titles, Australia’s deaf bowlers are desperately trying to line up sponsorship so their representatives can attend the next world titles in 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Queensland Deaf Bowls president Gail Dellar told State Disabilities Minister Tracy Davis, who officially opened the championships, that deaf bowlers got very little funding compared to other disability bowls.

12 | queensland bowler

(While Queensland’s rep players are dynamic and great communicators in person, it’s an unseen disability in some ways, with deaf bowlers rarely able to just pick up a phone and explain what they need, or take a phone call and provide an instant answer.

Deaf Services Queensland provides interpreters to help the deaf community communicate, but it’s a slower process, and requires extra organization and determination to get their messages to people who can make a difference.)

Brian Taylor and Diane Reddick At this year’s state championships, Diana Reddick from Corinda Bowls Club followed up her national singles title, won at Mareeba earlier this year, with a state singles gold, defeating Janet Hogan from Boyne Tannum in the final, 21-16.

Reddick followed up with pairs gold, skipping Brian Taylor from Logan City Bowls Club, the pair defeating silver medallists Gail Dellar from Mooloolaba and Janet Hogan, who won her second silver medal. v37/10

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Balancing Act Atherton peace-maker Bob Walker, keeping it cool on the Tablelands

Michael Pluschke rolls for Atherton during annual ‘grudge match’ with Mareeba

Mareeba Masterclass

Annual grudge match goes Mareeba’s way, as north Tableland boys batter Atherton on grass Mareeba has won the annual “grudge match” clash of the Tablelands at home against a travelling Atherton side.

The two Cairns hinterland towns are friendly rivals in everything, sport, politics, and traditions.

The former tobacco town of Mareeba has a strong Italian heritage, and hot dry weather “320 days of sunshine a year”.

Less than 30km south, Atherton has more of an English feel, more drizzly, misty weather, with meandering dairy cows, and peaceful maize crops as far as the eye stretches.

“We used to go to Atherton to take the girls out, but we always married a girl from home in Mareeba,” one bowls old timer explained, with a wink in his eye.

Mareeba and Atherton work together when required to field the best team for the occasional Tablelands V Cairns intra-TFNQ district clashes.

But old habits die hard, and both sides look forward to the annual grudge match, when it’s just two old 14 | queensland bowler

rivals, out on the green, scruffing for the prestigious Shroj Shield.

Mareeba won the 2014 clash with an impressive margin of more than 100 shots, 362-258, which as it turns out, wasn’t as bad as it looked.

“When we play in Mareeba, Mareeba tends to win, when we play in Atherton, Atherton tends to win,” Mareeba heavyweight Elio Crema explained.

“Mareeba is a grass green, Atherton has carpet, so the home side always has the advantage, because it’s what we’re used to.”

Mareeba and Memorial runs a number of successful competitions each year, including the Shroj Shield, and a new innovation in 2014, the Harvest Festival Bowls Carnival.

“The Harvest bowls in April was a huge success, more than 80 bowlers came to sample our fine Tablelands produce, and thanks to the support of our generous growers and friends of bowls, the event is sure to be repeated and become a very popular day on our annual club calendar for many years to come,” secretary Carmel Cobb said.

Atherton games director Bob Walker, 74, is an oasis of calm when things get hot in the Far North.

He doesn’t let temperature or temperament faze him.

“I don’t have arguments with people, I don’t jump up and down,” Bob said.

Walker has been in bowls for more than 40 years, starting at 33 when he took up social bowls while juggling a job in pastures research at the former Department of Primary Industries, and a part time job in the Army (CMF).

I don’t have arguments with people, I don’t jump up and down

He stepped up to competitive bowls in the early 1980s.

“I’ve won club titles in A and B grade singles, but what I’ve also enjoyed is helping to run the club,” Bob said.

“I’ve been president at Atherton, vice president, treasurer at least four times, and I’ve also worked on the greens maintenance side.”

Atherton became the Tablelands most coveted all-weather green when the club went to carpet and put a roof over it in 2006.

A second Dales surface was put down in 2008.

“I keep the sand filled and keep it wet,” Bob said.

“Bobby” Walker is a popular bloke at Atherton because of his easy-going personality, handyman skills and green thumb.

When he’s not on a green, he and wife Helen travel and visit the grandchildren in Rockhampton and Brisbane. v37/10

Born to Bowl

Elio Crema and Mal Macknee

From Treviso to Dimbulah, Italian immigrant Elio is a pioneer of Far North Qld bowls Elio Crema, 79, is one of the best known and loved faces of Mareeba bowls.

He was one of the “founding fathers” of lawn bowls in nearby Dimbulah back in 1963, when he and a group of Italian immigrant tobacco farmers decided they needed a sport.

“It was touch and go whether we’d start bowls or golf, but we played bocce in the old country, so that’s what we decided to do,” Elio said.

“We taught ourselves lawn bowls and learnt from our mistakes.”

Elio has been playing lawn bowls for 50 years in 2014 and he’s still a sought-after skip.

“Some people say Elio, he’s very competitive, he gets cranky when he doesn’t win, but it’s not true...but I like to win,” Elio said.

Looking back, Elio says he might have sacrificed too much for the sport.

“Fishing, travel, these are things I should have done, and I don’t know if I have it in me now,” Elio said.

“I worked on my game, and I was always available, I put my farm work around my bowls.”

One of the highlights would be making it to the Country Pairs final with Louie Toffanello in the 1980s, we lost to Ian Schuback and Neil Clayton from the Gold Coast.

“My life has been the farm, bowls, volunteering at the club.

Elio and his wife Sarina had two children and they now have five grandchildren.

He was 17 when he came to Australia from Treviso in the north east of Italy, near Venice.

“I’ve been very happy in Australia, I’ve been healthy, it’s been hard work, but I feel like I’ve done a good job.”

Elio is a life member of Dimbulah Bowls Club and the Tropical Far North Queensland District.

Elio...man on a mission

“I’ve done every position except secretary, because I can’t write English, but we got around that, I’d write in Italian, and my wife would translate into English.”

Elio has been a very good bowler, playing for Tablelands at District Sides in 1968, and also playing in State singles, pairs and fours contests.

“One of the highlights would be making it to the Country Pairs final with Louie Toffanello in the 1980s, we lost to Ian Schuback and Neil Clayton from the Gold Coast,” Elio said.

“Louie was a great man, I remember we made it to the semi finals of State Pairs too.”

His inspiration in the game was bowls legend and fellow Italian Rob Parrella.

“Parrella was playing for State and I thought, I can do that, and that was my ambition, to play for Queensland,” Elio said.

The big bowling left-hander achieved his dream, wearing maroon for 10 years between 1975-1985.

“I played all positions (at state level) except skip, I didn’t speak English very well,” Elio said. v37/10

Atherton’s Louie Cescotto in action queensland bowler | 15

Siena starlets serve up All Schools history lesson Sunshine Coast starlets Keeley Ansell (12) and Rebecca Rixon (13) have etched their names in Queensland’s bowling annals, becoming the firstever all-girl team to lift the coveted All Schools Cup.

The Siena Catholic College teammates pulled off an impressive come-frombehind victory over Pine Rivers State High’s Jake Law and James Wakefield in the title decider on September 21.

A clean sweep on Day 1 saw the coast girls go into the final as firm favourites, so it came as little surprise when they raced out to a 6-1 lead in the opening set.

However, playing on their home turf at Club Pine Rivers, the boys weren’t going down without a fight, clawing their way back into the match before dropping the first set 8-6.

16 | queensland bowler

With the title (and their pride) on the line, Jake (16) and James (15) came out blazing in set two, bolting out to a 4-1 lead, before picking up five to dominate the set 9-1 with just three ends to go.

But just when the match looked destined for a tiebreaker, Ansell and Rixon found their form, stringing together three big ends, 4-3-1, to tie up the set and secure the 2014 All Schools title, 8-6, 9-9.

“In the first set we did really well, but then we just lost it, thankfully we got those three big ends to get us over the line,” said Rixon, who, as the experienced player in the side, skipped the pair throughout the comp.

Ansell, who played her first-ever game of competitive bowls the previous day, after less than a month in the sport, was full of praise for her schoolmate, taking

the blame for the team’s second set slump.

“Rebecca kept playing all the right shots, that’s why we won,” Ansell said.

“In the second set they kept playing long ends and I can’t even throw the bowl far enough.

“This is only the first time I’ve played, literally yesterday was my first game and it’s only the second time I’ve used these bowls, so I struggled a bit.”

Now she has a taste for winning, the newcomer is keen to come back in 2015 to defend her title alongside Rixon.

“I tried bowls a few years ago with my dad, but I didn’t like it too much,” Ansell said.

“It’s more fun playing with Rebecca, so I’ll definitely come back again next year.” v37/10

SO CLOSE

There was heartache for Binjour’s Brittanny Wiley and teammate Emily Shepard at this year’s All School’s Cup.

The Mundubbera Junior High duo (pictured above) got off to a rocky start, going down to Monto’s Aiden Queale and Connor Roth in Round 1, but quickly bounced back with victories over Pine Rivers, Rockhampton and Mackay, to lead their section heading into the final round.

However, a bye meant the girls had to sweat on the outcome of Pine Rivers’ clash with Mackay in Round 5.

A win for Mackay would put Mundubbera through to the final, while a Pine Rivers victory would send the girls packing.

It was a tense wait for the girls, but with just seconds left on the clock everything seemed to be going their way.

Having won the first set, Pine Rivers were down in the second and needed a tiebreaker to have any shot at reaching the final, but they were rapidly running out of time.

Then, just as the bell sounded Pine Rivers lead Jake Law rolled the jack to keep the game alive.

A total of 10 school teams from across Queensland took part in state finals, with players travelling from as far as Rockhampton, Ayr, Fraser Coast and Mackay to compete.

There was even a little star power at Pine Rivers this year, with Elvis Costello putting in an appearance...(no, not the famous 70s rocker, but one half of the Mackay State High pair).

Main picture: (front row) Emily Shapard and Aiden Queale; (2nd row) David Foxwell, Keely Ansell, Brittanny Wiley, Zack Cowan, Rebecca Rixon, Connor Roth, Lachlan Tapp; (3rd row) Lachlan Miller, Max North, Angus Evans, Jarrod Langford, James Wakefield, Robert Olsen; (back row) Jaxon Glock, Jerrery Palmer, Nicholas Campbell, Jake Law and Elvis Costello. v37/10

The boys went on to win the tiebreaker 1-0 and tie up a berth in the title play-off, putting an end to the Mundubbera pair’s campaign.

It was a disappointing end to an impressive 12 months for Wiley.

“Brittanny has taken on the best in our district and come up trumps a number of times, in the seniors, not just the juniors,” Brittanny’s pairs and fours skip (and proud grandma) Aileen Wiley said.

“She was undefeated in winning the Binjour women’s A-grade singles to go through to district Champion of Club Champions.”

Brittanny went on to win two of her three district games, just missing out on the zone rep spot by three shots.

queensland bowler | 17

She’s back Sizzling Sue dominates NQ Open in impressive return to form Mareeba Memorial’s Sue Brady made a clean sweep of the recent North Queensland Ladies Open, playing every day of the six-day tournament, and winning the singles, and skipping the winning pair and four.

The former Queensland rep was also awarded the Player of the Championship trophy and the Rozwill Trophy for the person who won the most number of games during the tournament (17).

“We don’t think this has every happened before, and the tournament’s been going since 1945,” NQ match secretary and games director Marion Norrie said.

“It was an especially lovely tournament this year, the most friendly one I can think of, everybody seemed to get along and be happy, they had the right attitude, if something didn’t go their way or a green wasn’t so good, they just told each other to get on with it and play.”

The Open attracts players from as far away as Tasmania, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, but the core players are from the northern half of the state, mostly Townsville, Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, Mackay, and sometimes Central Queensland, like the Miriamvale bowlers that came this year.

The games are shared around the Townsville clubs, South Townsville, Jubilee, and the only grass green at Cutheringa, with the finals being held at Suburban.

In the singles final, Brady beat Bebe Smith from Sarina, 25-12.

“I just had a really good week,” Brady said.

“A group of us go down every year and play some bowls and have a really good holiday.”

Brady has won singles, pairs, and fours at Townsville previously, but not all in the one year.

In the pairs, she teamed up with Dimbulah’s Gail Ericson to win 21-10 against Margaret Edgerton from Mackay (s) and Carolyn Huddy from Jubilee (a sub for Sue McCall from Mackay, who was unable to play the finals).

In the fours, the Mareeba ace called again on her winning lead from the pairs, Gail Ericson, adding Bev Titlow from Yungaburra, and Eileen Stevens from Brady’s home club into the mix.

“This was a close one, we almost came unstuck, we were behind for the first half of the game, and then we came back, I can’t remember the score, but I remember it was a very good game,” Brady said.

In fact, the girls from the other side of the Great Dividing Range were down 1-11 after eight ends in the final, to a Cairns side, skip Evelyn Herwig and her Marlin Coast team mates Jo Manestar and Jeanette Ward, and Joy Baird from Cairns.

“By the 12th end, Sue’s girls had caught up and taken the lead, 12-11,” games director Norrie said, “Sue got three ‘threes’ and one ‘two’ in four ends.”

“By the 15th, Evelyn Herwig was in front again, 15-14, but then Sue got three on

Sue Brady the 15th, that was the turning point, going into the final six ends 17-15 up.

“There was only one shot in each of the next six ends, but four of them were won

by Sue and only two by Evelyn, giving Sue the win 21-17, a really close and exciting final.”

Sue won an impressive total of 17 games during the 2014 NQ Ladies Open, earning her second Rozwill Trophy award.

Her next big event is the 2014 Champion of Club Champions at Toombul Bowls Club (Brisbane) this month (October 18-23).

Sue will team up with her winning NQ Ladies Open fours team-mate Eileen Stevens, representing Tropical Far North Queensland in the pairs competition.

Brady was picked in the Queensland squad in 2014 but wasn’t called up for playing duties, which spurred her to try even harder this year to press for selection in 2015.

If there had been a town crier at the September 2014 Special General Meeting of Bowls Queensland’s council, the bells would have rung in a new era of bowls administration.

SECTIONS CONSIGNED TO BQ HISTORY

“Five years after BQ was created, an operational review (2009) called our Sections ‘a hangover from the past’,” BQ chairman Ron Chambers said.

“It passed, finally, the Sections have been removed.”

Finally the Sections have been removed and Bowls Queensland will be able to offer more streamlined services.

“This year it was different, rather than Bowls Queensland trying to push the issue, one of the districts moved the motion, it was seconded and the vote taken.”

“The Board was supportive of a constitutional restructure to phase out the Sections, but it just never got the numbers.

The vote was far from unanimous, but the 75 per cent quota required to make a constitutional change was achieved, the delegates votes going 461-145 in favour of abolishing the Sections.

18 | queensland bowler

There were two other constitutional changes approved by the delegates; firstly, that the chairman and CEO should be the BQ delegates to Bowls Australia meetings (previously the chairman and deputy chairman) and secondly, that former BQ employees cannot stand for a Board position until at least two years have passed since they ceased employment at BQ (a standard constitutional clause recommended for good governance). v37/10

APL

2 0 1 4

AUSTRALIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2014 GUIDE

2014

A P L

WELCOME

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2014

A P L

CONTENTS

Welcome

Pg 5

Bigger and Better

Pg 6

Brisbane boys ready for battle

Pg 7

Meet the teams

Pg 8

Host with the most

Pg 11

Draw

Pg 12

New Rivalries

Pg 13

Wilkie jumps ship

Pg 13

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Produced on behalf of Club Pine Rivers.

Editorial and images kindly supplied by Bowls Australia.

2014

A P L

WELCOME Des Skinner

President Bowls Australia

On behalf of Bowls Australia’s board and staff, I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to the players, teams, supporters, board, staff and members of host Club Pine Rivers for their contribution to the unprecedented success of last November’s inaugural Australian Premier League.

I would also like to extend a welcome invitation to all the readers of the Queensland Bowler to attend this year’s $100,000 APL02 event.

While the competition was developed to provide lawn bowls with the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of mainstream sport with a live broadcast product, it is undoubtedly the spectators at the venue that provide the noise, colour and excitement that resonates through the cameras to give the tournament such an electric atmosphere.

There’s also no better way to enjoy every score, every toucher, every substitution and every Power Play end than right up close in the grandstands on the carpet green, or from the Club Pine Rivers entertainment area that overlooks all the action.

I’m delighted to see the showpiece event again staged at Club Pine Rivers and offer my sincere congratulations to their XXXX Brisbane Gold team of Kelvin Kerkow, Mark Casey, Robbie Wild and Alex Murtagh on their resounding success last year. They will be pulling out all the stops defending their title in APL02.

The addition of two new teams, in the Gold Coast Hawks and Murray Steamers, is testament to the quality of event that was staged 12 months ago.

They are sure to add to the exceptional calibre of bowls that will be on display from November 18 to 21.

I would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the eight team franchise owners; Bowls SA, Club Pine Rivers, Club Helensvale, Fitzroy Victoria Bowls and Sports Club, Moama Bowling Club, Bowls NZ, Bowls WA and Club Mount Lewis, whose support of the Australian Premier League makes this competition possible.

To the International Technical Officials, markers and umpires, as well as the army of volunteers who will be working tirelessly during the staging of the tournament, many thanks for your invaluable contribution.

My thanks also to Bowls Australia’s wonderful partners, whose continuing support and contributions ultimately allows the organisation to stage such a revolutionary event.

Enjoy the $100,000 Australian Premier League in 2014, and don’t forgot to follow @APLbowls on Twitter and like facebook.com/ AustralianPremierLeague to stay up-to-date with all the action.

To all the teams and competitors, good luck and good bowling.

Welcome one and all to the colourful, high-octane, bowls extravaganza that is the Australian Premier League.

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since Club Pine Rivers helped usher in and new and exciting era is the sport of bowls.

We were extremely proud of the success of APL01 and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made it possible, including our wonderful sponsors XXXX, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Village Foundation, Coca-Cola and QFFS. Thanks also to all the staff and volunteers at Bowls Australia and Club Pine Rivers for all their hard work and dedication, to all the players for the wonderful entertainment they gave us throughout the competition, and most importantly the spectators, for the fantastic atmosphere and support they provided.

With two new teams and a host of international stars competing in this year’s series, APL02 promises to be even more heart-stopping.

I would encourage everyone to get to Club Pine Rivers between Nov 18-21 to experience the amazing thrills and spills of APL for themselves.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Ron Howden

Club Pine Rivers President PS. GO BRISBANE XXXX GOLD...TWO IN A ROW!!!

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2014

A P L

PREVIEW

APL02 - bigger and better!

The Australian Premier League was unveiled in front of a captivated audience last November, with hundreds of thousands of bowls aficionados anxious to inspect the contemporary new tournament billed as a revolutionary milestone for the sport of bowls.

The inaugural event boasted grandiose claims about catapulting the sport in the 21st century, and in many ways, APL01 hit the mark, with the fast-paced product proving consumable to a completely new demographic of sports viewers live on Fox Sports and SkyTV NZ, while also proving just as big a hit with the traditionalists.

Conceptualised and developed to modernise the sport in the marketplace, the APL competition provided unprecedented exposure

for the sport, with 18 hours of dynamic, impactful coverage, broadcast live around the nation and across the ditch – something that other mainstream sports take for granted, but which had been sorely lacking in lawn bowls; even back when it boasted a regularly weekly time-slot on the ABC. Six teams had the foresight to recognise the innovation that APL was striving to achieve, with teams representing Adelaide Endurance (license holder: Bowls SA), Brisbane Gold (Club Pine Rivers), Melbourne Roys (Fitzroy Victoria Bowls and Sports Club), Perth Suns (Bowls WA), Sydney Lions (Club Mount Lewis) and the New Zealand Black Jacks (Bowls NZ) lining up on the Club Pine Rivers carpet for a chance at a six-figure prize purse - second only in the sport to that of the Australian Open.

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The popularity of the new format has laid the foundation for a truly ground-breaking product, with the addition of two new teams and a raft of refinements this year ensuring the competition continues to evolve and leverage opportunities to improve.

The addition of the Gold Coast Hawks, based out of Club Helensvale, brings more than an element of state rivalry to the competition, with a trio of the sport’s most acclaimed players entrusted with capturing the silverware.

Australian Jackaroos captain Lynsey Clarke headlines the Hawks’ contingent, who have also enlisted international spearhead Nathan Rice, and poached the services of Perth Suns expatriate Brett Wilkie back to his home city.

Read on ►

► While Gold Coast have opted for some home-grown local talent, the Moama based Murray Steamers have elected to secure two international exports to don their strip for APL02.

The contract signings of the man widely regarded as the sport’s preeminent player, Scotland’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex Marshall, and Canada’s red-hot master-blaster Ryan Bester, could be the turning point for the league, with other franchises likely to cast their gaze ashore if the Steamers light up the carpet as predicted come November 18.

To the relief of Queensland followers, hometown heroes Brisbane Gold have kept an unchanged team list for APL02, but they’ll have to fend off attacks from every angle if they want to retain the coveted trophy.

The golden trio of former world number one Mark Casey, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kelvin Kerkow OAM and local Pine Rivers’ lad Robbie Wild, who blasted their way past Adelaide to lift last year’s trophy, will be back in the box seat and hoping to make it two-for-two on their home turf at Club Pine Rivers.

APL02 will feature additional coverage this year, with live televised matches again commencing at 5.00pm AEST during each of the four days of competition, but the programming will now run until 10.00pm to cater for additional matches with the inclusion of the Hawks and Steamers.

In a coup for APL followers on the western seaboard and across the ditch in New Zealand, which are both situated in time zones that make it more difficult to watch the full APL coverage each night, this year the Suns’ and Blackjacks’ matches will be staged and broadcast during session times that maximize viewing convenience for home audiences.

BRING IT ON!

Brisbane boys ready for battle Seven wannabe winners at this year’s $100,000 Australian Premier League will have their work cut out, with defending champions Brisbane Gold determined to make Club Pine Rivers a bowling fortress.

Hot favourites to go back-to-back in 2014, the Brisbane boys have set the bar high for the second instalment of the explosive APL competition.

While the Club Pine Rivers-based contingent has named an unchanged line-up in 2014, the launch of two new teams could pose a problem for the golden-steeped Maroons.

Blistering form on the Pine Rivers’ carpet may have earned them the honours last year, but the trio will share their favourites tag with newcomer Murray Steamers in APL02.

The home-town heroes are headlined by two Commonwealth Games gold medallists Kelvin Kerkow and Mark Casey, alongside Club Pine Rivers’ local legend Robbie Wild, ensuring they’ll be a team to be reckoned with again this November.

Brisbane’s victory in last year’s final against Adelaide sent the home crowd wild and once again a huge entourage is expected to flock in and support their local side.

Domestically, the Brisbane Gold players have continued on their winning ways during the 12-month APL interlude, ensuring form will not be an issue for this red hot team, and all the while Kerkow has been building a secret arsenal of

The second iteration of the Australian Premier League will be staged under the lights and roof structure of Brisbane’s Club Pine Rivers from November 18 to 21 – head down and check out all the action and atmosphere.

25

intelligence against his unsuspecting opposition.

Kerkow’s role as Australian National Selector could end up being a very valuable tool when assessing possible threats from opposing sides.

Brisbane will face stern opposition from the Steamers and Kerkow will know all too well what to expect from watching the international raiders Alex Marshall (Scotland) and Ryan Bester (Canada) at the recent 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Despite Marshall’s gold rush and Bester’s blue-ribbon singles silver at the Glasgow Games, the Brisbane boys are still confident their winning combination will come up with the goods in APL02.

Coached by local prodigy Alex Murtagh, they’re sure to once again provide endless entertainment for the live audience.

There’s no doubt Brisbane won over guest commentator and Crackerjack star Mick Molloy in 2013.

Whether it was their on-green heroics, post-match celebrations or the support coming from the XXXX Gold Bar, Mick was hooked on the boys from Brisbane.

But the APL ambassador could well switch allegiances this year, having shown affinity for the newly created Steamers brand name, and the countless punch-lines it provides.

One certainty for APL02 is that the Brisbane Gold boys will have every other team trying to gun them down and prevent repeated glory.

2014

A P L

THE TEAMS

BRISBANE GOLD

MURRAY STEAMERS

PERTH SUNS

MELBOURNE ROYS

MARK CASEY Despite the launch of the Gold Coast Hawks, ‘Hammer’ has stayed loyal to the team he helped secure the inaugural APL trophy. The former world No. 1 is a feared, and revered, player in APL.

ALEX MARSHALL The biggest name in lawn bowls is a massive signing for the newly introduced Murray Steamers. There isn’t much in bowls Marshall hasn’t done, expect win a coveted APL title. Will that change this year?

JEREMY HENRY Former Northern Ireland international turned dual Australian world champion.

Henry is capable of turning a game on its head and will be hard to beat.

DYLAN FISHER The youngest member of the Australian Jackaroos, at just 20 years of age, and a recent marquee import for the Fitzroy Victoria club in pennant play. Fisher will again prove crucial as the team’s lead.

KELVIN KERKOW OAM The showmanship of Kerkow was on display last November, and with the home crowd behind him again at Club Pine Rivers, he’s sure to light up the greens again.

RYAN BESTER The team’s second acclaimed international is a Canadian master-blaster widely renowned for his big game driving ability. Bester will be a valuable asset for the Steamers.

ROBBIE WILD No player in the comp draws as much support from the Brisbane faithful as Wild.

With the advantage of playing on his home deck, Wild will again play a big part in the Gold’s chances of success.

MICHAEL WALKER Joining the two internationals, this Murray local is a well-credentialed Victorian state player.

Walker could become a household name in the sport if the Steamers go as well as expected.

26

CLIVE ADAMS No player relishes the chance to represent their state as much as Adams.

Recently appointed Bowls Australia Regional Bowls Manager for WA. TOM MITCHELL Mitchell fills the position vacated by Wilkie switching to the Hawks. Boasts an x-factor that could prove invaluable for the Suns.

MATTHEW FLAPPER After a whirlwind 12 months on the international stage, which including skipping two of the four men’s Commonwealth Games disciplines, a lot of expectation lies on Flapper’s shoulders for APL02.

GRAEME ARCHER Melbourne-based Scottish world champion, Archer will be determined for a top-two finish this season.

ADELAIDE ENDURANCE

GOLD COAST HAWKS

SYDNEY LIONS

NZ BLACKJACKS

SCOTT THULBORN Last year’s APL MVP was instrumental in the Endurance’s 2nd placed finish. He won’t fly under the radar this year, but relishes the chance to shine on the big stage.

LYNSEY CLARKE The Australian Jackaroos captain headlines the new Gold Coast team. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist and world champion is a born leader and will take the reins of the Hawks.

ARON SHERRIFF Australia’s three-time International Bowler of the Year didn’t have lady luck on his side last year, but will do everything in his power to change his fortunes in APL02.

ALI FORSYTH NSW based Blackjack and 2004 World Champion of Champions winner Forsyth will welcome the addition of McIlroy to assist with skipping duties.

WAYNE RUEDIGER South Australia’s only world champion has already done the Croweaters proud this year, with a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in the fours at Glasgow, and he has a track record of delivering in big games.

SIMON DORR The new member of the team this season comes with big raps about his ability to perform. Can the addition of Door help Endurance got one step further to claim the APL02 trophy?

BRETT WILKIE The ‘Wiz’ has switched allegiances for APL02, moving from the Perth Suns to his home city after a semi-final finish. A lot rides on the performance of this Australian team stalwart.

NATHAN RICE Rice is the third Club Helensvale international named for the new Hawks team. Will likely steer the trio in the skipping role.

KAREN MURPHY Murphy’s famously praised the APL as the best competition she has ever played in, despite a bottom of the ladder finish in 2013. Will place greater expectation on her Sydney team this year.

STEVE GLASSON Despite playing off last year’s sixth placed finish with humour, National Coach Steve Glasson’s competitive spirit will demand a better result in APL02.

27

SHANNON MCILROY The man NZ charged with their blue-ribbon singles discipline at the 2014 Commonwealth Games is a big insertion for APL02 and could help the Blackjacks go a few steps further than their semi-final finish last year.

JO EDWARDS Former world number one Edwards boasts a proven track record of getting the job done against all odds.

No shortage of experience, or desire.

Berry Bowling Systems Berry Bowling Bowling Systems Berry Systems would would like liketotocongratulate congratulate Club Pine Rivers and the Australian Premier League Club Pine Rivers and the Australian Premier League on its successful inaugural tournament last year. on a successful inaugural tournament.

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2014

A P L

HOST WITH THE MOST

PINE RIVERS PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS FOR APL02

Club Pine Rivers is cranking up the heat for this year’s APL spectacular.

The impressive Brisbane northside sports, meals, gaming and entertainment venue will be in the sights of sports-mad fans across Australasia, as the Fox Sports cameras capture the action LIVE over four colourful days, Nov 18-21.

“Who knows, lawn bowls might be just the sport they’ve been waiting all their lives to play,” Moffatt said.

“Now they’ve wound up their stellar football careers, and they’ve got more time on their hands, who knows, we might just turn them on to our sport!”

“Nothing shows off the best of lawn bowls like APL, it’s been a revolution, so bring your friends and neighbours and join the party at Club Pine Rivers in November.”

“You won’t go hungry or thirsty, Wayne’s Can Bar is in the advanced design With Brisbane Nothing stage and the XXXX Gold the drinks will be shows off the defending cold and handy, champions, best of lawn bowls and there’ll be the XXXX like APL, it’s been a lip-licking Pigpromotions on-a-Spit, who revolution, so bring your girls will be back at Club could resist,” friends and neighbours Pine Rivers Club Pine in 2014, Rivers CEO and join the party at spreading Wayne Moffatt Club Pine Rivers in sparkle and good said. cheer.

November “With a great green“Lots of APL guests side view for those in the at Club Pine Rivers last corporate boxes, and free entry year got their photos taken with to all, free giveaways, lucky spots the beautiful and charming XXXX hostesses, they did a great job for in the grandstand, and live music, APL, and a great job supporting the magic will be in the mix.” the Brisbane XXXX Gold team, Retired footy stars Alfie Langer, who won the inaugural APL in Petero Civoniceva and Jonathan spectacular fashion,” Moffatt said.

Brown have accepted a Club Pine “Bowls and beer proved a Rivers invitation to experience successful combination for APL, and Moffatt is quietly Brisbane in 2013 and we’re confident they might turn into hoping we can work it hard again and go back-to-back.” converts.

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Moffatt said building the APL competition from six to eight teams would mean a bigger logistics effort, but nothing Club Pine Rivers couldn’t handle.

“We’ll have more corporate boxes and more grandstand space,” Moffatt said.

“The extra teams mean games will start earlier in the day at 11am, and the televised games will start an hour earlier, at 5pm.”

(There will be no day games on Friday 21st, only the televised games played from 5pm.)

“Queenslanders will be spoiled for choice, there’ll be inter-state rivalry, but also a city versus coast rivalry, with the Brisbane Gold title holders facing off against a new Queensland team, the Gold Coast Hawks,” Moffatt said.

“With Gold Coast Hawks star Mark Casey playing for defending champs Brisbane XXXX Gold, that game will have plenty of feeling!”

For inquiries about how a visit to Club Pine Rivers during APL might work for you and your family, contact the club (07) 3481 8600.

You can also follow the latest APL news on Club Pine Rivers Twitter page, APL Twitter and Facebook.

Club Pine Rivers is located on the cnr of Francis and Sparkes Rd, Bray Park (turn off near Bunnings Lawnton on Old Gympie Rd).

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Friday Nov 21

Thursday Nov 20

Wednesday Nov 19

Tuesday Nov 18 Brisbane Gold vs Adelaide Endurance Perth Suns vs Gold Coast Hawks

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Adelaide Endurance

Perth Suns vs Brisbane Gold

FINAL

SEMI-FINAL 2

SEMI-FINAL 1

Adelaide Endurance vs Perth Sun

Melbourne Roys vs Brisbane Gold

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Sydney Lions Brisbane Gold vs Murray Steamers Adelaide Endurance vs Gold Coast Hawks Perth Suns vs Melbourne Roys

Gold Coast Hawks vs Murray Steamers Sydney Lions vs Perth Suns Brisbane Gold vs New Zealand Blackjacks

Round 12

Perth Suns vs Brisbane Gold

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Adelaide Endurance

Melbourne Roys vs Gold Coast Hawks

Murray Steamers vs Sydney Lions

Round 8

Murray Steamers vs Perth Suns

Gold Coast Hawks vs Brisbane Gold

Sydney Lions vs Adelaide Endurance

Melbourne Roys vs New Zealand Blackjacks

Round 3

1.15pm

Adelaide Endurance vs Melbourne Roys

Round 11

Murray Steamers vs Melbourne Roys

Brisbane Gold vs Sydney Lions

Gold Coast Hawks vs Sydney Lions

Murray Steamers vs Adelaide Endurance

Gold Coast Hawks vs New Zealand Blackjacks

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Perth Suns

Round 7

Sydney Lion vs Melbourne Roys

Melbourne Roys vs Gold Coast Hawks

Round 6

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Murray Steamers

Round 2

Round 1

Murray Steamers vs Sydney Lions

11.30am

10.00 am

Melbourne Roys vs Brisbane Gold

Murray Steamers vs Adelaide Endurance

Gold Coast Hawks vs Sydney Lions

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Perth Suns

Round 13

Perth Suns vs Gold Coast Hawks

Brisbane Gold vs Adelaide Endurance

Sydney Lions vs Melbourne Roys

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Murray Steamers

Round 9

Brisbane Gold vs New Zealand Blackjacks

Sydney Lions vs Perth Suns

Gold Coast Hawks vs Murray Steamers

Adelaide Endurance vs Melbourne Roys

Round 4

2.45pm

Brisbane Gold vs Sydney Lions

Adelaide Endurance vs Perth Suns

Murray Steamers vs Melbourne Roys

Gold Coast Hawks vs New Zealand Blackjacks

Round 14

Murray Steamers vs Perth Suns

Gold Coast Hawks vs Brisbane Gold

Sydney Lions vs Adelaide Endurance

Melbourne Roys vs New Zealand Blackjacks

Round 10

Perth Suns vs Melbourne Roys

Adelaide Endurance vs Gold Coast Hawks

Brisbane Gold vs Murray Steamers

New Zealand Blackjacks vs Sydney Lions

Round 5

Night - TV Matches

2014

A P L

NEW RIVALRIES

WILKIE JUMPS SHIP!

Queensland rivalries add extra spice to APL 2014 Sparks will fly when defending champs Brisbane Gold collide with title-wannabes Gold Coast Hawks in the 2014 Australian Premier League.

The Hawks may be one of the newest teams in the league, but they’ve plenty of experience competing on the big stage.

With 550 international appearances between them, Club Helensvale superstars Lynsey Clarke, Nathan Rice and Brett Wilkie are ready to shake things up in APL02.

The trio will have their eyes firmly set on the lucrative prize purse, but they’ll have to fly past their fellow Queenslanders to grab it.

Defending champions Brisbane Gold will represent the city slickers and enter the 2014 APL with all their hopes firmly entrusted in the same three players.

Kelvin Kerkow, Mark Casey and Robbie Wild know what it takes to win, but the berth of cross-town rivals could shake things up a bit.

Robbie might need to bring out his wild side if he’s to overcome Australian Jackaroos captain Lynsey Clarke.

Clarke thrives on the big stage and will have plenty of support travelling up the Pacific Highway to help her Hawks get over the line.

And there will be no holding back when Mark Casey comes up against his current Club Helensvale teammates in search for Queensland supremacy.

Brett Wilkie is the only Australian Premier League player to change his allegiance in 2014.

If winning back-to-back APL crowns is not motivation enough for Casey, perhaps some bragging rights over good friend Brett Wilkie will provide him with the added incentive.

The battle of Australia’s best drivers, Kelvin Kerkow versus Nathan Rice is also sure to entertain the live audience.

And don’t be fooled by the happygo-lucky nature of Rice, he’ll be there to do business and would relish the opportunity to put Jug (Kerkow) back in his box!

The driving forces behind each team are their coaches, and this encounter will have the two most vocal and passionate coaches going head-to-head.

Alex Murtagh was the 2013 power-play king and proved enormously influential in Brisbane Gold’s victory.

Parochial newcomer Anthony Fantini is sure to be so load, viewers might mistake him for a rambunctious football fan, but his energy will be embraced by the Gold Coast Hawks and will almost certainly be a factor in the outcome of this Queensland derby.

The whole of Queensland will be split when this battle heats up at Club Pine Rivers for the second instalment of the APL, with their first tussle booked for round three on Day 1.

So who will you be cheering on, the big shots from Brisbane or the fresh faces from the Gold Coast?

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After a semi-final appearance for the Perth Suns in 2013, Wiz has opted to return home and represent the new franchise owned by his beloved Club Helensvale.

Wilkie will be back on the box in his favourite colours, representing the Gold Coast Hawks in APL02.

Whilst we’re used to seeing Wilkie donning on the green and gold for Australia, he has also worn the green and gold of Helensvale’s Hawks for over 12 years.

“I really enjoyed playing for Perth Suns last year and I’m grateful that they were so understanding when the opportunity arose for me to play for the club that has supported me so well over the years,” Wilkie said.

While the momentous inking didn’t require any AFL-like trading, it is a great coup for the newest side in the league to obtain the experience of Wilkie, who has already competed in APL.

Given his intricate involvement in the planning of the APL concept with Bowls Australia, coupled with the valuable experience and knowledge gained 12 months ago, it’s no surprise Wilkie is confident he can pass a few tips and tricks on to his Gold Coast team.

“APL games are short, therefore tactics are very important, like when to use the power-plays and when is the right time to interchange your players; these are all things I learnt last year,” Wilkie said.

2014

A P L

ON THE BOX

APL action direct to your club with Fox Sports Venues

Congratulations Club Pine Rivers for once again hosting the Australian Premier League!

The Australian Premier League is set to be staged between November 18 and 21, under lights at Brisbane’s premier bowls facility at Club Pine Rivers, and thanks to FOX SPORTS, BA’s official broadcast partner, even those who can’t make it to Pine Rivers, can still be part of the action.

FOX SPORTS will exclusively broadcast the Australian Premier League Lawn Bowls competition in November, as well as the Australian Indoor Championships in 2015, bringing coverage straight to your club house.

There has been no better time than now to treat your members to the best in sport and entertainment with the FOX SPORTS Venues Small Clubs Package.

The package features 12 dedicated sport channels, including FOX SPORTS, FOX FOOTY, ESPN, MAIN EVENT & EUROSPORT.

2015 is set to be the best year ever on FOX SPORTS, with over 10,500 hours of the best LIVE sport from at home and around the world coming, including; the AFC Asian Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup, the IRB Rugby World Cup, more than 1,300 hours of LIVE motorsport action including every Championship Race of the V8 Supercars, every game of every round LIVE of the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, every game of every round of the NRL Telstra Premiership Season plus LIVE and exclusive coverage of every match of the Asteron Life Super Rugby.

And to celebrate the new era, FOX SPORTS is updating its channel line-up from November 3 to include two new High Definition channels – FOX SPORTS 4 and FOX SPORTS 5 – to deliver more sport LIVE and in HD.

Some of the best bowlers in the world will gather at the club this November to compete in the 4 day Australian Premier League (APL). Last year, the board was confident in offering Club Pine Rivers the opportunity to be the venue for the first ever APL and this year they have done it again. Club Pine Rivers are recognised as a premier venue thanks to their major renovations in 2010 that included a synthetic green and new MakMax roofing system.

The benefits have also stretched beyond bowls competitions. Bowls coordinator Des Wilson has said that they hadn’t lost a day’s bowling since they went synthetic and undercover. They have also seen a 20% increase in membership and participation.

“Before our brilliant new innovations in surface and cover, we would have lost about 53 days a year to rain, this equated to an average of 40 bowlers per day and approximately $22,100 in lost green fees,” Wilson said.

“The gaming, bar and food revenue would also have been down by not having patrons on the premises.”

The Club Pine Rivers board knows its decision to install a MakMax roof and synthetic green has paid off. If you would like to know more about how a MakMax roofing system can help you. contact us today.

With FOX SPORTS’ best year ever coming, now is the time to contact FOX SPORTS Venues to ensure your club is ready with the best coverage of Australian bowls, as well as a great choice of LIVE, premium sports in High Definition right throughout the year.

Is your club eligible?

The FSV Small Clubs Package is only available to registered clubs with fewer than 1,000 members, no more than 15 gaming machines and no ‘full service’ TAB outlet.

Liquor licence type must be “Registered Club” or equivalent.

FSV service is not available in all areas or premises.

For further information on this special deal for clubs contact FOX SPORTS Venues on 1300 301 415 or email info@foxsports.com.au.

32

P 1800 777 727 E info@makmax.com.au W www.makmax.com.au/bowls

MakMax Australia are the Bowls Australia preferred supplier for shading needs. With best quality guaranteed, we are committed to keeping costs down and ensuring a return on investment. Put your club in safe hands.

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The Australian Premier Bowls Competition is back at Club Pine Rivers in November.

For those that didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the games last year, it’s Lawn Bowls answer to 20/20 cricket. Very exciting, fast paced and really entertaining. The night games are Telecast LIVE on Fox Sports Australia & SKYTV New Zealand, 5 hours each night!

This year there will be more teams, more coverage and a bigger and better atmosphere.

Here at Club Pine Rivers, we’re very excited to be hosting this huge event again. We’ll be encouraging our local community to be apart of this too, so if this is you - mark 18th-21st on your calendar for this year’s APL. You won’t want to miss any of the action!

Club Pine Rivers Cnr Sparkes & Francis Rds Bray Park, QLD Ph: 3481 8600

GREENS RENAMED

Final act in unification of Brisbane’s Northern Suburbs Bowls Club

“The two former clubs merged in 2012 to create a stronger more solvent identity, and the re-naming of the greens was the final chapter,” Northern Suburbs’s Greg Mahoney said.

The merged club operates out of the former Wavell club premises, in Edinburgh Castle Road, Wavell Heights.

Wavell’s greens were already named for foundation and life members Neville Osborne and Ralph Wesphal.

At a touching renaming of the greens ceremony on June 7, the names of Clayfield life members George Corones and Les McSweeney were added to the existing signs.

Apart from holding the most club positions at the former Clayfield club, George Corones founded the popular Eclectic Bowls event, which was a hit at Clayfield, and has continued at Northern Suburbs, regularly attracting 20 triples teams.

Les McSweeney also held most club positions since he joined the former Clayfield club in 1960.

A volunteer with more than 50 years service to the sport of lawn bowls, McSweeney was honoured previously with a Bowls Queensland Meritorious Service Medal and the Australian Sports Medal.

The Wavell men honoured by having greens named after them died some years ago, Neville Osborne in 2006 and Ralph Wesphal in 1998.

Ralph was patron of the former Wavell club from 1993 until his death.

Neville’s widow Grace Osborne, a ladies club member, was an honoured guest at the greens re-naming ceremony.

Pictured above: Grace Osborne was on hand to congratulate newly honoured club member George Corones.

ANYTIME ANYWHERE

As the final gesture of a new united front, the former Clayfield and Wavell Heights bowls clubs worked together to re-name greens, to celebrate a successful merger as Northern Suburbs Bowls Club.

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Ron recognised for distinguished service to bowls Bowls Queensland chairman Ron Chambers has been recognized with a BQ Distinguished Service Member Award, to recognize 15 years service at district and/or state level.

The award is granted to outstanding candidates and must be approved at a council meeting, by popular acclaim and vote.

Tropical Far North Queensland delegate Bernie Wolland with Bowls Queensland chairman Ron Chambers and outgoing Brisbane North delegate Arthur Graham.

Spurs He’s the last of a trio affectionately known as “the Bermuda triangle”, a trap for the unwary at Bowls Queensland council meetings over the past 10 years.

Former RQBA delegate Arthur Graham (above right) merged into the same role with Bowls Queensland when it was formed in 2004, and after a decade of curry, finally stepped down at the September 2014 special general meeting, due to family reasons.

Graham and two dearly departed friends, Nev Linde and Des O’Neil (former BQ finance director), used to keep district delegates from around the state amused and in awe.

They were unusual delegates in that they weren’t afraid to stand up and put their face to an issue, usually arguing with logic rather than emotion.

(Although the North Brisbane delegate didn’t mind using a bit of colour on occasion...At a November 2008 council meeting, he once famously exhorted delegates to tighten up on dress rules, or the sport would be “brought to its knees”...

“You’ll have gooses...walking up in jock-strap and spurs...to play club championships!” he said, invoking an image most of the delegates could have done without.

On this occasion, Downs delegate Dawn James was the voice of reason, saying they had It’s a scam that’s been around on and off for more than a decade, but new reports have surfaced that clubs may once again be the target of fraudsters, doing the rounds and possibly putting your club’s scorecard sponsorship deals at risk.

The scam usually involves an outsider picking up a few scorecards from your club and approaching sponsors to say 36 | queensland bowler

just held a very successful carnival, and while the differentiation in dress was noticeable, “if the girls are happy and we’re getting bodies on the green, why are we so worried?”)

The Bermuda triangle boys would get together before upcoming council meetings to decide which causes to argue, sometimes not even agreeing among themselves.

Ron has served as a Gold Coast Tweed district delegate since 1999, also taking on other executive roles at district level.

Ron joined the Bowls Queensland board in 2006 as an executive director and deputy chairman, stepping up to the chairman’s role in 2010.

“It was a pleasure to get such an award, we don’t do things for accolades, but it’s nice to be recognized every now and again, and I appreciate the generous gesture,” Ron said.

They “blooded” four consecutive BQ chairmen, Gordon Baker, Brian Stewart, Cynthia Neeve, and Ron Chambers.

“You would ignore the Bermuda Triangle boys at your peril,” Chambers said, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

“I never minded though, nothing wrong with being kept on your toes, they weren’t stirrers for the sake of it, they always researched their case.”

Arthur Graham said he was leaving bowls politics with sorrow, but no regrets.

“It’s been a challenging 10 years since RQBA and QLBA merged, but at the end of the day, it’s still the great game of bowls,” he said.

With his beloved Sections gone at the latest council meeting, perhaps Arthur felt his time had come.

(You’ll still see the old warrior on the greens at Club Pine Rivers, no doubt still shooting straight!)

renewal is due, and would they like to sign up again for a few hundred dollars?

The sponsors typically agree and the scammers take cash or provide new bank details.

Naturally, no new scorecards are produced, and the scammers pocket the money.

Bowls Queensland CEO Doug Evans said incidences like this should be reported to the police.

At Bowls Queensland’s Special General Council meeting of September 25, Sunshine Coast District delegates Kerry Rollason and Geoff Osborne catch up with Bundaberg District delegate Jim See. The Sunny coast reps reported a highly successful 52nd annual winter carnival, hosting 956 bowlers at seaside and hinterland locations, with the introduction of a $2,100 Hinterland Fours competition, hosted by Nambour and Woombye bowls clubs.

“I urge clubs to look after their sponsors, perhaps email them regular club updates, and certainly with scorecard sponsors, alert them that BQ has had recent reports of this scam,” Evans said.

“Give them updated club contact details and request them to talk to an appropriate person at the club before handing over any money, or sending money to a new direct deposit location.”

CLUB

SCAM ALERT v37/10

Burnett junior bowls coordinator Des Kemp reports a great result for all in their recent raffle fundraiser.

A very happy Belinda Rossiter was the winner of a signed North Queensland Cowboys rugby league team jersey.

(Belinda’s husband Wade Abbot was very happy to pick up the prize and meet some of the district’s junior bowls stars.)

Annette Goldsworthy won second prize, a Sid Domic print of the 2010 Indigenous All Stars rugby league jersey.

Pictured back row from left, Fletcher Allport, Christian Mackay, Peter Scott-Parkin, Brinley Cottle, Stephanie Buckholz, front row from left, Tiahana Rehbein, Ira Kornor, Giorgie Melham- MacKay, Wade Abbot, Annette Goldsworthy, Camryn Pegg.

Coming up...

TUES OCT 7 – FRI OCT 10 TWEED HEADS BOWLS CLUB

2014 Australian Senior State Sides Championships. Round Robin competition for the Over-60s, hosted by Queensland with the support of Destination Tweed Inc. SAT-SUN OCT 11-12, CLUB PINE RIVERS BQ State Mixed Pairs. Culmination of an event that begins at district level, with eight zone winners going through to play off to be best-in-state.

TUES OCT 14 – THURS OCT 16 2014 TAREN POINT (NSW) 2014 National Champion of Champions. This comp was successfully reintroduced in Tasmania in 2010. Singles and pairs Champion of Club Champion winners from each state and territory will battle it out for the 2014 national title. The winner of 2014 singles will be nominated to World Bowls to play the 2015 World Champion of Champiions TUES OCT 18 – SUN OCT 23 TOOMBUL BOWLS CLUB BQ Champion of Club Champions. Queensland’s top club bowlers go head-to-head. The singles winner will represent Queensland at the 2015 Australian Champion of Champions, with the winners of the national title representing Australia at 2016 World Champion of Champion.

TUES NOV 18 – FRI NOV 21 CLUB PINE RIVERS APL 2014.

Eight teams to showcase an exciting action-packed, fast-paced, quick-hit bowls format before a home crowd and LIVE TV audience on Fox Sports.

SAT-SUN NOV 22-23 TWEED HEADS BOWLS CLUB BQ 2014 State Pennant Final. District Division 1 Pennant winners first play off at group level to win the right to represent their zone at the state final. The top eight battle it out for the prestigious Div 1 State Pennant flag. v37/10

queensland bowler | 37

SORRY DAD! Benowa teen takes out father for club singles title Benowa Bowls Club has a new singles champion, 17-year-old Devery Cortenbach, who unfortunately had to sacrifice his father to take the top spot.

Dad Aaron was thrilled to see his son defeat all comers, even at his own personal cost.

“The final was shot for shot in the early stages, but showing a fear-nothing approach, Devery pulled off a mix of immaculate draw shots and unnervingly accurate drives to win the final, 25-14,” Gold Coast journalist and Benowa club member Ross Thompson said.

The new viewing deck at the Benowa clubhouse was packed and feelings were divided over which Cortenbach to support.

“Most of us had a bit each way, cheering the good shots from both players, and moaning in unison at any missed opportunity,” Thompson said.

“The green was running at 16 seconds and both players struggled at times with a cross breeze, for which the Benowa greens on Ashmore Rd are known.”

Club president Steve Trifitti marked the game and was kept on his toes answering calls for information from both father and son, and the umpire’s tape come out frequently, to decide crucial shots by millimetres.

In defeating his dad for the title, the high school senior went one better than he did in last year’s final, where he was beaten runner up to club heavyweight, John Verdouxin.

Cortenbach junior’s ambition is to become a professional bowler, following in the footsteps of Australian great and fellow Gold Coast bowler Mark Casey, who has spent time at Benowa mentoring developing players.

T’ba boys raid Roma fours carnival Roma Bowls Club has held another highly successful Men’s Open Fours Carnival (August 2-3), with 24 teams playing off for a $5000 prize purse.

Winners (pictured) were South Toowoomba’s Bluey McMahon (a long time supporter of the competition and previous winner), Peter Bevan (Inglewood), Brad Fiedler (South Toowoomba) and Steve Martin (The Summit).

The fours play five rounds over the first weekend of August each year, with a Calcutta conducted on the Friday night, and live entertainment throughout the weekend.

These Marlin Coast stars are set on playing their best at Queensland’s Champion of Club Champions state finals at Toombul Bowls Club, October 18-23.

Players take part in a driving competition on the Saturday night, to give the social crowd a thrill.

“We always have a great time at Roma Open Fours, and thanks to generous sponsorship from local businesses and suppliers, we’re able to offer an attractive purse,” club secretary John Hammond said.

“This year we welcomed players from Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles, Charleville, Toowoomba, Mona Vale (Sydney), Springsure, Emerald, Lightning Ridge, Palmwoods, Surat and Taroom.

If you’d like to go on the list for the 2015 Roma Men’s Open Fours, contact John for information (07) 4622 1146.

State Finals Fever

Marlin Coast girls chasing state glory

Christine Scott, Joan Carey, Trish Spicer and Shirley Sampson (pictured) defeated rivals from Wangarratta at zone play-offs in Bowen recently, to secure a spot in this year’s state fours finals.

In another exciting win for the girls, the foursome will receive assistance from the Cairns Mayor’s Discretionary Fund, to help cover their travel and accommodation expenses during the event in Brisbane.

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

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From the Chair with Ron Chambers

APL The Australian Premier League launch was held in the Queen Street Mall, Brisbane on Friday September 12.

Bowls Queensland’s chairman and CEO joined with Bowls Australia’s chairman and CEO to welcome a member of each of the eight teams, including the two new franchises, the Gold Coast Hawks (Qld) and Murray Steamers (NSW).

APL ambassador and comedian Mick Molloy was introduced to the crowd wearing the all-white bowls gear he wore in the iconic bowls movie, Crackerjack.

Congratulations to Bowls Australia on such a successful launch.

The APL will be held at Club Pine Rivers from November 18-21.

DISABILITY GAMES The 2014 Queensland State Multi-Disability Championships were held early last month at Aspley Memorial Bowls Club.

This event was organized and run by BQ’s state development officers, in conjunction with BQ’s Sports CONNECT partners, Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association, Lifestream and Queensland Deaf and Blind bowling associations.

All competitors seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and some exceptional bowls was played.

Many thanks to Aspley officials and volunteers for the use of their greens and catering.

It was a number of “firsts” this year, the first time a girls’ team has won, the girls were the youngest winners ever, and it was the first time a Sunshine Coast District school has won in the 10 years since the competition started.

All Schools Cup is important because it gives a relative newcomer a chance to bowl alongside a more experienced junior bowler, in a formal competition with a progression path through the schools, clubs, districts, and ultimately to the state titles.

A great effort by all the schools and students involved in All Schools 2014, as well as host club Pine Rivers, and our state development officers, Charlie Harkness and Daryl Francey.

DSM AWARD Finally, I’d like to thank BQ’s council delegates for honouring me with a Distinguished Service Member award at their meeting in September.

It was a pleasure to get such an award, we don’t do things for accolades, but it’s nice to be recognised every now and again, and I appreciate the generous gesture.

 

 

 —            

 

 

—            

       

ALL SCHOOLS CUP Congratulations to Siena Catholic College students Rebecca Rixon and Keely Ansell, our All Schools Cup champions for 2014.

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queensland bowler | 39

Financial Distress Recognise the early warning signs of financial trouble this silly season!

by FTI Senior Director, Brendan Nixon

For many clubs the months leading to the end of the calendar year can be a hectic time.

Spikes in trading from function bookings and lulls in trading due to the holidays can distort trading performance, compared to average trading results over the course of an entire year.

We suggest that club boards take some time in the lead-up to the ‘silly season’ or in the quiet of the new year to consider whether their club has displayed any recognised symptoms of distressed trading, which in itself, is a strong indicator of insolvency.

REALITY CHECK The reality is that businesses do fail and they do so for a number of reasons, such as the level of economic activity in the economy generally, poor management, fraud or excessive expenditure, change in technologies or the legislative environment, through to one off events or disasters for which they are not appropriately prepared or insured.

Some failures can be avoided others cannot.

Those that can be avoided can normally be identified before they occur and action taken to avoid the failure and the impact of that failure on employees, creditors, owners, bankers, financiers and the community generally.

EARLY WARNING SIGNS A key indicator of potential trouble is found in the fact that businesses going through significant change are those most likely to strike trouble. Stakeholders should be aware of the types of change which could lead to a business having financial problems.

The types of change which should act as warning signs of potential financial problems are: ► Rapid expansion or growth

► Sale of some or all of their business ► Diversification

► Bringing in new “Partners” ► Significant relocation

► Other major change to their business or structure

As some of these signs are also signs of financial success, once you have seen one or more warning signs don’t panic - you are only on notice of the possibility that a business is, or may be, about to experience financial problems. You must then actively look for signs of financial distress, some of which are not so obvious.

► Failure to invest in maintenance and replacement of ageing machinery

► Loss of product quality or service capability

► Significantly overdue creditors, tax and superannuation liabilities

► Frequent litigation or involved in long-term litigation with uncertain settlement prospects

► Bouncing cheques, account excesses

► Asking for more credit without good reason or explanation ► Disputes between owners

► Instalment arrangements entered into to repay trade creditors ► Using unprofessional or inappropriate advisers

► Excessive or unnecessary disputes with customers or creditors ► Inadequate management ► High staff turnover

► Inadequate record keeping

► Paying with post-dated cheques or promises to pay subject to certain other events ► Disharmony between directors

► An independent accountant or investigating accountant is ap pointed by a financier ► Refinancing or changing banks regularly

WHAT TO DO? When you have seen a warning sign and identified signs of financial distress you must take action, including: ► Discuss your concerns frankly with management ► Seek your own expert advice

► Reduce or eliminate your exposure to the business, until the signs disappear.

If you believe your club may be trading under distress, FTI Consulting can assist with business turnaround advice, or if necessary insolvency services.

FTI Consulting has offices in Brisbane and the Gold Coast which service Queensland. Please contact Brendan Nixon (ph 3225 4924, brendan.nixon@fticonsulting.com) or Joanne Dunn (ph 3225 4913, joanne.dunn@fticonsulting.com).

KEY INDICATORS Some key indicators of financial distress include: ► Poor cash flow or no cash flow forecasts ► Continued loss-making activities

► Accumulating debt and excess liabilities ► Default on loan or interest payments

40 | queensland bowler

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    

Laser Levelling

Top dressing of greens

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Contact Eric & Lyn Ford Ph 07 5494 6618 0418 752 896 or email: lyneric2@bigpond.com v37/10

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Samford ready for big reveal ‘Friendly club’ excited to unveil new synthetic green on October 19 On Sunday October 19th the “friendly club”, nestled in the Samford Valley, will welcome in an exciting new era, with the official opening of the two Greengauge synthetic greens, along with a retractable shade cover.

It will be a proud moment for the club, which was formed in 1948 when the land on the banks of the South Pine River was bought for just 75 pounds.

“About 12 months ago we were very concerned that the green keeping contractor was being paid so much more than the green fees we were taking in from our members,” Samford Bowls Club, Board of Management Chairman Mac Patterson said.

“We (the board) knew this couldn’t go on forever and our greens needed a lot of money spent on them, so we looked around at more successful clubs and decided to go for a synthetic green.”

With some members sceptical of the idea, the “looking around” involved 40 club members going on a discovery bus trip – and it was the stop at Buderim that forged Samford’s direction.

“The club (Buderim) has a similar membership to our own and has a very successful mat down, which due to its foundations is, in our opinion, far superior to any of the others we tried,” Patterson said.

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The redevelopment work will also see a retractable shade cover installed, which will have far reaching benefits.

“Because a lot of our members are getting older and everyone is more conscious of the effects of the climatic conditions here, our shade will extend the bowler’s bowling life by at least five years, which is quite a big percentage of the life of a bowler because so many of us come into bowling when we are fairly old people,” Patterson said.

$15,000 grant to help with the cost of the surrounds of the green, otherwise all the money we have raised ourselves and it’s just about $710,000.”

But while the members have given so much, they say they’ve received even more in return.

“My wife Janet and I feel that this club has meant a tremendous amount to us.

Yes, financially we have contributed to it but it’s done something for our health, given us a beautiful interest.”

To ensure an exactness, the We It’s this beautiful interest contractors responsible for which has Mac and the make a the Buderim installation, committee focused on Sportcrete Asiapoint of being a strengthening Samford’s Pacific Pty Ltd, were as “the “friendly club”, we reputation engaged to convert friendly club”. the surface and install welcome everybody “We just make a point the retractable shade of that and welcome in, and I believe cover. everybody in. I believe The feat is nothing short of incredible, considering the club has achieved its vision with no state or federal government funding.

everybody is made to feel welcome

“We’ve had no substantial government funding at all. We’ve come in at a bad time when both federal and state governments were tightening their purse strings,” Patterson said.

“We did get a $50,000 interest free loan from the Moreton Bay Council and a

everybody is made to feel welcome. We don’t have poker machines and those sorts of things. This is what a bowls club ought to be and it’s a great social gathering, we all enjoy each other’s company and support each other,” Patterson said.

The club currently has 130 members and will look to cap that at 200.

“I think it’s important for members that want a game, to always be able to get a game. That’s what this is all about.” v37/10

Woven Bowls Surfaces Recent Installations • Total re-build of the Mt Gravatt synthetic green • Two new Greengauge surfaces at the Samford District Bowling Club, Brisbane

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How safe is your safe?

Do your club’s security procedures measure up in the case of money stolen from a locked safe? by BCiB’s Kelvin Kerkow OAM

Due to a spate of recent uninsured losses suffered by a few clubs, I’d like to raise the issue of physical security of safe keys and combinations outside of business hours.

Clubs insured under an ISR have the option of securing keys / combinations in a key safe outside business hours whereas the business pack is silent on this proviso.

So it could be considered that the practice of locking the safe keys in, say, an office filing cabinet or a smaller safe would be questionable under the ISR and trigger the exclusion under the business pack.

Firstly, I want to draw to your attention the club’s exposure to the following policy exclusions from cover:

► ISR policy property exclusion 2(c) – “Money - Stolen from a safe or strongroom opened by a key or by use of details of a combination, either or which has been left at the situation outside business hours, unless such key or combination details have been properly secured;

To reduce the risk of having a claim denied by insurers don’t leave keys and/ or combinations on the premises outside business hours.

For further clarification contact your Account Executive.

► Business Pack - Money exclusion 2(c) - (c) Money from a safe or strongroom opened by a key or by use of a combination which has been left on the business premises outside business hours.

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The Summit’s Gaye Wilmot, Valda Newlands, Marg Harvey (pictured, holding trophy) and Jo McKaskill won 25-16 over host club and runners up Tannymorel, (Myrtle Wagner skip, Jean Calam on loan from Killarney, Joan Nichols and Margaret Thompson).

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A team from The Summit Bowls Club, north of Stanthorpe, has won the Southern Downs District Ladies Bowls Association’s 2014 Veteran Fours, taking home the Kath Byrnes trophy.

“We had a great two days of bowls, played on a good fast green,” Diane Walsh from Tannymorel said.

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You’ll see from these exclusions there is less cover for small clubs under a business pack.

Summit girls grab Vet Fours title

BC

AC S G OVER 900 CLUB

need insurance for your club? call Kelvin KerKow area manager BCiB Qld

your bowling club is in safe hands with bcib.

1300 657 058 (toll free) Mobile: 0400 767 837 Email: kelvin@bcib.com.au

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46 | queensland bowler

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Umpire with Joan Brotherton

UMPIRING & APL If you were at APL 2013, you would have seen a tall young man in striking black and white stripes, contrasting with the colour and hoopla of the six teams.

Bowls NSW programmes coordinator Chris Green, 26, got one of the coveted umpiring gigs at APL 2013, and he’ll be back again this year on the greens at Club Pine Rivers.

Chris started bowling at powerhouse club Taren Point when he was just nine years old and he’s been there ever since.

audience, some of whom will have preconceived ideas about lawn bowlers, when we all know the reality is far from the perception.

Having young people on the madefor-TV green was part of marketing strategy to create a new perception of our sport and the people who help make it happen.

The hardest thing about umpiring at APL was early on, when the players were just getting used to the rules.

“I became an umpire when I was 10 and recently got back into umpiring again through marking at Bowls Australia Grand Prix events,” Chris said.

I think it will be easier this year because the players will be much more savvy about how it all works.

Chris hopes to see YOU at Club Pine Rivers in November.

Probably the biggest call I had to make was when Queensland’s favourite Kelvin Kerkow took too much time and was timed out.

“It’s a great sport, it’s so inclusive, and there are limitless friendships to be made.”

In the meantime, if you’re not sure how APL works, here’s how an umpire sees the made-for-television version of our sport.

Umpiring at the APL is great, fast, and you always have to be on your toes.

It’s a great format, great players, plenty of laughs, and brilliant bowls and crowds to match.

I have marked at lots of Bowls Australia Grand Prix events and the Australian Indoor finals and I got the wonderful gig to mark at APL through my close links with Bowls Australia and the people who organised the first event.

I’m sure they wanted to have some young people in a visible spot at APL, because one of the ideas behind APL was to market our sport to a wider television

Were there any controversial decisions in APL 2013?

I said he couldn’t play his bowl and had to surrender it.

We laughed about it after the match but the home-state crowd weren’t too happy with me, ha ha.

Time limits for each bowl and cross over.

Three coloured marks on the centre line which indicate three lengths; the mat and jack is placed on a colour each end, chosen by the previous end winner.

Respot

Powerplay – double shots for a certain end Substitute – like any other sport, one player off and one player on.

Super Sub – a player comes on to play one bowl and is then removed.

What can people look forward to at APL 2014?

Well, last year was big, and it was only the first year.

I think this year will be massive!

World’s best players in one location,

over one week,

live on TV.

Could you ask for anything more?

The markers and umpires get a copy of the conditions of play which have all the rules we need to know and you don’t have to “study” it, but you do have to know it.

The format is brilliant and a joy to be involved in.

It took a few matches last year for all the people involved to be 100% confident but this year, I’m sure it will be even bigger and better.

Can you summarise the “rules” of APL for the average bowler?

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

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queensland bowler | 47

Club Law with curt schatz

LANDLORDS AND TENANTS – NOT ALWAYS FRIENDS! This article is relevant to any premises that involve a lease.

This could be a pub, club, a motel, a bowls club and the like.

I thought I would look at this case which is very recent and in the Supreme Court of Queensland.

It highlights issues regarding parties entering into a lease through possible misrepresentations and the outcome for the parties in these circumstances.

Any party who is a landlord or a tenant to licensed premises should look at this case.

In Toula Holdings Pty Ltd & Ors v Morgo’s Leisure Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] QCA 201 the Supreme Court of Queensland dealt with representations made by a lessor of a hotel to the lessee as to certain terms of a lease which it was alleged induced the lessee to enter into the lease.

BACKGROUND FACTS

Toula Holdings Pty Ltd owned and operated the Newmarket Hotel in Townsville.

Ms Cassimatis was the sole director of Toula Holdings.

Toula Holdings and another company controlled by Ms Cassimatis (“the Appellants”) leased the hotel premises to Morgo’s Leisure Pty Ltd, a company controlled by Mr Morgan and his wife (“the Respondents”).

The Respondents commenced proceedings against the Appellants requesting that the whole of the lease be found void by reason of contravention by the Appellants of section 18 of the Australian Consumer Law.

The Respondents alleged that Ms Cassmatis made misleading and deceptive representations that induced them into signing the lease.

These representations included:

1. The rental would be $180,000 per annum;

2. The term of the lease and the rental would be fixed for 3 years;

3. The corporate Appellants would pay for the lease outgoings for the first 3 years (“the Second Promise”); 4. The corporate Appellants would offer Morgo’s the right to purchase the real property if the first Appellants determined to sell same (“the Third Promise”); and 5. After the first 3 years of the lease, assuming that Morgo’s had not purchased the hotel premises, they would cancel the lease and enter into a new lease at a rental in the order of $120,000 per annum (“the First Promise”).

48 | queensland bowler

The primary Judge found for the Respondents and declared the lease and guarantee to be void.

reasonably capable of protecting her financial interests and accordingly it was “objectively impossible that she would have made a bargain so adverse to those interests”.

ON APPEAL

After so finding, the Court held that Mr Morgan’s evidence in relation to these promises could only be accepted if there was something that explained such a “remarkable agreement” which contradicted the terms of the lease.

The Appellants appealed against the primary Judge’s orders.

Mr Morgan and Ms Cassimatis had known each other for a number of years and were quite friendly before entering into the lease for the hotel.

In 2012 Mr Morgan offered to purchase and lease the hotel premises.

Ms Cassimatis made a counter-offer in which she proposed an alternative rent schedule.

Mr Morgan accepted the counter-offer and a draft lease was prepared which followed the terms of the counter-offer.

Mr Morgan alleged that after he received a copy of the draft lease he had a meeting with Ms Cassimatis where Ms Cassimatis made the above representations and told him that the bank needed the rent to be increased to $180,000 per annum so that she could service her debt.

Mr Morgan alleged that he agreed to such terms because Ms Cassimatis agreed to pay the outgoings.

On appeal, the Appellants contended that the primary Judge erred in making his decision without adverting to certain evidence that the Appellants said supported the conclusion that Mr Morgan had an incentive, at least equally as strong as Ms Cassimatis to secure the lease.

The Court found that while it was plain that Mr Morgan and his wife were interested in acquiring the hotel business and leasing the hotel, that did not establish that they had an eagerness to conclude the transaction such that they would be tempted to make such substantial financial concessions during negotiations in the hope or expectation that they might redeem the situation later.

The Court found that the probability was that Mr Morgan was well aware of Ms Cassimatis’ financial predicament and accordingly did not accept the Appellants’ argument on this point.

The Appellants also challenged the primary Judge’s finding that the First, Second and Third Promises were made by the Respondents.

The Court found that there was a compelling basis for the inference that there was no discussion about any of the aforementioned matters between Mr Morgan and Ms Cassimatis.

In relation to the Second Promise, the Court found that the evidence suggested that Ms Cassimatis was astute and

Counsel for the Respondent submitted that the explanation was that Ms Cassimatis was in a desperate financial situation and looking for an immediate solution.

However, the Court did not accept this argument, instead favouring the Appellants and finding that it would not have made any sense for the Appellants to have committed to obtaining such a meagre income from the hotel when their finances were in disarray.

At 82, the Court found that all of those matters made it “highly improbable that a conversation along the lines of that set out in the Second Promise actually took place”.

Finally in relation to the Third Promise, the Court found that Mr Morgan did not raise with his solicitors a possibility of amending the draft lease to include such a term and that it was unlikely that he would have raised the matter with Ms Cassimatis at the alleged meeting.

The Court found that Mr Morgan’s evidence needed to be treated with great caution and that because it was highly unlikely that the other Promises were discussed at the meeting, it was also highly unlikely that this Promise was discussed.

The Court concluded (at 107) that “In view of the foregoing and the lack of credence able to be placed on Mr Morgan’s evidence … the primary Judge … erred in finding that there was a meeting … between the parties in which the third representation was made”.

This meant that even if the Respondents had proved that the Third Promise was made, they would have failed to establish that they relied on it in entering into the lease and the guarantee.

Due to this finding, the Court found it unnecessary to deal with the Appellants’ further contentions on appeal.

This case serves as a reminder to lessors and lessees of the importance of making accurate representations during lease negotiations, and is a welcome reminder that caution should be taken by both parties when relying on statements and promises. v37/10

Welcome to the Queensland Bowler October 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 October 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..............................................................................................

Address........................................................................................... .......................................................................................................

State.........................................................Postcode........................

Daytime telephone........................................................................... *email.............................................................................................

Entries must be received by October 31. Winner will be announced in the December issue. Multiple entries allowed.

Original entry forms only, no photocopies accepted.

Rod Oberg from North Mackay

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queensland bowler | 49

Coaching with Ian Schuback

oam

DON’T BLAME THE BOWLS! Good bowlers, like good tradesmen, never blame their tools for a shoddy performance.

SO WHY DO SOME PLAYERS CHOP AND CHANGE THEIR BOWLS SO OFTEN?

Do they think a new set of bowls is all it will take to improve their performance?

If so, unless you have an ancient set of bowls, you might be in for a real disappointment.

A new set of bowls is not going to improve your performance if you don’t work on your current level of skill at the same time.

Of course it helps to have a great set of tools, but in the end, the quality of the job is up to the tradesman, not the tool.

That’s not to say you can’t achieve great things by “borrowing” a great set of bowls.

Occasionally, changing up bowls can even cause issues for sponsored players.

One of the world’s great players, Tony Allcock, changed his brand of bowl for a few years and hardly won a frozen chook, before reverting back.

The reason I’m talking about this issue in a coaching column is not to upset our fabulous bowls manufacturers, who sponsor many things in our sport, but because for some club players, the obsession to constantly “trade up” seems to have become disproportionate to what they can expect to gain.

Players of all levels constantly ask me “What’s the best type of bowl?”

Coloured bowls certainly offer a wonderful opportunity for players I won my first world title with to express their individual START a borrowed set of Henselite personality, but what size five medium-weight.

WITH A BOWL size, weight and bias But I was under will best suit your THAT FEELS PRETTY no illusion it would game? “save my game” COMFORTABLE IN YOUR It is a minefield or give my game HAND, THEN CHOOSE when it comes magical powers to deciding what ONE SIZE SMALLER, AS THIS it didn’t already type of bowl to have.

WILL PREVENT THE BIGGEST use, as manufacThese bowls turers constantly MISTAKE OF ALL, GRIPPING were the same release new model I used THE BOWL TOO TIGHTLY models. in Australia, so I figured why take my trusty set to England when I could just grab a similar set upon arrival?

WHEN DELIVERING YOUR From a coach’s point of view, the most MATCH-WINNING important prerequisite for SHOT. a great bowl, is that it feels

Same size, same weight and same bias, so why bother carrying an extra 6kg in luggage?

So, why do some of the top players seem to change their bowls so often?

Usually, it’s simple commercial reality.

All sports and athletes are crying out for sponsors and we try to look after those that come on board.

If a sponsor asks a top bowler to play with the latest product, and pays them to do so, that’s how our bowlers earn their bread and butter.

Manufacturers pay for the marketing rights to use top bowlers’ names to endorse a particular model or brand.

They count on this to inspire the average club player to think about a new set themselves, perhaps “trade up” to a new set, especially if it might get their bowl closer to the jack.

50 | queensland bowler

comfortable in the player’s hand.

You are the only one who can decide what feels comfortable for you!

Now, what bias is best suited for varying conditions?

Obviously I am not a bowls manufacturer but my advice would be not to go straight away for the narrowest-bias bowl on the market, of any brand, especially if you regularly play on synthetic greens.

Each rink on a synthetic green seems to have its own peculiarity, and you will often discover slight imperfections, so you need a bowl that will turn and counteract these imperfections.

If you use very narrow-biased bowls on synthetic greens, you create a little extra challenge for yourself!

How do I see the modern very narrowbiased bowls faring on our outdoor greens?

Most Australian bowlers live and play near the coast, which means wind is almost always a factor to be considered.

If you play with a really tight set of bowls, you’ll find plenty of frustration on the narrow side of the green because your bowl will rarely turn against a stiff crosswind.

Being restricted to always playing the “wide” side can often be the difference between success and failure.

It’s not my brief to discuss the merits of different brands, but it’s my view that whomever your preferred manufacturer may be, they will have a bowl suitable for you to play your best.

My suggestion to club-level players would be that the model you choose should be somewhere between the narrowest and the widest bias offered by any manufacturer.

You will find that elite level players often carry two sets, and choose depending on the type of green, speed, and wind factor.

While I feel we should all embrace change, I don’t believe change for the sake of it is always a good thing.

I think the introduction of “narrow bias” bowls has brought its own set of challenges.

Some players now seem to think they will get away with “more weight, less skill”, trying to forget that old story about the tradesman and his tools.

Pad carefully through the minefield! It’s a dangerous place for the unwary.

As more and more exciting new models come onto the market, it will be easy to have your head turned and begin to doubt yourself.

The place to start and the place to finish is with a bowl that feels pretty comfortable in your hand, and then choose one size smaller, as this will prevent the biggest mistake of all, gripping the bowl too tightly when delivering your match-winning shot.

That’s my advice, from a player and coach point of view.

You be the judge, but remember about the tradesman and his tools.

If you want to start with the best tool, go for what feels good in your hand, not necessarily what looks best to your eye.

Good bowling until next month!

Shuey

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