Many of you may be aware that we have been advertising since the start of the season for a player coach. Well, myself, the coaching committee and the bowls committee, are pleased to announce that as of this weekend we will have David Willcocks as our player coach for season 2011/12 and beyond.

David has an outstanding resume’ which includes skipping for the last 6 years at Premier League level in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland; winning the State 4′s title in Queensland, 4 district titles on the Gold Coast, state side winner in Group 9 in Victoria, 3 times Queensland state side winner for the Gold Coast as well as many other tournament wins and placings.

We are very excited about the wealth of experience that David has to offer with playing top level bowls against some of the best bowlers in Australia and his ability to impart that knowledge to all members of the club, no matter what level or experience in bowls that they may have.

As well as having David as player coach, his brother Gary Willcocks has also decided to join us as a player. Gary has also been playing Premier League bowls for Rosamond as skip and third, so his contribution to the team will also make a tremendous difference as the St.Kilda firsts push for promotion into 1st Division.

I would like to encourage everyone to come along this Thursday night to training at Elsternwick Park and welcome David and Gary to the club. But if you can’t make it to Thursday night please try to make it back to the club on Saturday night for the wrap up and take the time to meet and greet our new coach and to make him feel truly welcome in that St.Kilda spirit.

I will send an email out soon with more details in regards to training and coaching in the following weeks once the coaching committee has finalised their plan.

The coaching committee would also like to remind everyone that we have still have one on one coaching available on Tuesday nights and Thursday nights with Darren Bond.

Again I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to get down and have a session. Our new bowlers, and even our established bowlers can speak from their own experience and state that the couple of coaching sessions have helped to improve their bowling on many levels. These sessions are FREE, so come on, make the most of it and I’m sure you’ll see the difference on a Saturday or Tuesday.
If you have any questions give Andy Heeps a call.

I would sincerely like to thank Andy Heeps for all his efforts to make this happen and his tremendous club spirit. He has done a great job.

As I’m sure you’ll all agree, this is an exciting time for St.Kilda and it is a huge step forward for our great club.

Lets go Saints!

Cheers,

David J Streefkerk

President

St Kilda Bowling Club

The 1st Team has come out swinging and after 4 rounds are currently sitting in 3rd place! Tight win last weekend, but with true grit and class they triumphed by 9 shots..

The 2nd Team has also stamped their mark on their new home in Division 3 with a huge 70 shot win this past weekend to jump into 5th place…

The 3rd Team has shown they deserve to have been promoted to Division 5 with another nail biter to hold on by 6 and slip into 6th…

The 4th Team, with lots of new bowlers, had a tough day but managed to take shots off the opposition on every rink and even win one rink!! Well done guys and gals.. Hang in there, and keep up that St.Kilda spirit..

GO SAINTS!!!!!!

I was away overseas for a while, but the Committee has done a sterling job in my absence managing the myriad of issues that surround the successful operations of our great club. For this I thank then profusely and congratulate them all on doing an amazing job!

Our sectional Flags finally arrived and we have had them framed and you can view them when you next pop into the club. Once again, congratulations to all players involved and I look forward to winning more this season.

Well the season is finally upon us and we have had a solid start but still need to fill our sides better. We have had to give walkovers for the 1st two weeks in the fifths due to unavailability, but the selectors are doing a fine job and they hope to be able to fill all teams this weekend(Oct 15th) Let them know of your availability via email @ selectors@stkildabowlingclub.com.au

On Sunday the 9th of October we went down to Port Melbourne to play the Annual Port Phillip Cup tournament against host club Port Melbourne, Middle Park and Albert Park. We played each team over 12 ends and won all three games. We tied with Albert Park on 7 wins but clearly won on shots with a resounding 159 to 120 shots up!!! For an unprecedented 2nd year in a row we came away victorious and brought the shield home. It was a great fun day, with quite a good turnout of support and everyone had a ball! Thank you so much to all who made themselves available to play and endured the difficult navigation through the Melbourne Marathon traffic chaos to get down and WIN!!! Thanks as well to all the supporters who came down, you really made it a fun day!

The fabulous Dale Cooke has been providing results and ladders and I will endeavour to make sure they are passed on to everyone each Monday. Thanks Cookie, great work.

Our Vice President, Eddie Best, and Selector Geoff Finnigan, have organised the new uniforms which look the same, but have better material and should make life a whole lot easier. Fantastic work Ed and Geoff!!! We hope to have our 1st batch in the next week or so.

The green is looking pretty good at this stage and we hope to be enjoying it it well before Christmas! The edges have been removed and will be rebuilt this week, and the weather needs to be kind to us, but all in all it’s looking a treat. So, lots of positive energy and hard work from Adrian Marsten, Paul and Andy Heeps and of course the “green mother” Darren Bond seem to have put us in a good spot! Terrific work lads and keep it up, we all appreciate it immensely. If you see the lads around at the club, feel to buy them a beer and have a chat…

Our host clubs this year, Alma, Elsternwick Park and Glen Eira McKinnon have been fantastic accommodating our needs and I thank them so much, and hope you all do the same when you are playing at our “adopted” homes. Training is held every Tuesday night at Alma and Thursdays at Elsternwick Park, so get down, have a roll and push for that spot in the top team I know you all want!!

Cheers and good bowling,

David Streefkerk, President, St.Kilda Bowling Club

I, David Streefkerk, have been appointed Bowls Club President, replacing the fabulous Karina Van Weel. I want to thank Karina for her tireless work and amazing commitment to our club.

Andrea Streefkerk takes over from Steve Butler as Secretary and she hopes to be able to fill some very big boots. Thanks to Steve for everything he did last year above and beyond the “call of duty”.

Eddie Best takes over from Catherine Holden as Vice President, and Gary Bell remains Treasurer. Thanks to Catherine for all her efforts and to Gary for his ongoing commitment.

The rest of the new committee consists of:

Geoff Finnigan, Denise Fontana, Tony McCombe, JoAnn Pacholli and David Sutherland.

As you can see we have a great mix of old and new committee members and I think we are in good shape. Thanks so much to the outgoing members of last years committee, Karen Barnett and Darren Cameron,  for their efforts and support of the club, great job! Thanks must also go to the new committee for standing up and putting in. That’s, I think we all agree, what we need more of around the club!

We also have a new selection committee consisting of;

Geoff Finnigan, Andrew Heeps and David Loosmore.

I’m sure they will welcome your input to the process greatly so don’t be shy. Thanks to Rod Morgan, Nicole O’Conner and David Loosmore for their efforts as selectors last year.

Thank you to all the members who attended the Bowls Club AGM and who took the time to make a proxy vote. Your votes really did count and I urge all members to attend in the future. If you don’t attend you can’t have your say! On that note we had a few things to decide on at the meeting and they are as follows.

1. Minutes of the last meeting were confirmed.

2. No other nominations were received for Vice President, so Eddie is the man!!

3. Committee member  numbers were decided on at 9.

4. We determined that we should field 5 pennant sides for 2011/12

5. A motion for the introduction of black shorts/pants as part of our uniform was introduced and passed with the amendment of making it optional(white or black) This will obviously await the approval of Bowls Victoria.

6. In the interests of fairness a motion a was introduced for the attending members to vote as to whether Steven Mooney’s nomination for selection was to stand and was voted as “No”.

7. As such the number of selectors for 2011/12 was voted to be 3 and we held an election from the 4 nominations of Robert Briglia, David Loosmore, Andy Heeps and Geoff Finnigan. You know the outcome, but I assure you it was tight and every vote counted, so we need to have more members attend in the future.

The committee is meeting this week and as such more info on what is happening to and around the club will follow very soon. Feel free to contact me or any committee members via email if you have any issues you wish to raise. That’s what we are here for, to be your voice!

Lastly, we have the Sports Club AGM coming up next week and I urge ALL members to either attend or arrange your Proxy and Postal Votes. They count and are needed, so get onto it NOW!!! As there were two nominations for the positions of Chairperson an election is required. David Sutherland and Bill Walsh will stand for this position. The election will be held between the hours of 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm on Friday 20th May, and between 12.00 noon and 6.00 pm on Saturday 21st May, at the Club. Get down and vote or arrange your postal vote! We need our voice to be heard on the board and I cannot urge you enough to vote on what is such an important position, so get yourselves organised and make it count! YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!!!!

Proxy and Postal Vote forms can be obtained through Craig Fox by writing to,  secretary@stkildasportsclub.com.au

Nicole O’Conner will stand unopposed as our Representative on the board. I want to thank Nicole immensely for putting her hand up once again and we look forward to working closely with her for the betterment of the Bowls section.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Henry Ford, “DON’T FIND FAULT, FIND A REMEDY!”

Cheers,

David Streefkerk, President St.Kilda Bowls Club

Tickets can be bought over the bar or at the door.  Please RSVP for numbers to president@stkildabowlingclub.com.au

Flyer attached  STKBC Presentation Night 2011

Mixed Pairs:

David Loosmore and Pam Loosmore        12     def by      Robbie Briglia and Tara Ferrier                      18

Pairs:

Jonno Bean and John Free                          16     def by      Justin Newton-Brown and Andy Heeps         17

Congratulations to the winners and well done to the runner’s up, both games were played in fantastic spirit and showed a very high calibre of bowling.

March 2011

Congratulations St Kilda on a very successful season.  Everyone is to be commended on their teamwork and commitment to 2010/2011 season.  We saw 5 teams filled and on the green every week, 3 teams in finals (2 Sectional Grand Final winners, 2 Divisional Quarter Final winners and in the top 3 out of 80 teams in the Divisional Semi Finals), 2 promotions, and no relegations.  Whether you played one game or all, every member is a part of the success.  And all this was achieved in a very trying season where we played at 3 host grounds, had 4 abandonments, 3 washouts and heat on most of the days we did get to play.

Big thanks to the Selectors (David Loosmore, Nicole O’Connor and Roderic Morgan) for co-ordinating the teams each week and getting us to such a fantastic position.  Big thanks also to the Team Managers (Robbie Briglia, David Loosmore, Barry Wilson, Pam Loosmore and Barb Skidmore) who did all the administrative work on game day.

Congratulations also go to all those who went out on Tuesday nights to play in the Southern District Electric Light Bowling Association Pennant season.  We didn’t have as many wins, but we had fun and we didn’t come last, and the experience gained never goes astray.  Barry Wilson and Garry Bell, “great job” coordinating this competition. 

With all this success, let’s keep bowling in the winter season and be ready to have an even more successful season in 2011 / 2012.

What’s coming up?

Club Championship Grand Finals – Monday 14^th March, Labour Day – 2 of the Club Championship Grand Finals will be played at Middle Park Bowling Club. 

12 noon           Mixed Pairs        David Loosmore/Pam Loosmore  VS  Robbie Briglia/Tara Ferrier
2 pm                 Pairs                     Justin Newton-Brown/Andy Heeps  VS  Jonno Bean/John Free

This will be a great day out and I look forward to seeing as many people there supporting as can make it.

The Triples Grand Final will be announced after the 20^th March.  It may possibly be played alongside the Novice Tournament to be held on Sunday 3^rd April.

Novice Tournament – 1^st & 2^nd year bowlers – 3^rd April 2011

At the wrap up, after the last game of pennant, Titch offered to establish a Novice Tournament.  Ably assisted by Nicole, they have been busy preparing it for first and second year bowlers.  Send your interest to nicolep.oconnor@gmail.com or titch5@yahoo.com by Friday 25^th March so they can co-ordinate the draw by Monday 28^th March. 

Games to be played at Elsternwick Park on Sunday 3^rd April from 10.00am at a cost $2.00 per player. 

Winter Competition – closing date for team entries 21^st March 2011

Expressions of interest are still required for those wishing to co-ordinate the Winter Competition. It is a fairly straight forward role which will give you a taste or insight into selection. 

Also let us know if you want to be a bowler in the comp. You may like to commit to every week or every second week. We need to know so we can enter the right number of teams for St Kilda.  We have had teams in the competition for the last two years and made the grand final last year.  It has proven to be beneficial in keeping the bowling arm lubricated through the cooler months.  Please email secretary@stkildabowlingclub.com.au of your interest soon, as team entries close on Monday 21^st March.

The competition will be conducted as a 2-rink, 2-bowl triples, of two games of 12 ends with teams swapping over and playing the other rink, after a short break at the completion of the first game. 

Dates of play – May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 5, 12 & 19. Semi Finals June 26. Final July 3^rd.  All finals to be played at Albert Park, Rounds of play that are washed out are replayed at the end of the home and away fixtures.

Green fees $5, payable to host clubs.  Players must play in three matches in that grade to qualify to play in finals.

Uniforms – it is recommended that club shirts or jackets be worn.

Presentation Night – now …… Saturday 9 April

Presentation Night/Day has been shuffled as much as the Pennant season was!  The last advice sent out was to diarise Sunday 10 April but due to a cancellation in the top room, we are now changing the date for the very last time! 

The new date is Saturday 9 April.  As this last change is very recent, I would anticipate that you will see the flyer within the week. 

Announcements

Congratulations to Sarah (Guthry) Tilmanis and Warren for our new bowler, Hayden Aleksander Tilmanis born 2^nd March at 5.26pm and weighing 3.52kg.

Thanks go to Chris Gregan, Andrew Fowler-Brown, Pete the Leatherman (Stockade Leather) and his son Raak and Marco who have repaired the pew and brought it home.  It looks fantastic!

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting is coming up in May and now is the time to think about helping the Club and contributing to its success.  As always, all Committee and Selector positions are open, and a call for nominations for positions on the committee will go out soon by email, and also on the notice board at the Club.  The Club is run by the members for the members.  Remember, you don’t have to be in an elected position to help out – if you are in a position to offer assistance to the Committee, there will be a range of Sub-Committees where member support is required.  Please ensure that the incoming Committee are aware of your interest and availability to provide support.

Name Badges

This is a last call before I do the new order for name badges ($13).  Those who have already responded, there is no need to respond again, but those who have missed the boat on the last two advices, please email me at president@stkildabowlingclub.com.au

Uniforms & essentials
Uniforms and essentials are available all year round, prices below:
Short Sleeve Shirt             $50.00
Long Sleeve Shirt              $55.00
Hat                                    $20.00
Jacket                               $95.00
Bowling Cloth                     $8.00
also, spray chalk is available for purchase at the bar for $5.50.

Don’t forget to get some friends together and play in local and regional competitions, notices posted at the Club.

Keep bowling, praying for sunny weather to help our new green grow and enjoy your weekends.

Find your mojo, bowl to win and encourage your team-mates.

All supporters welcome to come down and cheer on the teams …… GO SAINTERS

Today’s results:

3rds – Division 6

Mentone 4 90  defeated by  St Kilda 3 93

4ths – Division 7

Oakleigh 2 60  defeated by  St Kilda 4 132

Sundays games:

3rds play Ashburton at Glen Waverley at 1.00pm

4ths play Marysville at Burden Park at 1.00pm

Well done to the thirds and fourths over the weekend.  You continued right throughout the day to handle the pressure of finals with excitement and determination.  Hold onto that spirit for this coming weekend.

St Kilda supporters are vital to club success this coming weekend.  Both teams were inspired and spurred on by the St Kilda crowd dominating the grounds.  So for all the 1s, 2s and 5th players, who unfortunately have missed out this season, make sure you can give up time to encourage your fellow bowlers, many first year bowlers, to those premiership flags.

Games start at 1pm.

Go Sainters!!!

Thirds – Division 6

 
Quarter-Finals – 05/03/11 

Lalor 6 (Sec 3) vs Cranbourne 5 (Sec 6) at Donvale
Laverton (Sec 1) vs Buckley Park 4 (Sec2) at Williamstown
Donvale 3 (Sec 4) vs Ashburton 3 (Sec 5) at Camberwell Central
Mentone 4 (Sec 7) vs St Kilda 3 (Sec 8)   at Black Rock
 
Semi-Finals – 06/03/11

Section Winner 3/6 vs Section Winner 1/2 at Rosanna
Section Winner 4/5 vs Section Winner 7/8 at Glen Waverley

 
 
Fourths – Division 7

 
Quarter-Finals – 05/03/11 

Whittlesea (Sec 3) vs Warburton (Sec 6) at Ringwood
Yarraville/Footscray 5 (Sec 1) vs Aberfeldie 2 (Sec 2) at Darebin City
Healesville (Sec 4) vs Marysville (Sec 5) at Ivanhoe
Oakleigh 2 (Sec 7) vs St Kilda 4 (Sec 8)  at Cheltenham
 
Semi-Finals – 06/03/11

Section Winner 3/6 vs Section Winner 1/2 at Essendon
Section Winner 4/5 vs Section Winner 7/8 at Burden Park