To many Sturt members, Richard Weeks is one of the club's leading bowlers, a respected Team Leader and now Bowls Director.
Yet the interview below reveals that, despite his achievements, he still sees himself as a student of the game.
Whether discussing bowls, leadership or his professional life, Richard returns repeatedly to the same themes: continual learning, reflective leadership and the enjoyment of competition. He also shares why he believes Sturt has an exciting future.
Richard's achievements speak for themselves, but perhaps his most revealing comment comes in the final question, where he says he still challenges himself to keep improving as a bowler.
I understand you were a keen cricketer before taking up bowls. What did you enjoy most about cricket, what first attracted you to lawn bowls, and how did the transition come about?
Team sport has always been a huge part of my life. Cricket was a big part of that, as was basketball.
My introduction to lawn bowls can be attributed to club friend John Levy, who asked me to fill in for his night owls side - which has also produced such club luminaries as Steve Young, Jim Trenerry, Wyatt Groth and Steve Kirsanovs.
I loved the game immediately and then I hounded John to play every week. That was the start of my obsession with bowls.
Looking back, what aspects of your bowls game did you work hardest on in those early years?
Starting out it is really about finding consistency, which takes time.
It can be frustrating but over time with a lot of practice it starts to come together.
A few years back you spent a season at Adelaide Bowling Club. What did that experience teach you, both technically and strategically?
I went to Adelaide Bowling Club to test myself playing at a higher level. I am pleased that I did it.
Adelaide were really good to me. They were welcoming and gave me opportunities. I learned a lot about a different, more aggressive playing strategy in particular, and the imperative not to waste any bowls.
Every bowl must be effective at that level. I was pleased to be able to step up to play effectively in their Division 1 side.
You've enjoyed considerable success in Sturt club championship finals, in both singles and pairs. Which one or two matches stand out most, and why?
I wouldn’t say I’ve been particularly successful in singles to be honest, having been runner-up on one occasion - to the great Peter Welsh.
Youngy (Steve Young) and I have won two club pairs titles which was a big thrill on both occasions. The pairs wins are the ones that stand out for me.
You recently competed in the Australian Open on the Gold Coast with Izzy Trenorden, Alex Smith and Shane Ettridge. What did that experience teach you about your own game?
The Australian Open is a great experience - I would encourage all members to consider doing it at some stage.
Playing bowls in Queensland in early winter - say no more!
We had a great time up there. The draw is random, so you could be playing against a social bowler in your first match of the day, then Aron Sherriff in the next.
If you are able to get through your sectional play into the knockout rounds, the competition gets very tough very quickly. However, as we all know, bowls matches can be unpredictable, so it is a question of rising to the challenge and competing hard - which is what I love to do most of all.
I played as our team lead in the fours and the pairs. I enjoyed the challenge and focused on consistent draw bowling and weight control.
The conditions at times were difficult - Shane and I played pairs in very heavy rain for most of the day - but it is about staying focused on the job and adapting to the conditions faster and better than the opposition.
You've been a key member of Sturt's top Saturday pennant side for many years. What do you think made last season's premiership-winning team different?
We have been extremely fortunate to have some highly skilled players join our club in the last 12 months. Isaac (Trenorden), Jack (Trenorden), Smithy (Alex Smith) and Jonesy (Stephen Jones) have all had years of premier league experience, and to have that injected into our club is incredibly exciting.
I would also like to think that their decision to come to Sturt is a strong endorsement of what we have been building towards as a club over the last several years.
Perhaps more importantly these guys are all people of good character who have fitted in seamlessly.
The blend of these new players into our group of skilled and very enthusiastic bowlers has been amazing. Isaac has introduced a playing philosophy and strategy which has been embraced, and which will continue to take us forward.
The cohesion among the group, the energy and enthusiasm, and the team first mentality of the players has been rewarded.
We aim to be equally successful in Division 2 in the upcoming season. Can’t wait!
As Wednesday Team Leader (TL), you also write thoughtful reports on your pennant matches for the club website. What has that TL role taught you about leading a team?
Leadership can take many forms. In my case I try to combine focus on specific aspects of our playing strategy with a positive mindset, team camaraderie and enjoyment of the competition.
I hope that comes across.
You're also a regular volunteer around the club—from working behind the bar to helping redesign the club uniform. What motivates you to contribute beyond playing bowls?
I am very proud to be a member of Sturt Bowling Club. It is a very happy and positive place, and I love spending time there.
In truth I believe there is something a bit special about the place.
I have made many great friendships at Sturt, and I personally love some of the banter and humour that takes place with my mates.
As a consequence of all this it seems a natural thing to want to contribute in other ways.
I never worked as a barman during my younger years, so I really enjoy that opportunity now. I said to Mel (Cheesbrough) behind the bar once: “I think I wasted my youth studying at my desk - this is so much fun.”
You've recently taken on the substantial role of Bowls Director. What do you see as some big opportunities for Sturt bowls over the next few years?
I am very proud to have been appointed Bowls Director, and I am very motivated to do the role justice.
Our club is thriving but many are not, so we cannot take things for granted. If we are not moving forward we are actually moving backward.
As Bowls Director I see many opportunities for the club as we move ahead. These include building on-green performance and success year-on-year, with the unashamed aim of winning as many pennants as possible.
I would love to see some junior bowler opportunities and development at Sturt, and will look at this as a key for the future.
We aim to continue steady recruitment of new players into the club at all levels, particularly graduates from Night Owls.
Our club’s representation in state events continues to increase, which not only improves the skill and experience of our bowlers, but also raises the profile of Sturt as a serious bowling club.
We have had two Sturt teams make state semi-finals in recent years, and of course Isaac and Smithy made the final of the state pairs recently.
I am confident there is more success to come.
I understand you work as a psychiatrist in the public health system. What first attracted you to that field?
During medical school I didn’t really consider psychiatry, and after my intern year I entered physician - internal medicine - training.
I decided that wasn’t for me and stepped sideways to psychiatry training. I haven’t regretted that choice.
All medical specialties have their pros and cons of course, but psychiatry does provide unique training and experience to understand people, what makes them tick, what their strengths and vulnerabilities are, and how to use that knowledge and insight to help them.
Broadly speaking, are there lessons from your professional career that you've found useful in bowls, leadership or club life?
To embrace the fact that we are all different, and that’s OK.
Many people say bowls is as much a mental game as a physical one. In your experience, what role does the mental side play in separating good bowlers from outstanding bowlers?
I think this question is applicable to all sports.
In my professional life for several years I was the psychiatrist to the AFL and AFLW teams here in Adelaide, along with the state cricketers and various other elite sporting codes.
By definition all these people have elite talent and physical attributes, and are trained to optimise these elements.
More often than not where things fall down for them is on the mental side. These include dealing with setbacks due to injury, disappointment, perceived failure, and performance anxiety - or ambivalence in some cases.
The best of the best are able to maintain a steely mental focus while remaining relaxed and in control of themselves and their thoughts. They believe in their abilities and can perform under pressure.
Every bowler has days when nothing seems to go right. What have you learnt about recovering mentally from disappointment in bowls?
The first thing is to accept that everyone can have a bad day. Everyone.
It is important to stay relaxed in those moments when things are not going as planned, and focus back on the basics of mindset - relaxation, clarity of thought, one bowl at a time - and technique - which we have all developed through repetition. Often one or both of these is lost when we are stressed, anxious or frustrated.
Then go out and do some extra practice the following week, and speak to the coach at one of his sessions.
At the end of the day it is just a game, no matter how seriously we might take it at times.
What are one or two things about Richard Weeks that might surprise members of Sturt Bowling Club?
I own more guitars than a player of my ability should.
Finally, what still enthuses you most about bowls after all these years?
What I love most is the competition and going to war with your mates on a Saturday afternoon.
Individually I continue to challenge myself to achieve ongoing improvement as a bowler.