SURREY COUNTY BOWLING ASSOCIATION. Secretary s Annual Report

Transcription

1 SURREY COUNTY BOWLING ASSOCIATION Secretary s Annual Report 2016

2 Mr. President and Members of the Association. I have pleasure in presenting my report for the year just completed. Administration of the County: Attendance by your elected Councillors has been good this year with over 74% attendance at meetings. The administration of the County is, by default, carried out by Senior Officers, but it is an essential part of the administration that Councillors play their part. The technical revolution in communication continues to spread and now incorporates the payment of affiliation and competition fees directly to the bank account. Competition entries can also be sent by thus reducing costs to clubs. This is the second year using this system and it is pleasing to say that very few problems appear to be occuring. It is thanks to the County Treasurer and indeed to all Club Secretaries that the system is working so well. The Area Councillors continue to be an asset to the administration in their role as an important channel of communication. My thanks to them for their sterling work during the season. The Future of Administration: For some months now a sub-committee drawn from both the SCBA and SCWBA has been reviewing the Constitutions of both Associations in an effort to produce an administration document that will encompass the requirements of all. This is not a simple task and requires both good will and sensible debate to achieve the required result. It is to the credit of the members of the sub-committee that progress is being made. Some will argue that speed is of the essence, but my response to this is that correct interpretation of each associations requirements is the important factor and speed secondary. Affiliated Clubs The total number of clubs in the Association at the end of the year was 130. You will all be aware that thanks to the work of Tina Smith at Merton BC the club was saved from closure, prior to the start of the season. It was extremely pleasing for the President to visit Ripley BC the first new outdoor club to be launched since Heathervale BC in The club is progressing well and hopefully will soon be taking an active part in the life of our association. After 50 years Astolat BC has combined with Guildford BC and they will be known as Stoke Park BC. They will be playing on the Guildford green. It is our hope that this amalgamation will see a safe future for outdoor bowls in the area. Please note that Malden BC has been renamed Malden Lime Grove BC. RECRUITMENT It cannot have passed any member by that we as a sport need members. The County has two Recruitment/Development Officers Barry Willingham (Wimbledon Park) and John Guerin (Camberley IBC). These members have oer the last season worked extremely hard to raise awareness of this need. The injection of funding outside of the BDA packages has been a spur to some clubs to get out there and Recruit to Survive, and there is no doubt that the opportunity of money for players new to bowls has had an effect has been allocated by Active Surrey and London Sport to this project. HOWEVER government money is not given away gratis, it has to be earned by supplying lots of information. We are as I wrote doing well, but Barry and John need the written proff they have asked you for. Please make sure your club has submitted its results. Goodbye to Fellow Bowlers Clubs will have had their own periods of sadness at the passing of members of their clubs, many of whom will have been long time workers in administration and upkeep. It is the duty of all members to ensure that the dedication of these fellow bowlers lives on in our sport. Honours: The President had the pleasure to present Leopard Awards to Roy Gordon (Epsom Park), John Kenton and Alan Bennet (Knaphill), Keith Sandland (Croydon Adults), Kevin Menehan (Purley), John Neal (Heathervale), Joe Cable (Purley Bury), Reg Rolls (Sutton Common) and Jerry Ingham (Ember). These members have served their clubs in a voluntary fashion to ensure that their members enjoy their sport and the facilities offered by their clubs, often with no thought to the commitment of their own time. Well done to them all. The object of the award is. To encourage, promote and maintain a sense of pride and enthusiasm in the outdoor game of bowls in the County by members of Affiliated Clubs, by recognition of outstanding and distinguished service rendered in the administration and management of the game at club level. Secretaries are reminded of the last date for nominations is the 31 st March 2015.

3 On the Green: National Simon Clarke (Cheam) was selected as a reserve for the England Trials. Simon has been a regular member of the Middleton Cup team and his selection is testament to his performances during the season. National Championships Leamington Spa has not proved to be a successful venue for our Association in any of the major championships, and unfortunately this season was no different. Limited success came in the Junior and Singles where Graham Street reached the 3 rd Round and Tim Orr the last 16. Weybridge were unlucky to miss out in the Top Club Competition going down by 1 shot. Jeff O Leary played well in the Senior Singles to reach the 3 rd Round. Middleton Cup This was another partly successful season for the County in this competition. It is a huge achievement to reach the quarterfinal for the third season in a row and this despite a rather chaotic match against Oxford due to the weather. The TEAM approach to this level of competition is bearing fruit and it is to be hoped that the top prize will not elude Surrey for much longer. F A Points F Points A v Hampshire v Berkshire v Oxfordshire ends only v Buckinghamshire Quarter Final v Kent The quarter final was played at Worthing Pavilion against Kent. Home Counties BA Surrey finished last this season, in what proved to be a contentious competition. Firstly, Buckinghamshire withdrew from the competition due to the action taken over their mistake in playing an illegible player. The match versus Sussex was not played as Surrey were committed to the Middleton Cup quarter final. The County is indebted to Team Manager Dave Candeland who has throughout this particular competition had over 50 players pull out of matches. Unfortunately, this is a recurring problem season on season and is always made worse once it appears that the County cannot win the league. My report last season thanked those players who came in at the last minute to support the County and it is sad that I must repeat those thanks again, due to the lack of commitment by some players. Kent Berks Middlesex Sussex Oxford Surrey Home Counties Finals: The finals this year in which our players reached the final were held at Croydon and proved a winner for the Wandilea Four of John Farrell, Craig Baker, John Graham and Dennis Hennessy. Jeff O Leary Epsom Park, played some very good bowls and was unfortunate to fall on the last end of the singles. Oxford overcame our Triple of Terry Friday, Simon Greenwood and Gary Clark from Camberley and Graham Street missed out on the U25 Title. County Competitions: Results of the 2016 County Championships Singles Andrews Cup Winner Jeff O Leary Hall Cup Finalist Gary Clark Semi-Finalists Al Vadher Tim Orr Pairs Winners Graham Street. Marcus Street Finalist Nigel Findlay, Finlay Morton Semi-Finalists Mick Sigamoney, Lee Dickson Norman Mann, Paul Manuel

4 Triples Winner Terry Friday, Simon Greenwood, Gary Clark Finalist Des Hunter, Gareth Morgan, Tim Orr Semi-Finalists Steve Paice, Steve Kercher, Tony Skinner Dave Pearce, Steve Whiting, Jon Wilson Fours Winner John Farrell, Craig Baker, John Graham, Dennis Hennessy Finalists Steve Higginbotham, Martin Sampson, Simon Greenwood, Simon Fishlock Semi-Finalists Alan Reed, Alick Boobyer, Jake Clarke, Kevin Clarke Dave Pearce, Garry Olver, Damien Olver, Nathan Beeson 2 Wood Singles Winner Steve Shanley Finalist James Shillingford Champion of C Winner Jon Wilson Finalist Gary Clark Semi-Finalists Don Leach Charlie Souter Unbadged Singles Winner Dave Hill Finalist John Randall Semi-Finalists Alistair Cochrane Peter Lines Secretaries Winner Don Leach Finalist Andrew Richardson U25 Singles Winner Graham Street Finalist Charlie Souter Semi-Finalists Marcus Street Eoghan Harding Geoff Houston Award Winner Jamie Houle Walter Cross Trophy Winners Area 3 Chairman Alan Shearing Secretary Colin Homes County Top Four Winners Merton Park (Area One) Championship Quarter Finalists: Open Singles: Don Leach, Mick Sigamoney, Nigel Whiteman, Andrew Barclay 2 Wood Singles: Matt White, John Graham, Alan Bradshaw, Mike Harding Pairs: Mick Sigamoney, Lee Dickson, Paul Foley, Kevin Slater, Martin Wood, Alan Reed, Myles Clements, Charlie Souter, Unbadged Singles: John Menningen, Eddie Vine, Chris Young, Geoff Dunning Fours: Paul Vamvacopoulos, Myles Clements, Chris Ions, Charlie Souter, Ian Palmieri, Peter Heyne, Mark Porter, Alan Harding, Richard Tucker, Paul Harland, John Tucker, Keith Searle, Alan Morton, Josh Hawkins, Steve Hawkins, Don Leach Triples: John Farrell, John Graham, Dennis Hennessy, Sean Dempsey, James Rabson, Peter Pickett, Rick Long, Martin Bevan, Kevin Perry, Charles Bruder, Ian Jenkins, Mark Bishopp

5 Qualifiers for County Badge 2016 FOURS Craig Baker Wandilea Area 1 Alick Boobyer Mytchett Area 4 UNBADGED Geoff Dunning Ashburton Park Area 1 Chris Young Temple Area 1 Alistair Cochrane Imber Court Area 2 David Hill Supreme Area 2 Peter Lines Bletchingley Area 3 John Meningham Epsom Area 3 John Randall Mytchett Area 4 Eddie Vine Camberley Area 4 PAIRS Kevin Slater Wandilea Area 1 Norman Mann Dorking Area 3 Graham Street Knaphill Area 4 Marcus Street Knaphill Area 4 Middleton Cup (5 Appearances) Harry Cushen North Sheen Area 2 County Friendlies The County record against other Counties was 12 wins from 17 matches. These matches are supported by badged players who take pride in representing their County. It is fair to say that the age range is over 50 due to the work commitments of younger qualified players. When teams are scrutinised, it becomes evident that there are a group of players who support these matches on a very regular basis, without whom the County would struggle to fulfil its programme. These matches are a great chance to play against good bowlers on unfamiliar greens, please support the County if you are qualified. President s Matches The President had the pleasure of taking his teams to 6 Anniversary matches as well as the other Associations and teams for which these matches are celebrated. The introduction of Mixed matches for the second season has been a feature, with much laughter and enjoyment for both the home team and the visitors, this does not mean that competitiveness has been removed, rather the opposite! County Friendlies President s Matches v Warwick W v SCWBA L v Cambridge W v Home Counties BA L v Essex L 70 77* v Magdalen Park BC W v Devon W v Merton Park BC W v IOW W v London Parks BA W v Sussex L v West Surrey BA C v Norfolk W v Surrey Patrons W v Hertfordshire L v SCIBA W v Kent W v Chessington BC W v Berkshire W v Malden Manor W v Oxfordshire W v Knaphill BC W v Bucks L v Byfleet BC W v Leicestershire L v Area Two L v Hampshire W v Banks BA W v Northants W v Old Coulsdon BC W v Bedfordshire W v Combined Areas L v Middlesex W v Carshalton BC W v English Civil Service BA L v SMPP BA L

6 Patrons Report (John McDonnell) Graham Robinson and I would like to thank all clubs that hosted Patrons matches, for their warm welcome and hospitality. This has been a frustrating season for us due to the decrease in Patrons supporting our fixtures. Each year prior to the season I send out around 800 forms to club Secretaries for distribution to Patrons, but the returns are very poor: this season only about two or three forms were returned to me. The clear majority of support comes from players who regularly support us and are aware of the match programme. We have suffered this season, having to reduce rink due to lack of players. I now realise the problems that confront the County Match Secretary! v Albury BC L v Old Coulsdon BC W v Surrey President L v Carshalton Beeches BC L v Croydon& Purley Bury BC L v Metropolitan Police L v Epsom BC L v SMPPBA L v Banks BA L v West Surrey BA C Under 25s Report - John Tucker (Junior Team Manager) This year has been a very challenging year not only for the players. It took quite some time for things to settle down after Nathan s departure. The season got off to a poor start losing the White Rose, it was a shock, as it had been some time since we had not qualified for the Regional Finals. Soon after this we lost the first of our Junior Home Counties League (JHCL) games, unfortunately it was the same day as the Middleton Cup trial resulting in a loss of 9 senior players. I have to say those who came in, stepped up to the plate and we only lost by a very narrow margin. During the course of the season we had to cancel 3 other JHCL due to lack of players for various reasons mainly because it clashed with the Walter Cross. I am pleased to say that the majority of problems have already been resolved for next year. That s enough of the disappointments, now for the successes. I was so pleased to see Jonathan Winter, Charlie Souter, Harry Cushen & Damien Olver participating in the Middleton Cup. Harry Cushen also gained his badge after playing in 5 Middleton Cup matches. Craig Baker, Graham Street and Marcus Street gained their Senior County Badge and went to Leamington. Jon Wilson won the County Champion of Champions. We have a great group of youngsters; it is a pleasure to be amongst them. I am sure 2017 will see many more coming to the fore; it can only be good news for the County. My thanks also to JVP Roger Lanham for his support during the season. Finally, I wish to thank Tony Baker for his support and contribution. Tony has decided to stand down. I am very pleased to be able to announce that Andrew Boarer (Mayford Hall) will be my assistant next year. External Tournament Success Epsom Park continue to grab headlines with Joe Stevens winning the Hove Open and Jeff O Leary a finalist in the Worthing Open won by John Graham (Wandilea) Annual Dinner The support in 2015 was 142 diners and for the 2016 event 157. It is of course always relevant to who has triumphed in the competitions as to the level of attendance. The venue has proved attractive as it is accessible by road, and all public services. Safeguarding (Kate Allen) This has been a quiet year for me with only a few members contacting me regarding the requirements relating to being registered. I attended a course in the past few months and am pleased to report that Surrey clubs appear to be carrying out the Safeguarding requirements correctly. I am always available to assist members or clubs in any matter relating to the requirements of the Safeguarding Policy.

7 English Bowls Umpires Association (Peter Marshall) This has been another season when we have struggled to fulfil all requests for the services of an umpire. The number of fully active umpires throughout the country continues to decrease and I am afraid Surrey is no different to any other. I am on occasion having to contact umpire co-ordinators from outside the county to try to fulfil requests. I would remind members that the County is prepared to assist any member wishing to train as an umpire either financially or with equipment. Please give this some thought and if you feel you would welcome a new challenge contact me direct. Coaching The Association of Surrey Bowls Coaches (ASBC) continues to respond to requests from clubs to provide coaching. A number of clubs have availed themselves of this facility through which bowlers are assisted in improving their game and maximising their potential, thereby increasing their enjoyment of the sport and raising standards within clubs. Programmes can be tailored to meet the needs of all levels of play. The ASBC would welcome invitations from clubs for Details can be obtained from Linda Hollands at asbc@solace.mail1.co.uk or on Play Bowls/Coach Bowls Denise Smith Tel: qdtamar@idnet.co.uk Current BDA Coaching Courses Available Coaching is a very worthwhile, enjoyable and rewarding aspect of bowling. For further information about any of these courses, contact Denise. The Play Bowls Activator Module is a 4-hour course and is an integral part of any club s recruitment programme. It equips volunteers and coaches with information and skills to offer a fun and informal introduction to the sport of bowls. The Level 1 course takes 2 days and qualifies you to coach beginners and to run the Bowls4Fun programme in your club. The Level 2 course takes 5 days and further qualifies you to coach improvers up to, and including, competitive players in your club. It also enables you to assist experienced coaches who attend other clubs to coach a variety of skills according to the needs of the club being visited. BDA Level 2 Bridging courses are available for any current Level 2 or Level 3 EBCS coaches. A level 2 EBCS Coach will need to undertake a 3½ day course plus their assessment and a Level 3 EBCS Coach will need to undertake a 1½ day course plus assessment. The Working with Disabled Bowlers Module is a 4-hour course which is aimed at supporting all levels of coaches, and also volunteers, who are keen to work with bowlers who are disabled. It increases awareness of the implications of working with bowler/s who are disabled and offers a range of practical ideas on how to support their progress. Further details of all courses are on the BDA website: Bursaries of at least 50% are available for all these courses. Since BDA courses started running in late 2013/early 2014, 46 Surrey bowlers have been successful in gaining their L1 coaching qualification and 18 coaches have passed their L2 qualification. Congratulations to all of them. Bowls England The BE Web Site can be accessed at and has a wealth of information pertaining to our sport. It is probable that affiliation fees will increase in 2018, but 2017 remains as previously announced. New competitions have been introduced for 2017 including an Over 55 Senior Fours and an U25 Junior Pairs. Appreciation Last season I wrote of the pressure of combining the role of Secretary with that of JVP, if anything this season has been even more of a challenge, however I am indebted to President Graham, JVP Roger and indeed all Senior Officers for their support during the year. I must also thank Councillors, Area Councillors and Competition Secretaries for the work they do on your behalf to ensure you are able to partake of your sport. The County relies upon the good offices of volunteers both for the administration of the County itself and not least for all affiliated clubs. My thanks go to all Club Secretaries and Officers for their dedication to their clubs. Derek Harvey County Secretary October 2016