Who let the dogs out—Sid McCann—and they’re still barking

This is a fact, not a rumour. For the last four years Sid McCann has been having an “affair”, and his better half, Marls, has not battered an eyelid. No, Sid is not the Shane Warne of lawn bowls; his affair has been with the Yokine Bowling Club.

Every now and then, we have a success story in lawn bowls and one of those is the outstanding achievement of Sid McCann, Yokine coach and mentor. Sid began playing bowls at Sorrento 15 years ago, then a short stay at Mosman Park, followed by nine years at Osborne Park. The Yokine Club has been regarded as the sleeping giant for many years with more of a social attitude towards bowls. The Club was in crisis as far as its playing strength was concerned, and having an ageing membership, was in danger of fading away due to neglect in this area.

They needed a fix and called for the doctor, asking some of the biggest names in the game if they would be interested in applying for the job of coach/mentor/motivator. Sid won the position over 4 quality applicants, then looked at what the priorities were to get the club back on track to becoming a power on the lawn bowls scene. The following needed to be addressed.

1. Greens needed to be improved.
2. Existing players getting on in years, new blood and enthusiasm required.
3. Emphasize dedication to Bowls
4. Training schedule for all players in the club.
5. Set goals to be achieved within a certain time frame.
6. A new look bowling outfit
7. Keep the Club together as a whole unit while setting up a good One Red side.

There was some opposition from Yokine members to accept the new approach at Yokine of having a coach, but later turned to almost full support from club members. Funds were allocated to assist the recruitment of quality players and nine new players were attracted to the Club. Yokine had set sail on the journey to becoming a force in the world of lawn bowls.

One of three features in this first season, apart from the object of winning the premiership, was the close knit and friendly atmosphere that prevailed throughout the season. This atmosphere remains to this very day. There were Doggie dinners after Saturday pennants with the first division players doing all the cooking and waiting hand and foot on the rest of the club’s players. Things couldn’t be better or happier for all concerned.
The second feature was all Yokine rinks when finishing their game, players were to stay and watch any rink that had not finished its game to offer support and encouragement because it was a sixteen-man team, all players would shake hands with one another on completion of the last rink finishing its game.
The third feature was a new outfit for Saturday pennants. Yokine had become the first club in W.A. to introduce coloured strides.

The second year in One White, Sid was aware that he needed to strengthen the side to win promotion to One Red, so he recruited five more players to the list. The greens still needed more improvement and the goals that had been set, needed re-emphasizing. Yokine won the One White pennant, and of course management was more than happy to see the club back into the prestigious One Red division. The club had exceeded the goals set from day one of Sid’s appointment.

The third year and now in One Red, the greens had become better with each season and again the goals were re-emphasized for the third and most important season of Sid McCann’s leadership. This would tell where he was at in terms of development with the team and the Club. All games were preceded by a team talk and discussion on certain tactics for different conditions and opposition players. Sid’s knowledge of opposition players rivals that of Mick Malthouse, former coach of the mighty West Coast Eagles.( I would love to reveal some of that knowledge, it would be great reading, but for very obvious reasons I can’t do so)

After a start that no one would have predicted, there they were sitting on top of the table, having knocked over the reigning premiers, Doubleview, (which had many State players in it’s team.) the first time they met A controversial decision was made after ten games were completed to drop two rinks down to Yokine’s One gold side in an endeavour to save it from being relegated.
The move backfired with Yokine’s topside not making the finals by an extremely small percentage and the One Gold team failing to avoid relegation. Yokine copped a bagging from all and sundry for this decision.
Sid explained that what had been done was within the laws of the game and after all, the objective of the exercise had the best interests of the Club in mind. With two First Divisions, the Club was of the view that it would have been in a stronger position to attract good players than if it had one First Division.

The fourth season saw a couple more new recruits and away they went, announcing to the competition they had really arrived as a force, taking on and beating the best sides. Every team were aware that they would be in for a real game when they clashed with the Doggies.
After some heartbreaking losses toward the end of the season including two games in which they won six out of the eight rinks, they finished third, missing the double chance in the finals.
After beating a real crack Osborne Park side in the first semi, they were to play Cockburn who they had thrashed in the first round game of the season. In the second round game against Cockburn they won on three rinks in a losing game played at Cockburn.
Confidence was up for the preliminary final, however they were badly beaten 98—61, with only a one rink win for the game.
After the game it was discovered that unprofessional conduct, not alcohol related, by some Yokine players had a big bearing on the outcome. The aggregate was shot to pieces after 25 ends had been played, was a major disappointment, especially after four years of a hard slog, endeavoring to win the premiership, to see the opportunity wasted in this manner.
Where too now for Sid McCann and the Doggies, as the fifth season approaches? The Club has lost eight very good players, recruiting to date certainly looks a little thin and there is little chance of a spot in the final four with relegation a possibility.
Sid McCann, now in a rebuilding phase, faces his biggest challenge in his tenure as coach of the Doggies. Sid says if the Doggies hold the division it will be like making the four Best wishes and good luck for the coming season Sid, because you are going to need it!!!!

Sherro