13/06/2007 - Graham Marlow - Some Questions Answered

I was recently asked by a bowler a number of questions about the National Squad and, having answered him, it made me start thinking that the answers, together with other information on additional points, may be of interest to many other bowlers in Spain which is the reason for this article.

What is the role of the Team Manager?

The job of the Manager can be summarised in a few short phrases.  It s basically to administer and control – to be in charge, always having time for players and dealing tactfully with them – to get on with them at all times ensuring that they continue to succeed and become a focused and well knit team.

The Principal Accountabilities are

1.             Be responsible for ensuring that the players are kept fully informed of when and where they are playing at all times.

2.             Ensure that their woods conform to the requirements for the competition.  That they all have the correct stickers and required dress/coloured shirts, etc.

3.             Keep control of the results position for the team and each player together with their overall position ensuring that the displayed results are correct.

4.             Look after the liquid and food requirements for the players while they are taking part.  Be certain that they are taking sufficient liquid on board and do not become dehydrated.

5.             Make all travel and accommodation arrangements for the team and make sure that everyone is fully informed and understands what has been arranged and at what cost.

6.             Discuss at the end of each day the results of the matches played and how they are achieving in the overall tournament.

7.             Keep the Director informed of progress, difficulties and problems at all times.  It is important to make certain that the players can spend all their energies on taking part and that all other problems are sorted out by the manager either directly or with the help of the Coach and/or the Director.

8.             When the Manager and where possible the coach as well, can be accredited, he must ensure that at all times one of them can be available to the players to answer questions or give assistance to remove the problem from the players.

What is the role of the National Coach?

The job of the Coach is to be the professional trainer for the team.  They are to tutor and instruct all players to be skilful, focussed and to be fully prepared to take part in any competition.

The principal accountabilities are:

1.             Planning and conducting training sessions

2.             Creating the proper ambience for learning

3.             To gain the trust and respect of the players

4.             Encouraging players to develop practical techniques and skills through positive practice

5.             Encouraging the players to explore and develop new methods of mental approach

6.             To be aware of the (ZOP) Zone of Optimum Performance for self-motivation

7.             Supplying constructive feedback post training and matches

Who are the selectors?

At the present moment they are Iain Donaldson (coach), Tony Cummings and Mary Cummings (Managers), Alicante North, Derek King from the Costa Blanca and myself, Almeria, (Chairman). There were others but the commitment of having to attend matches and training sessions in the same way as the players, has reduced our numbers.  We would ideally wish to have one from the Costa del Sol, so that that area can also be fully represented as it was in the past.

What is their role?

To always be on the look out for possible future squad members, particularly when it is considered that further trials are necessary either to increase squad member numbers or replace those who have left.  They have to do the selecting at the trials based on full written comprehensive instructions issued to them by myself.  At times, when looking for players, club captains will submit names to selectors so that they can see if a player meets the necessary criteria and also makes their own judgement on whether they are suitable for a trial.

What is the criteria for appointing a team captain?

They have to be a squad member and are elected by the other players.

What powers do the captains have and do they influence team selection?

It is not a question of power and this is not even a consideration, their job being mainly to act as spokesperson for the rest of the squad.  Normally all squad members are quite happy to talk directly to a manager, coach or myself and are happy to do so.  The Captains are there, though, in case of need.  As regards input to team selection, the answer is none.  This is done solely by the selectors.

How is the team funded at present?

All players have to agree to meet all their own costs and sign an agreement to this effect.  I endeavour to try and obtain assistance from the Federation and sometimes I am successful in obtaining 50% of hotel accommodation costs (room only).  It is extremely difficult with so few federated members as those are the only players that Madrid recognises.  The more clubs that take on corporate membership, the better, although we still have to get the agreement of Valencia.  There are well over 4,000 bowlers in Spain and, up to a short while ago, only about 600 were federated.  (This has now increased to over 1,000).  As regards local funding he answer is very little although some clubs do give a little to their players and some hold fund raising days.

What percentage of a player’s travel accommodation costs are generally covered?

I think you will see from the above comments that we try and obtain 50% of accommodation.  This has been extremely difficult in the past and even now is only for team events.  Competition like the Champion of Champions in New Zealand and the World Cup in Australia have to be covered fully by the competitors and what they can obtain in sponsorship and fund raising.  Although members of the National Executive Committee have tried in the past to obtain larger amounts of sponsorship for the squad, overall it has never materialised despite letters and presentations.  There is only so much time one has available.  At one time, and I do not think he will mind me mentioning his name, Don Fisher took on board the finding of funds and was very successful.  It is not an easy task and requires specialised skills and also, ideally, an ability to speak Spanish.

What is the role of the Director?

On this point I can only really speak about my own position as Barry Latham, the other assistant director looks after the Costa Blanca. 

1.         Act as co-orinator between the Costas. 

2.         Take in information from World Bowls and the Federation and ensure its communication to all interested parties.

3.         Chair the National Executive Committee Meetings and endeavour to improve lines of communication both to and from clubs.

4.         Responsible for the National Squad and endeavouring to keep them all fully informed at all times of events and happenings.

5.         Obtain entries in World Bowls competitions and endeavour to arrange matches for the players with other countries and also within Spain.

6.         Finding the necessary green space for matches and also training sessions for the Squad and making all arrangements for them to take place.

7.         Ensure knowledge and compliance by all Squad members of the drug testing rules now in force in all major competitions.  Where necessary ensure applications are made to for the possible issue of exemption certificates.

8.         Maintain open lines of communication to and from the Managers and Coach and in turn the players dependent on who has been selected to represent Spain in any particular event.

9.         To try and make certain that all members of the Squad, including Managers and Coach, work together and trust each other so that they become and are a unified team.

Having said all this, I did announce some time ago my intention to retire in February 2008 after the World Championships in New Zealand.  Should there be anyone reading this that is interested in taking on the work or even part of it as I think the time has come to split the domestic side from the work surrounding the National Squad.  Please contact me and I shall be pleased to discuss more of what is involved in more detail.

 Graham Marlow, Assistant Director for Bowls in Spain