From the President’s Desk – Gala Week January 2020

by admin on January 16, 2020

Wow, what a week it has been in the first of our Gala Weeks for 2020!

It all started when the Board of Bowls Tasmania, in consultation with the Regions and all levels of Bowls in the State took the bold step of revamping our Championship Events with the aim of providing a refreshed format for all our bowlers. This year saw a departure from the Early New Year timeslot for our Gala week. This was to be replaced with two Gala week events for the year. One Mid January (just completed) and the other to take place in the beginning of March.

This year saw the introduction of the Mixed Pairs for the first time and what a success it was. Entries for this event were the highest for a pairs event for many years and feedback from the competitors was very positive. The Open Men’s and Women’s Triples as well the Juniors Pairs and Singles and the Bowlers with a Bowling Arm Pairs and Singles were conducted over the four days. A very full program with good numbers in all events.

On behalf of the Board I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bowls North, host Clubs North Launceston, Kings Meadows, Trevallyn, Cosgrove Park and Invermay for the use of their facilities throughout the week and to Bowls North for your coordination and assistance. We would also like to thanks all of the volunteers that give their time to ensure that the event runs smoothly. These include Umpires, Markers, Match Managers, Kitchen Staff and the all-important greens staff. A big thankyou must also go to our CEO Rebecca Van Asch and Admin assistant Nadene Graham for all the work they do behind the scenes and David Genford for his insightful previews and reviews. I am sorry if I have missed anyone. It takes a huge effort by many people to run one of these events and the Board are extremely grateful for the work you have contributed.

Over the four days we were certainly treated to some very high-quality bowling in all disciplines. I would like to congratulate all participants on the way you played the game and the sportsmanship that was displayed at all times.

I was particularly impressed with our Juniors during this event. Their ability is unquestionable but their application of the etiquette of our game was exemplary. Congratulations to firstly yourselves but also to your Clubs and Coaches for the way you have been mentored. Our game is in good hands for the future I am sure.

Also I would like to mention our Bowlers with a Bowling Arm members. Geoff Munro, winner of the singles and also the pairs along with Kevin Booth, related to those in attendance at the presentations that he would have been lost to bowls if he had not been introduced to the Bowling Arm concept. Their committee that work in close partnership with Bowls Tasmania have certainly done a great job for their sector.

As mentioned, this year saw the introduction of Open Mixed Pairs. What a success story for bowls. This saw 15 sections battle out the preliminaries on day one. This was a tremendous opening for the week. High quality games with a husband and wife team taking out the ultimate prize and going on to represent the State at the Nationals in October.

The Open sector saw Triples teams in both Men’s and Women’s from across all regions of the State compete and the competition was fierce. If you did not bring your absolute A game you would struggle. All sections were tight and all games were close.

For those that were privileged to witness the finals they were certainly games to be remembered. In both games shot changed with alternate bowls on many occasions and heads were extremely tight. The Women’s Final requiring an extra end to decide the winner after they were locked together after the required 21 ends. The Men’s final came down to the last bowl of the game to decide the winner.  Our Men’s and Women’s Triples Champions will also go on to compete at the National Championships in October and we wish them well.

If the first of our Gala weeks is anything to go by, we can certainly look forward to a feast of high quality bowls and great fellowship in the remaining events for this year. I encourage you all to get your entries in for the Seniors week in February and for the Open Championships in March. For details go to our website or ask at your club.

Once again thank you to all for a great four days. It was a credit to all.

Yours in Bowls
Graham Hay
President.