On Friday 8th January the patiently awaited fours final that was postponed late last year due to torrential weather was finally played out in perfect conditions in front of a relaxed crowd of onlookers. 2019/20 champs Edgar Blanche, Chris Guy, Mike Sunderland and Paul Smith Played off against Adam Turner, Hamish Ryan, Simon Havill and Mark Hammington in a game that was fiercely fought.
​Congrats to both teams for making it to the final and well done to the reigning champs!

With the final being played at Naenaes indoor green while the rain pelted down and the wind howled outside, Sharon and Andy played a great game against Johnsonvilles Lui and Hilda - however the Johnsonville pair took the win on this occasion. 
Regardless - Runners Up is a very commendable placing in a final as it still shows that we have a very formidable team with these two ladies. Well done Sharon and Andy - from all accounts you played a very good game!
It was also fantastic to learn that several SBC members made an effort to show up and support our finalists... it goes to show we have a great club who believe in being there for each other.

Two days of fierce competition and of course loads of fun with a great turnout of junior (year 1 - 5) members representing clubs across the Wellington Region. 
Silverstream was proud to host this annual event and get the opportunity to help foster relationships that will last for years to come.

​A huge thankyou to all the helpers and supporters over the two days and to our esteemed club President (Aaron) for his continued support of junior member development. 

After all was said and done, the final results were:

​SECTION 1:
Fourth Place - Shane Duncan & Mark Downer (Paraparaumu Beach)
Third Place - Sam Kauone & Mone Amato (Stokes Valley)
Second Place - Zak Ramji & Richard Dailey (Island Bay)
First Place - Andrea Gray & Mike Sunderland (Silverstream)

​A small sample of pics from the days event are below - for more pictures visit our FaceBook page.

A stunner of a day blessed the fours teams allowing a full day of play to be had in perfect conditions. Two rounds were played today and everyone appeared to really enjoy getting back into the swing of competitive play and a good dose of banter. 

More photos of todays games can be seen on our facebook page - many thanks to De-Anne Sunderland (the unofficial club photographer) for coming down and taking a few good pics :)
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And there is a well known Silverstream Member among the chosen few. To see full details follow this  link: https://bowlsnewzealand.co.nz/blackjacks/new-face-in-trimmed-down-blackjacks-squad/

​The new (and not so new) nominees for office holders all went unopposed for the 2020/21 management committee. The full details of the committee can be seen here. 
Congratulations to all new and returning committee members and a sincere thank you to each of you (past and present) for the extra effort you all put in to make this club a success!

The Annual General Meeting of the Silverstream Bowling Club will be held at the club rooms on Sunday 28th June 2020 at 3pm.

*Please note this is a change of date from that shown in the Club Handbook and also the earlier start time of 3:00pm.

There will be a draw for two free subscriptions (one bowls and one petanque) for the 2020/2021 season for all those that attend the AGM.

In past years the prize giving and a pot luck dinner followed the AGM however this year we are keeping the AGM as a separate event and the prize giving will be held on the clubs opening day for the 2020/21 season which is currently scheduled for Saturday 5th September.

All members have been emailed a copy of the annual report and the financial statements.

Following the AGM, the bar will be open and there will be cheese and crackers.

With the Government announcing we are moving to level one life will move closer to the normality of pre-covid days. While things may never be the same as they were before March, we can at least start enjoying a level of social gathering that has been sorely missed by many. This means the club will be open on Friday evenings for members to enjoy a drink and the banter of comrades. It may even be ok to shake hands - but check first just in case. Now more than ever the club needs your support so please do come along to get back in touch with the club whanau and buy a drink of your choice.

We are looking for members support for this new idea proposed by David King:
As you know we have not been able to gather at the club for Friday Social night and as a result the club has lost an important revenue stream over this time:
So this idea is a way to help our club recoup some of these lost funds.
​
Silverstream Bowls and Petanque On Line Raffle:
We will run a 5 week Raffle with a draw each Friday starting on Friday May 22nd.
Members can buy a ticket that gives a certain amount of numbers in the draw each week for the 5 weeks. To secure your ticket, make an online payment to the club account for your ticket and put your name in the Particulars and Raffle in the Reference as below:

There are great prize options and you make the choice: (1 Prize per week)
Either: $50 meat pack, or $50 discount off next seasons sub, or $50 club bar tab.
​
$10 gives you 1 number each week for the 5 weeks
$20 gives you 2 numbers each week for the 5 weeks
$25 gives you 3 numbers each week for the 5 weeks

If you are in a position to do so, pease help your club and buy your preferred ticket option no later than May 20th. Payments to: Silverstream Bowling Club (Inc)  |  ANZ 06 0773 0044603 00

Once your payment is processed Hylton will contact you and let you know your numbers.
The draw each week will be posted on our Facebook and Website, along with the lucky winner.
Winners will also be contacted directly to see which prices they want to claim.

Please note: If we do not get enough sales by May 20th to make this raffle work we will use any payments made by members as a discount off their next season Subs.

A big well done to the top four qualifiers:
1. WTF
2. Oddballs
3. Big Bowls
4. Silverstream Rollers

The 2 semi-finals were: WTF vs Silverstream Rollers and Oddballs vs Big Bowls with Oddballs and Silverstream Rollers coming out on top to face off for the final.
 
The overall winner for 2020 Mates in Bowls was: Silverstream Rollers 
(Craig Butler, Samuel Butler and Hector Adams).

The runner-up team Oddballs (Jason Heckman, Darryn Pegg, Grant Cross and Phil Hawthorne) were first timers in MiB. 

Congratulations to both teams for these great results.
 
A big acknowledgement also to our sponsors: Team Ledger, Silverstream Pharmacy, Art Hair and The Mad Butcher without whose support this competition would not be possible.
Also a massive thank you to Robyn Tuckett for organising this annual event and to the Silverstream Club Members who come to assist.

Please find HERE a set of guidelines that have been developed for the bowls community to work within in relation to the Covid-19 Alert Levels that the Government advise are in place at any given time.
 
These guidelines are based on present thinking but may be updated if necessary as a result of any alteration in the Government’s Alert Level protocols, feedback received from centers and/or clubs, or a reconsideration of Bowls Wellingtons existing thinking.

An updated version of this document will be provided if / when any of the above occur.

The current Management Committee had a meeting earlier this week by Zoom (a web based video conferencing service). This enabled them have their meetings via computer from the comfort of their own homes. Meetings will continue to be conducted like this until Covid-19 restrictions are eased. *Thanks to David King for setting this up.

At this meeting it was decided to postpone the annual AGM and Prize Giving until the Covid-19 Alert Level is reduced to a level that allows these functions to take place. This was in line with advice received from Bowls NZ. All members will be advised once a date can be set for these functions.

Normally around this time nominations are sought for Management Committee Positions for the next season and also an indication from those members interested in any of the Appointed Positions.
As there is a delay in the AGM the request for nominations will also be delayed.
Relevant information will be sent out in due course once dates can be decided for the AGM.

On Monday 6 April the Government eased restrictions to allow maintenance of turf for golf clubs and bowling clubs. As a result of this Don and Ian have been able to cut the greens and will continue to look after any urgent maintenance matters.

A sign of the times as memberships dwindle and clubs struggle to remain financially viable. The importance of continuing the effort to grow our members is all too obvious after reading this article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/120586006/not-the-ending-the-southland-bowling-club-wanted
​

The Ministry of Health advises that anyone aged over 70; or anyone with compromised immune systems should isolate themselves at home and only venture out for the absolute necessities due to covid-19 being particularly harmful to these groups.
Anyone who identifies in one of these groups may understandably be very distressed about going out and exposing themselves to this illness. 
If you are in this position and you need help to get supplies (food, hygiene products, medicines, pet supplies or anything really) please look in the comments below and contact one of the people who are happy to help with your needs. 
Any members who are happy to help, please add your name and contact details to the comments section so you can be contacted if needed.

A massive shout out to Clare Hendra from all members at Silverstream Bowling Club!
After an amazing year including being selected for the Black Jacks, a National Title, Wellington Rep success and more Wellington titles, it is only fitting that Clare has been recognised as Wellington Player of the Year for 2019-2020.
Clare amassed a whopping 410 points throughout the season. To put this into perspective, second place was Helen King on 180 points and the highest male was Ray Martin on 175 points!

Recognition is also deserved for the following Silverstream players who made the list:
+  Kennie Critchlow with 60 points
+  Denise Goldsmith, Sharon Ritchie and Helen Baker with 45 points
+  Adam Turner with 35 points
+  Andy Gray with 20 points
​

The Bowls Wellington Board, after convening for a special meeting, have agreed that for the time
being Bowls Wellington events will go ahead as scheduled. This is in line with the current
recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Bowls NZ.

Clubs are encouraged to be vigilant in their operations with regards to the hosting of bowling and
social activities at the club.
The following measures are recommended to minimise risk:

 Don’t pick up other people’s bowls or equipment.
 Maintain a distance of 1.5m from other people where possible, including in the clubrooms.
 Wash hands regularly and thoroughly.
 If you need to cough or sneeze, do it into your elbow.
 Refrain from shaking hands or other body contact, including high fives.
 Don’t lick your fingers before playing a bowl.

Other general considerations to ensure you keep yourselves and other safe include:

 Using disposable gloves and follow good hygiene practices when dealing with money and/or food.
 Using EFTPOS instead of cash whenever possible.
 If you feel unwell or someone you are in close contact with feels unwell, please stay away.
 If you have returned from overseas in the past 14 days, stay away.
 If you have had contact with someone returned from overseas in the past 14 days, stay away.
 If you are in self isolation, stay away.

If you have entered a Bowls Wellington event, and you feel unwell or anxious about participating,
you are eligible for a full refund. Where possible contact Bowls Wellington prior to the draw being released.
This situation is continually evolving and Bowls Wellington will continue to monitor the
situation and follow the advice and recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Bowls NZ.

​We are proud to announce that our women's fours won the Champion of Champions final against Island Bay by 20 to 15. This is the first center win for Helen, Sharon and Denise - well done ladies!!!
​The team was: Clare Hendra - Skip, Helen Baker - Three, Sharon Ritchie - Two and Denise Goldsmith - Lead.

Congratulations Clare Hendra and team (Sandra Keith, Selina Smith and Tayla Bruce) for taking out the Womens National Fours. Silverstream Club and its members are all exremely proud of your continued success!

It was a fierce battle between these two but after some brilliant ends Sharon claimed the win. Hats off to both Sharon and Andrea for putting on a great performance for the spectators.