A “BIASED” NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2017
Hello everyone. Well the 2017 bowling days are well under way. At some stages we were
probably all doubtful about the summer arriving at all. It has certainly warmed up lately….
Sounds like many of you have had lots of club competition, championships and interclub
tournaments. Great to hear. We also welcome (for the remainder of this year) Danny
Simon to our committee. Danny’s input will be valuable to us I am sure.
OBITUARY: Let us all remember Steve Yagmich who passed away on 13th February. He
was a great character, a well respected bowler and much loved by all whom he came in
contact with. R.I.P. Steve. Steve will be laid to rest in Croatia, his home country at his
request.
***
The Te Kauwhata Bowling Club here in the Waikato has just hosted the annual Waitangi
Day tournament once again. Many of the Blind / Vision Impaired players and their
directors played along with the local club members and a great day was enjoyed. Winners
of the day (4 wins) were Christine Foster, Fred Carr & George Nevill. George also won the
best Waikato/BOP player trophy on the day.. Well done guys.
N.Z. OPEN… Many of the Blind & Vision Impaired played in the recently held NZOpen –
the venue once again was the Blockhouse Bay Bowling Club. Pairs on Saturday 18th Feb
and Triples on Sunday 19th with Post-Section on Monday 21st. It was good to catch up
with many more of the disabled players this year as well and they made it a very hard
battle for us. Playing against sighted players whether disabled or at club level is what we
are encouraged to do.
FINAL RESULTS :
PAIRS :
Winners - Bruce Wakefield with Carolyn Crawford
TRIPLES;
Winners - Bruce Wakefield, Norm Earnshaw & Lynda Bennett
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – CAPE TOWN 2017: the countdown is on
Preparations are well under way for the NZ Blind Jacks heading to South Africa on 13th
March to the World Champs. The Visa drama has been sorted. We did not all have to head
to Wellington as was the first instruction from the South African Embassy… and “Murphy’s
Law” - they have now opened up an office in Auckland as from next week….
BATS & BOWLS
We are all extremely pleased to know that the sport of Lawn Bowls does not have a bat
involved. JD seems to have taken a liking to a cricket bat in India, suffering some severe
facial / dental damage …. JD – welcome back to bowls.. We sincerely hope you are
recovering well though….
LOAN BOWLS : Players must be FULL FINANCIAL MEMBERS and also active playing
members preferably with a local club. This is all within the contract that you have signed
when receiving your loan bowls.
NEW / RETURNING PLAYERS:
Just a welcome back to Susie Tukariri, Sue Harris and Ross Findlay.. All are keen to get back
into the bowling scene and Susie & Sue both joined us at Te Kauwhata recently. We will
look forward to seeing Ross again soon.
UPCOMING EVENTS - 2017
*
5th MARCH (Sunday) – BEERESCOURT BOWLING CLUB
Maeroa Road, Hamilton
9.30 start so please be there 9.00 so that we can get the draw done. Names
in prior to that would be good. Directors to play also if they wish.
$8 entry, bring your own lunch and they are intending to run raffles as well.
Waikato/BOP members – please bring a plate for afternoon tea as per
normal…
 13th MARCH: “New Zealand BLIND JACKS” Team fly to South Africa for
the World Blind Bowls Championships.
Thank you to all who have passed on their best wishes to the team. We will
certainly “BE THE BEST WE CAN BE”.
 23rd APRIL (Sunday): PAEROA BOWLING CLUB.
Closing Day at Paeroa Bowling Club. Let’s make this a special day in Bryan’s
memory. Details will follow in the next Newsletter
 JUNE 10/11th : PARAFED – FRANKTON RAILWAY:
Full details to follow : please pencil in dates.
SINGLES
 AUGUST 26th / 27th : PARAFED – FRANKTON RAILWAY: SINGLES
Full details to follow : please pencil in dates
SEPTEMBER : Browns Bay Bowling Club : Date T.B.A.
OCTOBER : Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club ? : Date T.B.A.
 NOVEMBER 26th – 30th 2017 : NZ BLIND NATIONALS
The NZBLBA Executive can now confirm that the NZ Blind Lawn Bowling
Nationals for 2017 will be held at the Mount Maunganui Bowling Club in
Kawaka Street, Mount Maunganui.
Entry forms will be out later in the year.
LONG TERM CHALLENGES FOR YOU ALL
2018
2019
2020?
2021
Commonwealth Games – Gold Coast, Australia (B2/B3 only)
IBBD. (International Bowls for Blind & Disabled).
Details will follow when we get notified. A few rumours were
going around at the NZOpen last weekend that it could be
Scotland. NOTHING has been discussed with us as yet. Watch
this space.
Trans Tasman Challenge. T.B.A.
We are the current holders of this trophy.
World Championships for Blind & Vision Impaired.
Venue will be announced after the 2017 Championship.
 Keep Playing at Club Level, Keep Focussed, Be Seen, Keep Fit, Keep
Healthy.
We should get the word out “If you cannot see the end of the green, then come and
talk to us”. We can all relate to that. If any of you know of anyone who you think
may be interested in being a Director, do please let us know so that we can contact
them and have a chat…
TIS (Telephone Information System)
Updated when there is news to be told.
WEBSITE & GENERAL
James Dunn will be updating this website now that he is back from the Blind
Cricket World Champs in India.
AROUND THE MEMBERS :
To my knowledge – no one is anywhere at present:
SIGHT CERTIFICATES
Any changes…..don’t forget to let us know please…Be aware that this may also
affect other sports that you are participating in, not just lawn bowls.
RAFFLE : What a huge success this was and again, thank you to Anne & Bill
Easton for all their efforts in making it so. Monies raised approx. $14,500 and the
winning ticket went to Hamilton. 2nd Prize to Havelock North and 3rd Prize to
Northcote. Many thanks to those who got involved in selling the tickets.
OLIVE OIL FUNDRAISER : This will be on our ‘radar’ for later in the year –
around end September/early October…
CONCERNS / QUERIES / THINGS HAPPENING
All queries and concerns can now be addressed to our new Secretary: Don Clark.
(his details are on next page).
If you have anything worth noting in this newsletter, do let us know. We want to
share the successes with our peers. Your feedback and ideas are important so do
let us know what’s happening in your neck of the woods. I need information for the
Newsletter to keep it interesting for all
PATRON :
Peter Belliss
PRESIDENT:
(Email: [email protected])
(Phone: 07 8545003
(Mobile : 021 1201727)
SUE CURRAN
(Newsletter Editor)
143 Briarwood Drive
Flagstaff
Hamilton 3210
Vice President
Treasurer
James Dunn
Anne Easton
SECRETARY:
(Email: [email protected]
(Phone: 06 8762633
DON CLARK
3 Omega Place,
Parkvale
Hastings 4122
Committee:
David Monk
Gerald Brouwers
Danny Simon
Co-Opted Member
Bernie Yeo
Grants & Funding
Peter Blick
Anne Easton
David Stallard
Coaches:
Ann Muir (Head Coach)
Margaret Davies
Steve Beel