First Spanish Bowls Coaching Scheme
Instructors Course

May 2009 - Belplaya BC

Report  by Murray Johns & photos by John Carr.

Photo L to R: Murray Johns, Charles Ottaway, Barry Pemberton, Sue Walker, Colin Handley, Alan Turner, John Carr, Ruth Compton, Frank Ball & Garry Aldridge
 

Malaga became the first Province in Spain to benefit from the services of the recently formed “Spanish Bowls Coaching Scheme”.

In recent years there has been an upsurge of interest in Lawn Bowls. New Clubs, like Benalmadena and Lauro Golf, have been established and many “NEW” Bowlers have been welcomed into the Sport. As a result, the dearth of Bowlers able to “officially” Instruct / Coach these newcomers became increasingly apparent.

Taking advantage of the availability of funds for training from the FEB, we liaised with the coaches of the National Executive. and the need for a co-ordinated National Coaching Scheme was agreed. Ruth Compton, the Assistant Coach to the Squad, took this on board and has worked tirelessly over the last few months. She brought the fruits of her efforts to eight keen candidates last week. (John Carr, who had qualified as an Instructor some years ago, also benefited immensely from the course.)

Belplaya Bowls Club donated their facility from 28-30 May and, as a result of Ruth’s efforts, the Coast now has the following additional Instructors to assist Clubs with the Coaching of their new and less experienced Bowlers :-

Ruth Compton gave freely of her time. Her professionalism, and wealth of knowledge on the Sport, was beneficial to everyone who attended. The end result is that Members of ALL Clubs will benefit as the new Instructors can assist any new Bowler, whether they be Members of the F.E.B. or not.

In closing, the Federation is extremely grateful to Ruth, also a vote of thanks from everyone who attended to Charles and Vivienne Ottaway for their excellent hospitality throughout the three days and to Alan Bicknell, and Vivienne once again, for being our “Guinea Pigs” as candidates struggled to come to terms with the many Coaching techniques being taught to them. Ruth and the new Instructors know they work, hopefully Alan and Viv will have benefited?