Bowls Newsletter - 08/10/23
Message From the President
A thriving and resilient club is a place that is vibrant, welcoming and community minded. There is a culture of inclusiveness where everyone feels a sense of belonging, value and friendship. Following a wonderful winter social competition that saw robust rivalry player in great spirit let’s take that attitude and approach into season 23/24.
Annual Tranmere Challenge
Yesterday’s Annual Tranmere Challenge was played with the usual friendly rivalry. Tranmere won the day and gets to keep the shield for another year. The photo is of me reluctantly letting Dino keep the shield on behalf of Tranmere. Next year another opportunity.
Thank you to everyone who made the day a success. A particular thank you to those at KMBC who managed afternoon tea and the bar for the teams who played at home.
Pennant Matches Commence Next Saturday, October 14.
We have recruited 14 new and returning players. They come from a range of backgrounds. Some are very experienced while others are brand new to the game. With regards to our new pennant players be patient there is much to learn. Reading rules is reasonably straightforward but take time to support them to feel comfortable in your team, explain the etiquette and nuances of the game. They don’t know what they don’t know however are keen to and willing to learn. It is important though that we don’t extinguish their refreshing enthusiasm and love of the game.
Bowls is probably the most challenging sport I have played. To an observer it looks easy, just roll a few bowls along a green and done! There are days when nothing goes wrong and then in the next game nothing seems to work no matter what you do to try and correct. I encourage every player to show empathy to their team members when they are struggling. No one deliberately plays badly and most of us own our performance and are too hard on ourselves when having an off day. A few however, make it difficult when they look to deflect to others or make excuses for poor play. From my perspective blame culture is toxic and has no place at our club. Acceptance of self and remaining positive are key, there are many more bowls waiting to be played.
All the best for the upcoming Pennant and Night Owls seasons. Most of all enjoy your bowling and friendly camaraderie of the game.
Membership Subscription Fees
There are a few members who have not paid their fees for the upcoming season. A reminder that that Pennant players must pay their fees now to be eligible for selection.
• Pennant, returning member $205.
• Pennant, Junior or full-time student $95
• Associate $60
Please contact Phil McBride (0497 298 424) if you have any queries. Tania will be in Italy and unavailable for the next few weeks.
Afternoon Teas
Afternoon tea discussions have consumed more committee time than other topics. Thank you to Heather Howard for the report of findings on Afternoon Teas that was completed at the conclusion of last season.
The committee has considered feedback from members along with the report. They are as follows:
• Cost to members of $8
• Time required to cut, plate and cover sandwiches.
• Availability of volunteers and number required each Pennant Day.
• Flexibility required if there is a hot weather forecast.
• Foreshadowed implications of food handling needing to be in place by December 8.
• MBA meeting Club decision remains to continue with individually wrapped food.
The resolution to reduce costs, minimise number of volunteers on any given day, minimise waste and overcome safe food handling issues we have decided to serve cheese or hummus and biscuit packs and prepackaged cakes or muffins. There may be variations due to product availability. We have been able to reduce the cost from $8 to $5.
Please support Anne O’Dea, who is drawing up a roster, by volunteering to assist at Afternoon teas on Wednesday and Saturday. She is contacting those of you who indicated willingness to assist in the Intention Survey. If she gets a lot of interest, you may have to do it only once or twice throughout the season.
The job involves the following:
• Arrive about 2pm (break usually happens at 2:30pm)
• Check to see that the urn is on and heating up.
• Put out the 8 cheese and cracker packs and 8 muffins (4 of each flavour) on each table (inside duty teams will set tables and put out rink numbers).
• Get the milk from the fridge.
• Put the dirty cups and plates into the dishwasher and put away when washed and dried.
• Wipe down the tables.
Anne’s contact details are email: afodea@yahoo.com.au or phone: 0407797401.
Matches this Week
- Saturday October 14 is the first Pennant round.
- Please note that Division 3 North on Saturday is now playing at home NOT at Henley as stated in the draw.
- Wednesday and Thursday will be the final internal trials.
Unavailable for Pennant Matches
Player availability is important for selection each week. The club understands that there will be times when you are unavailable. If you are aware that you will be unavailable, please let the selectors know by writing your name in the unavailable book under the appropriate dates. On the occasion of late and unexpected withdrawal please contact Cecily Griffiths 0427 196 356.
Christmas Raffle
Thank you to the generosity of everyone who has donated prizes for the Christmas Raffle. Neville Yeates has contacted several local businesses who have supported us with prizes and their contribution is also appreciated. The number of prizes is amazing. Neville has been distributing books which gives plenty of time for sales. Prizes have been detailed in previous newsletters and there is a list on the club’s noticeboard.
Upcoming Club Dates
- Night Owls to commence Tuesday October 10th and Thursday October 12th
- Ladies Gala Day: November 27th
- Club Christmas Dinner: 15th December
- A Day In The Gardens on March 3rd 2024
Please talk about our Ladies Barbie Bowls Day tournament this November with other clubs so they can put together a team and come to see what a great tournament KMBC holds.
Christmas Raffle Books
I would like to thank ALL members who have taken up support for the selling of tickets for this year’s Christmas Raffle. There are only a few weeks remaining of selling time and I would finalize the return of ALL books and monies by December 5th, 2023.
Thanks - Nev Y.
Club Hires
- Thursday October 19, Oreon Partners, 4.30 – 6.30pm
- Wednesday October 25, South Punyelroo Progress Association, 7 – 9pm
Sponsorship Update
As I cannot be at every club event can the persons responsible for kitchen set up please make sure the screen is on at all events.
This would be greatly appreciated as we give our sponsors continous exposure for their contributions..
Thanks - Nev Y
Night Owls 2023/24
Night Owls begins for the 2023-24 Summer season this week on Tuesday, December 10 and Thursday, December 12. The long-range weather forecasts look good, particularly Tuesday with a 26 degrees daily max. sunny with almost no chance of rain. It still cools down around sunset, however, so bring some warm clothing to wear while bowling.
The Tuesday night owls registration sheet is hanging in the clubhouse between the kitchen serveries, waiting to be filled. It is a yellow sheet - you can't miss it. You can enter as a pairs team, or you can enter as a single. Remember to tick the meal column if you would like a chicken and salad meal for $8. Alternatively, please email/text/ phone me and I will add your name to the list.
If you are dining at the club, please arrive around 6.15, otherwise, 6.40 would be fine. The game starts at 7 pm and finishes at 9. Following the game there is the usual raffle, winners cash prizes, and scorecard prizes. There are many great raffle prizes this year!
Please bring your cash, as I haven't learned how to competently use the portable electronic payment system yet. Entry for non-members is now $10, and for members, penant or associate, it is $8.
Robyn and I look forward to catching up with our Tuesday night owlers, and any newcomers. Remember, bring new bowlers and you and they play for free.
Cheers, Allan
- Allan Wilkins - Tuesday Night Owls
- Anne O’Dea - Thursday Night Owls
Happy Hour
Don't forget that happy hour takes place at the club each and every Friday night and it's a great way to socialise with other members of the KMBC family.
Sponsors
Please remember that when you visit one of our club sponsors to let them know you are from the KMBC so they know their sponsorship is worthwhile. Sponsors play a vital role in the future of our club so please be sure to support them whenever you can. Anyone who has an idea about a potential sponsor please approach anyone on the Committee to share your ideas.