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10/02/2009 - Tony McKenna - Playing for Spain - The Way Forward |
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Hi ya fellow bowlers, my first posting on here. Having attended today's Federation meeting at Monte Mar on the proposed Way Forward, I want to encourage all bowlers in Spain to carefully consider these proposals over the coming weeks (in whatever format you receive them from your Fed Rep). They are complicated and there's more to them than is immediately apparent. They will affect everyone, some more than others, but should enhance domestic competitive bowling throughout Spain. As such they have my support as Albir Federation Representative and I will promote them at the club 100%. However, from a personal perspective, what really disappoints me is the seemingly endemic negative attitude towards anyone who dares play bowls for their adopted country and it is these bowlers who potentially stand to lose the most. The scale of misunderstanding concerning what financial support is offered to squad members amongst (it would seem) all levels of bowlers is not only staggering but could, in my opinion, only have arisen through deliberate misinformation. I feel privileged to play for Spain and when originally selected for the squad, I expected to pay 100% of my personal costs, I never intended to be a financial burden on the majority. Naively, I thought that in return the squad had the general support of the wider bowling fraternity. It transpires however that not only do many bowlers have an antipathy towards the squad many believe we are paid for the privilege of being in it. In two years as a squad member I have received €100 from the Federation towards the cost of a Portuguese test match. Others who, for example, were lucky enough to play in New Zealand received more, but this was still only a fraction of the total cost. I don't know what the position is with regard to the management and coaching staff but without them we couldn't function, let alone progress. Our national squad is becoming much more professional and with that our achievements on the world stage will only get better. Our credibility amongst world bowling nations is rising. Our activity on the world stage will hopefully continue to increase. Members of the squad have always and will continue to bear the bulk of that financial burden. Now whilst I appreciate that these achievements may have little impact on social bowlers I am surprised that so many have such an aversion to the national team, as implied by discussions concerning future funding under the Way Forward. Competitive bowling is a lifeline for us all. To some of us that is club days, to others it is open tournaments and the Nationals, some are lucky enough to play for Spain. Whatever level of bowls we enjoy, we can only exist together and bowling in Spain can only progress if we support everyone's interests. To think that social bowling can survive without more competitive opportunities is completely naive. Despite being a potential loser under these changes I will promote them because they should provide a more secure basis for bowling for years to come. I will continue to play for Spain as long as I am selected and as long as I can afford it. When looking at the proposals please encourage all members to appreciate the full spectrum of bowling in Spain. I imply no criticism, I merely hope my comments help to remove the myth surrounding squad funding. Tony Mckenna - Albir Bowls Club
Footnote from
Webmaster:
I
am always pleased to publish any contributions sent by members of
the Federations. Currently, I receive regular communications from
the Malaga delegation and from Tony Winterton. I would be very happy
to publish the document referred to by Tony McKenna. |
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