Major event for long bowlers. Our nationals coming up next month. Not too far away at all happening in Western Australia. Let's chat about it with the president of the Australian Blind Bowlers, Howard Dickson. Howard, good to catch up again. Thank you. Nice to chat.

Major event for long bowlers. Our nationals coming up next month. Not too far away at all happening in Western Australia. Let's chat about it with the president of the Australian Blind Bowlers, Howard Dickson. Howard, good to catch up again. Thank you. Nice to chat.

To you, Peter. And yes, uh, the 25 nationals are coming up very, very soon. It's all getting a bit stressful.

To you, Peter. And yes, uh, the 25 nationals are coming up very, very soon. It's all getting a bit stressful.

I was going to ask you how things are coming along, but I guess if it wasn't, uh, stressful, then you're probably not doing your job properly.

I was going to ask you how things are coming along, but I guess if it wasn't, uh, stressful, then you're probably not doing your job properly.

Well, it's not just me, but. Yeah. No, there's probably some truth in that, too. Yeah.

Well, it's not just me, but. Yeah. No, there's probably some truth in that, too. Yeah.

Now it's being held at Mandurah for the last non West Australian. So where is that compared to say Perth.

Now it's being held at Mandurah for the last non West Australian. So where is that compared to say Perth.

Well for a start it's Mandurah not Mandurah. And it's about 75 80km south of Perth. It's um the original holiday seaside town on a huge great water inlet, water playground, fishing, swimming uh crabbing. Think of it as, uh, a very large bay with a very large inlet that has it's been a holiday town probably for since since I came to Australia in the 60s. But, um, yeah, it's, it's it's more almost a suburb of Perth now.

Well for a start it's Mandurah not Mandurah. And it's about 75 80km south of Perth. It's um the original holiday seaside town on a huge great water inlet, water playground, fishing, swimming uh crabbing. Think of it as, uh, a very large bay with a very large inlet that has it's been a holiday town probably for since since I came to Australia in the 60s. But, um, yeah, it's, it's it's more almost a suburb of Perth now.

Yeah. It's idyllic.

Yeah. It's idyllic.

It is actually. It's quite an idyllic place. Um. Bowling clubs. Lovely. It's got four greens. Uh, one of them covered. And, um, it's only like a five minute drive from the centre of town and from the beach, so it's quite, quite handy.

It is actually. It's quite an idyllic place. Um. Bowling clubs. Lovely. It's got four greens. Uh, one of them covered. And, um, it's only like a five minute drive from the centre of town and from the beach, so it's quite, quite handy.

So the whole kind of, uh, circus, if I can put it in a very, uh, jovial way, kind of moves to that area for the nationals, you know, travel to and from Perth on the day.

So the whole kind of, uh, circus, if I can put it in a very, uh, jovial way, kind of moves to that area for the nationals, you know, travel to and from Perth on the day.

Uh, no, I don't know that anyone will be traveling to and from Perth on the day. Pretty well. Everyone will be staying in Mandurah. Certainly all the interstate visitors will. Um, there is a train line that runs down there, but it's about a 50 minute train ride, so it's quite a train ride. Um, and yeah, most people will be staying in Mandurah. Um, we've actually booked out thanks to the generosity of Dolphin Quay Apartments. We've actually had a great deal and booked most of that out. and they overlooked the Marina, so it's a beautiful spot.

Uh, no, I don't know that anyone will be traveling to and from Perth on the day. Pretty well. Everyone will be staying in Mandurah. Certainly all the interstate visitors will. Um, there is a train line that runs down there, but it's about a 50 minute train ride, so it's quite a train ride. Um, and yeah, most people will be staying in Mandurah. Um, we've actually booked out thanks to the generosity of Dolphin Quay Apartments. We've actually had a great deal and booked most of that out. and they overlooked the Marina, so it's a beautiful spot.

I was going to say, Howard, I mean, on a serious note, when something like this happens, it kind of is a nice little tourism boost, that local area. You've got the players, obviously the directors, the other, uh, you know, people coming along. So it's probably a nice little, uh, fillip to the economy.

I was going to say, Howard, I mean, on a serious note, when something like this happens, it kind of is a nice little tourism boost, that local area. You've got the players, obviously the directors, the other, uh, you know, people coming along. So it's probably a nice little, uh, fillip to the economy.

Uh, it's it's okay.

Uh, it's it's okay.

For these sort of events, particularly with visually impaired and blind bowlers, we tend to put everything on. So the lunch is provided and the dinner is provided at the venue. But, um, people will go out for a drink afterwards. They'll probably, um, they get their breakfast in their rooms and they'll probably get breakfast beforehand. And yeah, it's, it's it's somewhat of a fillip. But, um, Mandera is a pretty busy place, but it is going to be outside of school holidays and after Easter. So therefore it'll be a handy thing for the for a few people in town.

For these sort of events, particularly with visually impaired and blind bowlers, we tend to put everything on. So the lunch is provided and the dinner is provided at the venue. But, um, people will go out for a drink afterwards. They'll probably, um, they get their breakfast in their rooms and they'll probably get breakfast beforehand. And yeah, it's, it's it's somewhat of a fillip. But, um, Mandera is a pretty busy place, but it is going to be outside of school holidays and after Easter. So therefore it'll be a handy thing for the for a few people in town.

Nice. You talked about a cupboard green. So it's obviously very very important just in case it rains. I mean it never rains in Western Australia, but you never know.

Nice. You talked about a cupboard green. So it's obviously very very important just in case it rains. I mean it never rains in Western Australia, but you never know.

Well, it can rain in Western Australia and when it rains it tends to really rain. But then I suppose comparing it to some of the rain that the eastern coast has had. Yeah, we don't get rain at all. Almost. Um, yeah. So the coveted green. We're planning not to use it. It'll be our fallback and it'll be for for others to have a go on. Um, I'll mention, actually, if you don't mind. Sure. Whilst the championships start on the 30th of April, we're actually having a roll up day for the visually impaired and blind bowlers who are competing in the championships on the 29th. And we're actually holding a come and try day where we're basically asking anyone who would like to give bowls a go to come on to Mandurah, to the Mandurah Bowling Club from about 930 onwards, and we're going to have bowlers there, directors there and bowls and equipment there, and we're actually going to, um, see if we can get some interest in others trying the sport out and giving it a go.

Well, it can rain in Western Australia and when it rains it tends to really rain. But then I suppose comparing it to some of the rain that the eastern coast has had. Yeah, we don't get rain at all. Almost. Um, yeah. So the coveted green. We're planning not to use it. It'll be our fallback and it'll be for for others to have a go on. Um, I'll mention, actually, if you don't mind. Sure. Whilst the championships start on the 30th of April, we're actually having a roll up day for the visually impaired and blind bowlers who are competing in the championships on the 29th. And we're actually holding a come and try day where we're basically asking anyone who would like to give bowls a go to come on to Mandurah, to the Mandurah Bowling Club from about 930 onwards, and we're going to have bowlers there, directors there and bowls and equipment there, and we're actually going to, um, see if we can get some interest in others trying the sport out and giving it a go.

Great way to spread the word.

Great way to spread the word.

Well certainly trying.

Well certainly trying.

Yeah. And of course, you know, you can hear about the sport, but we're actually having a go at it gives you a much different perspective on it of it.

Yeah. And of course, you know, you can hear about the sport, but we're actually having a go at it gives you a much different perspective on it of it.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Um, people who watch it. So the vision enabled and those who don't have huge vision impairment, they get something out of watching it and it opens their eyes to what's possible and and the limits that some people put on the vision impaired and blind, which are not valid. And of course, for those who are visually impaired and blind, it's a great thing to give it a go and realize that it's something they can do. And unlike most sports, it's something they can do and compete in across the state, compete nationally like at our national championships and compete internationally. Um, the International Blind Bowls Association International Championships is being held in 2027, and this championship is where we in Australia start selecting our team.

Um, people who watch it. So the vision enabled and those who don't have huge vision impairment, they get something out of watching it and it opens their eyes to what's possible and and the limits that some people put on the vision impaired and blind, which are not valid. And of course, for those who are visually impaired and blind, it's a great thing to give it a go and realize that it's something they can do. And unlike most sports, it's something they can do and compete in across the state, compete nationally like at our national championships and compete internationally. Um, the International Blind Bowls Association International Championships is being held in 2027, and this championship is where we in Australia start selecting our team.

All right. The pressure's on. Howard, what about in terms of numbers. Both the individual numbers and also the states represented. How is that looking at this stage.

All right. The pressure's on. Howard, what about in terms of numbers. Both the individual numbers and also the states represented. How is that looking at this stage.

So we only have four.

So we only have four.

Um, states at present. Uh, that's New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. I'll come back to that if you give me 30s later on. Um, But, um, of those, we now have 31 bowlers. We've lost a couple. Unfortunately, a lot of our bowlers are aged. So, um, sometimes as you get close to a championship, you lose a couple. Not to death, but more to, um, but to, uh, sickness, to medical issues and just to general life issues that get in the way. So we've lost a couple. We've got 31 bowlers and about 70 people in total attending.

Um, states at present. Uh, that's New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. I'll come back to that if you give me 30s later on. Um, But, um, of those, we now have 31 bowlers. We've lost a couple. Unfortunately, a lot of our bowlers are aged. So, um, sometimes as you get close to a championship, you lose a couple. Not to death, but more to, um, but to, uh, sickness, to medical issues and just to general life issues that get in the way. So we've lost a couple. We've got 31 bowlers and about 70 people in total attending.

All right.

All right.

That sounds fantastic. Uh, you want to touch on the states issue? I think I know what you're going to say, but tell us.

That sounds fantastic. Uh, you want to touch on the states issue? I think I know what you're going to say, but tell us.

Okay, so, uh, one of the things we're trying to do is actually start getting some interest in other states. And, uh, the two we're focused on at the moment in Tasmania and South Australia. And as part of that, we're actually in the process of looking at trying to hold our next year's 2026 national championships in South Australia down, down at Glenelg. And, um, we'll be doing the same thing there. We'll be holding a common try day to get people along to give it a go, see what it's like, and hopefully through that we can get a South Australian Association up and running and increase South Australia's participation in um blind bowls.

Okay, so, uh, one of the things we're trying to do is actually start getting some interest in other states. And, uh, the two we're focused on at the moment in Tasmania and South Australia. And as part of that, we're actually in the process of looking at trying to hold our next year's 2026 national championships in South Australia down, down at Glenelg. And, um, we'll be doing the same thing there. We'll be holding a common try day to get people along to give it a go, see what it's like, and hopefully through that we can get a South Australian Association up and running and increase South Australia's participation in um blind bowls.

Regular listeners of the program would know that there was a time when South Australian, uh, or South Australia was a very strong team when it came to, uh, lawn bowls with people blind or visually impaired. So hopefully we might get back to that day. I guess, as you say, you know, people do move on and, you know, don't play any longer. But, uh, nothing wrong with trying to start again.

Regular listeners of the program would know that there was a time when South Australian, uh, or South Australia was a very strong team when it came to, uh, lawn bowls with people blind or visually impaired. So hopefully we might get back to that day. I guess, as you say, you know, people do move on and, you know, don't play any longer. But, uh, nothing wrong with trying to start again.

No, no. And it's quite sad that we lost South Australia. It was before my time, and I must admit, I don't have a lot of intelligence as to what caused it, but at the same time, having a state association up and active and holding regular events is a good way to actually spread the word and get people trying it. A lot of people, vision impaired and blind, have no idea that blind blind bowls is possible, and what's more important is they don't realise that it's a game where they can truly compete with vision enabled people through the help of a director. They use the same equipment on the same greens at the same time And some of our bowlers beat vision enabled our bowlers. In fact, some of our bowlers beat just about every vision enabled bowler. So if you're free on the 29th, 30th or even any, any day up to the 7th of May, come along and have a look because you'll be shocked, you'll be surprised, and hopefully you'll be motivated to get involved. We always need vision enabled people as directors and volunteers. And of course, every vision impaired by a bowler that we can get on the green and having a go regularly is good for them. It's good for their family and their friends, and it's good for us. To a great.

No, no. And it's quite sad that we lost South Australia. It was before my time, and I must admit, I don't have a lot of intelligence as to what caused it, but at the same time, having a state association up and active and holding regular events is a good way to actually spread the word and get people trying it. A lot of people, vision impaired and blind, have no idea that blind blind bowls is possible, and what's more important is they don't realise that it's a game where they can truly compete with vision enabled people through the help of a director. They use the same equipment on the same greens at the same time And some of our bowlers beat vision enabled our bowlers. In fact, some of our bowlers beat just about every vision enabled bowler. So if you're free on the 29th, 30th or even any, any day up to the 7th of May, come along and have a look because you'll be shocked, you'll be surprised, and hopefully you'll be motivated to get involved. We always need vision enabled people as directors and volunteers. And of course, every vision impaired by a bowler that we can get on the green and having a go regularly is good for them. It's good for their family and their friends, and it's good for us. To a great.

Point, we'll certainly put that information up in our show notes. And we've talked about directors in the past. Are you and other people involved? Well, what about the other kind of ancillary staff that put the nationals on? Do you want to talk to a bit about that? I guess the organising committee and other sort of volunteers and other roles for the for the championships?

Point, we'll certainly put that information up in our show notes. And we've talked about directors in the past. Are you and other people involved? Well, what about the other kind of ancillary staff that put the nationals on? Do you want to talk to a bit about that? I guess the organising committee and other sort of volunteers and other roles for the for the championships?

Um, yeah. It's it takes a village to hold a championship, I tell you that basically when you think about it, you've got the bowler and the director and the bowler and the director are basically full time bowling. That's their job. Sitting around them or all the people you need to have a championship come together. Now there's a whole range of people and I would hate, hate to forget someone, but I probably will. But not naming people. If you think about it, you have to have markers. Markers to assist spotting the jack and tell the distance of the bowl and keep a score for the for the games. For the individual matches, particularly for individuals. You also have to have some umpires, and we're hoping to have two umpires available for the whole time. You need a technical director, somebody who oversees everything from the point of view of compliance with the rules and vision impaired and blind bowls has rules. It has the Bowls Australia rules, but it has some special rules put in place to deal with the fact that they're vision impaired and blind. And then you've got to have a tournament director, someone to actually run the event to look after, making sure that we've got things each team needs to bring along someone to manage any issues. They're called the team manager, but they're the interplay between the bowler and the directors and the, um, the championship itself. So if somebody's got a problem, somebody's got a health issue, somebody needs, uh, some assistance. Um, there's a problem with equipment, there's a problem with venue. Then that's the person who gets involved. So all of those roles are essential. And then just like any other event, you've got to have first aid coordinator. You have to have somebody who knows the venue can look after the venue, make sure it's set up right each day, making sure it's cleared up properly each day. And then for us, we need chefs, we need bar staff, we need catering staff. So the list is quite long. Uh, the role of the Mandara bowls club, the president there, President Denise, their committee and the and tires, who is like the administrative office, uh, has been integral and really important to the work we've done so far to get to the stage. We are and will be even more important once we start competing on the 29th.

Um, yeah. It's it takes a village to hold a championship, I tell you that basically when you think about it, you've got the bowler and the director and the bowler and the director are basically full time bowling. That's their job. Sitting around them or all the people you need to have a championship come together. Now there's a whole range of people and I would hate, hate to forget someone, but I probably will. But not naming people. If you think about it, you have to have markers. Markers to assist spotting the jack and tell the distance of the bowl and keep a score for the for the games. For the individual matches, particularly for individuals. You also have to have some umpires, and we're hoping to have two umpires available for the whole time. You need a technical director, somebody who oversees everything from the point of view of compliance with the rules and vision impaired and blind bowls has rules. It has the Bowls Australia rules, but it has some special rules put in place to deal with the fact that they're vision impaired and blind. And then you've got to have a tournament director, someone to actually run the event to look after, making sure that we've got things each team needs to bring along someone to manage any issues. They're called the team manager, but they're the interplay between the bowler and the directors and the, um, the championship itself. So if somebody's got a problem, somebody's got a health issue, somebody needs, uh, some assistance. Um, there's a problem with equipment, there's a problem with venue. Then that's the person who gets involved. So all of those roles are essential. And then just like any other event, you've got to have first aid coordinator. You have to have somebody who knows the venue can look after the venue, make sure it's set up right each day, making sure it's cleared up properly each day. And then for us, we need chefs, we need bar staff, we need catering staff. So the list is quite long. Uh, the role of the Mandara bowls club, the president there, President Denise, their committee and the and tires, who is like the administrative office, uh, has been integral and really important to the work we've done so far to get to the stage. We are and will be even more important once we start competing on the 29th.

Well, a big thank you to them. And as you kind of touched on an important tournament because, in 2027 a more international flavour tournament. Of course, over the years we've had some very, very good bowlers represent Australia at different international tournaments.

Well, a big thank you to them. And as you kind of touched on an important tournament because, in 2027 a more international flavour tournament. Of course, over the years we've had some very, very good bowlers represent Australia at different international tournaments.

Yeah, and as late as the last one where the Australia is the International Blind Bowls Association Champions Shield, the championship from the last year. And um, basically we've got some world class vision impaired and blind bowlers. In fact, I should be should be much more frank, shouldn't I? We've got some world class bowlers full stop, and they've done a brilliant job in the past, and we're hoping they'll do a pretty good job moving forward. Oh, I forgot to mention, obviously we've got a national coach that's going to come and have a look at the team and actually use do that. Got a couple of national selectors and we have to have a national team manager. The list goes on.

Yeah, and as late as the last one where the Australia is the International Blind Bowls Association Champions Shield, the championship from the last year. And um, basically we've got some world class vision impaired and blind bowlers. In fact, I should be should be much more frank, shouldn't I? We've got some world class bowlers full stop, and they've done a brilliant job in the past, and we're hoping they'll do a pretty good job moving forward. Oh, I forgot to mention, obviously we've got a national coach that's going to come and have a look at the team and actually use do that. Got a couple of national selectors and we have to have a national team manager. The list goes on.

Yeah. Well certainly as you said it's a rather large village to put on this tournament, which is fantastic. And obviously, uh, as you said, uh, bit of a, a hope that uh, maybe next year held in South Australia. So again, a way to kind of spread the word and hopefully engender a bit more interest in the state that at the moment isn't kind of represented at this, this tournament.

Yeah. Well certainly as you said it's a rather large village to put on this tournament, which is fantastic. And obviously, uh, as you said, uh, bit of a, a hope that uh, maybe next year held in South Australia. So again, a way to kind of spread the word and hopefully engender a bit more interest in the state that at the moment isn't kind of represented at this, this tournament.

Yeah, no. So that's a really big thing. And if anyone's on the line listening in from South Australia and thinking, hey, I'd like to be involved and maybe not just as a bowler, maybe actually as part of the organisation and setup of something like that, get them to get in contact with me. Um, my email address is ABBA b a president p r e s I'd e n t 2021 at gmail.com. We're always looking for more players, more directors, but we're also looking to actually see what we can do to get the right people in place to get a South Australian association and indeed a Tasmanian association up and running.

Yeah, no. So that's a really big thing. And if anyone's on the line listening in from South Australia and thinking, hey, I'd like to be involved and maybe not just as a bowler, maybe actually as part of the organisation and setup of something like that, get them to get in contact with me. Um, my email address is ABBA b a president p r e s I'd e n t 2021 at gmail.com. We're always looking for more players, more directors, but we're also looking to actually see what we can do to get the right people in place to get a South Australian association and indeed a Tasmanian association up and running.

So I guess a little bit of experience with lawn bowls would help. But, you know, I guess you've got people there that can kind of, uh, people got the enthusiasm to kind of harness it and point them in the right direction to, to make things happen.

So I guess a little bit of experience with lawn bowls would help. But, you know, I guess you've got people there that can kind of, uh, people got the enthusiasm to kind of harness it and point them in the right direction to, to make things happen.

Yeah. So I'm going to throw a spanner in your works there. I have to be honest, before I got involved in vision impaired and blind bowls. I'd have played bowls about five times in my life.

Yeah. So I'm going to throw a spanner in your works there. I have to be honest, before I got involved in vision impaired and blind bowls. I'd have played bowls about five times in my life.

Okay.

Okay.

And I'm a 64 year old man. Basically, you don't need to know bowls or be a competitive bowler to have the passion and the enthusiasm for bowls and for vision impaired and blind sport. And it's that sort of people we really need. People who bowl a lot are great, but they tend to be focused on their bowls and not so much focused on how do we actually get more people bowling. Mhm. Um, so yeah, you don't have to have a lot of background in bowls. It isn't a harm. But um, you don't need to and you can play an important role in moving this forward, moving our association and indeed moving blind and vision impaired bowlers into the space of doing something, getting that joy of life, of competing, of, uh, collaborating and working with other people and enjoying life overall.

And I'm a 64 year old man. Basically, you don't need to know bowls or be a competitive bowler to have the passion and the enthusiasm for bowls and for vision impaired and blind sport. And it's that sort of people we really need. People who bowl a lot are great, but they tend to be focused on their bowls and not so much focused on how do we actually get more people bowling. Mhm. Um, so yeah, you don't have to have a lot of background in bowls. It isn't a harm. But um, you don't need to and you can play an important role in moving this forward, moving our association and indeed moving blind and vision impaired bowlers into the space of doing something, getting that joy of life, of competing, of, uh, collaborating and working with other people and enjoying life overall.

And the social interaction. Howard, give us your email address. We'll put that up with our show notes, and we'll keep in touch with you. And I think I spoke to you just before coming to where hopefully catch up with a bowler or two leading up to it, and then afterwards as well to let people know, uh, how it's all going. So give us your details and we'll also, uh, as I say, put them up with our show notes.

And the social interaction. Howard, give us your email address. We'll put that up with our show notes, and we'll keep in touch with you. And I think I spoke to you just before coming to where hopefully catch up with a bowler or two leading up to it, and then afterwards as well to let people know, uh, how it's all going. So give us your details and we'll also, uh, as I say, put them up with our show notes.

No worries. And, uh, Peter, very anxious to get a bowler on you. Just give me a date. I'll get you a bowler. No problem.

No worries. And, uh, Peter, very anxious to get a bowler on you. Just give me a date. I'll get you a bowler. No problem.

Uh, you're you're you're the sort of people we love to work with, Howard.

Uh, you're you're you're the sort of people we love to work with, Howard.

No worries. And thanks to you and your show, you're doing a good job.

No worries. And thanks to you and your show, you're doing a good job.

And your email address?

And your email address?

ABA. WBA president p r e s I'd e n t 2021 at gmail.com.

ABA. WBA president p r e s I'd e n t 2021 at gmail.com.

Howard. Good to catch up. We'll keep in touch.

Howard. Good to catch up. We'll keep in touch.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Thanks to Howard Dickinson there. Who's the president? Certainly hasn't been involved uh or didn't play much before now but certainly sounds very full bottle on the, uh, nationals coming up in Western Australia at the end of April. If you want to get in touch, you've got Howard's details. And as always, if you missed them, consult our show notes. Or if you missed those, give us a call here at the radio station.

Thanks to Howard Dickinson there. Who's the president? Certainly hasn't been involved uh or didn't play much before now but certainly sounds very full bottle on the, uh, nationals coming up in Western Australia at the end of April. If you want to get in touch, you've got Howard's details. And as always, if you missed them, consult our show notes. Or if you missed those, give us a call here at the radio station.