Hi matt,
After talking to a few other people, this series has fallen into the same trap as all others, we live in WA, we do not have the ground swell of bowlers with any large numbers of scratch or high average bowlers at the top end, its simple mathematics and percentages, to get a tournament number of bowlers we have to have 5-10 times that for medium average bowlers and another 10 times that for lower average bowlers, these are not the roll and giggle bowlers that come once a week for a drink and a laugh with friends, but bowlers who wish to progress.
The sports series condition may well have been brought in to challenge people with certain conditions, but history shows that a good house condition attracts a wider range of bowlers to participate where they can get value for what they perceive is a good shot.
Take Cannington last year, over 40 entries then that condtion was laid down where for the week previous only a selected few at Cannington were able to practice on it, after the tournament so many who wanted to come back for tournaments walked away because of that reason only...look at the names and go ask.
Never the less, I have bowled in them when it doesnt clash with an interstate seniors, ATBSO or TBA Seniors as is this weekend.
We need to get people back into tournaments, especially if WA is ever going to make an impact Nationally, where are these guys travelling east to compete? they are not because they do not believe they have the skills to compete and don't want to waste their money, sports patterns are not laid down in tournaments.
We should have say 3 Major WA tournaments, don't have to be ranked like the Perth cup but would be nice, the conditions need to be laid where a wider variety of shots have a reasonable chance, this comfort zone rubbish is a reality and to get the numbers why not lay down comfort zone conditions. not easy conditions, but conditions peopple will walk away afterwards with a good experience, we know the better bowlers will still probably prevail, but at least all the others believe they can compete.
Some people will not see what I am trying to put forward, and thats fine as my name suggests I am putting up the argument to make people think, at the end of the day I would really love to see a lot of bowlers in tournaments, not just 190 plus as a purple circle establishment as it is perceived at the moment.
Hats off to sponsors like O.P.S. who are at least trying, but we need to take a snapshot of what Perth bowling actually is and tailor tournaments around that, not guess something would be suitable because some people said they wanted it, then don't turn up to support it.
Just my thoughts ..... go to it guys get commenting maybe something better will come of this..... happy bowling to all and go us seniors flying the flag for WA....
Seniors State Team roll offs on this weekend, sorry Matty, will have to miss this one. Good luck, hope you get lots of entries.
