Learn the basics of lawn bowls, the fun sport for all ages with DVD skills overview and then on-the-green instruction from nationally accredited coaches. Final lessons will include a short game with a more experienced bowler as your skip and your coach to help and guide you. After the course, most students will have learned the basic skills necessary for them to commence bowling socially. Bowls are supplied whilst learning. Minimum age 16 years.

Course Outline:

Week 1: Basic overview of the organisational structure of lawn bowls in Australia and what constitutes a bowls match. Instructional DVD of basic bowling skills and practical instruction on the green.
Week 2: Delivering the jack to the required length. Aiming points for delivering a bowl, measuring for the shot.
Week 3: The role of each player in a team. Delivering a bowl and correcting length and width.
Week 4: Bowling terminology and skips signals. Common errors and how to correct them.
Week 5: Revision and practical experience in a social match situation.
Week 6: Practical experience in a social match situation. Information on how to continue bowling.

Learning Outcomes;

• How the game of Lawn Bowls is organised and controlled in Australia
• Object of the game
• How to deliver the jack to the length requested by the team Skip
• How to grip and deliver bowls on both forehand and backhand
• How to estimate “grass” and “weight” required that day on the green and adjust delivery accordingly
• Playing in a team
• Method of scoring
• How to continue social bowling after they finish the course

What to bring:

• Bowls shoes or rubber soled sneakers – Leather soles or shoes with heels are not permitted on the greens
• A hat or cap – particularly during warmer months
• Bowls, jack, mats and cool drinking water are provided for students

Students will be learning on the bowling green from the first lesson so appropriate footwear must be worn. Ideally bowls shoes if available, but flat rubber-soled joggers or tennis shoes are ok. No leather-soled shoes or shoes with heels are permitted on the green. Students should wear comfortable casual clothing and bring a hat.

If the day is wet, please ring Sutherland Bowling Club at about 1.00 pm (9521 3344) for advice on whether the course is on or not. If any lesson is cancelled because of rain, the course will be extended to allow all students to undertake the full course of six lessons. If you are unable to attend any lesson, please phone the club.

About the tutor:

'Peter Wren – Sutherland Club’s Coaching-Coordinator, Peter is a Bowls Australia accredited Club Coach who has been coaching for 14 years and running this course for about 12 years. He is a Past President of Sutherland Men’s Bowling Club (2012 – 2017) and a Director of the licensed club (Club Kirrawee) 2019-2023. In 2018 he was inducted as a Life Member of Sutherland Men’s Bowling Club. A regular Pennants Player Peter was a member of the Sutherland team which won the Zone 13 Grade 6 Pennant Championship in 2015. Peter has had success in club championships, winning singles, pairs, triples and fours competitions.'

'Karen Robinson is also an experienced Bowls Australia accredited Club Coach and has been coaching this course for two years. In addition, Karen is a Bowls Australia accredited National Umpire. A past President of the Sutherland Women’s Bowling Club she is currently the Club Secretary. Karen competes regularly in Inter-club Pennants and has won several Sutherland Club Championships in Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours and Consistency disciplines.'

Other Information:

• To ensure resources are ready for you at the start of your course, we ask you ideally enrol at least one week before the course commences.
• All courses need a minimum number of students to run ("we try our hardest to get those") . If your course does not have enough students it will be cancelled before the commencement and you will be informed.