OPEN QUESTION TO ANY TBA OFFICIALS re: World Championships

[Matt Francis]

TBA Open Question

Scoops, your post seems to change track a couple of times there.

Are you saying that the states should fundraise to help offset the costs or that TBA should raise the membership amounts?

Perhaps a little of both. Not sure of the current Australia wide membership base but surely just an extra dollar from every member would go a long way. I would be suprised if the Australian team even comprised half a percent of registered bowlers very hard on the centre based associations to to request an extra ten or fifteen dollars but a dollar would be more than achievable. (You would hope)

It is disagreeable that people have to pay to represent their country or even their state but we're not the only sport that has to do so.

Building the profile of tenpin bowling is very difficult as we are all aware. This is something that has to be undertaken by all centre/state associations. It won't happen by sitting back in Bendigo or wherever taking pot shots at the current board waiting for them to fail.

The TBA agm recently took place and the positions haven't changed, that must show the confidence in the current board of the silent majority.

 

[wchester]

Matt Francis,

What have I ever done to you? You've had it in for me ever since I won the 2000 Australian Cup at Tuggeranong. You practically accused me of unfair tactics simply because I like to bowl at my own pace and not let my opponent dictate the speed of bowling.

I haven't bowled anywhere for over 13 months now due to health reasons which I choose not to go into here and now. But for some reason, you choose to bag me for speaking out on behalf of the general bowling public. The owner of Canberra International Bowling Centre has also raised concerns about the alleged misdoings of the current TBA board. I don't see you telling Roy Menachemson that he should mind his own business.

I consider myself a self appointed watchdog who has only the best interests of the bowling public at mind. I will not allow any bowler to be misled or mistreated. Is that a such a bad thing?

The old Aussie "she'll be right" attitude towards our sport has gotten us into this hole and I am doing my part in trying to put bowling back on the right track.
"She'll be right".....simply means.."let me bend over"

 

[AdrianS]

An extra $ sounds fair, i remember though what leauges and the centre down here in sunny(!!) Mt Gambier used to go through to get bowlers to pay an extra $ for their leauge when prices went up so good luck. I hope it doesn't go the way of all the suggestions in the US by people saying 'bump the ABC dues up $2-3 a yr and put the extra money on the tours' Pure lunacy that that never happened( a little off topic but the credibility of the entire sport hangs on the Pro Tours success IMO)

Whoops, hope i dont get into poo for typing the word 'Pro'! i think some WTBA officials are hiding my garden! :twisted: :twisted:

 

[xballs]

Hello everyone

Why not do what most of the state governments did to raise money.

Put POKIES IN

 

[Graham]

Graham has asked me to refrain from placing any TBA website URL's on this site but I'm sure in this instance he will over look this request and in the interests of your query.

Peter

I have asked this of you, however in the same breath I also said that it was ok as long as it was in response to queries from members.

very hard on the centre based associations to to request an extra ten or fifteen dollars but a dollar would be more than achievable.

You are right, maybe it is more achievable to ask for an extra $1 per bowler to go towards our National teams. To have to pay out large amounts of money to represent their country wouldnt affect anyone until they got into the position, and Im sure then those people would be extremely grateful to be able to do it and not have the added pressure of having to dig deep - in some cases not only pay money - but also lose money by having to take time off at work without pay - to represent their country.

What it comes down to is if a number of people can give realistic suggestions then maybe something can be put into place. Without suggestions, or input, then nothing will happen.

 

[ilive2bowl]

I have certainly perused the Financial Statements of TBA and this would not be the forum to pass comment or judgment on the way they spend their income. An AGM would, perhaps, be the right forum...but as these accounts are open for public inspection and public comment it is interesting to note that some 42% of income is spent on staff; fees; consultants, communications and travel. Almost ZERO dollars are spent on promoting the Sport.
Why posts on this channel become personal, I have no idea. What is great, however, is that this site gives us all the opportunity for debate and debate can only be good for our Sport, its transparency and its divergent views. WE MUST KEEP THIS ALIVE!

 

[GeorgeF]

I'm a little confused here, if say by some strange phenominum next year we saw the registered bowlers in Australia jump to 1,000,000 your saying that TBA won't see a cent of it and won't benefit? :? :?

 

[Andrew S.]

Correct George.
Under the present system the new bowlers could join an existing registered centre (or centres).
The fees for these centres are fixed regardless of the number of bowlers who join that Association.
That IMHO will be the next move by TBA to increase revenue.
Either an increase in registration fees for existing centres, or an additional levy imposed directly on the Associations and based on membership numbers.

 

[Matt Francis]

Wayne

You've done nothing to me personally and it saddens me to thing you would try to look at some way of make it personal.

Brunswick 2000, I considered myself a self appointed spokes person who had only the best interests of bowling and time frames in mind. Waiting 5 to 10 minutes every game while you were anywhere but in the players area was unacceptable. I was voicing the opinion of the majority on the day.

It's interesting that you name Roy in this way. I had worked for Roy for some time in my younger days. Here's one man who wasn't happy with the way the industry was heading so he took his experiences and business knowledge and now owns the very successful chain of centres.
From my view I see Roy as one who supports this forum and Tenpin bowling as a sport, but I have never read or heard Roy speak about the alleged miss doings of the current board.

Im sure like any sporting club the TBA's books are availible if you wish to make the time and book a meeting to go and view them

We all know that the current TBA has inherited their situation from the past and are working towards improve the national sport.

Should we take the American approach of storming in and attack with only partial information. Shoot first then ask question later. Then pay for the lengthy clean up of the devastation. I think not.

Matt Francis

 

[wchester]

Matt....You are the one who has made it personal by referring to me as a guy who has nothing constructive to say and only bags the TBA in the hope that they fail once again.

I have made countless positive postings recommending not only a possible solution to bowling's troubles, but also volunteering to provide my assistance in any way. Why is it you choose to ignore those postings merely to concentrate on what you consider to be a negative attitude.

Put your anti-Americanism views aside for a minute and tell me why you continue to attack me..YES, ME..with your innuendo.

For your information, maybe you should read Roy's posting in this thread. Sure, he doesn't name anyone personally but he's certainly not complimenting the TBA board on their ethics.

Your remark about the 2000 Brunswick Australian Cup makes me think maybe you spend just a little too much effort watching others bowl..Maybe you should keep your mind on your own game and not be so easily distracted..hahaha..Just kidding there Matt! Or am I?

But seriously, I was in the settee area virtually the entire time we were bowling. My wife was there to get me food and/or drinks so you can't blame the slow bowing on me not being around when it was my turn to bowl...I simply chose to bowl at my own pace, not yours.
BTW....I broke NO rules! I've even heard that Patrick Birtig said I slowed bowled to purposely put off my opponents..what a laugh..It just could be possible that the best bowler won that day!

 

[wchester]

I spoke at length, on the phone to Peter Coburn on the last night.

He promised me an apology would be forthcoming for calling me "unpatriotic" in a couple of his posts. Seemed I was supposed to see it as a joke. I don't understand how though..did it look like a joke to any of you??

I think he was in shock that I had actually taken the initiative and rung him to discuss the TBA and where I stand on some issues which I have brought up on these boards.

Unfortunately Peter wasn't willing to be completely open with me on many of my concerns. The company line seemed to be his preferred answer. While we agreed to disagree, maybe things will change later this year..at least I certainly hope they do.

As I have said many times over in the past..I am willing to give of my time and effort working with the TBA to see that all bowlers in Australia are treated fairly and without any favouritism. As of today, no one has responded to any of my offers.

My offer still stands.

 

[Peter Coburn]

Wayne,

It appears that you have taken offence to my reference to being unpatriotic and reading back through the posts I can see how this might be misconstrued.

I hereby retract this statement and apologise for any misunderstanding.

I explained in our telecon, I was purely pointing out that the team members selected were patriotic to pay their participation fee to represent their country. Your inference that the team officials may have gone along for a "free ride" has no grounds as we all patriotically and without protest paid our own way.

This also applies to the Seniors Team heading to Guam this weekend.

FYI, total cost to send team members to both of these events is closer to $5K each. TBA through the ASC supplied HPG is certainly contributing.

Team members are asked to contribute a $1500 participation fee.

I went to Malaysia and my wife is on the team to Guam, so our savings are taking a battering this month. Lorraine McLoughlin is also on the Guam trip as team manager and has paid her participation fee for both trips.

Wayne - once again I apologies for the wrongfull implication.

Your assistance offer is noted and I look forward to your ideas on how to raise the necessary funds to allow these teams to travel without a personal financial committment.