“There’s always something new to explore.”
Cheryl Saunders makes that observation at the end of this interview, and it could almost serve as her philosophy of life.
From a free-ranging childhood in Naracoorte to occupational therapy, bowls, coaching, gardening—and even jumping solo from a plane at 12,000 feet—Cheryl has approached life with curiosity and enthusiasm.
At Sturt, that enthusiasm extends well beyond her own bowls. She believes in helping others improve, contributing wherever she can and supporting a club culture in which people feel valued and included.
Cheryl, you spent your first ten years in Naracoorte before your family moved to Adelaide. What do you remember most about those early years, and what was it like moving from the country to the city?
It was all pretty laid back. We’d disappear until sundown exploring, investigating stuff.
(The now world famous) Naracoorte Caves entrance was just a hole in the ground, to us.
We came to Adelaide where they had traffic lights, supermarkets, lines painted on the road. Yes, it was a while back.
Professionally, you worked as an occupational therapist, across areas including aged care, dementia care and community mental health. What attracted you to that field? What did you find most rewarding about it?
I loved the idea of helping people while learning their stories and doing the detective work of assessment in particular.
The importance of occupation or activity giving meaning to our life and improving health appealed to me, as did the broad scope for specialisation in that field.
Before bowls, what other sports or competitive pursuits did you enjoy—and does pétanque count?
I have always enjoyed competition but usually this has been restricted to playing cards or board games. Petanque was great fun too. Similar to bowls in some ways.
I understand you took up bowls seven years ago. How did you get started with bowls?
We went along to a Come 'n Try and were hooked. Brett and I have played as much as we could since then.
You and Brett Lymn sampled several bowling clubs before eventually arriving at Sturt. What were you looking for in a club, and what made you decide Sturt was the place to stay?
The culture of a club is most important to us. Sturt impressed me by being more inclusive and receptive to change than some clubs.
It’s a very friendly supportive club and its governance seems to truly reflect the espoused club values.
I was particularly impressed by the outstanding and successful efforts to increase the number of women bowlers and also how this change was embraced by existing members.
You seem to throw yourself enthusiastically into club life—from supporting events to helping organise card games when Winter Bowls is washed out. What makes you so keen to get involved?
My approach to many things has been described as ‘gung ho’, but maybe ‘enthusiastic’ is a better description.
If I like something I will learn as much as I can about it and ‘throw myself into it’.
Where I feel valued and respected I want to give back where needed.
So I’ve been making sandwiches, curating playlists for social bowls, organising card games or helping organise lunches, and coaching those who request help as a way of contributing to the club.
You say you don't really think of you and Brett as a bowling unit, but as two individuals who sometimes play as a pair. Yet together you've had some impressive results recently, including reaching the final eight of the State Over 60s Mixed Pairs and winning the weekly Pairs competition at Goolwa. What makes the partnership work when you do play together?
Brett and I are a good partnership possibly because we know each other well and complement each other in skills and temperament.
Each of us values our independence in identity and personal journey as well as being a good pairs team.
What do you see as your strengths as a bowler, and what aspects of your game are you most keen to improve?
I think that maintaining commitment to improving my skills and to maximising my value to the team and club is important.
Often the weighted shots seem to work out, but then can lead me down the path of impulsive shots, so that’s a balance I’m working on.
One of the things I’m trying to fix is dancing around on the mat. Very entertaining but not that helpful. Place and time Cheryl.
You're one of Sturt's most animated bowlers, with plenty of distinctive expressions and reactions on the mat. Where does all that passion come from?
I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve which usually is OK.
I’ll never be a successful poker player, I know.
You completed the Bowls SA coaching course last year because, you say, you're passionate about helping women bowlers. What do you most enjoy about helping other players develop?
I reckon we all get a kick about moving closer to our personal best, so why wouldn’t you help others achieve their goals if you could, even it was just a bit of help?
Do you see any connection between the skills you developed as an occupational therapist and the way you approach coaching?
I definitely see how my eye for detail developed particularly in occupational therapy assessment is useful in identifying factors impacting on bowls delivery.
Also, I value approaches that are ‘client driven’.
You've seen the rapid growth of women's bowls at Sturt. What do you think has made that growth possible, and where would you like to see it go next?
It’s a real credit to the individuals involved including of course the women and all other Sturt members.
It speaks volumes of a culture that is progressive and demands the best for all its members.
I believe the next step in this wonderful sequence would be to bring all bowlers under the same rules for all its policies and procedures in true inclusive fashion.
Your home renovation has temporarily taken you and Brett to Port Elliot. How have you enjoyed life down there—and all the local opportunities to bowl?
Port Elliot is a top spot with great people.
Only trouble is when I’m bowling there on the seafront - as we’ve been doing three times a week - I’m so distracted by the Whistling Kites atop the highest pine trees or the by the beauty of Horseshoe Bay.
Warm, friendly people. Tough gig.
Coming home soon though and looking forward to bowling with the Blues.
Bowls may be your first obsession, but I understand plants/gardening aren't far behind. What other interests and passions occupy your time away from the bowling green?
I love to try out new things. And playing cards and board games with family and friends, art, reading, birds, music, etc.
I have given up jumping solo out of perfectly good planes at 12,000 feet though. Once my gloriously open parachute replaced the sheer terror of freefall, I did have a great time.
There’s always something new to explore.