With the financial support of World Bowls and Bowls South Africa,  Coaching and Umpiring courses were recently staged during the African States Championships at the Orapa Bowling Club, Orapa, Botswana.

Coaching Course

The following coaching courses were delivered by Bowls South Africa (BSA) National Standing Committee for Coaching (NSCC):

  • Level 1 – New player coaching (2 days)
  • Leve 2 – Club player coaching (2 days)

Thanks to the coaches who facilitated the two courses: Billy Rowan (BSA NSCC), Cedric Summersgill (BSA NSCC), Dr Simon Botha (World Bowls) and Baven Balendra (Botswana Bowling Association – BBA).

Eleven (11) Participants attended the course from Botswana and Zimbabwe. Despite the extreme heat (±38oC) and the challenges on the green due to the construction work taking place, the feedback from the candidates was positive such as “..well structured..”, ”..providing important coaching skills..”, “..practical coaching skills..”, “..help me to coach effectively..’.

As part of the Level 1 course, the candidates had to prepare a first lesson plan for a new player and then execute this at the end of the 2nd day on the green with a new player.

Umpiring Course

The Umpires courses had twelve candidates,  four were for Level 2 and eight for Level 1 with nine from Botswana  and three from Zimbabwe.

Whilst it was extremely hot, 38C  this meant the time out in the green was quite trying however the candidates managed to demonstrate and explain all the measures on the first day and then proceeded with the theory. The Course facilitators were pleasantly surprised by the knowledge of the candidates and did not encounter any problems language wise.

A very big thank you to Bowl South Africa for organizing the presenters of these courses and to Botswana Bowls Association, especially Baven Balendra, for all the behind-the-scenes arrangements, and help during these courses.

If you would like to conduct a coaches or umpire’s course in your country, please contact World Bowls CEO, Neil Dalrymple  [email protected]