‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

(a new weekly edition, commenced 12/9/2001, of thoughts, observations and commentaries on developments for bowls coaching and competition)

'SOMETHING SPECIAL'

(the tenth edition, 14/11/2001, of thoughts and commentaries on bowls)

Report on Asia Pacific Lawn Bowls Tournament.

(you have my permission to use the following article in any way you wish: GRAHAM KENNER Former Thailand and Brunei Coach).

The Asia Pacific Tournament 2001 will be remembered by most for the camaraderie and the wonderful greens at Moama. It will be remembered by the Medallists for their success and those who just missed out will always consider themselves unlucky.

However, there was something special and unique about Moama in 2001 that will live in memories for years to come.

Two young ladies from Thailand made their debut as a pairs team and few could have dreamed of what would happen. On and Arpa (AE) Phonghanyudh had bowled for only two years and were maybe the youngest pairs team in the history of the sport to play in an international event (On is 13 and her sister Ae is 15).

In game one of the pairs they took to the green against the highly favoured Canadian ladies and simply had a goal to enjoy themselves and do their best. The conditions were wet, cold and blustery and were totally foreign to them and the green speed was much faster than their home green in Bangkok. However, when rain stopped play for the day they led 16-9 and the Canadians were shell-shocked.

The following morning the game resumed and the girls just kept going, they outdrew their opponents and had a run away victory 32-17. The next two games saw losses to Cook Islands and Singapore and the "babies" were seemingly out of medal contention, but there were more twists to come.

The next three games saw the leading contenders have mixed results whilst the Thai girls put together three consecutive wins defeating P.N.G 29-25 (scoring 10 shots on the last 2 ends), Japan 23-20 and The Philippines 24-19). The "impossible" was now a chance as they had to play Hong Kong in the final game of the round robin and the winner would play for Gold.

However, the dream was not to be and they lost the game 17-30, they were sad but they they done something that no other debutants of their age had never done.

They are wonderful young ladies and excellent ambassadors for both Thailand and the sport of Lawn bowls, they deserve all the accolades they receive and they will be well known over the next few decades. They come from a bowling family with "Mum and Dad" both playing in the Asia Pacific and Uncle being one of Thailand’s best players.

When you consider that Thailand has only 10 lady bowlers this is a remarkable achievement and something that coach, Graham Kenner will always be proud of.

These are not the only "young ones" that coach Graham Kenner has seen in Asia, there are many more and the top Countries will have to be "on their metal" if they are to stave off the Asian Lawn Bowls invasion (the average of Asian bowlers being under 40).

P.S. 13 year old On also won two games of Singles.

P.P.S. The girls father, Sutam, can be contacted in Bangkok on 662-3983195, if you wish further information.

P.P.P.S. Photos of On and Ae are in the mail to you.

P.P.P.P.S. Please send me a copy of any article that is produced as a result of this information.

Pretty obvious that Graham is chuffed by the girls success. Hope we all have that feeling in our own games and in our own coaching progress.

Enjoy your game.

"Good Bowling"

"A Great Team ... defined for bowls and to apply to pairs, fours, sides of 16"

"Weight Watching - Drills and Experiments"

'Torpedo Toward Victory"