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20/02/2008 - Umpires AGM - Malaga Province |
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FEDERACION ESPANOLA DE BOLOS - LAWN BOWLS SECTION MALAGA PROVINCE UMPIRES & MARKERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ( held at Santa Maria Bowls Club – Wednesday, 20 February, 2008 ) PRESENT :-
Mr. G. Land Mr. G. Adams Mr. M. S. Johns ( Chairman ) ( Vice-Chairman ) ( Secretary )
Mr. G. Aldridge Mr. J. D. Carr Mr. J. Howlett Mrs. M. Johns Mrs. A. Knight Mrs. D. Musgrove Mr. B. Ogden Mr. J. G. Owen Mr. H. Parker Mr. B. Pemberton Mr. D. Tolfree Mrs S. Walker Mr. D. Wood
1. APOLOGIES :-
Mrs. D. Anthony Mr. I. Anthony Mr. D. Fisher Mr. J. Neilson Mr. C. Thomas
2. MINUTES OF THE LAST A.G.M. ( 24-10-06 ) :-
These were read by the Secretary and were approved as a true record by Mr. H. Parker.
3. MATTERS ARISING :-
It was agreed that all relevant matters were covered in the Agenda.
The Chairman did ask the Meeting how Mr. & Mrs. Shields were keeping and their position re : the pending move to U.K. Mr. Parker advised they were both well and their move had yet to be finalised.
4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT :-
Mr. Land said he was pleased with the progress made over the last 18 months and extended his thanks to the Vice-Chairman and Secretary for their commitment and support. He also commented on the valuable contribution of Messrs. Carr and Owen after they were “co-opted” on to the Sub-Committee set up to review the format for the Umpires and Markers Courses.
5. SECRETARY’S REPORT :-
The Secretary said the Committee had met several times to discuss the interpretation, and subsequent implementation, of the April 2007 Laws and had circularised ALL Clubs with a statement suggesting they re-visit specific Laws.
He further developed the comments of the Chairman concerning the re-structuring of the Umpires Course. He said it was unfortunate Mr. Tolfree had chosen not to oversee the “new Course” but thanked him for his previous contribution and for continuing to provide help and advice.
He re-iterated that he, along with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, had only agreed to serve 12 months as no other Members would take “office” in October 2006. This gesture was taken to ensure the ongoing future of the Association which he felt was more secure due to the significant strides made in recent months with the appointment of 6 new Umpires.
He expressed disappointment at the poor response to the Markers Course but explained that commitment was a major factor affecting everyone in what was an extremely busy Bowling Calendar.
6. REVIEW OF MARKERS COURSE REQUIREMENTS :-
Mr. Parker said he continued to run successful “in-house” Courses at Santa Maria and would be pleased to provide details of the format he adopts to the Secretary for possible adoption within Malaga Province.
Mr. Tolfree said he also had documentation from the Costa Blanca on a format they had adopted which he would also make available.
A general discussion followed on the following subjects :-
- The quality of Marking - Acceptable Questions for a Marker to answer - The positioning of the Marker if requested by a Player (s) to stand in a specific position on the Rink e.g. to pick out a certain length of Jack
The latter promoted extensive comment and the following proposition, made by Mr. Carr and seconded by Mr. Wood, was adopted for implementation throughout Malaga Province following a majority vote :-
“Markers must not stand in a position requested by either or both Players which may influence the positioning of the Jack”. It was agreed the Secretary should publish “Guidelines for Markers” for issuing to Markers prior to any major event involving Singles and this must include a reference that “Bowls must not be moved by the Marker”.
7. REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF CURRENT LAWS :-
Everyone agreed the need to enforce the Laws more stringently as standards were slipping in key areas. The Vice-Chairman and Secretary both expressed their concerns on the abuse of the Laws affecting Rink Possession.
Messrs Carr and Wood said Laws should be fully implemented and it was agreed Umpires should observe, and speak appropriately with offenders, in a tactful and diplomatic manner with a view to protecting Bowlers and ensuring fair play at all times.
The need to raise standards within ALL Clubs was agreed and it was agreed we had a major part to play in achieving this objective. This would also come from effectively Coaching “beginners” and Mr. Johns said the Federation was now looking to bring in a Coach from U.K., at no cost to Clubs, to identify and train NEW Coaches. This would ensure more qualified people are available to raise standards at each level.
Other items discussed at length were :-
- The implementation of the Law re : Foot-faulting - The interpretation of Laws 28 and 33 - The types of Footwear now being adopted re : Sole / Tread patterns ( it was ultimately agreed this was a matter for the individual Club Owners )
8. REVIEW OF THE UMPIRE’S COURSE :-
Mrs. Walker suggested that Laws 28 & 33 would be best demonstrated on the Green and the need to develop the “practical” side was agreed.
The Chairman confirmed the next Course would be Autumn 2008 at the latest but the need to vary the format and structure was not deemed to be necessary.
9. DRESS CODE FOR UMPIRES :-
The Secretary had asked for this item to be included following a recent decision taken by the Costa Blanca Association to allow Ladies to wear their “tops” outside the waist belt of their skirts. It was unanimously agreed that standards should be maintained at a high level but, if Ladies wished to wear Trousers as an alternative to a Skirt, they may do so providing they were of a “tailored” variety i.e. suitable Bowling Trousers.
Mr. Wood also stressed, and the majority agreed, that Gents should always wear Long White Trousers when officiating.
Mrs. Johns mentioned that embroided Polo Shirts, complete with the F.A.B. logo, and Name if required were now available from a Shop in Calahonda ( behind the Garage in Calypso ) at a cost of 14€ + I.V.A. and she would be prepared to co-ordinate availability for anyone interested in purchasing one.
She also asked if anyone was interested in lightweight Green Jackets. The consensus was a “Fleece type” would be more appropriate and she agreed to establish price and availability.
10. ELECTION OF OFFICERS :-
Mr. Wood proposed the existing Committee, if willing to stand, be re-elected en-bloc. They confirmed their acceptance and they were unanimously re-elected.
Mrs. Musgrove suggested that a “Nomination Form” be included with next year’s A.G.M. notification and the Secretary agreed to do this. She also asked whether a “lay member” should sit on the Committee but it was agreed anyone could be “co-opted”, as Messrs Carr and Owen had been, should the need arise.
Mr. Parker suggested that one Umpire at each Club should be responsible for liaising with the Committee. ACTION – Clubs to advise the Secretary of the person in question.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS :-
Mrs. Musgrove raised the issue of “subsistence” when officiating. The Secretary confirmed that Umpires on the Costa Blanca received an allowance per session but, in our Province, we took a different view.
He explained that, when officiating at a Federated event, the F.A.B. would cover expenses for Lunch and Soft Drinks. At Club co-ordinated events he knew that Belplaya, Benalmadena, Benavista, Mijas and Superbowl covered the subsistence costs of Umpires. Mr. Ogden raised the issue of Certificates for the newly qualified Umpires. Mr. Owen showed the draft Certificate and the Secretary confirmed he would confirm the 6 names, with correct spellings, of those who qualified in October / November.
The Secretary also confirmed, to those who were not aware, that we are giving a “laminated Card” ( Credit Card size ) to all Umpires and Markers passing the approved Course but a Marker will not be given a Certificate.
The Meeting closed at 13.10 with a vote of thanks to Santa Maria Club for their hospitality once again and to ALL Members for their attendance. Murray Johns ( Secretary ) 20 February, 2008
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