Coach shares his skill with players across the district
JOHN Simpson is a level-one national bowls coach and is qualified to run courses for prospective coaches.
A member of the Warwick Bowls Club, Simpson has coached on the Southern Downs since 2002 and has coached at all clubs in the district.
He ran one presenter and assessor's course in Warwick at which 10 prospective coaches in the district were accredited. The aim was to have one coach in each club in the Southern Downs District Bowls Association.
Simpson started his bowls career in 2000 and lost in the A-grade club final in his first year before going on to win district pairs and triples titles.
Simpson outlines his philosophy on coaching:
"I try and give bowlers the basics but I work with them to develop their delivery according to their physique.
"The main thing about coaching bowls is to stress the enjoyment of the sport. It is a great social game for men and women.
"You can play bowls at whatever level you want and at any age. I have coached players at ages five and six and as old as 94.
"There is a mistaken belief that if you have a bad back or bad knees you can't bowl.
"Players can purchase a bowling arm to stand and deliver their bowl rather than bending. The bowling arm is legal for all our competitions.”
