‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘ For whom the Snell bowls’  

(edition 129  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

You have to marvel at some blokes.  I watched young Australian teenage squad member Alex Murtagh at the Richmond Union Masters singles– what an ambassador for the talented youth in bowls.

I watched former great Rex Johnston win both the Richmond singles and a week later the Yallourn classic singles.  What an ornament to elite bowls in Australia and that for nearly 20 years.

And I was delighted to listen to him talk so enthusiastically about his coaching and selector roles in NSW bowls.

But the statesman, the wise world icon Alex and Rex follow is none other than ‘young’ John Snell – for whom the bell tolls loudly in acclamation (a straight steal but thanks to Mr Hemingway).

John was also at Richmond and Yallourn with ‘those new red balls’ and the spectators were drawn to his matches and performances, glued to his physical presence, his sheer exquisite consistency of skill and performance.

John displayed real master performances against Alex and young Victorian state turk Joel Simmonds, another impressive young man and elite bowler.

What we learn, or I observe, from John Snell is his personal conduct. On the green we all see it – skill, composure, exemplary sportsmanship.  Off the green it is humility, cordiality, model behaviour, a keenness and capacity to share his views with all bowlers he mixes with in these clubrooms.

One of the beauties of sport is that we folk can bump into our ‘bell ringers’ like John and instantly find common ground, our mutual enjoyment for this little old game of bowls we play.

It gives me enormous pleasure to have John as one of my regular advisors on coaching.  His presence reminds me he is a standard bearer of the highest ilk, and that I can strive to lift my coaching standards to his level which for me means I will be (even) a reasonable coach.

Lachlan Tighe

ATTITUDE: ALL ABOUT PRACTISING HABITS