Winter coaching reinstated

WATCHFUL EYE: Peter Belliss supervises Blair Whiteman at the Wanganui East Bowling Club yesterday. PHOTO/LEWIS GARDNER 120715WCLGBOWLS

Winter training for your summer sport from the national assistant coach could be just the tonic to help the next generation of Wanganui bowls players get ready for the national stage.

The Bowls Wanganui Coaching Association has been reinstated in 2015 after years of being dormant, overseen by co-ordinator Joy Lynch.

As a result, winter coaching courses have been set up on a weekly basis for Academy level players with eight years or less experience, being guided by the local veterans of the sport.

Wanganui's former world champion and current Bowls NZ assistant coach Peter Belliss was running one of those sessions for around 25 players at the Wanganui East club yesterday.

Interest has been so high that Lynch has had to split the training group into two classes, with several others on the waiting list to join.

"The coaching side of things, Bowls NZ put out DVD's - The New Zealand Way," Belliss said.

He showed the class the DVD before they worked on basic delivery of the bowl, while doing other drills to improve line and length. "It's good for Bowls Wanganui that we have some coaching during the winter," Belliss said.

"The response has been far greater [than expected], that's why we're in two groups.

"There's no doubt, coaching is the key to all sports and bowls is no different " although most bowlers think they're too good for coaching," he joked.

Eager for the lessons, Aramoho club member Blair Whiteman said he could not think of another sport in Wanganui where you could receive weekly training sessions from national coaches.

Lynch said people had come from as far as Waverley and Marton to take part. "It is pleasing that new coaches, together with former members from past years, are stepping forward to give their time to raise the standard of play for the average club member.

"We've got to make sure now this winter coaching carries on into the season."

Bowls Wanganui has organised a presentation evening at Laird Park tomorrow to find people interested in continuing coaching lessons for the Academy players while they are with their own clubs during the summer. All club administrators and members are invited to attend at 6pm.