2025 International Women's Day - Barbara Weir Q&A
In December 2023 thanks to investment from sportscotland, Bowls Scotland launched our Coach Education Subsidy Fund with the aim of increasing the diversity and number of qualified coaches across Scotland by providing free or heavily discounted Coach Education opportunities. Throughout 2024, 115 coaches from 49 clubs across Scotland accessed the fund, an incredible 46% of these newly qualified coaches were female.
A 2024 report from Women in Sport found that 26% of girls say there are not enough female role models to support them. With this statistic in mind and to mark International Women’s Day we spoke to Barbara Weir, one of the female coaches at Lundin BC in Fife in a Q&A to find out more about her journey as a volunteer coach in bowls.
Q1. Tell us about your journey as a coach?
BW: “I first got involved as a coach because I was approached by our Head Coach, Brenda, who needed help with the number of members we had and thought I might be interested. At that point I was still relatively new to the game and, whilst eager to learn the game and really enjoyed playing, I didn't feel sufficiently experienced to even consider showing other people what to do. However, I took a look on the Bowls Scotland website to see what was involved regarding the Intro Award training and thought it would be fun to give it a go. Another relatively new member, Carol, was also approached so the 2 of us went along to the East Fife arena for our training.
“The coach subsidy enabled both of us to proceed to Level 1 since it was zero cost to the Club (which, like so many other clubs, have limited funds to spread around). We thought it would be of great advantage to the Club to have not only qualified coaches, but female coaches who are more of a rare species perhaps. If we had to fund the next level ourselves, we may not have enrolled since there are always so many other areas within the Club requiring finance.
“On a general level, volunteering brings another dimension to me as a playing member. It provides an opportunity to participate with the further development of the Club. I can be a point of contact particularly for newer members. I love playing bowls and I enjoy encouraging other people to play. Sometimes new people will join but lose interest/momentum if they don't think they have a nominated person within the Club who can be approached for assistance with their game.
“I like to feel I am offering just a bit more to the Club than simply paying my membership and turning up to play. I am by no means fluent with all the rules of bowls (not sure I ever will be) but have learned a lot since coaching. Not only do I need to know more than the basics, but volunteering keeps me on my toes with questions asked regarding rules, etiquette etc which in turn gives new members more confidence in integrating with the established members.”
Q2. How do you and Lundin BC utilise your coaching team to welcome new members into the club?
BW: “Following an Open Day at Lundin BC the coaches put together a programme of 4 sessions (2 hours each) either afternoon or evening to suit new members. We provide, in small groups, sessions involving delivery, grip, stance etc. Types of shot. Rules and etiquette. Playing a game with the coaches. The most important thing is to get a bowl in their hands and get them started.”
Q3. What words of encouragement would you give to encourage other women and girls to try bowls, and to coach?
“I think bowls has a tradition of being a predominantly male dominated sport. Don't let that put you off ladies!! Girls have strong arm muscles too but it's not all about who can throw a bowl full length. There is skill and technique involved which ladies can master. Few girls or women could resist playing in a team of like-minded individuals - out in the fresh air with the sun shining down on them. Ladies are showing a greater interest in bowling, certainly at Lundin Bowling Club where new friendships have been formed, confidence has been boosted and some personal challenges met. It's not a game for old folk either! Girls need to come and try playing this game to experience the bending and stretching that goes on during a game of bowls. Bowls should be fun but some ladies are perturbed by the competitiveness which can ensue - just as in all sports. Remember! There is a bowls game for everyone - at whatever level you feel comfortable with. Come and play for exercise, for company, for friendship or for winning - whatever you want to do, your enjoyment of the game should come first.
“To encourage women to coach is difficult. They sometimes lack confidence but there can also be many time constraints on ladies with regard to personal and family commitments. Initially offer to play alongside a new member and just make informal suggestions to improve what they are doing. Try doing that a few times with different new members. If that goes well, why not just go along to the Intro Level. Meet other people who have enrolled, enjoy the day. Come back to the Club with your qualification, speak to members on a friendly basis, offer any help with an aspect of their game and take it from there. No pressure.”
Q4. Tell us about your plans to progress your coaching into the 2025 season?
BW: “Hopefully start to formulate a coaching plan for 2025 during March for new member uptake. Considering offering afternoon or evening coaching to existing members who we are trying to encourage to play in the Kirkcaldy and District Ladies League and in Friendlies which, incidentally, Carol is now organizing for our Club. The talent is there, just confidence building required. Also looking to build back a junior section which has dwindled in recent times. We always try to respond to any specific requests made by members.”
Adam Martin, Bowls Scotland’s Coach and Volunteer Manager is delighted that the Coach Education Subsidy Fund is helping to make coaching more accessible for clubs like Lundin who are championing female coaches, he said: “Thanks to substantial £10,000 investment from our partners at sportscotland, Bowls Scotland are now engaging with a wide range of fantastic new coaches just like Barbara, who are accessing Education opportunities like never before! We are confident that having a diverse and high-quality coaching network across the country will allow any individual to access our sport in their own community regardless of their background, ensuring Bowls continues to be a sport for every single person across Scotland!”
Thanks to Barbara for taking part in our Q&A. If you have been inspired by her story and are interested in finding out more about our Coach Education Subsidy and courses CLICK HERE. To read more about the findings of the 2024 Women in Sport survey, visit their website.