24/03/2010 - Umpires AGM - Malaga Province -Submitted by Sue Walker

Federacion Espanola De Bolos – Lawn Bowls Section

Malaga Province Umpires & Markers Association

Annual General Meeting Wed. 24^th March 2010 At Miraflores BC

Present:- Geoff Land – Chairman            Gordon Adams – Vice Chairman            Susan Walker – Secretary

Grant Frost, Graham Rowley, Garry Aldridge, Doreen Musgrove, Bill Ogden, John Carr, Marjorie Johns, Murray Johns, John Cornwell, Bill Mann, Barry Pemberton, Peter Brack

Apologies:- Haydn Parker, Clive Thomas, Dennis Tolfree, Dorothy Nuttall, Dennis Wood, Angie Knight.

Minutes of the last AGM 16.2.2009

These were approved as a true record

Matters Arising

Murray raised a question re markers showing a position e.g.  at the  23 metre mark. After discussion it was agreed that markers should not stand at a specific length but move to the back of the rink and then after the jack has stopped move it to the correct position.         ACTION – John Carr to emphasize on Markers courses

Susan repeated her request again for continued training to keep the standards high. Doreen proposed this idea and this was seconded by Bill O. To be discussed in more detail later.

Chairman’s Report

The first consideration we have to address is the fact that Federation may well be on the verge of changing its policy in several ways. The new President is D.J. Hilton and knowing Derek he will make changes, in which direction is of course difficult to anticipate. There are a few rumours floating around but nothing positive has been reported.

We have been able over the last 6 months to make some progress with the Federation. It has been agreed that we can now train Umpires without imposing the previous rule of thumb i.e. that all Umpires must be Federated.  My argument; that Bowlers have the option of joining and that contrary to the rest of the Sporting World cannot be made to join---I am therefore, in my opinion, justified in arguing that the same option must be available to Umpires.  This has been accepted by the President of the previous Regime—whether this will continue is to be seen.

I proposed that; taking into consideration the distance that Qualified Umpires are expected to travel to officiate at various Open Competitions, the present system as to expenses for travel by these Umpires must be rewarded.

Presently Clubs are in agreement that they should be responsible for supplying Umpires with refreshments..At the present time Federated Umpires may claim travelling expenses in respect of Federated Competitions .  These expenses are presently extended to cover refreshments. It has also now been agreed by the Costa Del Sol Committee, plus the owners, that the Clubs will give the same reimbursement to Umpires in the case of non Federated events but this apparently will not cover (in respect of travel expenses) for the Umpire officiating at his home club. (It further seems that these expenses in respect of non Federated competitions may be claimed whether or not the Umpire is playing at that club on that day.  (This has now been confirmed)

The Federation is still dragging its heels in that it is still adamant that only Federated Umpires will be allowed to officiate at Federated events. With this I am unable to agree as it is in contravention of the Laws of the Game and is also contrary to the Federations own rules when they insist that Bowlers are not compelled to join the Federation ---why then should that not apply to Umpires.

Changing the subject slightly  ----Certain papers are currently afloat in the area which are being wrongly quoted as being the ‘New Laws’ – This is not so they are proposed changes which have been accepted or rejected by the Law Committee, duly elected for that purpose. The Executive Meeting takes place in June when some or perhaps all will be adopted and entered in the new Law books which will be available in about September or shortly after that date.

There is little to be said on the Umpiring in general through the past year that could be construed to be detrimental but there is still a tendency to forget that an Umpire is in charge of matters on the field of play but the controlling body  is responsible for the running of the Tournament and to enforce Rules made in respect of that competition .  Umpires will assist if required but it must be remembered that should they be challenged  by a combatant  they must refer the matter back to the controlling body for a  final decision. On the field of play the Umpires decision is Final,  but only in respect of the Laws of the game.

All Umpires should remember that when a situation is being dealt with by the duty Umpire no interference by any  other Umpire present should be made---discuss the matter by all means quietly after the game. Remember that whether or not qualified or even if you think that the matter is not being dealt with correctly you should not voice your opinion. This only serves to undermine the Duty Umpires authority and often leads to an embarrassing argument.

As regards the usual problems ---‘Foot faulting’ and ‘Rink possession’ I will not dwell too long  on these as there are intimations that some changes are going to be made and also the matter of ‘giving away the mat’.  However we must not under any circumstances anticipate what will happen at the Revision of the Laws scheduled to take place in June. I have been told that certain of our Umpires are quoting what these changes are to be and are taking the recent research by the Law Committee as read—this is of course NOT SO. This Committee have either accepted or rejected proposals made by representatives from Countries over the whole of the bowling World.  These proposals will be examined by the Executive Committee which is to meet in June and a Final decision will be made by that body.

I am very pleased to say that the reports I have received with regard to the new Umpires have mostly been good  ‘Congratulations  to those concerned’

I would further like to Congratulate the team of Gordon Adams, John Carr and John  Owen for their part in training these new Umpires.  Not an easy job!!!  We shall be running further Courses in the Autumn when hopefully the New Laws will be available. It is not practical to run Courses before the new Laws are promulgated. Finally may I say ‘Thank You’ to our very able Secretary—Susan Walker. She has done a great job and I am confident that she will continue so to do.

That concludes my opening address ---I will now hand over to our Vice Chairman who would like to have a few words concerning the matter of future Umpires Courses.

Vice Chairman’s report

Gordon reported that the structure of the course was working well and will continue in the same format. Last November seven players attended the course with five being successful in passing the exam. Their certificates were presented to them and they were thanked for all their efforts. Gordon also thanked the trainers and Miraflores for the use of their facilities.  New amended Certificates – Costa del Sol to be deleted - will be issued to everyone. Garry then volunteered to make  new  credit card size Umpires ID cards by reducing the certificates.      ACTION – New Certificates – Geoff,    New ID Cards – Garry

Secretaries  Report

Having being promoted to secretary during this year due to Murray’s resignation, I have tried to support the association as much as possible. Geoff and Gordon have given me their full support.

It was decided to contact all the clubs along the coast offering the services of qualified umpires at their competitions. We have had many requests for umpires and with your positive replies to my requests we have been able to cover most days. I thank those of you who have given your time and expertise to officiate at the competitions.

We have had a few incidents that have occurred during the course of umpiring and I feel these problems should be shared, discussed and resolved for everyone’s information. I also feel follow up training sessions would maintain our high standard.  Both will be discussed later.

Gordon ran an umpires course last November with seven candidates and five passed and were appointed.

We have numerous names on the umpires list but not all are active and volunteering, so we still have the need to train more new umpires every year. Let me know of anyone who you think could be suitable and would be interested in attending the next course.

Markers courses and Training courses are always available either at your own club or at a central venue, John  Carr will Co- ordinate both these.

Election of officers

The three officers were prepared to continue, so as there were no other nominations Geoff, Gordon and Susan were re-elected. Nominated by Murray, seconded by Doreen.

AOB

A new Law Book will be issued in the next few months so we will then meet to discuss any changes so we can inform all members of our clubs.

Foot Faulting – This law is still not being observed by numerous bowlers so we need to try to improve this situation as in law 20.  This may change in the new book.

Rink Possession – This Law is still not understood by a lot of players so we must try in a calm way to get players to understand this law 35.

Training Sessions – Any incidents or problems that occur during umpiring which you feel needs discussing should be sent to Susan, to forward to Geoff / Gordon.  When Susan has a few that could help everyone she will arrange a gathering to share these experiences.

Dennis Woods – A letter had been received stating he was having a rest from umpiring after over 10 years on the coast.  ACTION – Susan to send a thank you letter for all his hard work and dedication.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and Miraflores for the use of their facilities and then closed the meeting at 13.10.