Hi all CGBA bowlers,
I have played this wonderful game in both Durban and Johannesburg and have a suggestion which I know works very well in Durban.
As you all know league is both good and bad for the wellbeing of our clubs.
The good is that it engenders and stilmulates competition.
The bad is that it aslo brings dissention and unhappiness in all our clubs.
We definately do need league but in the CGBA district it is drawn out over some 5 months.November to March.
This means that for 5 months you have a bunch of unhappy bowlers.
Why not, like in Durban, play the league competition over 5.5 weekends, Saturday pm and Sunday am, and get the whole unhappiness behind us in as short a time as possible. Why not in June or July when the weather will not interfere.
You only have to have 5 selectors' meetings as well.
This shortened league season will allow more time for internal and other competitions.
I am sure that 99% of the CGBA bowlers would agree.
If there is an argument regarding religious committments why do so many of us play in the various district competitions on a Sunday anyway.
What do the CGBA bowlers think????
Lets here from you.
Smokey
Great post, Smokey.
As a matter of interest Western Province put a similar proposal to their council on Saturday last week and it was very favourably received.
HI Smokey
Like you I have played in PNBA and CGBA, make the league as short as possible.
Arnold Muscat
couldn't agree more, from a club committee viewpoint, those 5 months are an organisational and an administrative nightmare. Let's knock it off in +- 6 weeks, and allow more options for scheduling club comps[internal] etc.
This is a such a brilliant idea, that the CGBA committee will not accept it, as they are not the originators.
The calendar is so full, that to organise club fund raising competitions, is a real mission.
Imagine, in 5.5 weeks it is over, done and dusted, what a pleasure.
Regarding playing on a Sunday, myself, go to church at 8am, listen to the choir singing, and quietly meditate, leave at 8.15am, and hit the road. Pick up an envelope, and made my tithe before leaving.
Like the idea of June/July, little chance of the weather interrefing.as currently, some venue can be washed out, whilst others are able to play, makes the points lopsided.
Hi all CGBA bowlers,
I have played this wonderful game in both Durban and Johannesburg and have a suggestion which I know works very well in Durban.
As you all know league is both good and bad for the wellbeing of our clubs.
The good is that it engenders and stilmulates competition.
The bad is that it aslo brings dissention and unhappiness in all our clubs.
We definately do need league but in the CGBA district it is drawn out over some 5 months.November to March.
This means that for 5 months you have a bunch of unhappy bowlers.
Why not, like in Durban, play the league competition over 5.5 weekends, Saturday pm and Sunday am, and get the whole unhappiness behind us in as short a time as possible. Why not in June or July when the weather will not interfere.
You only have to have 5 selectors' meetings as well.
This shortened league season will allow more time for internal and other competitions.
I am sure that 99% of the CGBA bowlers would agree.
If there is an argument regarding religious committments why do so many of us play in the various district competitions on a Sunday anyway.
What do the CGBA bowlers think????
Lets here from you.
Smokey
I also would prefer to see more inter Club challenges, over a day/session with some activities i.e. braai.
This is quite common in Durban and builds better bonds between clubs and players. The benefits are obvious.
Good bowling
Arnold Muscat
Agree.
Heard that the scoring for Saturdays league CGBA has changed. Visited the site, but no info available.
Does anyone have a clue what is the scoring conditions for the forthcomming League
I also would prefer to see more inter Club challenges, over a day/session with some activities i.e. braai.
This is quite common in Durban and builds better bonds between clubs and players. The benefits are obvious.
Good bowling
Arnold Muscat
Hi
Thanks for the response so far.
How do we go about getting CGBA to even consider changing the league schedule?
I have proposed the change, through my club channels, some 3 years ago, with no success.
I believe we need to get as many clubs in the district to want and propose the change and maybe, just maybe, it could happen.
Lets try by talking to our club representatives on the CGBA and get them to propose the change and of course vote for it.
Best of luck.
Smokey
Hi from New Zealand
Having played league in CGBA, Port Natal, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth as well now in New Zealand, I must admit and agree with your setiments that the league is too drawn out in CGBA.
In Auckland where I now live, we play the league on a Saturday as well. Two games per day. That is one game in the morning and one in the afternoon. We play as a team of nine. Fours (15 ends), Triples (18 ends) and pairs (21 ends). You will play against two other clubs on that Saturday, and your section is drawn at one venue. So if it rains, you all get washed out. All the points and shots scored count towards total points earned, and the division winner will then go on and play at the completion of the Inter Club, in the play offs. That takes place on Saturday (last 16 and quarters) and Sunday (semi and then final), for all divisions. At one venue.
This makes for a very special day, and the enthusiasm from players and spectators is great.
There is a number of clubs that only have artificial greens, and now I come to the sore point. Waverley Astro was kicked into touch by CGBA Council and here you play on artificial turf whether you like it or not. All the money ploughed into Waverley, down the tube. It could have become the mecca of Bowls in CGBA. Good position, good club house and atmosphere. (Big D, good on you mate!)
I remember playing at a venue with two normal greens and one artificial. We played on the normal green, and then like Johannesburg, it started belting down, and within a few minutes the green was flooded, and we could not play. No problem! We all moved to the artifical green, had a trial end, and continued where we left off. Not one complaint from any player?? Thank goodness the rain stopped, and we could finish our game. Needless to say, it was a great experience for me.
Greeting from the land of the long white cloud,
Emile Hoffmann
Emile Hoffman has offered a good League format. I personal would favour: 1 x Fours - 2 sets 7 ends, 2 x Pairs 2 sets x 9 ends and 2 x Singles 2 sets x 9 ends. All without the sudden death tie break which is rubbish. Held over 6 weeks, magic.
More time for other pairs and singles outside competions which could be held with a view to refining the Nationals entries.
Many relatively younger players find the fours game boring and prefer the competitive element of pairs and singles. Other players prefer fours but tabs in should be more than enough venue for this game.