Bill Mayling receives Certificate of Recognition
Ask anyone involved in tenpin bowling in the South West Region what they think of Bill Mayling and his contribution to their sport within the CSSC and you'll quickly get a picture of a totally committed volunteer.
Bill Mayling was presented with his award at the South West Conference, at the China Fleet Club, Saltash on 6th March 2009 by Peter Fischer, who is the Chairman of the CSSC Volunteer Committee.
Bill's commitment to his sport goes back many years. When Bill's predecessor, Phil Jelly, set up evening leagues at several venues across the Region, Bill took on responsibility for running both the Bristol and Cheltenham leagues and did this for several years. When Phil moved out of the Region ten years ago, Bill took over as the Regional Organiser. Bill has always paid attention to what members wanted and has managed to adapt the format to best suit the ever changing demands of its participants. With the cost of participating rising and having consulted many of the teams, Bill took the decision to concentrate CSSC bowling to one day of competition per year rather than continue with the leagues. He has ensured the venue moves around the Region and always negotiated the best possible rates with the bowling alleys.
Previously there had only been a scratch national qualifier competition, but Bill set up a handicap competition to run alongside the scratch one. Working with other Regions tenpin bowling organisers, Bill also set up an inter-Regional competition for handicap teams. This saw our winning team competing against some of the other Regions in the afternoon of the scratch national finals. As a result of all of these initiatives, participation in the South West has more than doubled during Bill's time as organiser. 2008 saw 8 teams of 4 in the scratch competition and 10 teams of 3 contesting the handicap competition. The event took over all 18 lanes at the alley for a whole day in a highly professional, but friendly atmosphere.
Bill's dedication to his sport and CSSC doesn't end there. He has regularly, and at his own expense, gone to the national finals to support our Regional representatives including trips to Stoke, Nottingham, Leeds, Bristol, Belfast and, most recently, to Plymouth. As a Region, South West have been very successful during Bill's time as organiser, taking the national title on at least three occasions. A lot of the credit for this achievement has been down to the way in which Bill has run and organised the Regional events.
When asked to sum up Bill, the captain of the 2008 regional and now national champions said he is "one of the old school true gentlemen". Bill's commitment is clear - to tenpin bowling in his department, area, region and at national level. To the CSSC in general, by his continued active participation in Regional meetings and conferences over the years. No doubt he will continue to promote his sport and motivate others as such enthusiasm and passion in someone like Bill never dies.
Congratulations Bill!
