The "Good" Type of Summer School - Steve barker

SUMMER SCHOOL- THE GOOD
One of the challenges that we as coaches face during the season is how much we can or should adjust or change a YBC bowler’s technique in the midst of the season when there is a plethora of tournament qualifying and competition going on. Even without tournaments, the athlete is always concerned about their average, and we all know that any changes to a bowler’s style, even if it will improve their game long term, generally sees a person’s scores decrease at the beginning before they start to see improvement.
The best time for a bowler to work on his or her game is outside of league play and for major changes, the off-season is ideal. While some bowlers have the opportunity to practice for free or have access to good coaching, this option is not available for everyone.
One option for some YBC members across the country to improve their game is to attend one of the many Bowling Schools that operate during the summer months.
Many parents send their kids to Hockey Schools or Baseball or Soccer camps in hopes that their children can improve their skills and possibly make the “big time”. Without hesitation, they dole out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for these camps or schools, which are often run by or feature a guest appearance of a fourth-line grinder or middle reliever who you may have heard of because they had a “cup of coffee” in the NHL or Major Leagues.
Here’s something to think about; if you were an aspiring golfer, how much would you pay to spend a few days on the course with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy? How would you like to take batting practice with Jose Bautista and the rest of the A.L. All-stars? That would be cool! Say you’re a Vancouver kid who had the chance to practice and play with the Canucks? What if Jarome Iginla or some of the Oilers’ young prospects invited you out for a skate? Minor hockey players in Manitoba or eastern Canada would jump at the chance to work with Jets, Sens or Habs players. Imagine the thrill a Toronto kid could have by meeting a superstar from the hometown Leafs- Okay, bad example there, but you get the picture.
Pro athletes in other sports charge exorbitant amounts of money for personal appearances at events such as fantasy camps or schools.
One of the great things about our sport is the access to our greatest players. Not only do many of our game’s best players, past and present, volunteer each week with their local YBC programs, but many also donate their time and efforts to attend the Bowling Schools across the country. In many cases, our instructors and Pros use their summer vacation time to offer their expertise and experience at these schools.
There are several schools that operate across the country and the costs vary depending on the duration, the amenities offered and the region in which the school presides. (I apologize in advance if I have missed or excluded a school. If this is the case, please feel free to add links or information.)
 
Bowling Federation of Alberta Summer Youth Bowling Camp
Based in Calgary, this camp will run from August 9th-12th this year. With a 4-1 ratio of students to coaches, the school offers video analysis, guest speakers, mini competitions, group discussions, “ask the pros” sessions and on-lane work. The $275 registration fee includes accommodations, all meals, transportation to and from Camp functions and lineage. Check out www.bowlfedab.ca for more information.
 
27th Annual Saskatchewan Youth Bowling School
The Saskatchewan school also operates from August 9th-12th, at Eastview Bowl in Saskatoon. The concept of “school” is used, as the focus here is all about learning, both for the student athletes and the instructors. Offering an impressive curriculum delivered by some of the country’s best players and coaches, the registration fee is $415 with accommodation, and $350 without. The school also offers a “day school” for students aged 10-12 for a cost of $125. Contact www.saskbowl.com for information and registration forms.
 
British Columbia Youth Bowling School
This school based in Surrey, runs from July 13th-15th. Students aged 12-18 may apply to the school, with graduating Seniors also being considered if spots are available. This 3-day event includes video analysis, classroom and on-lane instruction and costs $280 including accommodations, books and meals. An adult school and an instructor school is also run in conjunction with the B.C. Youth School. Information can be found at www.bowlbc.com or by emailing bowl4fun@bowlbc.com.
 
O5PBA/YBC Bowling School
The O5 School operates at Sherwood Centre and McMaster University in Hamilton, and runs from July 19th -22nd. The $550 fee includes accommodation, all meals, drinks and snacks, as well as busing from the university to the lanes. Each group of 4 students is teamed with 1 Instructor and 1 Pro. Along with the teaching and comprehensive evaluation and instruction, there are a number of tournaments and skill competitions held within the school, with students having a chance to compete with and against the Pros. With awards for scratch and POA play as well as All-Star team selections based on a number of criteria including sportsmanship, the school caters to YBC bowlers of all averages. Applications and information can be found at www.o5pba.ca.
 
In addition to the schools mentioned above, Stephan Beauchamp attended the O5 Bowling School last year as an observer on behalf of the folks from Quebec, and plans are in the works to include students and staff from Quebec at this year’s school in Hamilton. Hopefully, Stephan and the people in Quebec are able to bring a school to their province in the near future.
Also, Tom Paterson (who is instrumental in the Saskatchewan and B.C. schools and many other ventures, but was adamant that this feature be about the schools and NOT him- sorry Tom) is working with the fine people of Newfoundland and they hope to get a school of their own off the ground in the very near future.
 
Again, try to find another sport where over 40 of the game’s elite coaches and players are willing to use up some of their holidays to spend 4 days in a bowling centre to help kids hone their own skills- What a great concept!
Let’s continue to work together to grow this great game!
 
 
 
 

Coaching Course - Gerry Farrell

In an effort to try to help the existing level 1 coaches upgrade to the new community coach, they need to get the ethics portion of the new Community Coach Course. I would like to put a few dates out there for the existing coaches in our zone to pick from and then hold as many sessions on that date as is needed. The dates I have available are April 15th, 22nd and May 20. All of the current level 1 coaches will no longer keep their level without the upgrade. They will expire on Dec. 31, 2013. I can also hold full courses but we need to get at least 10 people for either of the courses. All responses should be directed to my email address gerry2513@yahoo.ca or to Terry at terrymac13@yahoo.ca. As soon as I have a concensus on the day that will be chosen I will send everyone a response with session times.

The Coke Classic Review - Tom Paterson

 
The tour events bring together most of the very best in the game.  Those progressing through the event are tested not just by their opponent but also by the passage of time and the number of games played. Thirty games and 9 hours later Jordon Schuss wins the event, defeating Nick Utley (fellow Surrey bowler). Also both may very well be the youngest of the qualifiers. It is fitting that our top qualifier also wins the most matches making it through to the top 4 on the A draw and winning all his matches on the B side. In total Schuss won 8 matches. Close with 6 match wins is Mathew Turanski of Winnipeg. Utley won 5 matches. The cash flow for the final 4 ended like this; Schuss $4965, Utley $2420, Turanski $1965, Karie Kruetz $1595. Kruetz came close to repeating his 2011 win making it to the 2s,  losing to Nick Utley on the A side.
Everyone enjoys producing high scores.  The degree of scoring difficulty bowling centers offer is part of the challenge placed in front of all bowlers. Based on the scoring at this year’s coke classic it is fair to say the golden mile lanes are kinder than all others in the province, and probably challenges Callingwood lanes in Edmonton for the distinction of least difficult in western Canada.  Over the course of the past 6 years the final qualifying average has been above the 260 mark four of six years.  Most notably 2011 and 2012 Q averages were 266 and 268 respectively.
Other quirky facts; the 2012 classic smashed the record for total number of entries (including repeat entries) with 177. Eleven individuals qualified for the first time, this too is a record.  Ninety-one entries averaged 250 or better. Twenty-nine of the entries averaged over 260 and did not qualify! Only eleven entries averaged under 220! There was no survey, no request for information, but of the thirty-two qualifiers over a dozen were thirty years of age or younger. Of the qualifiers 5 were Ontarian’s Mike Herbert (290 Q average), Brandon Rogers (278), Mitch Davies (271), and John Degrasia (268). Davies won 4 matches, and Herbert won 2 matches. Three qualifiers were from B.C., Nick Allen(271), Nick Utley (291), and Jordon Schuss (top Q – 299). Saskatchewan won the sweeps for most bowlers qualifying with thirteen. Alberta placed 7 into the top thirty-two and Manitoba bowlers placed 4 into the top thirty-two. Three of the qualifiers took full advantage of each Q shift, entering all three. Who they are will remain secret J. One of Alberta’s hottest bowlers, Mark Johnstone, made it to the 4s before running into Turanski.
Mike Seavers won the consolation (996) also winning the last Q spot, and stretched his winning to the 8’s of the B side. Regina’s Jordan Rachar fresh from YBC finished second in the consolation just 40 pins shy of winning the thirty-second Q spot (951).
Qualifying shift number one was full of statement making. Kevin Clark continued his success in the tournament with a top shift one qualifying 291 average. Saskatoon’s Adam Martin and his simplistic smooth form provided the support for a solid 285 qualifying average. Brad Moens, averaging 284, recaptured the mental and physical skill set that has set him apart from many. Alberta’s teenage bowling phenom Jenn Baker qualified with a 271 average, and made it to the 4s of the B side before losing to eventual champion Schuss.
During the second round of qualifying Saskatoon bowlers Glenn Tarasoff and Julie Bayne qualified in the top 10. The overall leader after all the qualifying was completed was Jordon Schuss of Surrey, BC averaging 299. Had he not rolled 233 in his last game his average for 8 games would have been 310. Saskatoon bowlers qualifying were; Adam Martin (285), Kevin Rak (275), Glenn Tarasoff (273), Julie Bayne (272). Saskatchewan’s best run involved brothers Doug and Kevin Clark, Brad Moens, and Adam Martin all making it to the 8’s of the A or B draw. Notable non qualifiers for 2012 include Crystal Hiibner and Jenn Clark (top 8 finish in 2011), and Cordell Galbecka (champion in 2010).
 
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