BA celebrates International Women’s Day with Sue Hogg
Volunteers are an integral part of the game and umpires in particular are vital in bowls from measuring the jack length in a club event to deciding the winning shot in the World Championships.
Without umpires bowling clubs and associations wouldn’t be able to hold competitive bowls events and tournaments so as a sport we are lucky to have so many volunteers willing to give up their time.
Sue Hogg from Manning Bowling Club in Western Australia has only been a bowler for nine years; however she is already a member of Bowls WA’s Umpiring Committee and dedicates countless hours to assist her club.
There are currently 589 level one umpires in Western Australia and as a member of the WA Umpiring Committee, Hogg is responsible for training new and current affiliated umpires.
There are certainly pathways for women from club to national level to further themselves; whether it is playing, educating themselves in officiating pathways or further developing themselves to take on roles on Boards and Committees.
Hogg is the only female International Technical Official qualified from WA so hopefully with many national and international events being held on Australian shores in the near future more umpires will opt to advance their skills and qualify to officiate at world class events.
Bowls Australia requested an expression of interest from ITO’s who wish to volunteer for upcoming national events and received a very positive response.
Hogg will have her hands full in the coming months with plenty of events in WA that she has made herself available for.
“We have Women’s Country Week coming up and there are still a couple of state events before the end of the season,” Mrs Hogg said.
“I may also be required to assist at the Australian Sides Championships which will be held in Western Australia in April.”
Mrs Hogg knows the importance of volunteers having brought up her very talented son Brad Hogg (Perth Scorchers) through the cricket system and no doubt volunteered many hours during his junior days.
She now gets a lot of satisfaction assisting her bowling club and representing the Manning Bowling Club.
Hogg believes bowls is a great sport for women to get involved in because not only are there immense benefits to competing either socially or competitively, but there are many more opportunities for women to get involved in the game.
“Further opportunities exist in coaching, umpiring and involvement in the administrative side, at club level to district, state, and also an international level,” Mrs Hogg said.
“The social aspect of interacting with your fellow team and club members, the friendships you develop and the fun you have with the wider bowling community are the best aspects of the sport for me.”
Hogg also manages the WA State over 60’s who tasted success at the last Australian Senior Sides Championships at Tweed Heads and Hogg says she enjoys the team environment.
“I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to manage the W.A. State Over 60s, assisting the team and seeing their enjoyment when they achieve their goals is very satisfying,” Mrs Hogg said.
“I am also able to meet managers from other states and develop great friendships.”
Today on this International Women’s Day the sport of bowls and everyone that plays must be extremely grateful for all volunteers that keep our game alive.
As the sole ITO in WA, we hope to see Hogg joined by many more and maybe one day we might see Sue officiating in some of the world most prestigious bowls events.
