Why is everyone so depressingly agreeable?

What does the average league bowler want from a governing body and how can we assist those that want to bowl competition inside and outside Australia?
 
Hi all,

I have read all of your comments and I think its time that the sport was brought into todays world just like Golf and Tennis have been. Let me explain. Both sports had controlling bodies running the sport but both sports were going nowhere for the elite players in their sport. What happened was they created two organisations golf formed the PGA / LPGA and Tennis formed Tennis Australia. Both these organisations have grown the elite side of the sport whilst the governing bodies simple run the rules of the game and advise clubs on day top day matters.

What bowling needs is to form "Bowling Australia" run independently of TBA to run all elite events & tournaments to which bowlers pay a membership fee to. Then TBA run the rules and league membership at a much lower fee.

After spending time with people from both the PGA and Tennis Australia, they both say that the only way to promote and grow a sport is from the top down, create heros such as Belmo. Create a desire for bowlers to get better and juniors will stay in the sport. Look what is happening with basketball more juniors than almost any other sport but they stop playing no heros any more. They are just starting to promote form the top.
 
Belly, what you say makes sense.

And CT whatever makes you think I hate the TBA? I (as I have said elsewhere) have been a ATBC/TBA member for fifty two years and have, as does every card holder, the right to express concern when the organisation tries to ' slip one by me'.

This should have been put before the membership instead of going on the quiet to the proprietors. The result I admit would most likely be predictable .. But you never know.

Hate is a very strong word. Disappointment on this occasion I feel is more appropriate.
 
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Hi all,

I have read all of your comments and I think its time that the sport was brought into todays world just like Golf and Tennis have been. Let me explain. Both sports had controlling bodies running the sport but both sports were going nowhere for the elite players in their sport. What happened was they created two organisations golf formed the PGA / LPGA and Tennis formed Tennis Australia. Both these organisations have grown the elite side of the sport whilst the governing bodies simple run the rules of the game and advise clubs on day top day matters.

What bowling needs is to form "Bowling Australia" run independently of TBA to run all elite events & tournaments to which bowlers pay a membership fee to. Then TBA run the rules and league membership at a much lower fee.

After spending time with people from both the PGA and Tennis Australia, they both say that the only way to promote and grow a sport is from the top down, create heros such as Belmo. Create a desire for bowlers to get better and juniors will stay in the sport. Look what is happening with basketball more juniors than almost any other sport but they stop playing no heros any more. They are just starting to promote form the top.

This is exactly where I am trying to take the alternative scoring, to create a product which is marketable to attract a fanbase where none was possible previously. Similar to the V8Supercars, they took existing racing and packaged it differently, Cricket did similar with their game. Having fans in a sport creates more hero's, increases prestige for the sport and drives competitors. You must make bowling interesting to watch for non bowlers so hey have some emotional response connection to the sport
 
Here we go, I had to add something. Promised myself I would not as the politics of the sport are of no interest to me, so on three hours sleep here i go.

So how do we start a new Bowlers Organisation for the betterment of the sport?

The sport needs a governing body and I support the TBA, but aren't most of the problems of today created by the very governing body in charge of the sport over the last few decades. Sure there has been a huge shift in bowlings popularity, but that is a world wide thing. Not just an Australian thing. The PBA struggles, what are they doing different these days to 20 years ago. Or is that the problem, we are not doing anything different. It's still just 2 games hot-dog and a coke for the school holidays.

I have made this comment on TB many times before, being a TBA member should be mandatory. You can't play Soccer with out registration, Rugby League, Cricket, pick a sport that is national and there is mandatory registration process. But it should be the bowlers responsibility as we play the sport. Yep i used the S word, "sport'.

i bowl ATBSO also, i have to fill in a registration for them. no problem at all, sign up pay my fee and go have a few laughs with some old friends.

I would be more than happy to support any organisation that chooses to take on bowling and tries to make a change, it is for the long term future of the only sport in the word that every body can play.
 
Belly, what you say makes sense.

And CT whatever makes you think I hate the TBA? I (as I have said elsewhere) have been a ATBC/TBA member for fifty two years and have, as does every card holder, the right to express concern when the organisation tries to ' slip one by me'.

This should have been put before the membership instead of going on the quiet to the proprietors. The result I admit would most likely be predictable .. But you never know.

Hate is a very strong word. Disappointment on this occasion I feel is more appropriate.

What are they trying to 'slip by you'? The net result for the members is that they save $5 on their membership. As for telling the membership first then putting it to the proprietors, who are the ones actually affected by this, you might want to think that through some more.
 
I agree that all bowlers in a league should pay a registration fee. However, what do they get for that fee? That is the question that the average league bowler will ask. I am sure most would be happy to pay a small annual fee if they knew what they were going to get for that fee. That seems to be what most bowlers want to know. Make it clear and concise. I pay $x and in return I get x benefits that are worthwhile to me. Not x% off car hire that I can buy cheaper on the internet.
 
I agree that all bowlers in a league should pay a registration fee. However, what do they get for that fee? That is the question that the average league bowler will ask. I am sure most would be happy to pay a small annual fee if they knew what they were going to get for that fee. That seems to be what most bowlers want to know. Make it clear and concise. I pay $x and in return I get x benefits that are worthwhile to me. Not x% off car hire that I can buy cheaper on the internet.

Agreed, but what do you get for your Soccer registration, or cricket registration? not much, but in the local cricket club down here you get a 20% discount if you support the club sponsor and buy through their store. What is cricket offering for the rego fee?

the answer is simply, "the right to play in the season and here is your jersey on loan for the year".

i was asked that very question a few years ago, in fact it was on my return after a 24 odd year lay off. i asked were do i sign up for the years membership. keeping in mind that when i stopped you did not have a choice. join or watch. the person behind the counter was shocked that i asked, the person standing beside me responded with, " i am not paying as i don't see the benefit and refuse to".

I was gob-smacked at the attitude, i turn to the lanes and said, with out a governing body all of this space will become a warehouse, then where will you bowl?
 
Joe, I think you miss understood, this is not another Association it is run in conjunction with the TBA, it just becomes the promotional arm of Bowling running Tournaments, Promotional events, etc, such as the one I arranged with Belmo, Danny Frawley & Jason Dunstall (yesterdays heros challenge). Its just they don't get bogged down with rules, leagues, disputes, etc.
 
The Australian sports commission (ASC) ensure that each sport has its own governing body .TBA being the governing body for the sport in Australia implement strategies( risk management) , policies( member protection, codes of conduct) and other governance matters ( constitutions, rules, legal compliance ) to name a few.

Like any sport risk is a big factor especially if there are liabilities, for a small fee isnt it worth the protection & piece of mind to be a registered member? one of the big reasons we become registered in any sport is to be protected & insured ?

For one I can see the TBA want to ensure that every league bowler is covered , plus mandatory membership will give a true & accurate figure of how many are actually playing the sport which in turn will help gain any sports funding required from ASC.
 
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Joe, I think you miss understood, this is not another Association it is run in conjunction with the TBA, it just becomes the promotional arm of Bowling running Tournaments, Promotional events, etc, such as the one I arranged with Belmo, Danny Frawley & Jason Dunstall (yesterdays heros challenge). Its just they don't get bogged down with rules, leagues, disputes, etc.

No misunderstanding, and I agree, they should be separate.

Just like this site is on no interest to the TBA, they have their own. All of our chatter is just for the bowling fanatic, on here it will come to nothing more than something for us to type about.
 
John, while TBA do not read nor contribute to this forum, it is a means to put a viewpoint forward and open up a discussion to share ideas and 'brainstorm' without retribution (in most cases).
 
WOW ! 113 responses !!. Not everyone is agreeable after all. Keep it up. All that is missing now is some action, instead of words. Don't be afraid of disagreement { and Debate } about what action. So, keep it up Gals and Guys. Afraid I won't be able , after a recent diagnosis and consequent treatnent, to be much help - mind you I can still be pretty disagreeable, but only with words - told that I will never bowl again, though I do intend to argue about that. So --- Go get 'em. It's you're bowling future..........

Jim
 
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One subject there can be no disagreement,
the fact that you Jim Cross, have had significant and sustained involvement in the Sport of Bowling in this country. From TV appearances on the Bowling shows of the 60's, to Managing for AMF and onto Owning your own Bowling Centre. Then there is your involvement in writing the constitution when the TBA was first formed.
All of this is only surpassed by your love of the game of Tenpin.
I have appreciated every conversation we have shared, every game we have bowled together, you will always remain my best mate. Thanks for all the times you have helped me and never once asked for anything in return, you are a true Gentleman in every respect.
Regards and best wishes, Pete
 
Yep good luck Jim hope you are still able to enjoy your time. Always respected your knowledge and opinions.

Didn't always agree with you but that's what debate is all about isn't it.

Again hope you are ok ... And I'm not that far behind you after over half a century on the lanes. Guess we have seen some good times and a few not so good I'm sure you'll agree.
 
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In Jim's memory, I reckon he would have liked TBA to produce something like this to promote the Nationals, rather than the NOTHING that they currently do

 
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In the early 1990's the ATBC produced 2 separate professional videos promoting the sport, the Nationals and the Congress and benefits. The first used John Burgess as the host and included such Australian legends at Richard Hall, Eric Jang and Vic Bubniw along with modern day legend Cara Honeychurch - the second used US PBA legend Dave Davis as the host and the National Championships as primary focus.

Because you don't know these things happened - and much more besides, doesn't mean they didn't.

AS for the TBA reprodi=ucng there e
 
...........sorry, fingers aren't what they used to be - as I was saying - as for the TBA reproducing these types of things now - I doubt it would be possible on what their budget is today given their membership numbers. Could they do more - well yes most likely - and they would probably agree.
 
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