Strong strategy on the green

The cracks of bowl on jack rang out from the green, punctuated with roars of success and cries of dismay, as Defence members and veterans competed at the ADF Lawn Bowls Championship in South Australia.

Navy took home the service championship, held at Salisbury Bowling Club from October 19 to 23, beating Army and Air Force in the fours format, with a final score of 57-44, three rinks and 21 ends.  

While lawn bowls is widely viewed as a leisurely pastime, competitors said success on the green requires tactical thinking, concentration and the ability to adapt under pressure.

CPO Steven Adams, a PTI from HMAS Stirling, has been involved in the sport for more than two decades and said it’s a game of constant learning. 

"It is a little bit like chess in the sense that it's quite strategic," CPO Adams said. 

"I reckon it took me 10 years to realise I knew nothing about the game." 

He said players had to think several shots ahead, carefully positioning bowls near the jack to create opportunities for teammates and limit their opponents' options. 

Army competitor CPL Jake White said the welcoming environment and strong sense of camaraderie are what first attracted him to lawn bowls. 

Having played since he was 12 years old, he said many people underestimate the sport's complexity. 

"It looks easy. It's not easy," he said. 

"We've got so many people with different delivery techniques, but all trying to do the one thing, which is get close to the jack."

CPL White said lawn bowls required a high level of technical skill to adapt to different playing surfaces, weather conditions and green speeds while maintaining consistency in delivery. 

“A lot of mental preparation was involved in performing well, alongside regular practice and learning how different greens influenced the path of the bowl,” CPL White said. 

FSGT Tina Rowe said the championship provided an opportunity to meet people from across Defence while testing players' tactical abilities. 

"You get to meet all new people and you make a whole bunch of new friends," FSGT Rowe said.

She agreed that strategy played a major role in the sport, particularly when decisions had to be made under pressure.

"When you're down by three shots, you've really got to look at what's behind, what's on the other side and how you move the jack into the right position," FSGT Rowe said. 

"This is not an old people's game.

"The earlier you get into it, the earlier you can start perfecting your manoeuvres and your bowls, and it's fun." 

To get involved, visit the ADF Lawn Bowls Association page via the DPN or contact CPO Phillip Black.