Helpful Hints & Advisory Tool for 2014 Season
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LOWER NORTH COAST DISTRICT BOWLING ASSOCIATION – MATCH COMMITTEE
2014 SEASON
- ADVISORY TOOL & HELPFUL HINTS -
To All District Mens Clubs :-
We have put together this guideline information for you owing to the amount of changes and amendments that are occurring in this era of lawn bowling. It is meant as an advisory tool and includes helpful hints to assist all of us to adjust.
These changes and amendments have been compiled by our RNSWBA Officials to govern the conduct of Association events in our State. A recent meeting of our District Officers supported these and we feel it is our duty and responsibility to assist all Clubs to implement them as easily and as soon as possible to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
We are very aware that most people don't like change and that “things have been done like this for years” so it will take a little time to alter that persuasion in our minds. Our reactions will vary from it “all being a whole lot of b....t" to “why change it” or “they don't know what they're doing” etc. etc.. The fact remains that these are the rules and all games are played by them, so we ask you to be tolerant, show good sportsmanship and common sense and in the spirit of fair play take them all on board and enjoy our great sport under the new rules.
It is STRONGLY recommended that all Clubs have a full copy of the RNSWBA COP for 2013/14 and have their Bowls co-coordinators, Secretaries, Selectors etc. conversant with the contents.
We thought it advisable to categorise the changes for ease of understanding and apply them to the various sections of the game to avoid confusion. These sections are State Pennants, State Association Events and Other Events.
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STATE PENNANTS
State Pennants is the highest State priority event and played and enjoyed by a lot of bowlers.
There has been (and no doubt will be in the future) ways and means whereby some players and Clubs have found loopholes in the rules to gain an advantage. This has been recognised by the State authorities for some time and recently they have been trying to find ways to keep all on an equal footing, hence the newest changes and amendments. Though there may be more to do, the latest changes try to reflect a players credentials and his ultimate position and that of his Club's side standing. They also reflect rules to assist those not so talented with the ultimate aim being a balanced competition between players of equal abilities. To this end the following helpful hints are highlighted:-
Pennant Start Times: These are the start times of the match. Trial ends (or roll ups) must start NOT less than twenty (20) minutes before that, i.e. Saturdays at 12.40pm for 1pm start. If Sunday game, then it is 8.40am for 9am start. The Trial Ends are not PRACTICE time.
Practice: It is NOT the right of any player to have practice. Permission MUST be gained from the home Controlling Body beforehand and if PERMITTED, players shall NOT practice on the rink allocated to their particular team in the side. If a player does so, his Side SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED from playing that day.
HELPFUL HINT......
Side Managers should try to get to the venue at least ONE HOUR before the scheduled start time (that is 12 noon Saturdays or 8am Sundays) when the Controlling Body should announce the member/s of the Body, the Umpire/s for the day and the rinks allocated for play for each Pennant Grade and if practice is permitted and where. Upon this information coming forth, Side Managers should then make the draw, allocate the rinks, do the toss, fill in the score cards and advise the Controlling Body all is done and ready. The time left BEFORE the Trial ends is PRACTICE time and both sides must be given equal opportunity to do so, but not on their allocated rink. If time is limited, Controlling Bodies should not permit practice for players.
(In any case, Side Managers MUST be at the venue not less than forty(40) minutes before the start time of a match and inform the Controlling Body of their decisions NOT less than twenty-five (25) minutes before the start time.) - Why not get there a little earlier with your side -- after all, it's only another 20 to 30 minutes??
Disputes, Appeals Etc: The Side Manager is the Side's representative in all matters re the playing of a match and represents his/her Club. He/she must be informed of any matter that may affect any player or the match and any action that may occur and conversely it works in reverse if his/her Club has a matter for consideration.
HELPFUL HINT......
If there is any dispute or appeal during the playing of a match that is not the responsibility of the nominated Umpire/s, players should see their team Skipper first, who in turn sees their Side Manager, who then sees the Controlling Body re the subject appeal or dispute. This also works in reverse for matters deemed necessary by the Controlling Body. Umpires are under the control of the Controlling Body. If the matter cannot be resolved, it shall be passed on to the District Match Committee for action. Please follow the designated protocols at all times as disputes, appeals, inquiries etc. will not be considered unless it is followed.
Players' Grading and Eligibility: This area has seen the most number of changes and the SMC has specific rulings re them. It is trying to grade all players according to their abilities and eligibility, prevent unfair competition and generate better and enjoyable bowling.
HELPFUL HINT......
All Club officials responsible for the Pennant Sides should make themselves conversant with the provisions of RNSWBA COP 4.15 & 4.16 and instigate the proper grading and eligibility criteria necessary for all their players, especially those who have changed their declared Club.
Read COP 4.16.2.1 re the thresholds for grading. Please note that all Zone Pennant winning players from the previous season ARE INELIGIBLE to play in a lower grade the next season and STATE Pennant winning players (Grades 2 - 7) are INELIGIBLE to play in the grade won or lower for the next season. Grade 1 State Pennant winning players are INELIGIBLE to play in a lower grade. The DMC will police these rules in the name of fair play.
Controlling Body : The responsibilities of the Controlling Body have at times been overlooked by many Clubs. The Controlling Body is comprised of one or more venue Club members, preferably non playing, who should be in attendance prior, during and after the match. They have very important roles and should be conversant with the rules and know how to implement them.
HELPFUL HINT......
Clubs should plan in advance who their Controlling Body will be as these people are in charge for the event/s of the day and are the Clubs' representative/s. The person/s appointed should be competent to handle the role, know the rules and their responsibilities as per RNSWBA COP 2.11, 2.12. 2.15, 2.17, 2.19, 2.25, 2.26, 4.7.2 and the guideline section 14, 14.1,14.2 and 14.3. Each Club should have a copy of the full RNSWBA COP for 2013/14 for reference.
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STATE ASSOCIATION EVENTS
A lot of the points mentioned above in the State Pennant Section apply to this sector also but some roles, especially those of the Controlling Body, have altered responsibilities.
It is therefore beneficial to check out the list of Association Events and Order of Precedence in RNSWBA COP 2.1 and 5.3 to 5.8.
HELPFUL HINT....
All the State events are listed in order, showing most details of entry and qualifications needed and some show the format to be followed and who is in charge. These include Champion of Club Champions, State Singles to Fours, Juniors, Seniors, President's Reserves, Inter Zone, Rookies and Club Challenge. The District Program calendar titled Approved Association Events details the District dates of play for the above as well as Zone fixtures.
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OTHER EVENTS
Under this category are the tournaments and individual Club days etc. that are found as Approved Non-priority Events in the District Program calendar, approved at the annual December District meeting. It also includes the charity fund raising days, travelling bowler visits, promotional and social days etc. and individual Club officials have full responsibility for their running and their conditions of play.
HELPFUL HINT....
Any tournament NOT approved by the District and NOT appearing on the District Program and to which players are invited to compete MUST be referred to the District Match Committee for discussion and any action before going ahead. If an APPROVED event has a change of date, the Club MUST also refer it to the DMC. These instructions are included to prevent the clashing of events with other Clubs and is normal courtesy.
NOTES
a. The RNSWBA has finalised the new Constitution Regulations and Policies. The new inclusions will mean a change in the Zone and District Constitutions and then possibly the individual Club's Constitutions. Our District has people appointed to keep each Club up to date with these changes etc. and will be implementing an Information Session when necessary for Club Delegates to attend. In the meantime, we will be operating under the system we currently have as best as possible, using common sense and fairness as our criteria.
b. Upon reading the 2013/14 RNSWBA COP, it will become apparent that there are certain penalties outlined, some automatic like disqualification and some pecuniary that may affect individuals and/or teams and/or Clubs. These issues should be looked at in the hope of preventing any of them affecting our District, so it is vital that Club Officials are aware of the things that lead to these penalties.
c. The DMC welcomes any input from any individual or Club that may help us become more efficient and enjoy our bowling time, so please forward any suggestion/s to us via the proper channels for consideration. Our contact details can be found at the bottom of our 2013/14 District COP, so e-mail or ring us.
Ken Errington (Chairman)
District Match Committee - (03/01/2014)
Legend:
RNSWBA - Royal New South Wales Bowling Association / Bowls NSW.
SMC - State Match Committee.
COP - Conditions of Play.
DMC - District Match Committee.