President’s Report 2007-08 

This has not been an easy year for Bowls Taradale. We lost a great supporter/promoter of Bowls, David Thorne, General Manager of Taradale Club.  We also remember George Stokoe, and John Lawrence. We tried to raise funding to replace “B” Green, but that was out of our financial reach. With the additional costing required, and the possibility that we could expose those members prepared to help with debentures, to a possible financial risk, it was in hindsight, a very good thing that we, as your committee, realised that if we could synchronise the replacements of both greens on an equal timespan (i.e. six years between relaying of each green), this would be better/easier for fundraising and therefore a better option for any incoming committee group. 

We were unlucky to begin our new year with our Secretary Irene Millar having to resign from the position because of ill health. It is great to know that treatment has worked well and we look forward to seeing her along with other members who have not been so well back on the greens soon. Thankyou Sheryl Glock for stepping in to help the committee run smoothly. 

We have had many very exciting moments –

·          We were awarded the ultimate accolade for a N.Z. Bowls Club – “Club of the Year”. These awards only come after a great deal of hard work from a very few “hard core” workers. These people do not need to be named (as members you should be able to name them all) – they are the people whom you see around our environs helping new bowlers, teaching students, umpiring, preparing the greens, implementing and organising the new initiatives (e.g. MIB – see below) to keep our Club alive. There are others like the Club Captain, the Match committee, the Selectors, the people who do the Club day draws and tournaments, the people who help the groundsman, the gardening team, the ladies on hand for morning teas etc. – the people who work in the background (take our Webmaster for instance) – the sponsorship team, those who fundraise and/or organise all of the raffles - these people help the many bowlers who just play bowls and  who take this all for granted. If you can not identify them maybe you could come and help promote the club to which YOU belong.

·          We were a finalist in the “Sport Hawkes Bay Club of the Year – Club Operation” category in March. We were up against much larger clubs than ours and, more to the point, clubs who employ people to organise, gain sponsorship and recruit new members etc. I am extremely proud of our volunteers who give so much of their time in many ways.

·          We were very fortunate to get a generous donation from the Infinity Foundation to purchase 8 sets of coloured bowls to use for student and general coaching. The construction and donation of shelving for the coaching shed from Tamatea High School was very much appreciated. This would not have happened had we not had such a skilled group of members prepared to give their time (and often more than just once in a week!) to helping the physical education programmes and membership initiatives such as Mates in Bowls. These Instructors are genuinely trying to ensure that our sport will grow and our club prosper. As they are often the first to assist a “new chum” they are the lynchpin and the first important contact for these prospective members. I am truly grateful to them all – they have made my job easier, particularly with John Hanlen being unavailable through ill health.

·          We have promoted a Bowls New Zealand Social Summer League programme. As a sport we are literally a “dying breed”. Some members unfortunately, appear to disapprove of us allowing students/youths to participate fully in our chosen sport. Maybe their clothing is different to our expectations – maybe they speak in a language foreign to our ears – maybe their dress sense offends, BUT if they are here because they want to learn and play the sport we love so much, should we not support them, help them and consider them in our planning? They are our sport’s future. Our most recent prospective member is aged 10 and would give many of us a “run for our money”!

·          Congratulations to all of our members who have won our Club and District championships – to all of our members who have represented and brought honour to our club in Bowls Hawke’s Bay fixtures – and to all members who participated in our tournaments and championships but who may not have won. Without you we would have no competitions at all.

·          I wish to thank sincerely all members of the committee for their hard work and loyal support. I encourage all members to consider putting a few years of service into the club they belong to. “THINGS DO NOT JUST HAPPEN”. I have made the decision to stand down from the committee this year. I joined bowls (a new sport for me) in September 1999 and at the 2000 AGM took on the position of secretary because no one else would. I have spent 7 years as your Secretary, 1 year as Vice President and 1 year as President. Please think carefully and appoint people who have the energy, foresight and integrity to continue to promote this great club. We were not awarded “Bowls New Zealand 2007 Club of the Year” for nothing.

·          There have been (at time of writing – 31.03.08), 10 committee meetings so far this year with attendance as follows :Wilma Ennor ( ),  Joyce Budge ( ),

        Bob Mason ( ), Fay Johnson ( ), Val Ives ( ), Bruce Mitchell ( ), Paul Selby ( )

        Sheryl Glock ( ) “ last ? meetings”.

·          I wish you well for the coming season and your future bowling years. 

Wilma Ennor

31.03.08 

Both Craig and I apologise for our absence on Closing Day but as many of you know we had an invitation we could NOT refuse – free accommodation in Spain!