Club: Hunter Academy of Sport
Ambassador: Barry Starrett
We started the squad with an individual set of functional tests on the February 9, 2010. The main tests were all lawn bowls specific. The tests included:
- Doorway squat test - only 16% passed which showed a trend to tightness in calves and weak upper backs
- Seated stick rotation - only 31% passed which showed an inability to twist (tightness) left/right
- Hurdle step test - 39% passed which showed an instability in the hips and ankles
- Segmental stability hover - 61% passed showing good trunk stability and body position awareness.
The hurdle test is highly relevant to lawn bowls performance as balance & controlled movement is vital while lifting the leg and lunging, accuracy in bowling is lost of there is not adequate stability in this area. The test replicates bowling and highlights the weaknesses affecting the individual's game.
We introduced the Fit4Bowls program on March 9 based on the individual's results from the full battery of tests. Each bowler was given an individual exercise program to work on at home. We also have a set of warm up and cool down exercises for all future coaching nights that will be adhered to as part of their year's program with Fit4Bowls exercises.
Anthony Webb the NSWIS Sport Fitness Coach and his professional staff carried out the testing and introduced the exercise program which I will continue to monitor throughout the year.
I told the Squad when we started on the first night in February they would learn a lot about themselves and they surely did.
It was interesting though to see how much they enjoyed the exercises under Andrew's leadership.
The initial results show we have a lot of work to do to get them all at full strength to play even better bowls not just this year but throughout their bowls career. At the end of the year the squad will be tested again and I am sure not only will they be fitter and healthier but playing better bowls.
I hope our story can inspire other youth squads and bowlers in general to have a look at their body weaknesses and do something about it.
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Club: Ingleburn Bowls & Recreation Club
Ambassador: James Tattler
Ingleburn in NSW have been completing their stretches and exercises as a warm up before their Sunday social mixed bowls matches. Ambassador James Tattler sent through photos of the group before their last match before Christmas, shown below.
Club: Armadale Bowls Club
Ambassador: Rose-Marie Todes
We have trained two people in each (of our 6) sides, to conduct warm-up activities before each pennant game. Participation is great each week, with everyone reporting that they are enjoying the warm-ups - but most importantly it is getting them focused to play and it is improving team spirit to spend a little time together with a common focus - just before the game. At one of the clubs the opposition joined in, because they were disappointed that they didn't have an activity like it. It gave a good spirit to the day's bowling.
Each Thursday before practice we have a walking group. We meet at 9 for 30 minutes. 3 + times around our oval at Princes Park, and then our exercises. The photos you see here were taken at last week's walk / exercise session. Everyone is loving it. And our regulars are telling everyone else to make that special effort to arrive a little earlier for practice so we can enjoy the benefits of the exercise.
Already amongst our walkers we can see the groups forming - where the more advanced walkers are strutting along and the intermediate group is not far behind. Some of the players who are less able to walk as well, are happy to walk more slowly -- but they are there. It's a fantastic spirit of togetherness and purpose. Oh, and of course we have a great laugh and chat.
I am of course volunteering my time to Armadale for the Fit4Bowls program, so we are very proud that there is no cost to Armadale and its members for our Fit4Bowls fitness campaign.
We have started with the VLBA section and will progress to the RVBA soon.
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Club: Mentone Bowls Club
Ambassador: John Knott
To celebrate the start of spring and to prepare for the upcoming bowls season, Mentone Bowls Club in Victoria set up a six week Fit4Bowls program utilising a personal trainer from Step Into Life.
The weekly sessions involved basic exercises and activities on the green to improve balance and muscle tone. The group has been completing individual and partner work as well at utilising hand weights to assist with the program.
The participants are thoroughly enjoying the program and can feel their muscles working hard and getting stronger. Look out for the rejuvinated, refreshed and fit for bowls team from Mentone in the upcoming pennant season.
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If you are running a program to promote Fit4Bowls within your own club we'd love to tell everyone about it. Please email the details of your program to info@bowlsaustralia.com.au and include pictures if you have some available.
