Every club needs people who are willing to make difficult decisions.
As Sturt's new Chair of Selectors, Graham Wood steps into one of the club's most demanding volunteer roles.
Drawing on decades of experience as a school principal, union official and soccer referee, he explains the leadership principles, respect for people and commitment to fairness that he hopes will shape the selection process at Sturt.
Graham, you've recently accepted one of the toughest jobs at Sturt Bowling Club—Chair of Selectors. Many good people have found the role demanding. What made you put your hand up?
I have been a selector at Sturt Bowling Club for two years.
As I worked within the selection team I came to understand that my professional and sporting careers had enabled me to develop the skills and disposition to fulfil the role of the Chairperson of Selectors.
I discussed the position with my 2025/26 selection colleagues and they encouraged and supported me to put my hand up.
My first decision as the Chairperson of Selectors is to not bowl in pennant competitions on Saturdays. This will enable me to watch matches every week.
The best method of assessing performance is to watch sides and individuals bowl.
Before retirement you were a primary school teacher and eventually a school principal. What did those years teach you about leading people?
Admit that you are fallible - lead by example and own your mistakes.
Be seen doing the work - I liked teaching and as a principal I ensured that I taught on a regular basis. Having professional credibility with your colleagues is paramount when you are trying to improve learning.
Listen to understand - teaching is a difficult and demanding job, teachers need to be listened to, nurtured, supported and have confidence that you have their back.
Develop the leadership skills of others - encourage and require team members to make decisions. Improvement requires action at scale.
What have you learnt over the years about helping people accept difficult decisions?
Being honest and being available to have dialogue with people about the reasons for a decision goes a long way to helping people accept decisions that they do not like.
I hope that through our actions the selectors at Sturt are seen as honest, credible decision makers who perform a critical role for the club.
Selection for pennant bowling will follow the policy of the Sturt Bowling Club. Sturt bowlers can expect a conversation with a selector if they are moved to a lower grade of pennant bowling when trial matches are complete.
You later worked for the Australian Education Union, often representing members in negotiations. What did that role teach you about handling disagreement and finding common ground?
Be honest about what the issues are and be willing to compromise.
When parties in a dispute work together to find solutions through honest, engaging and respectful behaviour, disagreements can be amicably resolved.
You've spent much of your career working with people who didn't always agree with each other. What have you learnt about disagreement? Can it actually strengthen an organisation when it's handled well?
I see professional disagreements as a challenge, a problem to be solved, an opportunity to learn.
As a principal I wanted the other leaders in the school to challenge my thinking and I was lucky to have a Deputy Principal who spoke her truth in ways that enabled us as a leadership team to make better decisions.
People fear the destructive potential of disagreement but if the people that you disagree with are treated with care and dignity it can lead to positive outcomes.
You also refereed soccer at a high level. Referees have to make difficult decisions instantly, knowing some people will disagree. What did you learn from those years with the whistle?
Soccer players are a lot like school students. They both need to understand two things: one, who is in charge; two, that they will be treated fairly.
Once you have established these principles players will get on with playing the game and I can get on with administering the laws of the game.
Referees like teachers must have authority if they are to keep everyone safe.
I take pride in the fact that no match that I refereed ever ran out of control.
Looking back, do you think your experience as a school principal, union official and soccer referee has prepared you for being Chair of Selectors?
When I told my partner, Ruth, that I had been approached to be the Chairperson of Selectors she asked me, “Why you?”
I replied that it is an important role that someone has to be willing to do and that my life has enabled me to develop the skills and abilities to do the job. I am ready for the role.
Looking back over your career, have you found that people are usually more accepting of difficult decisions when they feel they've been treated with honesty and respect?
Yes.
What's the biggest misconception people have about being a selector?
Some people think that being a selector is easy and that they could do a better job.
Anyone who has been a selector, in any sport, understands that it is a complex job with many restraints that impede perfection.
Every selector develops a philosophy. What principles do you hope will guide your decisions?
My guiding principle is team first. Winning in pennant bowling requires teamwork.
My goal as a selector is to develop winning teams. This requires players to understand and accept their assigned role for the benefit of the team.
When players disagree with selection decisions, what do you think is the healthiest way for selectors and players to work through those situations?
I will be working on the assumption that all players have read and understood the Sturt Bowling Club Selection Policy.
A Sturt Bowling Club pennant bowler who is placed in a lower grade can expect a phone call from a selector where they will be provided with the reason for the selection decision.
All communication should be respectful.
How important is it that players understand the principles behind selection, even if they don't always agree with the outcome?
It is important that players understand the principles behind selection.
All Sturt players have received a copy of the club’s Pennant Selection Policy. The policy is also available on the club website. The policy articulates the principles behind selection.
What do you think makes a successful selection panel?
Understanding your role, respectful listening, honest communication, discretion, unity, being selfless.
What excites you most about where Sturt bowls is heading?
On field success.
We have the opportunity to win pennants and for each team to win promotion to a higher level.
I like the culture of our club, the willingness of people to work for the club, to play their role.
I am a thankful and appreciative member of Sturt Bowling Club.
Away from bowls, what are some interests or passions that help people understand Graham Wood a little better?
I love being physically active and have routines that allow me to exercise regularly.
Ruth and I love walking holidays. We have just been in Spain and Portugal visiting one of our daughters and we plan to spend a month in Scandinavia next year.
I am in the early stages of learning to speak Italian and hope to spend a winter in Italy in the coming years.
I love reading the New York Times and listening to their podcasts.
My most important sporting pursuit is the quest of the Wombats to win Thursday Night Owls and if we can’t do that to beat the 120Ys and Completely Biased.
I look forward to beers and banter with the boys during the summer.
If, three years from now, people looked back and said, "Graham did a really good job as Chair of Selectors," what would you hope they were talking about?
I hope to be held in the same regard as the two previous Chairpersons of Selectors at Sturt, Gerry Dillon and Paul Teesdale.
I have great respect and admiration for the leadership that Paul and Gerry provided for our club. I thank them for their service to our club. The shoes that I fill are large.
My aim is for our members to enjoy pennant bowling, and to feel valued and supported on their bowling journeys.
I hope that people feel that they have been treated fairly and that the selection team have been diligent and focused.
I hope that all of our pennant sides reach a Grand Final and that we have won our share.