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I was talking to a fellow bowler the other day whose wife had died
recently and he said how this wonderful game of bowls was saving his
life because of all the camaraderie in the sport – THAT is what
bowls in Spain is all about. The problem with too many people is
they have too much time – whenever I mention bowls in England for
the less experienced the answer always is “we live in Spain.”
Brilliant and I agree BUT in England you went to work, came home,
had a bite to eat, played bowls in the evening, had a drink, went
home, went to bed and started the cycle again the next day. In
Spain we start the game around 10.30 am in the morning and finish
about 1.30 pm then unfortunately there are too many people who then
have a drink or two or six and put the bowls world to rights. I
know that is a generality but we all know they appear at all clubs
BUT this is Spain, most have retired and quite rightly enjoy
themselves in their own way.
There are some who do a great deal of good for many clubs in their
own time and expense who want bowls in Spain to succeed. In my time
of only five years Spain, both at home and abroad, has moved forward
at a tremendous pace. We have leagues, cups, provincial matches all
run by various enthusiastic organisations that have brought on bowls
to both newcomers and the experienced bowlers. Spain, as a national
side, has achieved wonders in the last three years – now being
acknowledged as an up and coming nation. Both men and ladies have
qualified for the World Bowls in New Zealand, 2008, Spain have just
finished third in the European Championships, what a team
achievement, two of the men’s squad have set individual standard in
World Bowls tournaments. It is a great step forward by a relative
few but then when you talk to the grass roots level players and who
are really interested in bowls and who want to put something into
the game, you realise that the few will soon be many because they
want to be achievers.
Anyone can knock the Federation or any other organisation but I see
most of those are not on Committees or helping Spain achieve. Since
arriving in Spain, much against my better judgement I have become
involved in the politics of bowls because I believe in the
furtherment of this wonderful game, I have been Captain, Committee
Member and now Senior Assistant Director Bowls in Spain.
All I can say to Federation Members is read your newsletters that I
send out if you don’t know that Graham Marlow is also Senior
Assistant Director, looks after Almeria and all International
affairs, that Tony Winterton is Assistant Director for the Malaga
area and Treasurer and our official interpreter in dealing with
Madrid , and what an excellent job he does. I look after South of
Alicante, John Ramage is Assistant Director for North Alicante, Sue
Gell is Secretary, Tony Frowd, Murray Johns are members for Costa
del Sol, Barry Woods and Bryan Redington for Almeria and John
Cooper, Steve Westall and Crystal Toleman for Costa Blanca.
To me that seems like a well balanced proportion of people
representing you all. They work very hard looking after national
matters, not local ones that is left with your local Federations.
We are not perfect, we make mistakes but at least we are trying to
improve bowls in Spain and we do listen to what members say and act
on it. (Another myth gone.) I could go on and on telling you how
much it has cost me in time and money but only those that know would
believe.
Let me finish by saying – I believe in bowls, I believe in the grass
roots and I believe what can be achieved in Spanish Bowls at all
levels and I challenge ALL to help us achieve this by working
together.
Barry Latham,
Senior Assistant
Director Bowls in Spain
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