Meet the Mandurah APL Teams: North Beach
Played Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September 2016 The North Beach Bowling Club will be returning to the Mandurah APL Cup after competing last year in the inaugural event.
The suburb of North Beach is approximately 17 kilometres from the Perth Central Business District and was originally only a descriptive name given by 1888 surveyor Charles Crossland when referring to the pastoral leases of Samuel Richard Hamersley as his “north beach coastal run”. In 1837 the area was part of the Hammersley Family’s estate and the area was originally set aside as a timber reserve before being settled by pastoralists in the 1860’s.
After being known as a “Tent City” and housing many unfortunate people on hard times during the Great Depression, it was after World WAR II that the area developed rapidly and by 1961 nearly all the existing suburb had been built and settled.
The North Beach Bowling Club requested affiliation to the WA Bowling Association in August 1960 by Club President Mr. G Flick and Club Secretary Mr. R Nicholson and this was granted by the Association some time soon after. At this time the North Beach Club boasted a commendable 128 members and had a six rink grass bowling green.
Presently the North Beach Bowling Club is a club on the rise by not only increasing their bowling membership over the last few years but also having an increasing social membership side. The club not only has two grass greens, one synthetic green and lighting to please their bowling membership but also has a spacious indoor Function Hall for hire, with catering available and an outdoor BBQ area for more casual events.
For the 2016 Mandurah APL Cup North Beach will be represented by Ron Bates, Brad Gillingham, Peter Retallack and Jenny McLaughlan.
Ron Bates has been an achiever on the Bowls Circuit since he started in 1985 with the pinnacle being his win in the 2008/09 WA Men’s State Pairs with Scott Edmonds. Earlier in 1999 Ron made the final of the WA Men’s State Singles but had to settle for Runner up with Rod Heaton taking the championship. With three Premier League Pennant Titles to his name, Ron is sure to lead the North Beach team in the right direction using his vast experience.
Brad Gillingham is a relative newcomer to the game starting in 2013 however he already has a club title to his name winning the Club Triples last season. The Club Novice Singles title in his first year has indicated he has a talent for the game and a chance to mix it with some of the states best will hold him in good stead for the future.
Peter Retallack is an active member of North Beach both on the green and behind the scenes. Peter only began bowling in 2010 but quickly stepped up to North Beach’s top men’s side where he has been a valuable member for the past five years.
Jenny McLaughlan rounds out the North Beach side and is a regular in the strong North Beach Premier League team. Having only started in 2011, Jenny won the Women’s Club Novice Singles in her first year and has since taken a Club Mixed Fours title. Like Brad and Peter, Jenny will relish the experience of playing in the top level competition of the Mandurah APL Cup.
The North Beach Bowling Club would have been a little disappointed with the final results of the first Mandurah APL Cup and will be looking to push the club name forward as a club looking to go places. A lot may rely on the experience of Ron Bates as he leads his less experienced club mates into action.
