Jeff Gray takes up umpires? presidency

Masterton Park stalwart Jeff Gray has been elected president of Bowls Wairarapa Umpires Association.
He replaces Olive Morrison of Eketahuna who returned from the post at the association's recent annual meeting.
Anne McDonald of Masterton is the new vice-president and Brian Tutty retained his position of secretary-treasurer.
The sole fund-raising fixture for the umpires, a mixed triples gala, has been moved forward to November 3 in the hope that a greater number of entries will be attracted.
Long-serving umpire Doug Yule was elected to life membership. He is a former president of the Umpires Association.
On the inter-club front this is the time of the year when bowling clubs hold their annual meetings in preparation for the coming season.
Masterton Park will hold their agm on June 25, Carterton on June 26 and Masterton on July 10. The Bowls Wairarapa centre annual meeting will be on July 24. Details of other agms will be published as they come to hand.
Wairarapa will host the national Maori bowling tournament in 2007 with preliminary arrangements already under way.
On the representative front one has to admire the dedication and commitment of the Wairarapa junior men's development squad which often meet their own travelling and accommodation expenses when competing in events outside the region.
They will make their first appearance in the new season at a tourney being organised by the Heretaunga club at a covered venue on July 2 and 3. There will be 10 players selected in two groups of five and they will play pairs and triples matches under the format of two bowls per player per end.
Representing Wairarapa at Heretaunga will be Laurie Field, Rex Wood, John Wales (Masterton), Jim Stark, Trevor Haxton (Masterton Park), John Harman (Eketahuna), Bruce Howe (Featherston), Richard Whitley (Lansdowne), Robin Boutcher (Carterton) and Jamie O'Kane (Greytown).
This event will be followed by a tournament organised by the Wanganui club on July 23 and 24 on an astro turf surface. Again 10 players will be involved in a similar format to the Heretaunga tourney.
A further tourney is also being arranged for November 13 at a venue still to be advised. Teams there will consist of six players and triples, pairs and singles matches will be played against opposition including Hutt Valley. Senior teams will also engage in battle there with the sets and ends format in vogue in their play
Masterton club is to revonate their number one green with levelling work getting under way on June 20 weather permitting. The green will be sown in Maniototo weed and should be ready for play in October.
Doug Yule will be forwarding regular articles on bowls for publication in the Wairarapa Times-Age. Clubs wishing to publicise their events should contact him with relevant information.