Greater participation

[Andrew S.]

Just wondering why in our Sport we seem to lack top level participation by so many of our elite or even retired elite. Other Sports have top level involvement by many great name players who no longer participate but are willing to put their efforts back into the running of things.

I know Bowling allows people of Senior years to keep competing but there are a great many respected elite bowlers whose experiance and knowledge would greatly benefit the administration of the game.

Cara Honeychurch and Chris Batson are classic examples of top level players who have recently and successfully moved into administration. Since the arrival of these two legends a great deal of respect has been accorded to the National Body.

Please dont take offense here - I know that there are very good people working hard and performing an excellent job at most levels, however I do feel that a continued injection of successful elite players whether it be at National or State Level could only help continue the advancement of the Sport.

 

[steve jones]

It has not always been the case of course - the APBA [Victoria] was established and run for years by top level players - Doug Baker, Ray Carter, Barry Wallace, Derek Bates, Ray Cooper and many more were the reason the organisation ran so well for so long - the ATBA was tackled by Alan Burge and Richard Froebel - all of these people could bowl at the top level [of their day] with success. Rod Bayliss was the heart of the SA Cup - and bowling in South Australia for that matter for years - and of course Steve Mackie was on another planet to most everyone else as a bowler and as a promoter, administrator, manager, leader etc etc. I guess the past list is long - the current list - well as you say Andrew - lacking somewhat although many have been involved at various times at various levels short term as you note. Why less obviously now however is a good question - perhaps it's simply symptomatic of how many people live today.

 

[Geoff300]

I think it is a very good question, and one i have asked myself many times
i was lucky to have so many greats to look up to as a young bowler from 1970
and the culture of Bowling was very different back then
Today the game is different and hard to come to terms with by people who look on from the past IE: 3 x 300 games a week ,people bowling 20 x 300 games etc etc that they
are a bit confused and disappointed about where the game has moved too that it is a bit alien to them and they may not feel lie they can contribute
The other point is the ATBC was thestrenght back then and gave direction to the people and the Sport. It is no secret that was all squandered by a selfish few and today the
TBA is a boat without a rudder and a toothless tiger, not to mention being without money. Thankfully Cara and Chris have come on board and in time things may change, If a certain few who remain allow it too.
The other huge concern is Cost. The cost to Bowl today has got totally out of hand and people , like me, don't bowl 3 or 4 leagues a week and a tourn a month anymore, not to mention a new ball every 3-6 months. Back then you might buy a ball a year.
I am a firm believer that if the associations became more about the game/ Sport/ bowler and not about proprietors/ AMF / funding more people would want to help