GLENBROOK PANTHERS BOWLING CLUB

GLENBROOK PANTHERS
BOWLING CLUB
VALE PAUL McDAID
1 Hare St Glenbrook
Phone 02 47206800
Fax 47206899
Bowls office 02 4739 1275 (check times)
REPORT FOR MARCH 2015
Congratulations to our greenkeepers Wayne & Grant and their team for the excellent condition
of our greens. They have provided us with a great start of our Pennants Season.
We kicked off the Pennants on Saturday with some solid results and very encouraging signs for
the next few months.
Our Major Singles is now underway with some very exciting games and big efforts.
For those social bowlers, who wish to play on Saturday‟s during Pennants Season, please ensure
that you wear our Club uniform.
A reminder to players, if you have a gripe regarding selections, etc please go direct to the
Selectors or if you are not comfortable with tha,t come and see either John Leadbitter or myself.
It is not appropriate nor acceptable to share unconstructive views on selections, performances or
results after the game with a “belly full of courage”.
Finally a big thank you to my hard working Match Committee & Umpires who perform their
duties in such a professional manner.
It is with our deepest sympathy that we have had to say goodbye to Paul McDaid. As we reflect
on his passing we give thanks for his life and for the energy and talent he shared with his fellow
bowling members over many years.
Yours in Bowls
Paul Hoolahan
President – Glenbrook Panthers Men’s Bowling Club
Hi bowlers,
Congratulations to all bowlers who entered the State Singles, Senior
Singles and President Reserve singles. You have acquitted yourselves
extremely well and although we did not manage to have anyone reach the
semi-finals, you have done Glenbrook proud!
The 2015 State Pennant season started today and with three grades playing at home we managed
to win two of them.
Our away grades also appear to have done reasonably well although as the time of preparing this
report, I do not have the full final results.
The quarter finals of the club‟s Major Singles championship commenced on Sunday 1 March
with the semi-final and final scheduled for play on Sunday 8 March.
The Major Pairs closed on Sunday 1 March and are due to commence also on Sunday 8 March.
The new format for the after Pennant games “high tea” proved to be successful after the first
round games.
To reiterate the information conveyed to you by the Selectors, please ensure that you
acknowledge on the team selection notice on the notice board whether or not you are available.
This is most important!
Pre-match Pennant roll-ups must cease at 12.30pm.
All members who are not in Pennant teams are advised that, if they are going to play social
bowls on the Pennant Day, they are required to club uniform. This dress code is in the event of a
selected Pennant player not being available, in which case you may be called on to be the
substitute.
To all good bowling.
Fred Debnam
Bowls Coordinator
With Jackie cruising at the moment, many thanks to the ladies’ Vice
President Ailsa Leadbitter for submitting this month’s report.
Hello everyone.
As the women‟s club cruises into the last week of
Pennant competition and President Jackie cruises out of Napier, I
would like to reiterate what Jackie is always telling us, “We are the
best Club!” Not only because of our sportsmanship, congeniality and
supreme skill (not overlooking our modesty), but most importantly, our
club spirit, the way we support each other and readiness to get stuck in
and JUST DO IT!
Thank you to all the members who have taken on responsibilities over
the last month, particularly the catering crew who sometimes had to provide for 90 people!
The trial of using the master board for home games has been most beneficial. Thank you to those
who assisted with the scoring.
The Pennant teams are performing well with grade 2 finishing second to Springwood. Grade 3
section 1 has a great chance of making it to the sectional play-offs, whilst the section 2 side‟s
success is dependent on a few “ifs”. Grade 4 is running second to Austral. However, all of these
sides have only one game to play and a bye.
The Plate team is coming second with two games to play. Good luck team! The coach is
impressed with your training and practice.
The Saturday morning “roll ups” for March are taking on a format similar to the “jack attack”
program which is designed to promote the game and to increase participation in lawn bowls.
Forty Players have nominated for this two bowl triples event which is played with two sets of
five ends, including power plays. If the interest in team names and mufti team uniforms are any
indication this will be an exciting, enjoyable initiative which only takes 60-75 minutes to
complete. Ideal for our busy lifestyles.
Jackie will return rested after a well earned break just prior to the above event.
Ailsa Leadbitter – Vice President
Victor Emmanuel collapsed at the bowlo after a torrid game of 40
ends in the Singles championships. He was taken to Nepean
hospital by ambulance where it was found that he had suffered a
heart attack. Victor is currently at home after undergoing a
number of tests which indicate that he requires open heart surgery
to clear the blockage. He is waiting for all the test results and then
surgery will take place. We wish you all the best Victor and hope to see you fully recovered and
back on the green.
Macka Jensen has suffered some chest pains and was admitted to hospital. It turned out that an
adjustment in his medication fixed the problem. Glad to see you back Macka.
Paul McDaid has had yet another stint in hospital. We wish you the best Paul.
John Eskrigge has had a hernia operation. It has proved to be successful and he is recovering at
home.
Mike Montgomery is waiting to be admitted to hospital for an operation following hernia and
prostate problems.
Gary Brown has undergone a varicose veins procedure. He is currently recuperating at home and
hopes to return to work soon!
Should you hear of anyone who has had an accident or is unwell, would you please notify me..
Tony Crimston
- Welfare Officer - 4739 1997
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
If you are looking for the services of a JP, any one of the following is available to assist you.
Please call for assistance.
John Allcock
Tess Allcock
Bob Ashton
Pam Chamberlin
Fred Debnam
Frank Higgins
Barry Scott
Mt Riverview
Mt Riverview
Blaxland
Luddenham
Winmalee
Blaxland
Leonay
4739 8184
4739 8184
4739 3040
4773 4123
4754 2269
4739 1239
4735 2541
Procedures in case of
inclement weather
Saturday afternoon Pennants
There MUST be a responsible member of the Bowling Club
Committee at all host clubs by 10.30am on Saturday
morning.
If the greens at the club are unplayable, the Committee
member must notify the Chairman of the Match Committee
no later 11am (Col Crossingham 0429 422 206).
A message will then be placed on the 1900 922 222
number notifying players which club’s greens are closed.
This should be available by 11.10am.
Players are NOT to ring the venue club to get information!
Rather wait till the information is placed on the 1900
number.
Morning games.
The same procedure as above applies except the Committee
member will need to notify the Chairman of the Match
Committee by 7am.
Col Crossingham
Chairman
Help!
The sponsorship committee is in need of your help. We are continually endeavouring to update
our Memorial Wall (on the Dick Christie green).
Would any member who knows the details of any deceased member (year of birth and year of
death), please forward the information to either Joe Gray or Phil O‟Donaghoe in order that
arrangements may be made for an appropriate plaque to be placed on the wall. Thank you from
the Sponsorship Committee.
Umpiring matters!
Our thanks to Phil McColl for supplying an umpires corner for the Unbiased issues over quite a
number of months. He has assured me that he has covered all the material on each of the issues.
However, I am sure that there are a number of our members who would like answers to questions
that have arisen over specific situations that have occurred. Even hypothetical situations will be
given some thought and an appropriate response given (if one exists!).
If you would like Phil to give you the correct answer to any such situation you have in mind,
please forward the information to me and I will have Phil answer it for you in our next edition,.
Bag sold.
The Greenmaster bowls bag, which was so kindly donated by Gary Harper, has been sold. The
bag was placed on sale after the person who won it in our raffle to raise funds for the RSL Subbranch, donated it back to the Club for re-use on the proviso that any money raised should also
be given to the Sub-branch.
We thank the winner, Paul Macklin, for his generosity.
The tired old saying “time flies when you‟re having fun”
seems quite appropriate these days. As I no sooner read the
Unbiased for February when I have to try and think of
something to write about for the March issue.
The AGM for the Sub Branch was held on Tuesday the 25 th with a
smaller than usual turnout. Under the revised constitution, the executive
and committee were returned unopposed with Tony Lowe AM as
President, Paul Macklin as Secretary and yours truly looking after the
books.
The main focus of the Sub Branch at the moment is the Traffic
Management Plan for ANZAC Day. This was supposed to be signed off
by Council and the Roads and Transport people by October 2014. As I
write this, we are still awaiting final approval. Because of this, our
march and position of where the service is to be conducted has had to be
altered! We have to deliver notifications to all businesses and
households affected by the road closures seven days prior to ANZAC
Day. The setting up of the barriers etc. has to be carried out by an
accredited company.
To assist with the above, the Men‟s Bowling Club held a raffle which
has raised over a $1000 dollars for the Sub Branch. They have also
generously paid for the re-pointing of the Memorial brickwork. We
cannot thank the committee and members enough for their assistance.
Until next month,
John Pugh
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
“Those who say that nothing is impossible should try
cancelling their Readers
Digest subscription!”
Mixed bowls has returned following the Christmas break and we have started on a positive note.
Sunday 15 February saw our year kick started with our annual champagne breakfast. Forty
players were in attendance and enjoyed a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon
and tomatoes. The food was plentiful and seconds and evens thirds were on offer all of which
were washed down with either champagne or orange juice or a mixture of both!
Despite having full tummies, the cards were called and bowling commenced. This lasted until
around 12.30 when the rain put a dampener on proceedings.
Rink prizes were then awarded and the day finished with the drawing of the raffle prizes.
The attendance of forty players was most encouraging and we fervently hope that this can remain
or even be improved throughout the remainder of the year.
Our next event is set for Sunday 15 March when we will be hosting a visit from the Parramatta
Travelling Bowlers group. They have informed us that they expect to be at least 43 in number!
We hope to at least match that number! Therefore, put your name down on the sheet for this
great day and don‟t miss out on all the fun. You are assured of a wonderful friendly day with an
opportunity of making new friendships.
See you on the green.
Rex Brearley
Change to loyalty cards.
Our major sponsor, Blaxland Day „n‟ Night Pharmacy, has made a change to their
loyalty cards.
Accordingly, our current “red card” is no longer recognized by the pharmacy‟s
systems. They have now released a new blue “Life Club – Healthy Rewards” card.
Some members already have the new “blue cards” and we now need to
identify card holders who are bowlers. We have a supply of red
stickers to place on the blue cards which will readily identify bowlers
to the pharmacy staff and, subsequently, attract a 15% discount on
members‟ purchases.
The discount does not apply to prescription purchases. It covers other purchases. It
will give a 5% cash discount and 10% reward points that will accumulate and
assist with future purchases.
If you already have a “blue card,” see either Joe Gray or Phil O‟Donaghoe who
will provide you with the red sticker.
Conversely, if you have not yet obtained a “blue card”, please either Joe or Phil to
complete an application form to obtain a registration (and card), for you with the
pharmacy.
Phil O’Donaghoe
GRIP OF THE JACK AND BOWL
Presented by Macka Jensen
SENSITIVITY: In the delivery we refer to sensitivity as the quality or degree of touch
and the secured feeling of the jack or bowl held in the delivery hand to gain the best
kinesthesia effect e.g. a sense of awareness of the position and movement of the
voluntary muscles of the shoulder, arm, hand and fingers.
Pressure of the grip: The predicament of the grip is that a comfortable loose grip e.g. not tense or tight,
gives you more sensitivity in the judgment of the delivery length but in the arm swing it gives you a feeling
that you are about to drop the jack or bowl, or a tighter grip gives you a safer feeling to holding the jack or
bowl but lessens the sensitivity for judgment of the delivery length. Now this predicament is not easy for
some bowlers to solve but to overcome the pressure and delivery length problem it is a simple case of
adjusting the grip position of the finger pads on the jack or bowl to the speed of the green. These variations
of the grip can be effectively done as follows;
GRIP OF THE JACK: Improved bowling performances emerge out of understanding the discreet functions
of internal and external senses of touch and how the preparation of the grip can best be employed before
the delivery action. It is important for all bowlers to know how to roll a jack well, because the delivery length
of the jack is part of the initial tactic to be employed at the start of each end. In the delivery of the jack this
involves positioning the crook of the arm at the elbow because if the arm is straightened, the arm muscles
are stretched to the fullest and the results is little or no sense of feeling, if there is a slight crook placed at
the elbow; the muscles of the shoulder, upper and lower arm are situated in a more relaxed state and the
senses of feeling are at their maximum. This also includes the proportion of finger pad contact; the surface
pressure placed on the jack, and the correct starting height of the hand. There are three basic grips for the
jack and these are depicted below for a fast, medium and slow green;
Fast (approximately 14 to 21 seconds): Place the jack in the cup of the non delivery hand and with an
overhand grip of the delivery hand take up the jack with the first finger pads touching on the front side and
the first thumb pad touching on the rear side of the jack, both in a comfortable light pressured position.
Slightly tilt the delivery arm shoulder downwards and extend the delivery arm forward to the correct height
for the required length e.g. a short, medium or long end, with a slight crook at the elbow with the palm of
the hand uppermost, focus on the aiming point and then step forward onto the mat. In this position the
shoulder, arm, hand and fingers muscles are relaxed, the pressure is less and the shoulder, arm, hand and
fingers will have the maximum sensitivity for the pendulum arm swing and the muscular sensitivity for the
required delivery length.
Medium (approximately 10 to 14 seconds): Place the jack in the cup of the non delivery hand and with
an overhand grip of the delivery hand take up the jack with the first and second finger pads touching on the
front side and the first thumb pad touching on the rear side of the jack, both in a comfortable light pressured
position. Note: the extra surface area of the finger pads on the jack urges you to increase the speed of the
delivery. Slightly tilt the delivery arm shoulder downwards and extend the delivery arm forward to the
correct height for the required delivery length e.g., a short, medium or long end, with a slight crook at the
elbow and the palm of the hand uppermost and then step forward onto the mat. In this position the
shoulder, arm, hand and finger muscles are relaxed, the finger surface has increased and the pressure is
slightly firmer which results in the arm having full sensitivity but the fingers will have a slightly lesser
sensitivity for the delivery length.
Slow (approximately 6 to 10 seconds): Place the jack in the cup of the non delivery hand and with an
overhand grip of the delivery hand take up the jack with the first, second and third finger pads on the front
side and the first thumb pad on the rear side of the jack, both in a comfortable light pressured position
Note: the extra surface area of the finger pads on the jack urges you to increase the speed of the delivery.
Slightly tilt the delivery arm shoulder downwards and extend the delivery arm forward to the correct height
for the required delivery length e.g. a short, medium or long end, with a slight crook at the elbow and the
palm of the hand uppermost, and then step forward onto the mat. In this position the shoulder and arm
muscles are relaxed, the finger surface has increased and pressure is slightly firmer which results in the
arm having full sensitivity but the fingers will have a slightly lesser sensitivity for the delivery length.
BOWL DESCRIPTION: Because of the different designs and manufacture of bowls the best description of
a bowl is; “The smaller the bowl the more control, the heavier the bowl the less it is affected by
atmospheric conditions e.g. Heat, cold, wind, rain, early morning due and surface dry out, cut of
the green, type of grass, speed of the green and synthetic surfaces. The bowl’s circumference and
width is designed to fit the bowler’s hand. The size and weight of bowls vary for the effects of the
atmospheric conditions and speed of the green. The different bias curvature of the running surface is
designed in a rounded or oval shaped to fit the width of the palm and length of the fingers. The bias of bowl
is constructed to give a tactical narrower or wider delivery path to the head or target.
Running surface: Many manuals instruct bowler to position the longest finger on the running surface of the
bowl but due to fair wear and tear of the muscles and joints of the wrist and hands, this is sometimes rather
awkward for many bowlers e.g. The wrist displaces to one side, fingers become slightly displaced at
different angles and the joints become seized. So what we suggest is, place the bowl in the delivery hand in
a comfortable position as close as possible to the instruction as given below for fast medium or slow speed
greens. Note: The proportion of the running surface of the bowl which touches the grass surface can
be approximately from 1 ½ inches to 2 ½ inches or 3.5 cm to 4.5 cm. The speed of the delivery
depends on the compaction of the grassed surface e.g. the harder the compaction of the grassed
surface the slower the bowl is delivered, the softer compaction of the surface the faster the bowl is
delivered.
THE GRIP OF THE BOWL: The whole idea of positioning the bowl in the hand is to obtain the best
kinesthesia effect and to release the bowl upright on its running surface. This section involves the draw
shots, on-shots e.g. 30cms, 1, 2, 3, and 4 metres, and the running shot. Note: The on-shots and runningshots are determined as an extension of the draw shot and the speed of the back-swing is increased
to suite the desired length. The same arm starting height applies to the speed of the green. The
delivery is still maintains with the positioning of the crook of the arm at the elbow, the same contact surface
of the fingers and pressure of the hand, thumb and fingers on the surface of the bowl.
Kinesthesia effect: It should be noted that when taking up the grip of the bowl the best kinesthesia effect
e.g. a sense of awareness of the position and movement of the voluntary muscles, is to spread the finger of
the delivery hand approximately 10 mm or ½ inch apart. Should the fingers be placed parallel together the
finger muscles are stretched and sense of touch is minimized or if the fingers are spread apart wider than
the 10cm the finger muscles will be on stretch and again minimizing the senses of touch. Note: The
position of the thumb is described in the following paragraphs on fast, medium and slow greens.
There are four basic grips for the bowl and these are depicted below as follows;
Fast (approximately 14 to 21 seconds); Take up the bowl in the non delivery hand and identify the biased
side by the small insignia to ensure that bias side is facing the correct side for either a forehand or
backhand delivery e.g. for a right handed player playing on the forehand; the bias side of the bowl faces to
right, or for the backhand delivery it faces to the left. Note: When the grip is taken up with the delivery
hand the bias side should be in its correct position facing towards the centre of the rink. For a left
handed player the directions as above are vice versa. Then in an overhand grip, place the first finger
pads of the hand evenly spaced at 10mm apart on the front centre of the bowl and the first pad of the
thumb on or near the larger rings on the side of the bowl, ensure that the bowl surface does not touch the
second and third finger pads or the palm of the hand. Fingers and thumb in a comfortable firmer position
with no undue strain on the hand. Turn the delivery hand over with the palm uppermost and bowl upright,
and if required, align the centre of the bowl’s running surface towards the fulcrum of the delivery arm
shoulder. Note: Do not align it with the wrist or the elbow. Slightly tilt the delivery arm shoulder
downwards, fix the eyes on the aiming point, step onto the mat and at the same time extend the delivery
arm forward to the correct delivery height e.g. short, medium or long end, with a slight crook at the elbow
and the palm of the hand uppermost. In this position the shoulder, arm and fingers muscles are relaxed,
pressure is less and the arm and fingers will have the maximum sensitivity for the pendulum arm swing and
delivery length.
Medium (approximately 10 to 14 seconds): Take up the bowl in the non delivery hand and identify the
biased side by the small insignia to ensure that bias side is facing the correct side for either a forehand or
backhand delivery e.g. for a right handed player playing on the forehand; the bias side of the bowl faces to
right, or for the backhand delivery it faces to the left. Note: For a left handed player the directions are
vice versa. Then in an overhand grip, place the first and second finger pads of the hand evenly spaced
10mm apart on the front center of the bowl and the first pad of the thumb on or near the larger rings on the
side of the bowl, ensure that the bowl surface does not touch the third finger pads or the palm of the hand.
Fingers and thumb in a comfortable firmer position with no undue strain on the hand. Turn the delivery
hand over with the palm uppermost and bowl upright, and if required, align the centre of the bowl’s running
surface towards the fulcrum of the delivery arm shoulder. Note: Do not align it with the wrist or the
elbow. Slightly tilt the delivery arm shoulder downwards, fix the eyes on the aiming point, step onto the mat
and at the same time extend the delivery arm forward to the correct delivery height e.g. short, medium or
long end, with a slight crook at the elbow and the palm of the hand uppermost. In this position the shoulder,
arm and fingers muscles are relaxed, pressure is less and the arm and fingers will have the maximum
sensitivity for the pendulum arm swing and delivery length.
Slow (approximately 6 to 10 seconds): Take up the bowl in the non delivery hand and identify the biased
side by the small insignia to ensure that bias side is facing the correct side for either a forehand or
backhand delivery e.g. for a right handed player playing on the forehand; the bias side of the bowl faces to
right, or for the backhand delivery it faces to the left. Note: For a left handed player the directions are
vice versa. Then in an overhand grip, place the first, second and third finger pads of the hand evenly
spaced 10mm apart on the front centre of the bowl and the first pad of the thumb on or near the larger rings
on the side of the bowl, ensure that the bowl surface does not touch the palm of the hand. Fingers and
thumb in a comfortable firmer position with no undue strain on the hand. Turn the delivery hand over with
the palm uppermost and bowl upright, and if required, align the centre of the bowl’s running surface
towards the fulcrum of the delivery arm shoulder. Note: Do not align it with the wrist or the elbow.
Slightly tilt the delivery arm shoulder downwards, fix the eyes on the aiming point, step onto the mat and at
the same time extend the delivery arm forward to the correct delivery height e.g. short, medium or long end,
with a slight crook at the elbow and the palm of the hand uppermost. In this position the shoulder, arm and
fingers muscles are relaxed, pressure is less and the arm and fingers will have the maximum sensitivity for
the pendulum arm swing and delivery length.
THE GRIP OF THE DRIVE SHOT: The style of grip for the drive shot mainly depends on the strength of
the hand and fingers and this section recommended both of the following grips.
1. Take up the bowl in the non delivery hand and identify the biased side by the small insignia to ensure that
bias side is facing the correct side for either a forehand or backhand delivery e.g. for a right handed player
playing on the forehand; the bias side of the bowl faces to right, or for the backhand delivery it faces to the
left. Note: For a left handed player the directions are vice versa. Then in an overhand grip, place the
first, second and third finger pads of the hand evenly spaced 10mm apart on the front centre of the bowl and
the first pad of the thumb on or near the rings on the side of the bowl, ensure that the bowl surface does not
touch the palm of the hand. Fingers and thumb in a comfortable firmer position with no undue strain on the
hand. Turn the delivery hand over with the palm uppermost and bowl upright, and if required, align the
centre of the bowl’s running surface towards the fulcrum of the delivery arm shoulder. Note: Do not align it
with the wrist or the elbow. Slightly tilt the delivery arm shoulder downwards, fix the eyes on the aiming
point or target, step onto the mat and at the same time with a slight crook at the elbow with the hand
uppermost extend the bowl forward to the correct delivery height of eye hand and aiming point alignment.
2. If a player is losing the bowl or has not the physical strength in the hand to hold the bowl, it is recommended
that the bowl be positioned father back in the hand giving more surface contact on the bowl. This usually
means that the thumb will need to be lower down on the bowl,
Note: For accuracy, at no stage with the hand or bowl block out the view of the aiming point or
target alignment because in the alignment of the follow-through the hand must come up to the
position of eye, hand and aiming point alignment.
If you are using the services of those listed below, don’t forget to mention that you are a
member of Glenbrook Panthers Bowling Club and that you saw this advertisement!
CONTRIBUTIONS
Deadline for April– Friday 27 March, 2015
Place in envelope and leave in bowls office or pin on notice board
or
Email me at fthiggins@bigpond.com
or
Call me on 4739 1239
Frank Higgins (Editor)