The future looks bright for Talented Female Players Program
As part of an ongoing commitment to female participation and grassroots development, Bowls Victoria has launched the Talented Female Players Program. Here we answer 5 key questions about this exciting new program.
What is the Talented Female Players Program?
The Talented Female Players Program is a collection of a dozen of Victoria’s most talented female bowlers ranging from the state’s U18 squad to the U25 squad. The program is still in its infancy and the participants are located across the state, so Bowls Victoria has brought them all together in an online group where mentors can share information and interact with the players, who have the opportunity to watch and read important and helpful information at a suitable time and location.
Why was the program developed?
The program has evolved as an offshoot of the former Fastrack Program which was designed to provide further learnings to female participants in bowls regardless of age. High-performance resources, funding and connections from VicHealth’s This Girl Can program have initially been utilised to assist the younger age group and help secure their involvement in the sport, encourage them to push for higher honours, and showcase them as role models to the next generation.
What are the main objectives?
The main objectives of the Talented Female Players Program are to educate the participants in areas of the sport they might not otherwise be able to access: mental skills; nutrition; hydration; and more. The goal is also to connect young female players with high-performance bowlers who can provide direct advice on how to progress through the pathway to the national stage. Moving forward, Bowls Victoria would like to increase the resources available and expand the program to include talented young male participants as well.
Who is involved?
The bowlers involved in the program are an exceptional group of young ladies ranging from the state’s youngest in Amity Bickley – who while small in stature has remarkable talent on the green – through to two members of our recent U25 Test Squad in Amelia Bruggy and Lisa Trewarne. Amelia has Test experience with Tasmania and has returned to Victoria to continue her representative career. Lisa was an integral part of Victoria’s recent U18 National winning side and as part of her SEDA placement with Bowls Victoria has been a great asset in establishing the parameters of the program. Mikayla Long, who won the Female Singles at the Victorian Open, is a high-profile participant of the program.
What are the benefits of having elite athletes as mentors?
AFLW player Melissa Hickey and Victorian and Melbourne Renegades cricketer Emma Inglis are working with the U18 players to help improve their nutrition and hydration. Both athletes have reached the top level of their respective sports domestically, and irrespective of the code have faced many of the same challenges as the program’s participants in regards to training, motivation, external pressures and work-life balance. As elite performers from outside of the bowls environment, Melissa and Emma offer a fresh perspective on a number of important issues for young athletes. Melissa and Emma have also been greatly impressed by the hard work and dedication of the young participants.
To learn more about Bowls Victoria’s Talented Female Players Program, please email bowlsvic@bowlsvic.org.au.
