Coaching & Officiating

Bowls Victoria supports a national framework of accreditation for Coaching and Officiating. 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 good practice in coaching and officiating.

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COACHING

Coaches play an important role in bowls by assisting players to develop their playing skills on the green. Want to get involved? All the information and resources on how to become or re-accredit as a Coach can be found below.

NAVIGATION: Please click the ˅ icon to the right for more information.

Accreditation Information

Please expand each section for more information. ˅

Club coach

Coaches who are coaching a pennant team 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.

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 Lawn 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

The Club Coach Accreditation is ideally suited to coaches regularly working at club level, either coaching a team or individual coaching.

Introductory coach

This accreditation is perfect for the coach who is assigned a group of bowlers celebrating an event (e.g. Christmas party). 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!

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

The Introductory Coach Accreditation is ideally suited to coaches working with schools, social bowlers and those introducing new bowlers to the game.

Selection module

Coaches should attend this workshop to learn more about the benchmarking players which can assist with selection. Selectors and committee members should attend this workshop to learn how to create a selection policy and a healthy philosophy for their club.

Competency statements:

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

The Selection Module is designed for club coaches, selectors and others who are keen to ensure their club has best practice selection standards.

Competition module

Coaches should attend this workshop to gain further information on how to best prepare players for competition, where to find the laws of the sport and conditions of play and understand how to educate players to focus on what they can control. The workshop contains practical on green elements where participants can discover what their own shot timeline is and how best to collect statistics.

Competency statements:

Describe the things a player can influence
Explain the role of a skip
Demonstrate effective communication between skip and team members
Analyse the head and provide appropriate feedback to your players
Record accurate scores during a game

The Competition Module focuses on the aspects of competitive bowls.

Advanced Coach

Course Information

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. Please expand above for course information.

Please click to expand for more information about coaching accreditations.

Reaccreditation Process

The Introductory & Club Coach Reaccreditation Policy is 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.

The Introductory & Club Coach Reaccreditation model is:

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 point two).

STEP 2 | Complete a Reaccreditation Application form with updated details
When reaccrediting, coaches must complete the relevant application form to ensure Bowls Victoria has the current details for all the coaches within Victoria. These forms include current Working with Children Check (WWCC) details, which is a requirement for all new and reaccrediting coaches.

STEP 3 | Current and Competent letter’ from their nominated Club
All coaches are required to have their Club president/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’.

STEP 4 | View ‘The Coaches Den’ coaching videos
Bowls Australia has developed several 2 – 5 minute videos which will form the personal development component of reaccreditation. These videos will be updated from time to time in accordance with relevant industry standards and legislation changes. The videos are interesting, valuable and relevant to current coaching needs and a great resources for coaches.

▶️ ‘The Coaches Den’ videos

Need to reaccredit your coaching qualifications? Please expand for more information.

How to become a Club Coach

STEP 1	Complete the online Registration Form – Register here
STEP 2	Complete the online course via BowlsLearn – Click here Need assistance using BowlsLearn? BV’s How to guide can help.
STEP 3	Attend a BV on-green training session. Please login to BowlsLink to book your nearest available session.

How to complete the online-only Introductory Coach or Selection Module

STEP 1	Complete the online course via BowlsLearn – Click here. Need assistance using BowlsLearn? BV’s How to guide can help.
STEP 2	BV approve certification.

CoachForce

Program update coming soon.

CoachForce aims to administer traditional coach and umpire accreditations, generate greater engagement in personal and professional development, increase retention of existing bowlers and provide mentoring opportunities.

The Bowls Victoria’s CoachForce program is a club support initiative available to all Bowls Clubs in Victoria.

Contact BV Coaching

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

If you have any further questions or need assistance please contact Bowls Victoria’s coaching expert by expanding above.

OFFICIATING

Marking, measuring and umpiring are essential roles in the game of Bowls. Officiating help keep our game safe, fair and fun for everyone. Want to get involved? All the information and resources on how to become or re-accredit as a Marker, Measurer or Umpire can be found below.

NAVIGATION: Please click the ˅ icon to the right for more information.

Accreditations

Marker Accreditation Information

The interactive Marker Accreditation Module will contain indoor and outdoor discussions and activities. Focusing on the things a marker should do when preparing to mark, laws relating to marking and how to use the index of the law book plus other topics will be workshopped indoors. Outside on the green, participants will discover the best techniques for selecting distances, using the correct equipment and identifying the best methods for anticipating player’s questions.

At the completion of the Marker Accreditation Module, the participant will be able to:

Identify values and ethical behaviour expected of a marker.
Plan and prepare for the requirements of marking.
Self reflect on performance after the competition.
Identify and manage the risks associated with marking.
Apply a positive and cooperative attitude towards other officials, players and spectators.
Using the Laws of the Game of Bowls in Australia, correctly identify and interpret the laws relevant to marking when called upon to do so.
Identify the correct position for the jack/mat at the start of an end.
Demonstrate the appropriate position for a marker to stand on the green during a game.
Select and use the appropriate method for marking touchers.
Identify the equipment that a marker needs in their possession during the game.
Correctly demonstrate the use of equipment needed to mark a game.
Using correct terminology and signals, demonstrate appropriate feedback regarding the state of the head during play when asked by the player in possession of the rink.
At the completion of the end, provide appropriate terminology and signals of the result of the end.
Accurately mark a singles game in a timely and professional manner including correctly maintaining a neat and accurate scorecard.

The role of a Marker is critical at all levels of the game. This accreditation is perfect for participants who would like to become proficient Markers with intentions of performing the role of a marker at Club events, Region events and also National events.

Measurer Accreditation Information

The Measurer Accreditation Module will predominantly be conducted on the green exploring the uses of a variety of approved pieces of equipment. The laws relating to the role of a Measurer will also be discussed coupled with the role of a measurer at club level. At the completion of this module, the participant will be able to:

Identify values and ethical behaviour expected of a measurer.
Plan and prepare for the requirements of measuring.
Identify and manage the risks associated with measuring.
Apply a positive and cooperative attitude towards other officials, players and spectators.
Using the Laws of the Game of Bowls in Australia, correctly identify and interpret the laws relevant to measuring when called upon to do so.
Identify and correctly demonstrate the equipment that a measurer needs in their possession during the game.
Utilise a range of communication strategies to communicate decisions to players in an inclusive manner.
Correctly measure the distance between multiple points when called upon to do so.

Many players would like to become skilful at Measuring. Completing the measuring component will increase your skills and abilities in undertaking accurate measures. This accreditation is designed to provide support for measurers at club level and above. The accreditation will ensure the participants are working on the green learning and practising measures using all types of approved equipment.

National Umpire Accreditation Information

The National Umpire Accreditation is aimed at umpires wishing to officiate at Club, Zone/District/Region level and above. National umpires will learn how to use the index of the law book and how to correctly interpret laws.

As 95% of the work umpires complete is conducted on the green, some of the course will be spent on the green working through scenarios relating to the laws of the sport. National Umpires will work in groups to correctly interpret the laws and discuss the best methods for communicating with players and other officials.

At the end of the module, the participant will be able to:

Identify and display the values and ethical behaviour expected of an umpire at all levels of the game.
Plan and prepare for the requirements of umpiring at all levels of the game.
Maintain a level of fitness appropriate to the standard of bowls at all levels of the game.
Review own performance post competition.
Display a range of body language techniques in order to promote professionalism and enhance an air of presence.
Using the index of the Laws of the Game of Bowls in Australia, correctly identify, interpret and apply the relevant laws appropriate to the game when called upon to do so.
Utilise a range of communication strategies to communicate decisions to players in an inclusive manner.
Apply a positive and cooperative attitude towards officials, other officials, players and spectators.
Identify and manage the risks associated with umpiring and abide by the legal responsibilities expected of an umpire.
Resolve disputes between players relating to the Law and Rules under which the game is being played.

The National Umpire accreditation is aimed at umpires wishing to officiate at club and Regional level and above. National umpires will learn how to use the index of the law book and how to correctly interpret laws. Those people wishing to become an accredited Umpire must be proficient in all aspects of the game.

International Technical Official (ITO)

Applicants for the ITO position must meet the following qualifying criteria:

Have actively officiated for a minimum period of three years. That is, have officiated annually in at least five events at any level for a combined total of at least thirty hours;
Have officiated in at least two International/National/National Division (State/Region/District) events in the two years immediately prior to the date of application;
Have officiated as a marker during the quarter-final, semi-final or final stages of at least two International/National/National Division (State/County/Province/Region) events in the two years immediately prior to the date of application.

APPLY NOW

The ITO accreditation is a World Bowls accreditation which lasts five years. The frequency of and locations for the assessments will be decided by World Bowls.

There are three levels of accreditation to officiate bowls, including the specific roles of Marker and Measurer, which lead to becoming and accredited National Umpire.

Re-accreditation

Umpire, Markers and Measurers accreditation expires after 4 years, as noted on your accreditation card. Reaccreditation should occur prior to expiry, however a short window between expiry and reaccreditation will be accepted at BV’s discretion.

The reaccreditation process takes approximately one hour and is supervised and organised by your Region’s or Division’s Presenter and Assessor.

When reaccrediting as an umpire you must undertake five questions relating to each category of marking, umpiring, and measuring. There will also be on green exercises related to measuring and marking.

To reaccredit please complete the Umpire, Marker & Measurer Accreditation & Reaccreditation Application Form, have it signed by your club’s secretary and email the form to Bowls Victoria at bowlsvic@bowlsvic.org.au. Once processed, Bowls Victoria will forward your application to your relevant Region and the local Umpiring coordinator will then contact you to advise of the next available course.

Bowls Victoria encourages members to reaccredit so that you can continue your much-valued contribution to the sport of bowls.

Re-accredit

If you’re already an accredited umpire or have been in the past, find out how to Re-accredit.

Officiating Courses

How to become a Marker, Measurer, or National Umpire.

STEP 1	Complete the online application form.
STEP 2	BV will process and forward to your Region and local Umpiring Coordinator.
STEP 3	Coordinator will be in contact to facilitate your access to the next available course.

Resources

BVOLC Umpires – 75 Questions & Answers

BVOLC FAQs

BVOLC Umpiring Equipment

BVOLC Basic Measuring for Umpires

BA Challenge to Bowls Form

The Bowls Victoria Officiating & Laws Committee (BVOLC) has collated a number of documents that will be useful administrative and training tools for the Umpires Committees established for the Bowls Victoria Regions and Divisions.

The Lawman

Bowls Victoria Officiating & Laws Committee Co-Chair
John Roberts
E: jmr333@netspace.net.au
P: 0417 330 070

Coaching & Officiating

QUICK LINKS:

COACHING

Accreditation Information

Club coach

Introductory coach

Selection module

Competition module

Advanced Coach

Reaccreditation Process

▶️ ‘The Coaches Den’ videos

How to become a Club Coach

How to complete the online-only Introductory Coach or Selection Module

CoachForce

Contact BV Coaching

OFFICIATING

Accreditations

Marker Accreditation Information

Measurer Accreditation Information

National Umpire Accreditation Information

International Technical Official (ITO)

Re-accreditation

Officiating Courses

Resources

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