Welcome to all bowlers for the 2021/22 season

Although the traditional start for players and Clubs has again been disrupted by Covid, we are looking forward to a very positive and competitive programme of activities ahead. The 2021 Annual General Meeting in July changed the landscape of bowls in the Bay of Plenty forever, sanctioning a governance structure that now comprises a Board of Management with representation  from the three Divisions within our Centre. This format provides a direct communication link from the Board to our clubs and our most important constituents – the Club member.  Also in another landmark decision, the Annual Meeting approved the establishment of an Operations Committee. This group which comprises additional  Division representation,  Board member involvement and the Centre Manager, is responsible (to the Board) for overseeing  all Centre events and preparing the annual programme. In future Centre programmes will be finalized much earlier in the year to allow Clubs to in turn prepare their own programmes with confidence. Already, the new communication pathway has proved invaluable in reaching out to clubs regarding this season’s programme and event requirements. Our Centre is extremely fortunate to have some of the best coaches in New Zealand heading up our Premier and Junior representative programmes, ably supported by experienced selectors and team management. Our continued thanks go out to all involved in these essential areas. We are proving more competitive each year at national level witnessed by some excellent performances over recent seasons and also again this last year.  Most prominent was 2020-21 Bay of Plenty Bowler of the Year Dan Dickison, reaching the semifinals of the national pairs with Nick Tomsett and then the semi finals of the national champion of champion singles. Steve Beel and Nick Tomsett were also noticeable in making the quarter finals of the champion of champion pairs.  To cap off a remarkable season where he accumulated five centre titles along the way, Dan Dickison has been named in the North Island team soon to play the South Island, where performances will count for potential selection for the next Commonwealth Games. Graham Skellern, at the same time, has been named in the Para team with similar aspirations. Congratulations to both players. The Mount Maunganui men’s and Ngongotaha women’s teams qualified for their respective quarter finals in the national seven’s playoffs, before bowing out to strong Auckland clubs.  The Bay of Plenty Women’s representative combination produced a blue chip performance qualifying for the quarterfinals at the national inter centre championships, only to lose narrowly to eventual title winners Nelson. Team members were Raewyn Willis, Mina Paul, Marilyn Constantine, Mary Campbell, Wendy Green, Lynette McIntosh and Sue Hodges. Credit also goes to Gayle Melrose and her high performance group for guiding this team so well. Our thanks go to Craigs Investment Partners and Lion Foundation for their continued support for our representative teams. Junior bowls events and the further development of a youth bowls programme are a prominent focus of the new Board. Enhanced junior pairs and singles championship events will take place this season and the champion of champions singles titles are also re-introduced following a two-year hiatus. Thanks to Janice Paap and Regg Martin for continuing their very popular winter coaching programmes in preparation for the representative fixtures ahead.  There is significant change to the Centre’s prestigious Baywide Sevens competition this season. The event will be played over two weekends in November and early December under an extended format. We look forward to the full support from clubs in entering teams and enjoying the changes. Thank you to all the Clubs who hosted Centre events over the past season and also to the Umpires and Greenkeepers for your dedicated services. The newly formed Operations Committee looks forward to being closely involved with your critical organisations during the new season. On behalf of the Board members and the Operations Committee all the best to everyone for the season ahead and thank you for all the support conveyed regarding the new structure. We all look forward to being visible around the greens to discuss club and centre activities while enjoying the camaraderie our game always provides.

Bill Murphy