WOMEN IN MENS PENNANT .....
I read with interest the decision handed down Deputy President Coghlin of the Victorian Civil And Administrative Anti –Discrimination Tribunal in which she decided that Emily South of the St. Kilda Bowling Club should be able to play in men's pennant if she wished, because of her other commitments made it inconvenient to play in the Ladies games Deputy Coghlin ordered that the R.V.B.A. amend its rules so females can be affiliated members. This involved the most undemocratic vote of members of an organization ever undertaken. Members of the R.V.B.A. were compelled to vote against their wishes en block or face fines for contempt of court.
What seems to have been overlooked in this fiasco is that if Emily South becomes a member of the R.V.B.A. She will be bound by the rules as are the rest of the members, one of which is :- Rule 72. Registration of Players. (All players in Australia shall be registered with 'one' state or Territory Authority. No one could consider this rule as being discrimitary to either gender. Emily South has the choice if she wishes to join the Men's association and play in the men's club championships and competitions, Then she must abide by the rules of her chosen association and, resign from the V.L.B.A. Making her ineligible to play in ladies Club Events and Tournaments.
In country areas for economic reasons the four members of a pennant team travel together and share the cost of the trip, which sometimes lasts an hour and a half. The selectors job will be impossible when they not only have to pick a compatible team but one who's spouses don't object to seeing " That woman climbing into our car."
When a person joins a club or association the members themselves have chosen the club's constitution. This forms a contract between each member and the others. Once a member has been accepted and paid their subscription they are bound by law to observe the rules
Emily South can not "run with the foxes and hunt with the hounds."
Unequal
Response Number 1 :Posted by Kevin Trinder Wednesday, October 31, 2001 at 21:19:13 (EST):
Hi! Jack
I also, do not accept women playing in "Men's Saturday Pennant" and no longer play "Men's Saturday Pennant” on principle.
When being asked recently when I would be returning to "Men's Saturday Pennant? followed by a remark that the world is moving on you know. I thought for a moment how to reply and I decided not to say anything for a moment and then my reply was "you know you are right the world is moving on" and said no more.
Since the first game of "Men's" Saturday Pennant 2001 I have been trying to understand why a women would want to move into the men's section of lawn bowls.
I can see (now) that the Royal Victorian Bowls Association (RVBA) constitution was not in keeping with the Equal Opportunity Legislation (EOL). The RVBA was challenged by a woman wanting to join the RVBA and the outcome was most acceptable with respect to the EOL judgement.
So, to begin a web page that allows both men and women bowlers an opportunity to consider a change of direction for lawn bowling Australia wide. It is a start, I am relying on those that, when they are up to speed with community changes of today, for them to "step forward" and have their say at this forum or perhaps put your comments in my web page Guestbook.
Equal Opportunity Legislation has given us a chance to regroup:
Do we want our lawn bowling clubs sectioned off and for each section to have self-determination on the naming their activities how those activities will be run e.g.
Single Sex (men's lawn bowling Section)
Single Sex (women's lawn bowling section)
Mixed Sex (men's and women's/women's and men's lawn bowling Section)
There is a National and International "movement" (Local, State and Federal arena’s working with exceptional working groups) that I believe will be invaluable in regrouping Australia wide recreation and sporting bodies "in general" today.
Challenge: Regrouping into an Australian wide National Lawn Bowling body to form points of view for grassroot lawn bowling members and regrouping Australia wide Lawn Bowling grassroot memberships point of views for their Australia wide National Lawn Bowling body.
Today there is a notion that facilitates the above interaction.
There is some way to go in researching alternatives and options, please visit my web site and put your comment in the Guestbook.
Response Number 2 :Posted by Max Tuesday, December 04, 2001 at 08:54:01 (EST):
Did Emily South or any other Women Play in the RVBA Saturday Pennants during 2001 ?
Would appreciate any information concerning the Tribunal's Decision. I am trying to evaluate the Case for the Parramatta District. We have been Men Only in State Pennants - our Lady NSWWBA is not making any demands to change ( as indeed the VWBA did not as a group )
Information would be for my personal consideration for Study purposes.
Regards Max