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The super-subs are coming

(The Citizen - February 17, 2006)

THE possibility of ‘super-subs’ becoming part of bowls could become a reality sooner than you think.
Acting on the content of conversation a colleague had with a bowler down at his friendly watering hole this week, we made some inquiries and learned the matter of substitutes in bowls is very much in the minds of bowls officials.
My colleague’s friend asked why it was not possible in league bowls to change the position of players in a four during the course of the game. The answer is No, but it is not impossible that this rule may change. Players at present must retain the position where they start a game, but it might need the active participation of players in getting the rule altered at World Bowls level. Players should petition their club representatives to bring up the matter at district council meetings and so get it brought to the notice of an even higher echelon.
There might, however, be a change earlier than expected given that former Bowls South Africa president John McArdle is due to become deputy president of World Bowls Limited in March. McArdle, known for his innovative ideas and always ready to bring the game into the 21st century, could be a driving force in this and many more changes to better the game. He could be joined in this quest by incoming world president Betty Collins, also known for not been against change provided it benefits the game.
While the changing around of players in a four may just be the start, we have suggested on previous occasions going the whole hog and allowing substitutes at any time in any discipline. Is it not time to think so, given that players are now actually speaking about it?
My thoughts on the subject include that a fours aside should consist of five players, those on the green and another sitting by in case of a fall off in form, changes wanted by the team’s manager if there is one, and a sudden illness that could disrupt a game.
In league, with say three fours representing a club could there not be an interchange among the three, moving players from one four to another during the game – again a job for a designated manager.
When it comes to inter-district competitions the concept becomes very real for here we have intensive competition in the few days of the tournament and players suffer loss of form regularly. Substitutes should be allowed during play to prevent this.

LEAGUE is a burning issue throughout the country and ways must be found to bring it up to date. In Western Province one of the many issues the new executive under Allan Roberts and his alive vice-president Mike Marsden are to take a look at is the possibility of playing league on a home and away basis.
Flag, as they call it, occupies a great deal of the season’s playing time and home-and-away may extend that even further so the suggestion to their executive is that a concentrated competition over five weekends might obviate the clutter and allow more time for district and club competitions.
Women bowlers in Western Province, previously marginalized somewhat by their male counterparts claiming Saturday afternoons as their preserve for league may now fins that have to shore this time and the green space with the women if the executive is successful in pushing through a move for the Muter Cup to take place on Saturday afternoons.
Another innovation that could find favour with other districts is possible zoning of round robin qualifying for the WP pairs and trips with play-offs at a central venue and the introduction of seeding in the last 16 of a competition.
Also it looks as if WP, whose only representation at national level is a seat on the greens committee of Bowls SA, are determined to seek changes to the constitution that will give a more even spread among districts in the administration of South African bowls.

Younger players benefit by absence of stars

The Citizen - April 28, 2006

Several districts playing in the annual inter-districts tournament in Johannesburg were denuded by the unavailability of many players, but this has been to the benefit of many others who have the opportunity to further their own causes.
The absence of some players has definitely shown in the form of some teams, more particularly Western Province where they have lost four of their top players to retirement and lack of leave left for bowls has become obvious.
Without Neil Burkett, (in Australia), Eric Johannes (no longer available), Kevin Campbell (reportedly retired) and Shaun Addinall (no more leave) they are much less the team they have been.. However, this is not say that the team put together has not acquitted itself well and the younger players drafted into the side have coped admirably with the task.
Not least of these is 40-year-old Peter Harvey, son of one of South Africa’s greatest bowlers, Tommy Harvey, who passed away at the age of 42 in the prime of his bowls career. Just to watch the son play one sees the father in him and that recognizable push delivery is so evident in the son.
Western Province manager, Bobby Cron said Harvey would soon be skipping one of the WP teams in inter-district tournaments.
It was also fortuitous for Western Province that former international Alan Lofthouse was able to make himself available to skip one of the WP fours after it became obvious Neil Burkett would not be back from Australia in time . His experience at this and international level has been a definite factor in helping the WP younger players..
There is a lot of youth in this tournament not least of all from Bloemfontein where we have Clinton Roets, Wayne Perry – both already internationals – Handre Marais who made such an impressions in gaining a bronze medal in the SA Masters, together with Wayne York and Jarred Oracki. With this talent, the future of the game in Bloemfontein looks very alive and well, if not now, as they lead their section after the sixth of the nine rounds.

Talk of younger players brings us to thoughts about upcoming international events and the national selectors are expected to go for youth when they pick their sides for the African States tournament in August. They are due to announce their sides at the end of the inter-districts this evening (Friday).
When I say going for youth I apply that more to the men than the women for there is a definite lack of younger players of established caliber among the women, a matter that should receive the urgent consideration of national and district executives.

So with youth in mind what do you think – and I expect brickbats – of my side for the African States.
Men: Fours: Brian Dixon, Wayne Perry, Duane Abrahams and Handre Marais. Singles: Nic Rusling.
Women: Fours: Loraine Victor, Cheryl Cox, Colleen Webb and Esme Steyn, although I would like to see Leone Durand, recently returned to the game among those names. For the singles there is only Lorna Trigwell.

Men’s national tournament chair Nicky Parker has been at the inter-provincials as a spectator and tells me all is in readiness for the tournament that begins in Cape Town on May 13 with the pairs competition. Headquarters is at Constantia.

One thing the inter-provincials have brought out is that there are some better bowlers on the national executive. National president Piet Breitenbach skips one of the two North West fours while executive member Tys Pringle has the same job for Limpopo.