15/06/2009 - John Haigh - Replies to Ken Tebbenham

I welcome the comments of Ken Tebbenham regarding “The Way Forward” document and the letters in his support I think reflect the concerns of many people who play bowls in Spain.  There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the NEC`s “The Way Forward” document. The NEC is the governing body that orchestrates how and what happens in Spanish bowling after taking cognizance of the directives issued by the Sports Council.  Firstly, I welcome any proposals that endeavour to take Spanish bowling to the next level both domestically and internationally. Is Ken against a “way forward” document in principle or is it just this one and its implementation? 

The next part of my letter relates to what has happened in my own area of Torrevieja.  I arrived in Spain in 2000 and I came because I wanted to experience a different way of life, good weather, a relatively low cost of living and finally to continue to PLAY BOWLS.  A simple choice for me if there was no bowling there would be no Spain.  I suspect that whilst most of the people who play bowls in Spain came for the first three reasons and perhaps others not many came for last one, which was to continue to play bowls.  Moreover, there lies what I believe to be one of the major obstacles in the development of our sport in Spain.  Whilst there may be over 3000 people playing bowls there is relative a small number of “bowlers”.  Competitive bowlers as we are often referred to also enjoy the sport but with an edge to it and in the main most “competitive bowlers” have already played bowls or other sports before coming to Spain.  The vast majority of the people who play bowls have only taken up the sport when they came to Spain and this clearly does not exclude them from being competitive or making a significant contribution in terms of finance and effort in developing our sport. The comments I have heard on numerous occasions is “why should I support financially the Spanish squad when I’m not interested whether Spain competes in International bowls”.  In the last few years, Spain has internationally competed successfully in the World singles championships. The three successful men have been Nick Cole, Keith Jones (twice) and this year Pete Bonsor.  I ask the question are the people playing bowls in Spain interested or concerned about their success?   My own experience would suggest that in the main people playing bowls do not care one iota about what happens domestically or internationally in bowls. All three men who competed have had to rely on their own personal financial contribution and from financial support from their own club and sponsors – little financial support from the Federation.  The same Federation provided medical insurance that proved to be less than adequate as one of our international bowlers discovered when they suffered a serious illness whilst representing Spain.  Since 1988, the bowlers in Spain have contributed many thousands of Euros to the Federation with little in return for their contribution so why not have a system whereby all monies collected are plowed back into our sport.  I applaud the efforts of our NEC in trying to address this situation whether proposals in the NEC document were acceptable is of course debatable.   I believe we are the third largest financial contributor to the Sports Council and in the 20 odd years since bowling was introduced into Spain the officials in the Federation probably still do not understand bowls and perhaps that is one reason why we do not receive a lot of support from them.  Of course, things have slowly got better and I believe there was financial support for the Instructors Course recently held on the Costa del Sol and forthcoming financial support for the Spanish squad.  All these new developments should be applauded but is it enough to develop the sport here in Spain?  How can we change this situation?  We are probably in the best situation here in Torrevieja to make the greatest impact in trying to get youngsters both English and Spanish speakers involved.  Many English-speaking students are attending Torrevieja schools and these students are bi-lingual and could persuade their Spanish-speaking friends to become involved in our sport.  This recruitment from within schools has already successfully been achieved in the UK and we already have in our area a successful Spanish bowler who I am sure would only be too pleased to offer his support in going into schools recruiting youngsters to come into our sport.  Who knows if the Federation see that Spanish people are playing our sport and being successful this may persuade them to offer more support to lawn bowls.  One other point is that in Spain you are a “youngster” if you are under 50 and in England, you are past your “sell by date”.  Could this be another problem regarding the development of our sport in Spain?  I am considered a “competitive” bowler and it would give me tremendous pleasure if I could see youngsters involved and who knows in a few years we may have truly a Spanish team competing in world bowling competitions.  Surely, I am not the only one wants to achieve this goal and to have a true Spanish Champion?  Therefore, here are my proposals for the John Haigh “Way Forward”.

 The Facts 

Recommendations

 The views expressed in this letter are my own personal views and do not reflect the views of San Luis Bowls Club.

Note from Webmaster: I think it would be very useful for the authors of "The Way Forward" to send a copy to this website, so that readers may at least understand the proposals set out.