Thank you to the bowlers who provided the much needed feedback during the consultation meeting with the selectors the other day. The proposed teams for round 1 have been posted on the pennant board. If you need to speak to the selectors about your own selection, they will be available this Saturday 6th from approx. 12:00pm to 1:00pm prior to social bowls. If you cannot make this time, you may organise a time with the chairperson that’s agreeable to the selectors. More players have indicated they won’t be available in round 1 so more changes are likely. There are several regrades that still have to be submitted to the SMC for approval. If these are not approved, more shuffling of teams will be required.
SELECTION POLICY
Our Selection Policy has had a much needed update in line with current standards. I thank the Selectors and the Board for their input. We urge all players to make yourself familiar with the selection criteria and clarify any concerns with the selectors prior to commencement of the pennant season. Not only do our bowlers have to be familiar with the policy, the selectors also have to commit to following the policy. Our Selection Policy is available on our website under Club Information. A Copy is at the Pennant Board or you can request a copy from the Bowls Coordinator. Most of our bowlers are still unfamiliar with the concept of a Selection Policy. A Selection Policy provides a transparent selection process. It establishes the basis of selection decisions and bowlers’ rights in relation to such decisions. The responsibility for the selection process falls to club members who devote a great deal of their time on a voluntary basis to this sport for the benefit of club members. The Selection Policy is also for their benefit.
Some humour for our potential selectors – John Douglas 2010 – Courtesy of the Warrawee Club.
The job of Selector is a much maligned role in any Lawn Bowls Club .
The subjective nature of player’s ability in Lawn Bowls makes the task of selecting the best team a Nightmare. With competitive sports like Cricket, Football and tiddly winks, the task of finding the best person for the best position is eased by the obvious nature of player’s ability.
Lawn Bowlers on the large are not a skilful lot and it seems the average Lawn Bowler is destined to distract selectors from gauging the genuine ability of a team.
Anybody who considers the job of assembling these humans into an effective force on the green has to consider their approach to the process.
There are only a few options available.
Firstly there is the “Communication” style of being Selector.
Be warned, this approach is a large pitfall if you value your personal life. If the rumour gets out that you are a Selector who is willing to communicate, be prepared to put up with a season of whining, whinging and emotional blackmail.
Those midnight calls from drunken seconds who played third the week before will take their toll.
If you have experience working in a crèche or an A.D.D clinic, this might be the approach for you.
If Barak Obama was to suddenly quit politics and suddenly turn his political arts to being a Lawn Bowls selector, he would be eaten alive by the incessant pleas of poor bowlers hoping to be promoted above their station.
A fair, transparent, compassionate philosophy to being a selector is a recipe for disaster!
Another approach is the “Emu”.
Completely ignoring people is a valid option. This requires only the simple ability to not give a rats about the progress of the team, and an ability to improvise selection decisions when prompted by questions.
If you admit you’re no good and other club members know this, you should have no problems surviving a year at the job.
Sure, you’ll never get the job again, but you will be well liked at the club and most likely be stuffed and used as the club mascot when needed.
The best option for the role of Selector is being the club “Tyrant”.
If you are going to be hated, why not be hated on your own terms?
The great historical tyrants of the last hundred years did great damage to the societies they run. Think of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, etc. But a selector can exercise similar evil powers, without taking a human life.
Sure, the odd bowler will run off into the night screaming and hollering in despair that they’re playing third to a first year player skipping Grade 5.
In the end, no one is really hurt if you declare a “zero whinging” tolerance.
If you do get that late night call from an exasperated bowler, you can coolly say that the situation will be changed tomorrow, put down the phone and put them in their place by having them lead in Grade 7.
At least they can have one night of sleep until they see the notice board the next day!
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