Flapper leaves Bears in search of green and gold

CHAMPION Ballarat lawn bowler Matthew Flapper will join Melbourne premier league club Essendon this summer to boost his chances of representing Australia. Flapper, who has anchored the Central Wendouree premier division team for seven years, will depart the club to play in the state's top lawn bowls competition next month.The 29-year-old is currently skipper in the Victorian state team and previously played in Melbourne premier league with Darebin City and Flemington-Kensington."I still have ambitions to play for Australia. I consider Melbourne the strongest competition in the state and that's where you have to play to get recognised (by the national selectors)."Essendon contacted me and I went down and met with them. During the winter season I was getting a few phone calls from interested clubs and I weighed up the options. I had to weigh up the move because of my job in Ballarat."I'm not leaving (Central Wendouree) with any bad blood. I just want to better myself. I put seven years into the club and am still passionate about the club. I let the club know my plans and it's not like I'm going to be in Melbourne forever. I will be back and if all goes well I'll come back to Central Wendouree."Flapper is still employed as greenkeeper at Central Wendouree. His decision to leave the club's Ballarat-Geelong premier division team has prompted other departures. Matthew's brother Anthony and sister-in-law Cheryl are unlikely to be at Central Wendouree while, in other changes, Cameron Bryce is likely to join BMS and Rod Keith Avenue in Bacchus Marsh.Central Wendouree president Brian Mahony said the minor exodus will give opportunities to other players at the club."Matty wants to further his bowls, and we accept that. He is at his peak as a player and, if he's going to go to a higher level, then he goes with our blessing," Mahony said. "He's a loss to the club, no doubt about that. When you lose a bowler of the calibre and popularity of Matthew at the club you are going to lose bowlers."Our main goal this season is to remain in Ballarat-Geelong premier division. We will be trying to retain the players we've got and bring younger players through."We won't be going out on a big recruiting drive but if players become available then we would like to talk to them."