2016-17 Bowlers Arm Tournament Schedule

by Team BV

Bowls Victoria Chief Executive Graeme Bridge advises that arm events will again be a highlight of the Bowls Victoria season in 2016-17 with some 21 events scheduled by Clubs across the State.
Arm Bowling Coordinator and Bowls Victoria Director Phil Gude said: “Last year saw over 800 players enter arm bowling events across the State. This is unsurprising as Bowls Victoria now has over 6,500 players registered to use a Bowlers Arm device, many competing for their clubs in their top sides of Pennant and even skipping.”
Chief Executive Graeme Bridge makes the point well when he says: “This is the principal growth sector of bowling in our State. This group represent around 13% of all affiliated members/players and they are all important cogs in the evolution of bowls and without the ability to use an arm device our Clubs and the sport would have lost these valuable contributors to our sport.”

Coaching – Challenge and Reward!
Bowls Victoria will again present opportunities for players and Club coaches to take part in three Coaching sessions.
Locked in are Arm Coaching Days at Preston/Reservoir BC on Sunday, December 11, Horsham City BC on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, and City Memorial BC in Warrnambool on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.
Mr Gude said: “I have always seen this as the real challenge and reward area in developing Arm playing to a higher level. We have been very fortunate indeed to have a dedicated group of State Arm players ready to put back into the sport. I pay special tribute to past contributors and look forward with enthusiasm to running sessions in the coming season.”
State players A J Parker, Mike Scotter, Adele Ryan and Lee Wesley will headline the coaching this season.
Over 1,000 players have already benefited from coaching assistance to date and I am sure many more will get tips that help them enjoy the game just that much more in the coming season.”
 
Coach the Coaches
Mr Bridge said: “We especially encourage Club Coaches wanting to learn more about the intricacies of Arm device use to come along and be a part of these sessions.
Already over 150 have taken part in sessions which in itself is very encouraging indeed.
The Bowls Victoria Coaching Committee has adopted the Coaching module produced by Phil Gude and available here on the Bowls Victoria website as a valuable resource.
“This gives a comprehensive understanding of Bowls Australia requirements, detail of approved arms and practical tips about arm bowling,” he said.
 
New Zealand Coaching
The Bowls Victoria coaching group of Phil Gude, Adele Ryan and Lee Wesley have recently returned from New Zealand where they were part of the first invitation Australian Arm Bowlers Side.
They coached 200 New Zealand players and coaches.
Phil Gude went on the record and stated that: ‘No other State has this level of commitment from its State Arm players who are only too willing to put back into their sport and I am very proud of their achievement thus far.”
 
Official State Titles for Arm Players – Victoria leads the way!
Graeme Bridge said, “Bowls Victoria is proud to become the first State Bowling Association to fully recognise its Arm Players by introducing official State Titles for both Women and Men in Singles and Pairs play.”
These titles will be played at MCC Bowls Section, Swinburne Avenue Hawthorn from January 3-6, 2017 and we expect solid entry numbers for the inaugural titles.
 
National Arm Championships – Broadbeach BC, September 2016
We wish the Bowls Victoria State Side – “The Armed Vics” recently selected, success again at this year’s National Championships where they will be pressing for a fourth successive victory which will create history if achieved.
Players in Alphabetical order are: Barry Anset (Bendigo BC), Ray Arnold (Mentone BC), Ray Bezett (Benalla BC), Stephen Coles (North Balwyn BC), Doug Corrigan (Ringwood BC), Neil Crisp (Warrnambool BC), Harry Dahllof (Highton BC), Malcolm Finch (Golden Square BC), Phil Godkin (Eaglehawk BC), Peter Gribbin (Caulfield Park/Alma BC), Phil Gude (Dromana BC), Tony Long (St.Leonards BC), Arthur Parker (Main Ridge BC), Ann Power (City of Frankston BC), Adele Ryan (Ocean Grove BC), Denis Smyth (Shepparton Park BC) & Lee Wesley (Romsey BC), Team Manager – Graeme Bridge.
 
Arm Coaching and Events Schedule 
Events across Victoria from Swan Hill to Lakes Entrance , Belmont to Benalla plus inner Suburban and Metro areas means most bases are covered and players have a great choice of these growing events.
Click here for the 2016-17 Victorian Arm Bowling Tournament Schedule
Have you seen Bowls Victoria’s dedicated Bowlers Arm website section? Click here