After some discussion between myself and the TBA Chairperson, I've come away with an explanation regarding the rule. Seems gary zanoni misquoted John Coxon and led us all down the wrong path...Below is the email I received from the Chairperson today, which will clarify the situation.
Hi Wayne
I wish you had asked that question before you posted your comments. My conversation with Gary was quite involved and did not include the words he said. For example, the only time the word "sanction" is used in any TBA documentation is in relation to contravening the Anti Doping Policy. If guilty, a bowler is sanctioned.
If we go back in time a little, for joining the NSO, bowlers, leagues and associations got league record sheets, team sheets, standing sheets, etc, etc. Then the computer age saw all that documentation built into Centre computer scoring systems and removed the need for the NSO to provide it. So, now bowlers perceive they do not get anything from the NSO. The term "league" used to represent a group of bowlers who were all registered with the NSO who competed to a regular schedule of competition.
In my conversation with Gary and many others over the past few months I have advised that all these bowlers who currently compete in "league", compete in a structured competition under the rules of the NSO.
Unfortunately, today we have a great number of leagues that have been generated by the Industry and other organisations that are not accredited. Therefore they are simply social groups who get together and compete, using all the rules of the NSO, playing under the conditions of the NSO, but not members of the NSO. So, if everyone in Australia did that, then the NSO would not survive and there would no longer be a sport. Certainly bowlers would still play the game, but no State events, no National events, no International events, no coaching, no development, etc etc. There is only a sport because the Federal Government recognise the NSO.
So my recommendation to bowlers is to join TBA and support the sport. I have advised many, like Gary, that to bowl in an accredited competition in 2009, the bowler must be registered with TBA and the Centre where the competition is being held must be registered with TBA. If an accredited event has a handicap section, and the handicap is taken over 18 or 21 games, then those games must have been bowled in accredited competition. If it was not accredited competition, TBA have no idea whether it was bowled in compliance with the rules and regulations of the sport and therefore cannot recognise it.
As an example - if we went out onto some tennis courts and had a few sets, we do not need to register with anyone and how we play is of no relevance to anyone. If we want to play the sport in accredited competition that is recognised, then we have to join the sports organisational body.
Now TBA documentation has to use the words "accredited league" instead of league, which is a sad state of affairs.
In 2009, State Associations/Braches and local associations/Registered Centres are all funded from memberships so it is in everyone's interest to increase membership. Some States are using their new income to employ development personnel to get out and promote the sport, so increasing funding.
Kind Regards,
John Coxon
Chairman & Director - Tenpin Bowling Australia Ltd
