Barrie Lester Bowls In
Castle Hill Bowling Club had a special guest recently—former Jackaroo star Barrie Lester stopped by for a coaching clinic, and he didn’t disappoint.
It was his first time visiting the club, and he left a big impression on the 50 members who came along.
Barrie, who’s represented Australia over 250 times, shared some great stories from his career, including his experiences at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. But what really stood out was how down-toearth he was.
He made all his advice on strategy, attitude, and mindset easy to understand, no matter what level you play at.
“He was amazing at breaking things down so everyone could easily understand it,” said William Harkins, the club’s Bowls Coordinator.
“Whether you’re new to bowls or have been around a while, his tips on keeping your head in the game really hit home.”
One of the coolest things Barrie talked about was his “red zone” and “blue zone” idea. He explained how to mentally switch from stress (the red zone) to a place of calm (the blue zone), using his own happy place—a rooftop in Spain—as an example. It’s all about keeping cool under pressure, and the members loved it.
Team play was another big focus of the clinic. Barrie showed how playing smart and working together can make a huge difference in Pennant competitions.
He talked about keeping an eye on the scoreboard and playing safe when needed, which really opened up some new ideas for the club’s players.
After all the talking, Barrie took everyone out to the greens for some hands-on drills. The members practiced accuracy, concentration, and different techniques that will definitely improve their game.
“It was really inspiring to have someone like Barrie here, and he made everything feel doable,” added Harkins.
All in all, it was an awesome day that gave the club members a lot to think about—and practice!
Castle Hill Bowling Club is pumped to put Barrie’s advice into action as they gear up for the next season.
To find out more about the club visit www.castlehillbc.com.au
