‘Talking Tactically’

with Lachlan Tighe..... 

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

‘…Elite players welfare’

(edition 96  - 2004 of thoughts & observations on lawn bowls)

I am invited by South Australian bowls to conduct a 2 day workshop next week and on noting (elite) player attitudes in the Moama tournament last week and also working recently with the Victorian Institute bowls program, I reckon we need to go back a step in bowls and establish some appropriate mindsets with those personnel in the management roles.

Players will continue to do as they have done if the management personnel do not set about change.

I presume an objective of the states (which certainly was one for the national body) is to develop and educate elite bowlers for transition to the higher level of bowls.  My contribution here aims at initiating support whilst opening the doors of communication by inviting feedback and input with players, coaches, teammates and family to a counselling support service.

This service might entail

• The total group of players, coaches, etc encouraged to contribute to the communication link, e.g. newsletter
• All involved with the state squad programs are to be made aware of the link and encouraged to read each issue as they should be distributed regularly
• All squad players to be monitored regularly by the state coach or delegated assistants with feedback and follow up on such areas that include

Study and career paths

Training requirements and commitment

Travel issues and accommodation if relocating

Club commitment versus state obligations

Obligation to sports science/ coaching support

• All squad players to be provided with skills as arranged by the bowls body (state coach) in areas that add to their capacity to perform that include

Goal setting

Time and personal management

Mental skill training

Communications and skills

• The state coach / assistants in association with the services from the state Institute need to be able to provide support to the player where issues occur in

Demands of the state program

Perceived problem areas

Parents / partners capacity to physically  / emotionally/ financially support and assist squad players

Specific requirements of each player re diet, fitness, health generally

• If feasible the state coach / assistants take on a role of keeping in contact with players employers, bowls clubs, educational bodies to encourage these groups to be flexible enough to enable the squad member to have ease of access to formal squad programs

I imagine a state coach falls into three categories, where states have a coach

1                    the coach is really a team manager

2                    the coach is allowed (by both management and by players) to provide limited technical instruction at select times

3                    the coach is there at events to gee up the players, a motivator

I find that list above is so limiting in recognition of what an elite coach does that for elite bowls to be serious, all three of those categories need to be shredded from the list.  Oh, and a prime offender for those categories being allowed to prevail to date-  the elite players who do not, or will not , question this outdated approach.

I shall be interested in the workshop as much because both men and women state people are attending and it is the first of its kind, for me anyway, and it was initiated by the chiefs of the SA bowls.  

We have asked that the relevant sports institute personnel attend too so I shall watch, listen, share and observe with interest the lessons of my two days in Adelaide as it is the start of a process to move the minds and hearts of various people at elite level into the sphere of elite athletes.

And on a light note extolling the virtues of excellence, one must be tempted to indulge in the ‘red’ fluid treasures found in that state.

Lachlan Tighe