YOUR SPORT

Bias Bill is pointing to his bowls - for the record I did borrow them!

On the road we go... with a Q&A with Bias Bill...

Your Sport is set to go on the road this week with Kiama Bowling Clubs Publicity Officer Bias Bill.

We hope you enjoy the ride, so sit back, relax and enjoy going behind the scenes at Kiama Bowling Club...

How many years have you been a member at Kiama Bowling Club?

Ive been bowling here for 18 years now and lived in Kiama for 30 years.

During that time I have been involved in the surf club, and refereed junior soccer, rugby league and touch football.

How did your alter ego, Bias Bill eventuate?

The name is in reference to the bias on the bowl, in no way am I bias.

How many years have you been doing publicity the club?

Around one year now.

The highlight in that time?

The highlights are the characters both on and off the green. Harold Tuohy has been a member since 1943 and he only stopped bowling two years ago.

The sportsmanship on the day is the highlight and you do have to watch what you say sometimes.

The exercise is good for the older bowlers and it is great to see the youngsters out on Saturday afternoons.

How many juniors does the club have?

Bias Bill collects his Bowls from the other green and I do think he took it easy on me.

There are nine juniors and Lenny Oliver is our bowls coach and often organises clinics for them.

Secretary Manager of Kiama Bowling Club, Tony Woods, joins us at the round table.

Tony What makes Kiama Bowling Club the place to be?

There are great people, like Bill and free pool, free darts and some great specials in the bistro.

If I was down an end, with three ends to play what would you recommend I do?

If you can draw Id draw but if there are bowls in the way you can try an on-shot to take the bowl out.

Your highlight on the green?

Ive made six finals and lost five of them. The one I won was in the Minors in 2001.

It is great to see John Brownlie do so well and the young fellas represent Illawarra.

What have been the biggest changes over time to the game?

They are bringing out bowls now days that go straight and I dont think that does much for the social bowler.

That focus is more towards the good bowlers and is a new style.

Final thought?

This wasnt supposed to be about me so we have the AGM coming up and are taking nominations for the board.

If there are any members out there willing to help, dont sit back we need you.

Time to head out onto the greens for a roll up... Its a Friday and am at the end of a bad day.

The first few ends I am hoping to ease my way in to it but as many first or second timers can imagine the bowl is going where I dont want it to go. I am going skinny I am told and need to go wider as Im not getting enough grass.

Like all sports there are secrets to bowls and I slowly realise that the bowl isnt allowed to bounce so try to work on my release.

Bias Bill lends a hand with some mystery hand cream that I think is bowls polish.

It does the trick and straight away I win my first end way to go bill and Im slowly getting the hang of it.

With sledging such a hot topic at the moment, our conversation turns to etiquette and not purposely of course, I begin to ask questions of Bill when he is lining up. He does well to block it out for a while and then starts spraying them to the right - (probably to make me feel better) but the picture tells the story&

Bill comments I know what youre up to now mate and the battle of the greens continues.

Down to the final end and scores are tied 20 a piece and the mind games cease. Bias has his four blocking the kitty and I see a way around on the backhand side, but its a long shot. I make it and the rest is history. Thanks Bill for a great afternoon&

Scores may have been doctored in a show of sportsmanship and the old ego.

Play of the day While it has to go to Bill for inviting me down I am sure Bill would agree the bowl after I applied the magic hand cream was something special mainly due to the rest ending up on the next green!

Sledge of the day Plenty of fun banter was had and when I ask Bill how I can get the cream off my hands he politely informs me Thats your problem mate they are your hands

It was one of the best afternoon Your Sport has had and as a result Your Sport has decided to officially go on the road.

If you would like to have us visit your training session, weekly event please email or phone me with your request.

Your Sport is pleased to bring you the final Q&A on the Team of Steel which marked the 25 year anniversary of the Illawarra Steelers.

Shaun Timmins

What does it mean to make the Team of Steel?

It was great to be named in the team and Im proud of the life membership, especially with around 850 people there.

It is the first time they have done that and it is something that will never be taken away from me.

Being in the company of so many great players is a bonus.

Who did you look up to most in the team?

With Wishy from Gerringong I really looked up to him and Paul McGregor and Johnny Simon.

Best piece of advice?

What they (the players) done. You learn from them at training to put in extra effort.

Funniest moment?

We had some great wins and big losses but the experience overall was just a great time.

Then we merged and the only thing missing is a premiership.

You kicked one field goal for the Steelers Who was it against?

Cronulla at win stadium in 1995/96. It put us up by a point and then Craig Smith scored on the bell and we won by seven.

Toughest opponent?

They are all pretty tough Shane Webke, Gordon Tallis as was Jarrod McCracken in his time.

If I say Bob Millward what immediately springs to mind?

He was a great Chief Executive and good to have a round and he helped me out a lot. He is still a passionate Steeler.

Update

When Your sport interviewed Shaun he was still unsure about his future.

He has since signed a two-year deal with English Club the Castleford Tigers.

He is yet to return from a quadriceps injury but should be back on the field soon and still has that premiership on his mind.

Im trying as hard as I can to get back on the field so we can all finish the year on a real high, he said.