Thank you for making such a very good and pointed appeal for entries. As donors of the trophy, I only wish we could be playing. Good

A very enjoyable day - thanks to the instigators of the format which I, amongst others, thought was excellent.

A comment on the numbers - our team had difficulty finding a lady director who would play two days of bowls, and this apparant shortage of experienced lady players may well put a constraint on increasing the numbers. Despite this the two day format should be retained.

Thanks to my fellow team members for a very enjoyable tournament - we actually managed one win out of seven games - but that did not detract from the day!

The special we (ANZ Bank) are running for Omanu Bowling Club is actually 12 month Term Deposits, they receive optional monthly interest or interest at maturity and for every TD of 20k, ANZ will contribute $20 to the club.

I also must commend you all on a great looking website! Very easy to read and follow. Look forward to catching up with you soon.

John is rightfully concerned about attendance at club events, but I have also heard some mutterings about those members who "play outside when they could be playing at the club". Having a close look at our current membership I estimate that about 60 financial members never, or rarely, play bowls, mainly for age or health reasons. About 40 are competitive bowlers who play tournaments (including our own), club & centre championships and represent the club in Inter-Club and pennant events. They do too play in club roll-ups, maybe not regularly.

In playing members we are now quite a small club. Members can choose the level at which they wish to participate, some are keen to compete, other lean more to the social side of our game. There has to be room for both. If we must judge our members then judge them on their overall contribution to the club. The ones who don't play are helping keep the subs down. If you check page 3 of the Handbook you will find that many of those criticised for non-attendance at roll-ups are very busy people keeping the club running.

I look forward to the day when I am proficient enough to play in such outside tournaments! However, 28 players from Omanu still leaves a pool of over 120 members available to play in a club mixed tournament! There were 8 entries on the sheet. The last two Sunday afternoons has seen 8 players at the mixed club roll ups.

Should this not be of concern?

The last club progressive tournament was attended by 50 members and was very enjoyable. A shame that the next one planned for the 13th March has been cancelled for lack of interest, and the same applies to the 2x4x2 mixed pairs (hopefully postponed rather than cancelled).

Are the members too busy playing outside the club, or is there a lack of interest as the season progresses?

A case of unfortunate programming, I think John. I, along with 27 other members of Omanu (and 228 other bowlers) are currently playing in the Monday-to-Thursday Tauranga City Mixed Tournament, an annual event. Having played this tournament for the past twenty years, Bev and I relish the opportunity to meet our old bowling mates from around the country. Sorry, Friday is our day off.

Congratulations to Omanu and in particular Jo Connelly and Bev White for taking out the Ladies NZ Championship Fours.

A magnificent achievement

Congratulations to Bev and Josephine for their great effort in getting to the last 16 in the National fours at Auckland. Sounds like the conditions were far from favourable. What a sterling result so far. GO THE GIRLS!

The club's Executive Committee today discussed the criticisms of our club concerning the Ladies Triples final between Omanu and Matua held on 15th December. The running of the final was totally in the hands of the Chairman of the Western Bay Division Match committee and criticism of the organisational aspects and lack of umpire should be taken up with Western Bay. Our club's only involvement was to loan the greens. Comments that the green used was under prepared and not cut are as unfair as they are inaccurate.

On the preceding 2 days the Men's Centre Pairs event was staged and we have received glowing comments from the tournament Manager on the condition of our greens. The club is extremely proud of the high standard of our greens and our green keepers have received widespread praise for their high quality. As you may know they willingly and freely gave up their time to assist your club some weeks back.

To post such comments on the World Wide Web is damaging and are totally rejected. They do little to develop relations between our clubs.

The criticism was directed at Western Bay and not at the excellent Mount greens. The suggestion that the greens had not been cut and were consequently running more slowly than usual came from the players involved. I would draw your attention to the site's disclaimer that "the views expressed in this site are those of the Webmaster and other contributors and do not coincide, necessarily, with those of the Executive Committee of the Omanu Bowling Club Inc".

Our steadily declining membership is probably inevitable but this should not deter us from attempting to slow down the progression. We should not be frightened by change.

Most things have already been tried for increasing membership. Under Charles Pettit's chairmanship, a sterling effort was made for Business House bowls, which started with a flourish but in a few weeks, collapsed. We have had senior school boys tutored and encouraged, but again, without result. Advertising has been done locally but we were not aware of any results. Most members are gained through personal recommendation or through the Twilight Bowls Program run by Jim Pratt. It is also our experience that any new and capable younger members, we inevitably seem to loose to the Mount Club. The practice of playing every day of the week, where minimal attendance is experienced, is not encouraging, either to participants or onlookers. I support a change advocated by Leo Edwards, for 3 days play a week. Men, having one green, women the other. (The third day could be mixed if required, or just mixed once monthly, whatever.) This could well result in a large increase in participants present.

I could also support the suggestion of a $5.00 entry fee, to offset the membership drop and the resultant over-run in expenditure

An artifical green, lights and even an indoor green are things that should be pushed for the new Mount Complex, which is just down the road. 'After hours' bowls and college bowls could then more successfully be developed there. It is very important that we keep our greens up to a high standard (and that also means not over using them). Good greens attract players. Conversely poor greens drive them away.

With regard to revenue.... how about the $2.00 for roll-up all going to the Club. As an incentive/reward for winners; a small tin of fruit, for the runners-up, a smaller tin of fruit. For Championships that lead to Champ of Champ then an entry fee of $5.00 per player would better cover costs. Bar prices could also probably be tweaked. Enjoying ourselves and making everyone welcome will attract more members. I am only a boy, but I love the camaraderie of our members.

Good to see some debate, but I would like to emphasize that my main concern is the lack of new younger (under 70!) players.

Therefore we should be thinking of ways to market our product, using the wealth of material from Australia and NZ Bowls, to people of working age, using some of our reserves for this purpose. An artificial green and lights (not pies!) would open up a year round season and evening play for working folk. What happened 10 years ago may not be relevant now, and no doubt the cost would have to be born by fund raising. As to low numbers at roll ups - I do not think that $2.00 is a deterrent, especially when most of us win some back. Last Sunday there were 24 persons, and the only cost was 50 cents for tea! (and we played fours!)

For once we could learn so much from Australia and their more aggressive approach in filling the needs of younger players but I fear that the majority of our club members will not see the need for change, and at near 70 I shall remain one of the few younger members!

Indeed food for a healthy debate.
There are a couple of matters that I feel need to be mentioned so that the debate focuses on things that can/or should be done and that the abundant energy coming through is not mis-spent. Our Membership numbers in the past have always shown a good "churn" (ie a lot out and a lot in). With the nature of bowling club membership we can expect to see numbers down through ill-health (or that other rather more permanent disability.) This has previously been offset from the influx a people moving into the area - often as new retirees keen to take up a new sport, but also experienced bowlers from other regions. The current economic situation has seen that movement slow to a trickle. Indeed the financial situation has been quite severe and it would be fair to say that everyone's discretionary income has reduced - not only through capital reduction (debenture and share falls etc.) but also from reduced returns (interest rates). This situation is also no doubt affecting current members activities and could well explain why Club roll-up turnout is low. Hopefully this situation will get better.

The Club is fortunate to have a bit of cash in kitty. While there seems to be a need to address some funding, there is no need to price things to the extent that it will further inhibit usage. We do not need to make a 'profit' and further build up reserves.

With regard to Artificial Greens, the Club went through a major and extended investigation on the matter less than 10 years ago. Our Greens at the time were not too flash. The Club was quite divided on the issue, but in the end the matter could not proceed because of the Council driven new Mount Greens complex. Permits and funding were not forthcoming. Our solution was to improve our greens.

Our Club has a very friendly atmosphere and we also have some very good bowlers. While not matching Tauraga South and the Mount for depth we still give them a good run for their money. We participate well at InterClub and are great attendees at open tournaments. We need to decide on just what sort of Club we want to be. We have great assets to build on.

Well said, Gary. I agree that artificial greens and lighting are 'pie in the sky'. We do though need to address everyday pricing issues which have been drifting. We do not need to increase our kitty, we just need to arrest the losses of the past few years.

At last we have a real issue on Bulletin Board that should get fierce debate. If our club is dying then its our fault, and as Ken and John have said we need to move with the times. Do we need the general expertise of the senior members of the club to pass on the "nuts and bolts" information to the new group for the future of bowling or is it straight out with the old and in with the new? I agree subs and green fees are a laugh and should be (green fees) addressed immediately. For those who attend Twilight Bowls it is a real fun relaxed night and perhaps if more members bothered to attend they would realise the importance of this night. Social players look to the members for their participation and if the interest is not there I don't blame them if they just stop arriving or worse still go and join another club.

A new year meeting sounds really good and maybe our team leaders could appoint a group to prepare some information and costings on the artificial green and lighting concept to present to this meeting. Perhaps some of the newer members would be ideal for this as they are not too busy playing outside and lining other clubs pockets.

Not often do I agree both with Bowls NZ and John Wheeler, but they make good points. Omanu is dying, though perhaps a little more slowly than John thinks.

Membership loss is acute, over 40 have left this season with only four new members. On last years figures, the cost of maintaining the greens alone exceeds net subscriptions by $10,000 pa. Assuming 200 green uses a year we need to make $50 every time the greens are used. Currently at most club events, the club takes 50c per player, this does not even cover the cost of the tea and biscuits! What we make from our twilight bowls is pathetic, it would struggle to exceed the profits from the library!

I recommend that a meeting of club members be called for early in the New Year to address all these issues.

There seems little response to items posted and indicates that apathy is alive and well!

What does the future hold for the Club? The latest NZ Bowls magazine on page 5 clearly states the problems. Omanu has 40 less members than last year, and to date not one new member has joined the Club this year. At this rate there will be no Leads in a few years the grading system will come to a halt and I shall be doomed to leading for the rest of my days!!!!

More serious will be the financial burden on the Club from fewer members and the probability that amalgamation will be forced upon us within 2 to 3 years. Does it have to be this way?

Bowls NZ offer Clubs marketing ploys, as shown on page 8. Matua is the only local Club to take up this assistance (and they are planning a 4th green!) The solution is to market our sport and make certain financial changes (as I have previously commented.) Market rates should apply - annual membership must not go below 150 and an annual sub of at least $250 be applied. Roll ups at $2.00 are far too cheap - a minimum of $5/6.00 should apply. And do we really need prize money? So members will complain! The alternative is no club in a very short time.

Finally a fund should be commenced for an artificial green and lights - read about Bayview on page 24. I hope that the few people that seem to read this will respond. I have said my piece and confirm that in my opinion the Club is dying!

Tauranga South have initiated a new handicap system and done away with the conventional grading system of players. Does this merit consideration for our club?

I am surprised to read Des French's email, (Bulletin Board 16 Oct.) One can not compare playing a round of golf with a game of bowls or 4 rounds of golf with four games of bowls. Let's remember that the Handicap Singles is just a domestic event. The Open Singles is something different. It is an event that any financial member can participate in. The Handicap Singles could not be played first to 21 or 25 because of the time factor. Imagine two scratch players playing one another and the time they may take. Compare this with two 9 handicap players meeting and a scratch player playing a 9 handicapper. Years ago, the club did try this method, but learnt a lesson.
Finally, remember the qualifying day is only to get the top 16 qualifiers. Let's have some more opinions to add to the debate. (I like the idea of winning a prize.)

As far as I am aware the handicap given is ones club grading - not a specific handicap for this event. I cannot see the applicabilty of grading to a handicap for a singles event of 21 ends.
I disagree with Jim. The results of past winners clearly show that this is not a true handicap event, despite a few less experienced players getting through to the second day. Jim's final comment is not getting to the point - the players only managed a couple of wins - not to win the whole event. The day that a lead player wins the whole event will demonstrate a working and fair handicap system. There are many players out there who have agreed with me - perhaps they could write in their comments?

Handicaps are given to members based on the probable performances over 21 ends in singles, or 16 ends in pairs with the combined handicap halved. The idea, in theory, is for the handicap to enable players or teams to draw their games. However, there are many factors in individual games which enable someone or a team to probably win. If the number of ends in singles is reduced, the handicaps given to some skips, directors, twos & leads may have to be revisited and possibly reduced accordingly, John's comment, "True handicap events allow an equal chance to all competitors of success" shows that our two handicap events are just that, but ability in singles and pairs does come into it regardless of the handicaps given. Les Crisp, David Hawkins, Peter Duncan & Garth Murdoch all managed to beat scratch players this year. These results indicate that the handicap given enabled a less experienced player to win.

I had a reply for John Wheeler some time ago and also some comments about what Des French had to say I but thought I would delay these until others had commented. Apparently John has had some comments given to him when he has been at the club. A pity these people haven't shared them on the Bulletin Board. I'll revise what I intended to say and send my messages in as soon as possible.

Could I remind members that Twilight Bowls has started. Do come along, as I need members to help guide my casual players who need encouragement. Thanks,

The final official results of the Baywide have now been made available. It was a case of "what a difference just one win can make" and we would have had three more teams/sides in the finals. Considering the number of key players who were unavailable I consider this to be a tremendous effort and one of which the players and the Club can be very proud.

I support John Wheeler in his call for a change to the format. Just take a look at the winners of the event over the last 10 years at least and you will see that what he said does not just apply to this year's event. Compare the situation with another sport that uses handicaps - golf. Play a round of golf using handicaps and everyone has a chance. Play over four rounds and the low handicappers will almost certainly win. A game of singles is first to 21 shots. The open singles championship is for the low handicapped bowlers and it would be almost impossible for a high handicapped bowler to win it. The handicap singles should be an event that these high handicap bowlers could win. At the most make it first to 25 shots but why not 21 shots which is the usual game of singles. We would of course need to be more diligent in allocating handicaps.

This is not a "sour grapes" email, but after playing in the above I had to wonder at the fairness of the handicap system. True handicap events allow an equal chance to all competitors of success. However, with the notable exception of Les Crisp ( well done Les!) the final rounds were notable for the lack of players graded 6 to 10. In my opinion , and despite the handicap given, it is highly improbable (but not impossible!) for a lead, and many two's to beat directors and skips over 21 ends - there are just too many ends! 15 ends would be far more competitive and exciting for all players, and give us newcomers a fighting chance. Exceptions will occur depending on the draw, but for most of us leads the handicap system is too much in favour of the more experienced players.
What do others think?

Members, your family, your near neighbours & friends - this is an invitation to participate in Twilight Bowls this season.
With "daylight saving" having started, it won't be long before Twilight Bowls recommences. This season we will be playing every Monday evening, starting 3 November and concluding on 2 March. Club Members, do come along and join in. Bring along your friends, neighbours & family. We need to encourage non-bowlers and ex-bowlers to join in and experience this wonderful game we play. Never too young to learn nor too old to have an enjoyable experience playing bowls. Each Monday we play from 6-8pm. Names need to be in by 5.45pm - phone if necessary - and we conclude each evening with a social half-hour & prize-giving. Just $2 to play and $1 a number in the raffles that are run. See you soon.

I hope you are all enjoying the bowling season, so far. Try to attend as often as possible as the greens are running well, especially "Eves", and the weather is fantastic. The next tournament for the men is an Open Triples on Wednesday 8 October. Put in a team or at least write your name down wanting a game. For those who like to participate in the Wednesday Triples, remember to phone your name in by 11.30am for the draw. Play commences at 12.30pm. You may refer to page 32 of the Club Handbook for details of play and starting times etc. Please study the entry sheets that have been placed in the clubhouse and write your name on the sheets that interest you.

I have just returned from 8 weeks on the Gold Coast where I played bowls regularly at the Tugun Bowls Club. Three rinks full most days paying $7 dollars a person for a mat for a half days play, and often no refreshment supplied (many preferred the bar!). Members paid $80 annual sub. (of which $39 goes to state and national coffers) and also $7 a mat. I heard not one complaint re this cost, and those that I commented to thought bowls was still a cheap sport!

I think that we should be paying at least $3 a roll up with $1 going to club coffers (still a cheap sport!). A novel way Tugun raised extra cash was for those that had bowled a wrong bias then had to ring the bell at the prize giving, and donate $2 into a tin - this also caused much merriment from onlookers. The tin had just been emptied on my arrival ($500!), and I have to admit to paying up a couple of times!

Finally, I also support the executive being reimbursed for travelling costs.

I wish to support the comments of Ken White and Larry Pepper on the topic. I think those at the AGM were mislead by what they "think other clubs are doing" on this matter. Gossip is a very inaccurate thing. In any case, a club of our size should be 'leading' not 'following.' My support for previous contributors to the Bulletin Board is based on 2 years as club Secretary. Also, because I was the member who moved the motion in 2005 to increase the reimbursement allowance to the three senior club officers. The increase then was the result of careful study, and I believe the reasons still apply.

I will support the call for a Special General Meeting and will support a motion to allow the Executive Committee some room to move realistically on this matter. Sure, there are other people involved who incur costs and they can be considered on a "case-by-case" basis, as has always been done in the past by succesive Executive committees. Members should avoid the trap of trying to dictate to the committee, instead of showing confidence in their ability to handle these matters in the best interests of all members.

Good on you Larry for detailing a portion of the expenses involved in organising our Club affairs, I agree with you wholeheartedly. No one should be placed in a position of financial hardship so we can all sit back and enjoy the benefits.

Could there not be a weekend tournament with a couple of extra dollars entrance fees arranged with raffles and sausage sizzles and ALL the proceeds going into the executive relief fund? We need your expertise and your involvement so we can all be free to enjoy ourselves while you do the work. ARE WE GOING TO HELP?

I refer to the recent decision made at our AGM to limit the reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by our three senior Club Executives to the value of $180.00 being a free annual subscription for the new season. Ken White has seen fit to comment on this subject and I would like to support his argument with a few salient facts.

As your Treasurer for the past two years and now being persuaded to carry on for another year to support the new committee, please consider the following. Last year I travelled approximately 3000 kilometres in my own car attending to club business. My car consumes on average 1 litre every 9 kilometres and with the current price of petrol now hitting $2.00 plus, the cost to me for doing a voluntary job for the club for the next twelve months is likely to reach $666.00. Take away the free subscription and this is reduced to $486.00. Note I have ignored additional costs such as wear and tear etc.

I put aside many hours per week looking after the Clubs finances and administration and in return have to pay for doing so. Now I ask you, is this a fair go ??? As most of you know, I had other plans for this year and did not seek to continue in the role but due to nobody being prepared to put their hand up I felt obliged to carry on. To all those members that voted against the payment of petrol vouchers to the senior executive please think again. I don't mind donating my time and a small portion of my travel costs but I do object to having to bear the full cost.

So, I lost my motion at the AGM. No big deal really. But: "On the grounds that it may hurt people's feelings?". Come on.

We are not some namby-pamby Kindergarten, nor a P.C. Socialist Government, but a Club of adults. Anyone that hasn't learnt to take a few knocks is probably not fit for the job anyway.

Having succumbed to pleading to stand for the Presidency several years ago and been defeated, (Thank God), I know what it is about. If it had not been for an enterprising scrutineer breaking the rules, I would never have been aware of my level of support, which I believe is the right of every candidate to know. Hopefully, there may come a time when transparency does come about.

With an eye of the deteriorating financial position of our club, the AGM gave it's support to some increases in subscriptions. The meeting also took the axe to travelling allowances paid to a number of the club's officers. I do agree we should be looking closely at all avenues of expenditure and of income.

We must not though run the risk of killing the golden goose. The officers concerned put in enormous hours for the benefit of us all. They do not, nor do they expect to, receive any remuneration for their time. What I believe is reasonable is that they are not out of pocket for the literally thousands of kilometres they travel on our behalf

If we are going to persist with this regime, I think that in fairness the club should discontinue the practise of paying allowances to members. For instance, a member using his car as transport to InterClub or Champ of Champ in Rotorua is paid $40.00 and possibly an accommodation payment.

I would hope that when the season starts some enlightened members would call a Special Meeting to revisit this decision. I shall be reminding members of this in September.

It appears that this is not a very reliable weather forecast - today should be thunderstorms, but it is sunny! I have checked many times in the past and find AccuWeather a misnomer! A far more reliable and very accurate source is our own NZ Met. Service site, which includes rain radar maps.

Thanks John, perhaps you should just listen to Jim Hickey, he gets his info from N Z Met doesn't he? Sadly, N Z Met doesn't provide their services to little web sites like ours.

One further small suggestion to help our Sponsors. If we discussed our various purchases and described the discounts achieved, it may stimulate greater use of them. For instance, for those of us who live around Bayfair, it is very easy to buy men's wear from the various outlets. But by going to Robertson's at the Mount, I received $20 discount on 2 articles, by telling them I was an Omanu Bowler