Zone 8 news

[dunny.]

thnx soldya sounds like all went well. but will be interesting if the meeting will now fade into the past or will something actually happen due to it. fair guess zone 8 officials had the cone of silence put over them.was there many at the meeting and what district was most/least vocal in opinons

[pjsomers]

Well the Soldya went to the meeting
State speakers were mostly very good, emphasised their role to uphold COP and state board rules and that if you want change put in a submission with some supporting evidence.
Interesting that zone 8 officials input to conversation was nil. Not sure why?

John Smith was excellent.
Of course overall theme was Zone 8 clearly not good enough for state 1's maybe 2's and should start at 3's
John's only mistake was to reply to a question about starting in 3's "so you are saying that zone 8 have no players of a 1's standard" Of course this is incorrect as there is players of 1's standard unfortunately no zone 8 club has any more than 1 or 2 players of this calibre.

Interesting point raised was what happens if Tumut and Wagga fail to win comps and we don't have a 1's anyway.
It was suggested that a team be invited to participate at Armidale.
The Soldya's invite can be sent to 1053 Mars Avenue, Pluto via Saturn 3644

After hearing the talks and some thought in the outside loo
Is the answer really simple??
Zone 8 starts as 3's (as everyone wants)

Here's the punchline,
do Zone 8 need/want/should go to state playoffs (all grades)?
Wonder what a survey of Zone 8 members would answer to the question?

Overall meeting was well attended and was a success, if only for networking (for those not on Bowlsworld)
Zone 8 officials, follow up a good start has been made.

Highlight
The old guy (I'm sure he won't mind that term) standing up and saying "when I started playing bowls 123 years ago"

Lowlight
Some clown saying that Collingwood was the best team in the AFL


Soldyaring on

There's allways 1 dickhead in every crowd isn't there Soldya???

[Chalks1971]

State speakers were mostly very good, emphasised their role to uphold COP and state board rules and that if you want change put in a submission with some supporting evidence.

This has been my experience since John took over as well. Which leads me to the question, "What happened to the Wagga District submission, was there or wasnt there a submission, and if so why was a decision made against the COP?"

[the soldya]

thnx soldya sounds like all went well. but will be interesting if the meeting will now fade into the past or will something actually happen due to it. fair guess zone 8 officials had the cone of silence put over them.was there many at the meeting and what district was most/least vocal in opinons

Good turnout probably 150 there
Albury district had a coach full so probably best represented.
Albury & Wagga probably most vocal
Although with no comment from Zone 8 officials and the NSW reps standing behind COP, nothing was really going to happen on the day.
If any1 needed any confirmation that the Zone 8 clubs don't want to be part of State 1's and 2's well they got it.

[dunny.]

thnx soldya sounds like all went well. but will be interesting if the meeting will now fade into the past or will something actually happen due to it. fair guess zone 8 officials had the cone of silence put over them.was there many at the meeting and what district was most/least vocal in opinons

Good turnout probably 150 there
Albury district had a coach full so probably best represented.
Albury & Wagga probably most vocal
Although with no comment from Zone 8 officials and the NSW reps standing behind COP, nothing was really going to happen on the day.
If any1 needed any confirmation that the Zone 8 clubs don't want to be part of State 1's and 2's well they got it.

found out today, 125 officialy there. state match were very suprised at players feelings about 1s and 2s. no doubt there will be a full write up in tomorrows border mail. i will scan it if its not online

[Chalks1971]

http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local ... torypage=0

United front on grades
11 Feb, 2010 01:00 AM
THE message came across loud and clear at a special bowls meeting held at Wagga on Sunday.
It was attended by 125 officials and bowlers from Zone 8 (Riverina) and their opinion about the state’s pennant structure was in unison.

Districts within the zone believe they cannot be competitive in grades one and two and conveyed that message with some force to Royal NSW Bowling Association match committee chairman John Smith.

Mr Smith, a state match committee member for eight years and chairman the past five, said he could not recall speaking to such a large gathering.

The Albury and District Bowling Association was represented by about 50, with more than 30 going on a bus and others in cars.

It was pointed out by Albury president Ray Beer and representatives from Wagga RAFC and Leeton Soldiers Club that zone 8 teams are not competitive in the top two grades.

Their argument has been rejected in recent times by zone president and state councillor Vince Beard, who says districts must comply with state conditions of play and field teams in those grades if appropriate.

But an interesting piece of correspondence from 2008 shows that Mr Beard believes the top grade for teams in his zone should be three if a proposed change with the NSW Premier League went ahead.

It was suggested the Premier League should change to playing in September.

Mr Beard said it was formed to have elite bowlers play at a higher level to make grades one and two more competitive.

He suggested a change be put on hold or there was a possibility of splitting NSW in half.

He said: “If this change goes through, then I foresee zone 8 starting in number three grade.”

And that is exactly what clubs and districts have been unsuccessfully trying to achieve without any success or empathy from higher authorities.

Country teams simply cannot compete with the powerful clubs from Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Mr Beer suggested a three-tier competition with the Premier League, a competition for Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong clubs and another for country teams.

Leeton Soldiers representative Mark Vogel said no club in zone 8 had won a grade one or two pennant since 1980 and they were like “lambs to the slaughter” now whenever playing at that level.

Wagga RAFC president Peter Reid asked whether it was feasible for zone 8 clubs to start in grade three.

But Mr Smith rejected such a proposal under the state’s present conditions of play.

He said the earliest he could see it happening would be 2012.

The comments at the meeting were taped for transcripts to be prepared for state councillors and RNSWBA board members.

Clubs in this region are sick of being chopping blocks.

If they fail to listen, then more and more members will walk away from pennant.

The time is rapidly approaching for some tough, progressive decisions for the betterment of bowls.

Page: 12single page

[the soldya]

http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/sport/lawn-bowls/united-front-on-grades/1747962.aspx?storypage=0

United front on grades
11 Feb, 2010 01:00 AM
THE message came across loud and clear at a special bowls meeting held at Wagga on Sunday.
It was attended by 125 officials and bowlers from Zone 8 (Riverina) and their opinion about the state’s pennant structure was in unison.

Districts within the zone believe they cannot be competitive in grades one and two and conveyed that message with some force to Royal NSW Bowling Association match committee chairman John Smith.

Mr Smith, a state match committee member for eight years and chairman the past five, said he could not recall speaking to such a large gathering.

The Albury and District Bowling Association was represented by about 50, with more than 30 going on a bus and others in cars.

It was pointed out by Albury president Ray Beer and representatives from Wagga RAFC and Leeton Soldiers Club that zone 8 teams are not competitive in the top two grades.

Their argument has been rejected in recent times by zone president and state councillor Vince Beard, who says districts must comply with state conditions of play and field teams in those grades if appropriate.

But an interesting piece of correspondence from 2008 shows that Mr Beard believes the top grade for teams in his zone should be three if a proposed change with the NSW Premier League went ahead.

It was suggested the Premier League should change to playing in September.

Mr Beard said it was formed to have elite bowlers play at a higher level to make grades one and two more competitive.

He suggested a change be put on hold or there was a possibility of splitting NSW in half.

He said: “If this change goes through, then I foresee zone 8 starting in number three grade.”
And that is exactly what clubs and districts have been unsuccessfully trying to achieve without any success or empathy from higher authorities.

Country teams simply cannot compete with the powerful clubs from Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Mr Beer suggested a three-tier competition with the Premier League, a competition for Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong clubs and another for country teams.

Leeton Soldiers representative Mark Vogel said no club in zone 8 had won a grade one or two pennant since 1980 and they were like “lambs to the slaughter” now whenever playing at that level.

Wagga RAFC president Peter Reid asked whether it was feasible for zone 8 clubs to start in grade three.

But Mr Smith rejected such a proposal under the state’s present conditions of play.

He said the earliest he could see it happening would be 2012.

The comments at the meeting were taped for transcripts to be prepared for state councillors and RNSWBA board members.

Clubs in this region are sick of being chopping blocks.

If they fail to listen, then more and more members will walk away from pennant.

The time is rapidly approaching for some tough, progressive decisions for the betterment of bowls.

Page: 12single page

Would the change of heart have anthing to do with the Riverina Rollers?
Difficult to justify a team in Premier league if the zone starts at 3's
If so, a lot of bowlers and club's paying a hefty price for the ego stroking

Ego its not a dirty word
Catchy phrase
WHAT!! someone's already done it!!

[Uncle Ken]

He said the earliest he could see it happening would be 2012.

SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE .
and the fact that the first Wagga and District submission for pennant grading was overturned by the Zone and then upheld by the State Match Committee ? That's right , refer to COP.Just can't find where it says you get promoted for finishing on top after the home and away rounds (and not win the pennant).
I might be the completely wrong about this.
We have dropped the 7's only.Playing 1-6.
Plenty of room in my boat now that most of the rebels who would not play, under these rulings, are now conformists.
Sandbags and a flag for 1.

Things will be better next year.

[the soldya]

Riverina district pennant winners

3 Griffith
4 Leeton & District
5 Hay
6 Narrandera
7 Whitton

[Number 1]

Wagga district winners

Grade 1 Wagga Rules
Grade 2 Temora finished on top in the 2's so play off at zone. Wagga RSL win Wagga district pennant and go nowhere
Grade 3 Wagga Rules
Grade 4 Yerong Creek
Grade 5 Wagga RSL
Grade 6 Coolamon
Grade 7 Ganmain

[dunny.]

from todays border mail


THE Royal NSW Bowling Association claims to be advocating open and frank discussion about its pennant structure which in recent years has been strongly condemned in Zone 8 (Riverina).

Clubs within the six districts in Zone 8 say they cannot compete with the powerful clubs from Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle in the top grades.

The discontent prompted the RNSWBA to send the chairman of its match committee, John Smith, along with coaching and umpires spokesmen to a special meeting in Wagga.

There was a huge turnout of 125 officials and bowlers at the meeting to make their feelings known with the pennant issue the primary interest.

The comments at the meeting were recorded for State officials and councillors to consider.

But it appears the subject of discontent with pennants in taboo in the RNSWBA’s monthly magazine.

A report by me(mark mulchay) on the February meeting was censored from the Zone 8 column.

It is the third time in 18 months that an item about the pennant structure has been vetoed.

The report said that the message about pennant was sent loud and clear to Mr Smith in comments by the Albury and District Bowling Association president Ray Beer, representatives from the Wagga RAFC and Leeton Soldiers Club.

An inquiry about the censorship brought a response from RNSWBA chief executive Greg Helm, who said the magazine has the right to include or exclude items as it sees fit.

But he did say: "It is widely acknowledged that the structure of pennants is perceived as a major issue in Zone 8."

Mr Helm refuted a claim that bowlers in the zone were "being kept in the dark" with the exclusion of the meeting report.

I ask rhetorically how else will rank and file bowlers in the zone who did not attend the meeting find out about the issue.

It was stated by Mr Helm that Mr Smith made it quite clear on numerous occasions at the Zone 8 forum that the state match committee and board would be open and willing to accept and consider any submission regarding improvements to the pennant structure and conditions of play.

"I also assure you that the pennant grading issue is not being ignored," Mr Helm said.

"It is currently a major item being considered by the RNSWBA board.

"It is the role of this board to form a strategy and a solution that is fair and equitable for bowlers at all levels across NSW."

Mr Helm said the article was both inflammatory and counter-productive at such a sensitive time, contributed nothing positive to the current debate and the column was not considered the forum for personal of "political" agendas.

He rejected a suggestion that it was "a fair and accurate" report of the meeting and said more should have been written about coaching spokesman Allan Starrett.

"Maybe if more focus and attention was paid to coaching standards and improving performance at a club level, the feeling throughout Zone 8 of ‘not being competitive’ in higher grades might not be such an issue," Mr Helm said.

I leave it to bowlers to make their own assessment of his response and the censorship.

[the soldya]

It was stated by Mr Helm that Mr Smith made it quite clear on numerous occasions at the Zone 8 forum that the state match committee and board would be open and willing to accept and consider any submission regarding improvements to the pennant structure and conditions of play.


"Maybe if more focus and attention was paid to coaching standards and improving performance at a club level, the feeling throughout Zone 8 of ‘not being competitive’ in higher grades might not be such an issue," Mr Helm said.

Above is true of course
A submisson to RNSWBA is sorely needed, The Soldya is considering nominating for a match committee position (250km round trip to attend a meeting of course) but I think everyone knows that any submission almost certainly would involve Zone 8 not participating in at least the 1's and maybe the 2's.

A concerted effort re, coaching would be of huge benefit to all country clubs, big and small. The standard of play in Zone 8 would improve, no doubt about that.
To think that Zone 8 clubs could improve to compete with state 1's would be...........fanciful (other harsher words could be used)
History says that to reach the highest levels in sport in NSW, go east young man!
Even if a club has a team that could compete, who do they play against to prepare for the challenge?

The travel and time required soon takes the fun out of representation at higher levels.
Zone 8 team playing a practice match this weekend.
Congrats to those selected, representing your zone is a thrill that I have been lucky to experience also.
Riverina District will have 1 player in that side.
Players like Snudden, Rees, Jones all of whom have been regular players in the last 5 years would be certain starters in that side, but are unavailable for this or any zone games, I'm not certain of their reasons but feel that the travel, cost and time commitment required would have been a big part of their decision.

Travel, cost, time committment and the lack of regular class opposition is why no Zone 8 club can hope to challenge for a state title in the higher grades.

The answer isn't easy and if I can find the energy I will put my hand up to try and find a solution that is in the interests of bowls in Zone 8 via the match committee.
But for someone, anyone, to say just improve

[Bulldog]

Zone 8 team playing a practice match this weekend.
Congrats to those selected, representing your zone is a thrill that I have been lucky to experience also.
Riverina District will have 1 player in that side.
Players like Snudden, Rees, Jones all of whom have been regular players in the last 5 years would be certain starters in that side, but are unavailable for this or any zone games, I'm not certain of their reasons but feel that the travel, cost and time commitment required would have been a big part of their decision.

Was unaware of a team being selected until your post. Thanks for the info.
Did some digging and found the composition of the side, and posted it below for anyone interested. (sorry about the formatting).
Source: http://www.zone8.rnswba.bowls.net.au/de ... 8/20361/0/

Zone 8 BA –v- Group 6 (Vic)
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 May 2010
@ Wodonga BC
Commencing 12.40pm Saturday

Skip
Third
Second
Lead

Ross Maguire
Christian Morgan
Michael Anthony
Josh Breust

Bruce Lack
Robbie Marshall
Brett Bevan
Tim Crampton

Percy Jones
Rick Potter
Peter Forck
Mick Sunderland

Pedro Rudd
Terry Hensell
Aaron Bremner
Paul Davies

Brett White
Bryce DeBruyn
Brad Smith
Adrian Pantling

David Inglis
Denis Owen
Clint Shields
Russell Boyd

[Bulldog]

Is there a published group 6 side for this clash any1 knows of?

[Bulldog]

Zone 8 BA –v- Group 6 (Vic)
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 May 2010
@ Wodonga BC
Commencing 12.40pm Saturday

Skip
Third
Second
Lead

Ross Maguire
Christian Morgan
Michael Anthony
Josh Breust

Bruce Lack
Robbie Marshall
Brett Bevan
Tim Crampton

Percy Jones
Rick Potter
Peter Forck
Mick Sunderland

Pedro Rudd
Terry Hensell
Aaron Bremner
Paul Davies

Brett White
Bryce DeBruyn
Brad Smith
Adrian Pantling

David Inglis
Denis Owen
Clint Shields
Russell Boyd

Anyone aware of the result of this match? No updates on the Zone 8 Site :(