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Information
For New Members
What's going
on?
Most new or inexperienced bowlers joining Mote Park Indoor
Bowls Club without a guide or mentor must have wondered, from time to time, what
it's all about. Surely bowls is all about getting on the green and bowling up
one's woods. Well yes - but no!
Very soon it becomes obvious that 'getting on the green'
involves a little bit more. These notes seek to offer some help to any club
member wanting to become involved.
Firstly then, an explanation of which bowls events can be
found to be taking place, and when. Let's break it down into component parts:
Leagues
Most operate as a single division only, others have two
divisions with promotion and relegation. Each league (or division of a
league) is composed of 6 or more teams, each run by a self-appointed team
manager. Each team must have a minimum number of players (as defined in the
club bye-laws). Leagues are played from Monday through to Friday opening at
09.30am and at other times throughout the day. There is also a men's triples
league on a Saturday morning at 09.00am.
There are application forms available from the centre
administrator Helen Smith, together with a list showing where additional
league teams can be accommodated in the next season. These application forms
are available for both the winter and the summer seasons. Helen can also
provide you with the name and details of existing league team managers who
you can contact to see if there is availability to join one of their teams.
There are also lists posted on the notice board opposite the
Stewards desk where league team managers advertise for additional players to
join their teams: it is up to you to look at notice boards and proceed from
there.
You may join any number of teams but, of course, can play for
only one team in any league. If you want to form your own team, you may do so
at the end of the season, when the league programme is being scheduled for
the following year. The Centre Administrator will send out application forms
to all existing managers to confirm their entries, and make application forms
available for new teams to register where there are vacancies in the league
structure. Help and advice is available if you want to understand how to run
a team - just ask any committee member.
Club Drives
The Club runs a number of 'drives' during the season (mostly
on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime sessions). The purpose of the drives is to
encourage new and not so new bowlers to get together in an organised session.
The format is very relaxed and friendly and provides an ideal opportunity for
all bowlers to have a good afternoon with friends and to meet our new members
who may have not yet plucked up enough courage to put their names down for
matches or join leagues.
You will find forms placed on the notice board opposite the
Stewards desk for you to place your name on this list for the weekly
sessions. These drives are quite popular so get your names down early as
there are limited places available.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays please arrive for these drives by
11:30am for registration as the draw closes at 11:45, in order for teams to
be sorted for a timely start at 12:00pm.
Friendly Matches
These are generally played against other Clubs or Bowling
Associations (Home & Away). Lists are displayed in the foyer of the club
and are there for any member of the club to append his or her name to
indicate their availability for match selection. These matches are fairly
relaxed so do please give them a try. If selected, please tick your name off
on the sheet to let the Captain know you are available.
Generally, but not exclusively, these are weekend games on
Saturday and Sunday afternoons and are mostly mixed. These matches are of 3
hour duration and usually played in 'whites' or club shirts. Concessions are
made for new bowlers in their first year to play in greys in order to
encourage them to participate. Occasionally, matches are arranged as
'in-house' games, e.g. Ladies v Gentlemen.
Don't be worried about joining in here. This is the place to
learn what bowling is all about. Put your name down on the availability
sheets. Make sure you get to know the Captain of the day, and enjoy your
game. Other members on your rink will show you the ropes and explain anything
you are unsure about.
Kent League Matches
As the heading says these matches are played against other
Kent Indoor Bowls Clubs (Home & Away) and offer a more competitive edge
to the game. Ladies matches are on a Wednesday afternoon, with the men's
being on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Lists are displayed in the foyer of
the club in the same area as club matches and are there for any member of the
club to append his or her name to indicate their availability for match
selection. The dress code for these matches is White below the waist with
Club shirts as defined by the Kent League rules.
If you are unsure about putting your name down for these
matches, please speak with the club Captain, Vice-Captain or any of the Rink
Committee who will offer you advice.
Competitions
Here matters become more complex, as there is considerable
variety in the type and number of competitions that may be entered. Let's try
to unravel the complexity:
Club Competitions
These are open to all members, who can enter any (or all), as
appropriate, of singles, pairs, triples or rinks (i.e. fours) for ladies or
men. There are mixed pairs, triples and rinks for both Ladies and Men to
enter together, as well as an 'over 70's' singles, a '2-wood' mixed and also
men's pairs, which are normally run on a fixed day event. There is also a
'John Jarrett' competition, which is open to all members who have not
previously won a club competition.
Competition forms will be available at the end of July and are
included with the newsletter and subscription application forms that are made
available to all members for collection on the tables in the foyer.
These are open to all members. Please note that these matches
are played on a 'knock-out' basis, apart from the 2 wood pairs.
Competition Entry Forms are produced each year and are
available from July onwards detailing all Individual Club Competitions that
may be entered, which should be completed and returned (together with
appropriate Entry Fees) to the Competition Secretary, by the date stated on
the form for play in the same Season
County Competitions
These
competitions are at a slightly higher level than club competitions as you are
drawn against bowlers from all over the County. They are played in accordance
with Kent County Indoor Bowling Associations (KCIBA) & KCLIBA rules and
are open to all members to enter. The competitions consist of singles, pairs,
triples and fours for both men and ladies and a mixed pairs competition which
is entered through the men's KCIBA.
Application
forms will be made available in the club and assistance provided by the
Ladies' and Men's Secretaries (Wendy Borer & Mick Collins). They will
collect all application forms and fees and arrange submission to the relevant
association.
National Competitions (EIBA)
National competitions are another step up in the level of
commitment and competitiveness. You will be drawn against bowlers in your
section of the County and progress towards an Area final and if successful to
the final stages which are normally held at Melton Mowbray and Nottingham
Bowls clubs. Good quality bowling offering opportunities to play away at
other clubs, where the draw permits and against some of the best bowlers in
the country, with the eventual aim at appearing at national finals. Very
challenging, especially arranging times and venues!
EIBA National competition application forms will be made
available in the club and further information is available by talking to
Wendy Borer who is the Club's nominated EIBA Correspondence Officer.
County & National competitions are open to all members.
Competition Entry Forms are produced each year (usually in February)
detailing all Individual County and National Competitions that may be
entered, these should be completed and returned (together with appropriate
Entry Fees) to the Ladies' or Men's Secretary, by the date stated on the form
for play in the following Season.
County, Regional and National Inter-Club Competitions
These Club Representative competitions are team games and are
chosen by a group of selectors appointed by the Rink Committee to represent
the club. The matches, and their play by/on dates will be posted on the
notice boards in the foyer.
It is unlikely that new or inexperienced bowlers would be
selected for these highly competitive Inter-Club Competitions (e.g. Denny
Cup, Yetton Trophy etc.). Nevertheless, the dates
and venues for these matches are published on notice boards and on the club
website, and any support that you can give would be very welcome, and much
appreciated by the members selected to play.
Roll-Ups
These are a long-standing part of the bowls world. Although no
rink space is scheduled specifically for roll-ups, there are rinks available
each day which can be booked for this purpose. Casual bookings may be made by
members via the Steward on duty, these can be made up to one week in advance
keep an eye on the rink book at Reception or look under Rinks on the web site
then call reception to check on availability.
Regular booking can also be made if you wish to get together
with a group of friends to book one or two rinks each week throughout the
season. This can be done by speaking with the Centre Administrator Helen
Smith and requesting a Regular Booking Form and rink availability.
Tournaments
Tournaments, generally restricted to club members only, have
been run very successfully in the past, normally at Easter (Good Friday).
These are usually whole day affairs, played by up to 16 teams on a
mini-league basis, followed by semi-finals and finals between the winners of
the mini-leagues. Watch the notice board for details, these days are very
enjoyable.
As always if you have any questions on any subject of bowling
then please speak to the Club Captains or any of the Rink Committee.
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