Junior
Bowls
West
Lakes success during the past few seasons has been
influenced by the performance of our young players who have
traveled many miles to play for West Lakes in the Saturday
district competition. Aaron Bremner (Mount Gambier) Josh
Chopin (Whyalla) James Gregory (Barmera) Mark Haines (Broken
Hill) are all members of the current "Lakers" Premier League
team and have all gained selection to represent South
Australia at Australian carnivals.
JUNIOR
LAWN BOWLS
Our
Club has been at the forefront of developing young bowlers in
the last five years. We aim to make young people welcome and
provide a great place for them to learn and take part in the
sport of lawn bowls! We are fortunate in having experienced
coaches who have wide contacts with juniors from beginners to
club and to state level.
Juniors
learn differently, play differently and often have different
reasons for playing the sport than older competitors. It is
important to have coaches and adults involved who understand
these differences and can provide a program and support for
young people to enter and experience success in this great
sport.
Age
groupings: From 10-18 yrs age. Younger children can play
according to their ability to hold and deliver a bowl.
Season
dates: The league season for
lawn bowls usually runs from September to the end of March. Our
greens are open the whole year round.
See
below for league details .All year round coaching. Bowls SA
Winter Pennants and Talent ID days are also held.
Coaching
: Free!! This is carried out by Bowls Australia accredited
coaches who have been police checked and authorized by Bowls SA
and the West Lakes Bowling Club.
Club
Address: Edwin St West Lakes Shore in South Australia 5020
Brief
description: All juniors are taught the principles of lawn bowls
and coached in bowling. They are advised in the components of
the game , the social skills required and
the strategies of the game
and psychological aspects as appropriate to their level.
There are opportunities for junior bowlers to play in Night
Owls, league competitions as well as junior events run by Bowls
SA
Equipment:
Initially flat soled shoes or bare feet and comfortable
sport attire.
Bowls
are provided. Hat, drink and
sunscreen are essential.
After
the initial stages additional expense may become necessary.
We
provide good quality bowls on loan for a short time. Bowls can
vary from $150 for second-hand up to $600 for a new coloured set
of four. We strongly advise against buying bowls without some
discussion with coaches regarding the suitability of the bowls.
Cost:
current membership is $60 per year. This allows for full use of
all club facilities and entrance in Club, State and National
events as well as acceptance to other clubs for their events.
Uniform
Costs to play in the formal pennant competition:
Typically:
Flat soled
shoes start at $40
White shorts
or skirt $30
Club Shirt
$45
Club Jacket
$85
Club
Hat $10
White socks
Where
are competitions held? Usually in nearby clubs up 20 mins away
by car.
When
are competitions held? Club pennants are Wed 1p.m and Sat
1p.m.for males
Thurs
10.30am and Sat 1pm.
SCHOOL
COACHING
Currently
we have: Approximately 250 West Lakes Shore Primary School
students who have received up to three sessions each year from
Yr 4-7.
These
sessions cover the basics of lawn bowling and lead to playing
modified games of bowls.
In
2006 we held the first West Lakes Shore Bowling Championship
Triples.
Over
140 students organized themselves in to teams and played off in
a round robin
competition of three ends for
each game.
The
winners from each section then played off until and ultimate
winner was achieved.
Winning
teams from the first round also entered the SAPSASA state events
for primary schools in the singles and
triples events . Several medals were won!
In
South Australia students can learn bowls as part of their
Secondary School learning program or SACE. Students come for
either 10 or 18 hours and their progress is assessed towards
their secondary school certificate. The program covers the
elements of bowls; shot making and game play and strategy.
All
equipment is provided as we have multiple sets of smaller bowls
for this purpose.
There
is the opportunity to progress to Bowls SA talent squads and
also club coaching for further development.
LOCAL
COUNCIL PROGRAMS
Three
local councils combine to offer school holiday activities in
various sports. For the last three years we have through the
Charles Sturt Council provide two days for learners in each of
their holiday programs. Approx 30 students age 10-16 to have
attended each session.
HARDCOURT
BOWLS
We
have received a state grant for the purchase of hardcourt bowls
which can be used on tennis courts; gymnasium floors or any hard
surface. These bowls are not meant to replace lawn bowls but
they do provide the opportunity to go to schools and provide
coaching in all
weather.
Krak
a Jak Bowling. This a modified game of bowls
for juniors which uses a large target mat instead of a
kitty. Score cards allow for scoring of 10, 7,5 3 points for
each end played. This is a fun way of learning to play a game of
bowls!
PATHWAYS
INTO BOWLS
Our
State Association runs coaching and events for Juniors and we
can provide the details or contact the Development Officer at
Bowls SA. In March there are
State Championships for U/18 students and from there juniors are
invited to squad training for possible selection in state teams.
Lawn
Bowls is unique in that all expenses are paid for junior
athletes who make state teams- this includes uniforms, travel
and accommodation. There are huge opportunities!
The
SAPSASA Primary School Lawn Bowls Event is held each year in
March. Entries are through your local school or Bowls SA
development Officer. The Event attracts over 200 students from
all over the state who come to play round robin events n triples
and singles. Entry is $4 approx. per person and the Modbury
Bowling Club is the venue.
WHY
HAVE A JUNIOR PROGRAM???????
Bowls
is an activity the whole family can do together!
People
of all ages can play bowls.
It’s
great to have young people around!
Creates
a vital link to the local community through schools and parents.
Heaps
of opportunities for young bowlers in state and national
events.
Create
a positive attitude to the sport of bowls-they may come back
later.
They
have parents and grandparents who may join the club activities.
They’re
the future of the sport!
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