NEW MEMBERS INFORMATION
Welcome to our friendly Morrison Avenue Bowling Club. I hope you are going to thoroughly enjoy being a member. We have excellent all year round facilities for playing the game and also for enjoying the social side of bowls. Please make yourself ‘at home’. This information pack should help you get up to speed quickly with most of the things you need to know – either as a new member, transferring from another club or as a new bowler.
As President I am there to guide you, answer your questions and generally ‘look out for you’ in your first season in the club along with our Club Captain.
Please feel free to call me Phone 352 7690 or 021 02716795
Also available are our
Secretary: Margaret Shields Phone 352 5666 or 021 2340064
Club Captain: Lyn Wilmott Phone 354 0956 0r 027 502 5091
I look forward to your company at Morrison Avenue Bowling Club.
Sincerely
Ray Blyth
President 2022-2023
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Club Premises Security
Our secretary –Margaret Shields 352 5666 – will explain how our security system works. Please ensure that you follow good safety procedures with the club’s property. When you join our Club you will be given a key which enables you to enter both through the main Gate and the Main door to the clubhouse.
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Membership – Junior Status (1 – 5 Years’ experience)
When you start playing lawn bowls and join our bowling club for the first time as a full member you are classified as an “Under 5’s Bowler” You will be an “Under 5’s Bowler” for your first five years and get to play in your own Under 5’s events in our club, at other clubs, and also in the Canterbury Centre Under 5’s championships. There are well over 20 bowling clubs in our Centre.
Please note that “Under 5’s bowlers” can also play in the Open events if they wish – and once you’ve learnt the basics of the game it is excellent experience for you to do this. For example, there is absolutely nothing to stop you playing in the Bowls New Zealand National championships (held at various venues in the late December – mid January period) in your very first season, if you should wish to do so.
Of course, you may not want to be what we loosely call a ‘competitive bowler’ at all and may decide to only play ‘social’ bowls and enjoy regular ‘roll – ups’ and that’s fine too. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to decide about just how competitive you want to be. Get in and give things a good go in your first year and see how you go! Many bowlers actually play a mix of social ‘roll-up’ bowls and some competitive games as well.
In Summary:
- Play in as many Under 5’s events as possible
- Playing in Under 5’s events allows you to play with and against your peers
- Try your hand in Open events to gain experience
- In your first 2 years, Under 5’s players have the opportunity to play as Colts in a dedicated club championship singles
- Under 5’s events are open to both men and women
- Mix your competitive bowls with social `roll-ups`
- Take time in purchasing new bowls
- Take advantage of the coaching that is available to new members
- Most of all – ENJOY your bowls
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Bowls
By far the most important purchase you will make will be your choice of bowls. At first glance it appears to be a fairly simple choice, but when you have played a few times you will understand that there is much to be considered.
Firstly there is the make of bowl. Each manufacturer produces a range of models unique to them. Each model within the range has slightly different characteristics and an individual bowl line. Lawn bowls are biased causing them to travel in a parabola (curve). Some take a narrower parabola and some are wider. Some follow a more even parabola and some have more of a distinct hook at the end of their travel.
As well as bias there is size and weight to be considered. Bowls range in size from size 00 (smallest) to size 5, and there will be a size that is correct for your hand. It is very important that a bowl feels comfortable in your hand when using your preferred grip. Bowls can be either medium or heavy in weight with some makes and models offering extra heavy. They can be regular or slim in their profile and this has also an effect on the size bowl you can manage. Some bowls have dimples on the side to assist your grip and others are smooth. It’s a personal choice, choosing what feels best. Every set has its own individual colour markings and a motif. With some manufacturers you can pay a little extra and order your own personal motif. Obviously you will then have to wait for them to be made in Australia and shipped. Most people are happy to ‘buy off the shelf’.
Our club has a number of sets of club bowls (located in the store-room).
As a new member we encourage you to experiment with and practice with our club bowls (for free for the first season) before you decide to buy your own set of bowls.
Brand new bowls cost anywhere from around $600 to about $800 (average probably around $700) – with coloured bowls usually being more expensive than black bowls Checkout manufacturer’s websites or see products available at the Bowls Canterbury Shop 28a Makora Street Fendalton (www.bowlscanterbury.co.nz )
Talk to one of our club coaches, quiz other members on their choice – read up about the manufacturers and generally take your time before buying. Some manufacturer’s / agents have sets of trial bowls available – and it’s well worthwhile to trial if you can before you commit. Remember, even experienced, successful bowlers are very unlikely to have personally used certain makes and models and bowlers have a natural tendency to recommend what they use! Some bowlers inherit a set of old family ‘heirloom’ bowls – beware – it is unlikely they will fit your hand properly and the bowls being made today are definitely superior in handling and running characteristics.
Like all sports gear, bowls move on and improve! When you find a set that suits you – cherish them. A well looked after set of bowls should last you 15 or 20 years. Dry them thoroughly after use and apply a sparing amount of bowls polish regularly to help protect them from scratching and marking. A few marks on your bowls won’t affect their performance but over time as the bowls wear and get progressively scratched it does affect their bias and run on the green.
Bowls bags
Look around at what other members are using. Bowling bags need to hold a complete set of four bowls, compartments for other gear, and are priced from $60 to $140.
Many women bowlers (and a growing number of men) are now using the ‘glide’ type of bag, with wheels that you can easily pull along, rather than lifting. Bags are typically made in tough vinyl or fabric. The fabric tends to last longer. Check the quality of the zips – that is very important. To start, you may opt to use an older, second hand bag and that’s OK – as long as it protects your bowls properly. Do not overfill your bag with unnecessary items as you will soon find it can get rather heavy – a particular problem if you have to park some-way away from the club you are visiting!
Measures
You won’t need a measure as soon as you start (you can ask to borrow someone else’s) but it’s definitely something you will want to own eventually. Henselite and Taylors both make measures. They are surprisingly expensive, around $60 plus, so you’ll want to look after your measure and keep it in a safe place in your bag. Perhaps you can suggest to your family or friends that it will make a good Christmas or birthday present – becoming a bowler opens up a whole new range of possibilities for presents!
Bowling Shoes
It is important to have comfortable, good fitting bowling shoes, when you are spending all day on the green, especially in the hot summer months. There is a great range of makes and styles available and a wide range of prices. The soles of your bowling shoes must be flat so as not to damage the greens. A tip to make your bowling shoes last longer is to change into them just before you play and keep them only for bowls. If you walk around the shops and on concrete surfaces with your bowling shoes on they will wear out much faster!
Apparel
Club uniform for both men and Ladies is maroon trousers or shorts with club shirts. These can be purchased at the Clib.
During midweek play Men can wear grey trousers or shorts with a club top.
Ladies can wear black/maroon trousers or shorts with a club top.Having the right clothing is important so that you look your best and feel ‘good’ and we suggest that this is something you discuss with other members or the Club Captain.
If you are playing in a Morrison Avenue team the rules say that you must all be wearing the same uniform.
Coaching
Like any game, bowls is more enjoyable and you will progress faster with a little bit of qualified guidance. Although bowlers all naturally develop their own individual ‘trademark’ style, it is important when you are starting out to get the basics right – your grip, stance, swing, rhythm, transfer of body weight and your follow through. All Club members can approach one of our club coaches at any time for some one on one coaching.
Our coaches are listed in the Club handbook and here on this website
Don’t be shy – they are all ready to help you!
Roll-ups and social bowls
In many ways social bowls are the ‘life and soul’ of the club. By participating, you will able to practice and improve your bowls, and you’ll quickly meet a lot of other members and start to enjoy all the benefits of membership. It is also a very good way of being ‘spotted’ by some of the more experienced players and getting an invitation to join them in their teams for competitions.
During the outdoor season (September to April) we have a roll-up (Club Day) every Tuesday and Saturday afternoons. You need to ‘put your name in the draw’ before 12.45pm and play is from 1.00pm to around 3.30pm. You put your name in the draw by removing your name disc from the names board and transferring it to the Game Board usually placed on the wall outside the Office by the Match Committee or the person arranging the day’s teams for the games. Usually someone from the Match Committee will place you in a nice friendly team (usually, but not always, playing 3 bowl triples).
As a new player you’ll find everyone will go out of their way to help you enjoy yourself. Don’t worry that you haven’t played much – nobody will worry a scrap. Roll-ups are played in good humour, with lots of talking and laughing and often a bit of friendly banter. Sometimes there may be a drink or two hanging on the result, but nothing too serious. Just be careful not to bowl too many ‘wrong biases’ – as we have a donation box in the club house, you are expected to contribute a 50c coin for every ‘wrong bias’ bowled! Roll-up players pay $1.00 per person for afternoon tea to help us pay for the biscuits and to recover costs.
In addition, as a member, you can come down and make up your own games at any time – just as long as it doesn’t clash with any competitive bowls being played in our club calendar (see club Handbook).
Indoor Bowls
In the winter indoor season, which starts after summer closing day in April, (mufti is worn). You need to have your name in by 12.45 for a 1.00pm start. We normally play until about 3.45 -4.00pm. Players pay $3.00 per person at the afternoon tea break which helps us pay for the tea, biscuits and recover costs. Indoor Bowls are played by Ladies on Monday and Wednesday (this is an organized team competition). Tuesday afternoons are for Men, Fridays and Saturdays are mixed.
Practice procedures
Practice as much as you can as it helps you get a flying start with your ‘bowling career’ – and it’s also a very good habit to get into no matter how long you’ve played. Your coach will suggest suitable practice routines – these notes cover the practical stuff you need to know to stay in the good books of the green keeping team!
In the winter, all bowling is Indoors. In the summer you can practice on either green, providing they are open for play. Check the MABC Website (www.bowlsrus.co.nz/news-flash/ ) to see if the greens are open.
If a green is not open there will be a bold ‘GREEN CLOSED’ sign near the edge of it. Next point – please look for the arrows indicating the direction of play on each Green, and you will see for either green whether you will be playing North – South or East – West. We rotate the direction of play (and also move the rink pegs around) to help wear the green evenly. Please practice on the pegs, not the rink numbers – this means you place the mat and line up your jacks on the pegs, not the numbers as you would do in an organised roll-up or competitive game.
To get out the mat and jacks for practice you will need to get the Jacks from inside the Club House, the mats are stored outside. Ask an established member to show you how the system works – and please don’t forget to put all the gear away and if you are last on the green, lock up when you’ve finished including the Club House and the Gate.
Entering Events
Please see your club captains early in the season and they will help you enter these events.
Club championships are defined as the separate men’s and women’s events (singles, pairs, triples and fours) that go on to the champion of champion Bowls Canterbury Centre play-offs. Other Club trophy events such as Handicap Singles, Mixed Pairs, Husband and Wife Pairs are also there for you to enter.
Please read the club Handbook thoroughly you will see the programme of events and the conditions of play. Entries usually close one week before the event or on a specified date. It costs $2.00 per player to enter any club championship or club trophy event and you pay this with your entry to the competition. You enter events by writing your name – or the names of your team – on the entry forms provided.
As an Under 5’s player you will want to play in all the Under 5’s events, men’s and women’s singles and pairs. There is also a first & second year singles championship for women and Colts for men. If you are not in a Team and would like to play, indicate this on the availability form you receive so that the Match Committee can attempt to match you up into a team.
Read up our club Handbook and you will see that, depending on the number of entries, club championship events will either be played under a two-life system or a round robin system. Club trophy events this year will be played under qualifying systems that will be decided by the Match Committee on an event by event basis. You’ll quickly get the hang of how the various systems work – and any member can help explain things.
Caution about entering events. Don’t over commit yourself or enter without checking the follow up date or dates for playing in the events – meaning that if you survive the opening day games you also have to be available for subsequent play. Of course, if you happen to be ill, or there is some unexpected or compelling reason why you become unavailable, you will need to arrange a substitute or replacement for team events but obviously not for singles.
Under 5’s can enter Open events as well and you enter the same way as described above. We also have handicap singles competition. You enter and the club selectors give you what they deem to be an appropriate handicap, with the idea of giving the whole field a roughly equal chance.
Your Match Committees are:
Ladies: Yvonne Millar, Lanette Townsend, Trish Hubble Jeanette Brant
Men: Derrol Fitzgibbon, Tom Hogg, Bruce McKendry
Note: Champion of Champion Canterbury Events
Club championship winners at Morrison Avenue automatically qualify to represent the club in the Centre champion of champion play-off events. If you qualify for a champion of champion event, our club will take care of the entry form and entry fee.
Please note that for Men, each Championship event has cut off dates for completion of all rounds, this is to ensure that the Final is played in time for the Club to enter the winner with the Canterbury Centre.
If you fail to play your game by the cut off date you WILL be disqualified.
Interclub competitions
Our club selects and enters teams in various grades of the Bowls Canterbury Interclub. There are separate competitions for men and women. Interclub is open to all players including ‘Under 5’s players’ and is played on specified weekend dates. There is also a separate Under 5’s Interclub competition played as a twilight mid-week event and this is a mixed competition – any combination – meaning our selectors pick the best possible team or teams irrespective of gender.
You will receive an availability sheet on which you can indicate that you wish to play in any particular event (if selected) If you get the chance to play interclub – grab it – its good fun and camaraderie and great experience playing as part of a team at other bowling clubs in the Centre.
Your Selectors are:
Ladies:, Lyn Wilmott,Anne Caldwell, Pauline Looker
Mens Mid-week Selectors: Ron Smith, Ian Smith, Brian Leith
Mens: Barry Doherty, Ken Johnson, Trevor Wilson
Mid week tournaments
If you’re a student or working a full time day job you won’t be much interested in these tournaments, but for ‘retired’ bowlers (and a few self-employed bowlers) there is a very active mid-week tournament schedule in Bowls Canterbury. See the Centre Handbook for a complete list. Our Club runs a monthly ‘Open Triples’ on the 4th Friday plus there are a Women’s Triples run in February. They are always very popular. Bowlers tend to support their own club tournaments and then they often also play regularly at nearby clubs in their tournaments. It usually costs around $10.00 to play. The usual format is to play three games with a random draw. Each game will be approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. The games normally start at 12.30 and with afternoon tea included with finish at around 4.30pm. You enter our club tournaments by giving your name to the particular Tournament Organizer or the Club Tournament Manager. To enter tournaments at another club you ring the contact name listed in the Centre Handbook. Under 5’s bowlers are frequently asked to play in teams being entered by experienced bowlers – but there is also nothing to stop you entering your own Under 5’s team.
Again, good fun and a really good experience when learning to play on greens surfaces, other than Morrison Avenue.
Club social events
On a Saturday in December we have a Pot Luck Dinner (everyone brings a plate – mains or dessert) after the President’s Mixed Fours tournament.
There may be some organised Trivial Pursuit, Housie or Card days or evenings during the winter months. Watch the notice board and check the club newsletters for dates and details of all our social events.
Club Newsletter
Each month you will receive your own pdf file copy of our informative monthly club newsletter.
On the club website www.bowlsrus.co.nz and Facebook
You’ll find there’s lots of good information about the club. These sites are a place where you get information about the club, club program and other events and results.
If you wish for more info send an email to president@bowlsrus.co.nz
