Tony Nelson, part of the Burden Park Bowling Club’s premier division side, could be playing first division next season as his side faces relegation.By Glen Atwell
POKER machines – or lack thereof – are hampering Burden Park Bowling Club’s ability to field a top-notch premier division side, according to chairman of selectors Ken McKenzie.
Unless the club’s top side can win four of its last six games this season it will slip back in the ranks of the Royal Victorian Bowls Association competition.
“The clubs with poker machines offer big money and most players can’t say no to it,” McKenzie said.
“It’s been the policy of the club for a long time (not to pay players), but it’s becoming a real struggle to recruit players from the local area.”
McKenzie, a stalwart of the Springvale-based club, said players had never been paid and the club didn’t intend on installing poker machines to change that.
Burden Park has this season failed to find the winning form that saw it roll into the premier division with consecutive wins.
The team is facing relegation after copping a 74-shot thrashing at the hands of Moonee Ponds on Saturday – the 145-71 scoreline reading more like an AFL result.
McKenzie said affluent clubs could afford the luxury of installing poker machines, and enjoy the finger-pushing revenue they generated.
“Other clubs can pay top players between $5000 and $10,000 a season, and even more for a quality coach,” he said.
McKenzie said after the club’s top side was promoted to Premier Division, the loss of two top-shelf players put in a real dent in the side’s armour.
“We lost Barry Lester, who is currently in the Commonwealth Games lawn bowling squad, and another player to opposition clubs,” he said.
McKenzie said having state league players in a side boosted the morale of all participants.
“It’s a bit like when Wayne Carey used to play for North Melbourne – his presence seemed to lift the entire side,” he said.
“It is much the same on the bowling green. Everyone walks taller.”
McKenzie said the reality of relegation meant the top side would move back into first division.
“We will be a top side in the first division, and will no doubt be up in the premier division again,” he said.
And McKenzie said it would happen without the help of poker machines.
While the premier division team was thrashed on the weekend, the club’s second side defeated Yarra Glen 93-81, first-time skip Dean Mueller and his team of Gerry Sherburn, Ray Thomson and Fred Burke performing well to beat the top side.
The third side was slow to start, but overhauled Berwick in the last few ends to sneak in with a four-shot victory, 95-91.
