Short Deliveries
Some
short items of BOLA news ...
Eric Little (pictured
right) was delighted to receive his BOLA on his 67th birthday. He is using
the machine to coach youngsters in Thailand, a few of which are vying for
the National side.
There has
been a surge of interest in BOLA Hockey Machines in North America. We have
recently supplied machines to the University of Michigan, Michigan
State University, The American University in Washington, Indiana University
and the University of Guelph in Canada. Hockey Ball Machines
have also been dispatched to Louth Hockey Club (in Lincolnshire UK) as well
as the Chilean Hockey Federation. We would
like to draw the attention of all Hockey Machine users and Hockey Clubs to
our new website at: www.hockeyballmachines.com
Harborne Cricket Club in Birmingham were unlucky enough to have
their BOLA machine stolen during the winter. The misfortune was slightly tempered
as they were able to have a new BOLA 'Professional' machine to replace it
funded by insurance. The new BOLA cost the same as the original machine which
was purchased more than six years ago.
Seven boys from Gary Palmer’s innovative Coach Master Academy have been accepted by County Academies this season. Gary now has places available for 2006. Further details at www.ccmacademy.co.uk Some of Gary’s coaching advice appears on our 'cricket' page - follow the link for Coaching Drills.
A couple of funding stories ... In Lincolnshire, at Louth Cricket Club, coach Richard Osmond found that they were eligible for ‘Euro cash’ to buy a machine through a District Council administered ‘Market Towns Initiative Fund’. At Luton Town and Indians Cricket Club, Dipak Parsooth received an Awards for All grant of £4,800 to purchase a BOLA, build new nets and send ten club members on ECB coaching courses.
Experienced Dutch international Tim de Leede top scored with 58 not-out in the 2004 World Cup match against England. He said, "The World Cup was a great experience. We used two BOLAs as part of our preparation in our indoor centre which helped us a great deal."
The Unity Cricket Complex has opened in Mississauga near Toronto with a new BOLA 'Professional' Bowling machine and Feeder. The centre is hoping to further enthuse the Canadians following their participation in the World Cup two years ago.
Ventnor Cricket Club on the Isle of Wight have completed their new Cricket School. They have a new BOLA machine as well as one which has given the club good service for seven years.
Long-term BOLA user Bob Jones has taken over the running of the Shenley Cricket Centre in Hertfordshire. The centre boasts three BOLA 'Professional' BOLAs including one, which has been modified to bowl tennis balls at up to 115mph. A number of these modified machines have been made for specific customers who need training against fast, short pitched bowling.
Ellesmere College in Shropshire have used BOLA number 45 since purchasing it in March 1986 have taken delivery of a new BOLA almost 17 years to the day later. Whilst the original BOLA is beyond it's life expectancy, it is reported to be still working!
