Coaching

Bowls Victoria supports a national framework of accreditation for coaching. This framework is provided by Bowls Australia and includes a combination of online and face-to-face learning and assessment. A national framework ensures consistency, minimum standards of expertise, and the broad understanding of best practice in coaching.

CoachForce

Bowls Victoria acknowledges a real need from Clubs and their members to access quality coaching and ongoing coach development. Many outstanding coaches work across Victoria in and across Clubs, but not every Club has access to these expertise. To cater for the gap in quality coaching, Bowls Victoria is resuming an expert coaching program called CoachForce. 


What is CoachForce? 

CoachForce is a user-pay program designed to assist Clubs and their members access a range of expertise to support both on-green and off-green coaching and officiating. The program allows Clubs and their members to book a session and have a Bowls Victoria CoachForce presenter deliver sessions in a range of formats. Previously, CoachForce was designed with only one stream, we now see CoachForce being delivered in various formats. 

High-profile player – high energy group session with one of our high-profile players  

Arm Bowling – group training session targeted at your arm bowlers  

Officiating – group training session covering marking, measuring and law practice  

Female only – group training session for females only  

Club Coach Support – expert support to improve your current club coaching program  

Private Coaching – service to connect expert coaches and members for one-on-one training sessions 

*Click on the link below to access a flyer that explains the various formats and cost. 


CoachForce Flyer


How does CoachForce work? 

STEP 1 Members/Clubs contact Bowls Victoria with their enquiry (matthew@bowlsvic.org.au). 

*This step will be replaced with an online booking form. 

STEP 2 Bowls Victoria will then liaise with the members/Clubs and provide a list of CoachForce presenters. 

STEP 3 Bowls Victoria will then work with the CoachForce coach and the Club to organise a suitable training session. 

STEP 4 Depending on the format, the Club will then be invoiced by Bowls Victoria. 

Want to get involved?

Coaches play an important role in bowls by assisting players to develop their playing skills on the green. All the information and resources on how to become or reaccredit as a coach can be found below.

All Introductory coaches are now required to have a current Working With Children Check.

Below are the Bowls Victoria WWCC timelines:

  • All new accreditation 1st January 2024
  • Existing Accreditations 30th June 2024
  • All in their fourth year at renewal 

Click here for more information about these changes.

How to reaccredit your coaching qualifications

Bowls Victoria’s reaccreditation process adheres to the national Introductory & Club Coach Reaccreditation Policy, built on the fundamental premise that coaches who volunteer their time within their club should be able to do so without hassle, provided their club values their services. Please click below for the policy’s full details.

Introductory & Club Coach Reaccreditation Policy

Philosophy and background to the policy
Bowls Australia (BA) is committed to ensuring our reaccreditation requirements for coaching are clear for all current and potential coaches. We have designed a system in combination with our state and territory associations which provide the necessary development for our coaches, but removes unnecessary hurdles to completing the process.

Coach Reaccreditation Policy
In summary, the Coach Reaccreditation model is:

  1. Regular practical coaching – recommended 60+ hours for Introductory Coach Reaccreditation or 200+ hours for Club Coach Reaccreditation
  2. ‘Current and competent letter’ from applicant’s club
  3. Complete the STA’s (Bowls Victoria) Reaccreditation Application Form
  4. View BA’s The Coaches’ Den videos (Optional)

Additional notes
The policy is built on the fundamental premise that coaches who volunteer their time at Introductory or Club Coach Level should be able to do so without hassle, provide their club values their services. If indeed the club does not value the services of the coach, they are free to decline signing the ‘current and competent letter’.

However, it is important to note that this process does not apply to persons who are wishing to coach at a higher level (for example, Advanced Coach). Persons who have the desire to progress through the coaching pathway will be required to demonstrate their professional development commensurate with the role they undertake.

HOW TO REACCREDIT YOUR INTRODUCTORY OR CLUB COACH QUALIFICATION

STEP 1

REGULAR PRACTICAL COACHING
All coaches should be actively practising their craft. They are required to keep a log of regular coaching (recommended to be 60 hours over four years for Introductory Coaches & 200 hours over four years for Club Coaches. Please note if this is not achieved this will not effect eligibility for reaccreditation).

The log can be in the form of a notebook, excel spreadsheet or any other means of demonstrating hours of practical coaching over a four year period. This must be available at time of reaccreditation and shown to the coach’s nominated club (see step two).

STEP 2

CURRENT AND COMPETENT LETTER
All coaches are required to have their nominated club’s President or Secretary verify their competency and hours of active coaching. In signing this letter, the Club is endorsing that:

  • the reaccreditation candidate has been actively coaching (and they have seen the log detailing the hours); and
  • the Club is satisfied with the performance of the coach and is happy for that coach to continue.
  • If the Club does not value the services of the coach, they are free to decline signing the ‘current and competent letter’.

Download letter template formats: PDF | WORD DOC

STEP 3

COMPLETE THE REACCREDITATION APPLICATION FORM
When reaccrediting, coaches must complete this application form to ensure BV has the current details for all the coaches within Victoria. This form must include the applicant’s National ID number (found in applicant’s BowlsLink profile), current Working with Children Check details, which is a requirement for all new and reaccrediting coaches, plus the current and competent letter.

OPTIONAL STEP

VIEW ‘THE COACHES’ DEN’ VIDEOS
Bowls Australia has developed several 2 – 5 minute videos that are interesting, valuable and relevant to current coaching needs, and a great resource for coaches looking to refresh their knowledge.

How to become a Club Coach

Club Coach Accreditation

Coaches who work regularly at club level either with a team or individuals will benefit from obtaining this accreditation as the course covers the constants and variables of a delivery, managing the safely aspects of bowls and harnessing various communication methods.

ON-GREEN SESSIONS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF DATES

HOW TO BECOME A CLUB COACH

STEP 1
Complete the online Application Form.

STEP 2
Complete the online course via BowlsLearn (online compoment is free of charge).

STEP 3
Attend one of the advertised on-green training sessions (1 day). Course Fee of $110 will be invoiced to your club upon completion of course. Stay tuned for more dates.

View the BowlsLearn guide – a step-by-step guide on how to navigate BowlsLearn.

Competency statements
  • Demonstrate the legal and ethical responsibilities of a club coach
  • Identify the roles and information needs of a club coach
  • Review the coaching session
  • Demonstrate appropriate risk management audit
  • Apply risk management principles
  • Work cooperatively with parents, officials and sports administrators
  • Conduct a coaching session to teach skills and tactics
  • Identify appropriate delivery options to place bowl smoothly on running surface
  • Identify appropriate drills for shot development
  • Apply technique analysis to provide appropriate feedback
  • Identify the correlation between line and weight and the impact of environmental conditions
  • Implement inclusive activities for the coaching of bowls
  • Identify physical growth and development considerations
  • Outline social development considerations
  • Identify the specific responsibilities of lead, second, third and skip
  • Apply the basic rules for sport of Bowls
  • Identify issues regarding drugs in sport
  • Identify common bowls terminology for club level competition
  • Assist athletes with basic nutritional strategies for sports performance
  • Demonstrate effective communication strategies

Introductory Coach Accreditation

The Introductory Coach Accreditation is perfect for coaches assigned to a group of new bowlers i.e. schools, social bowlers etc. The course takes coaches through the safety aspects of organising a group on the green and a plethora of activities designed to engage new participants instantly!

HOW TO BECOME AN INTRODUCTORY COACH

STEP 1
Complete the online course via BowlsLearn ($50 online fee).

STEP 2
BV will approve Certification and it will appear in your BowlsLink profile within 30 days of course completion, and you will receive a certification card from Bowls Australia.

View the BowlsLearn guide – a step-by-step guide on how to navigate BowlsLearn.

Competency statements
  • Identify the roles and responsibilities of an introductory coach
  • Assess and manage the risks of coaching at an Introductory level
  • Utilise a range of communication techniques
  • Plan and safely conduct a training session, ensuring fun and maximum participation through games and activities
  • Adapt activities to meet player abilities

Advanced Coach

HOW TO BECOME AN ADVANCED COACH

Administered by Bowls Australia, the Advanced Coach accreditation is suited to coaches whom Bowls Victoria believe will provide a valuable experience for a coach at a region, state level, or premier league or development level.

How to become a Club Selector

This online workshop is designed to prepare new club selectors to assist with selection. Selectors and committee members should attend this workshop to learn how to create a selection policy, a healthy philosophy for their club, and to ensure best practice selection standards.

STEP 1
Complete the online course via BowlsLearn ($50 online fee).

STEP 2
BV will approve Certification and it will appear in your BowlsLink profile within 30 days of course completion, and you will receive a certification card from Bowls Australia.

View the BowlsLearn guide – a step-by-step guide on how to navigate BowlsLearn.

The following topics will be covered in the online course:

  • Explain the role of a selection panel and their relationship with coaches, players and committee members
  • Develop a selection policy and criteria and explain their purpose
  • Explain the process of creating performance standards
  • Explain the legal and ethical considerations, appeals and repercussions of selection 
  • Collect and manage the use of data to help selectors

For more information on coaching or becoming a coach please contact:
Matthew Ottobre – Club Education & Training Manager
P: 0411 516 328
E: matthew@bowlsvic.org.au