Positive thinking, consistent routines, purposeful practice — and always remembering to have fun.
Those were among the messages Rachel Krebbekx shared with more than 40 Sturt women at their Season Launch on 6 October.
Interviewed by Wendy Rutten, Rachel drew on her experience at the highest levels of bowls to offer practical advice about improving performance, dealing with mistakes, supporting teammates and continuing to learn.
But the evening also revealed plenty of Rachel’s personality and humour — and gave Sturt’s women an opportunity to get to know one of the club’s newest members a little better.
Report from Women’s Coach, Peter Hughes:
Our Rachel really wowed Sturt women ‘In the Ladies Lounge’ at their Season Launch last Tuesday evening.
It was another variation on the theme at our fourth Season Launch set up in ‘The Ladies Lounge’ adorned with sporting memorabilia.
Each Season Launch has been a significant event, and this was no exception. We were getting to know Rachel Krebbekx.
With an audience of over 40 women and some keen men we gained insights into many aspects of Rachel’s success as she delivered pearls of wisdom.
These included positive thinking, the importance of routine, embracing drills, practising to develop maximum consistency, constant learning and always having fun.
‘Be kind to yourself’ was an opening response to MC Wendy Rutten’s early questioning. You will have ‘internal dialogue’ (from that little person talking to you inside your head), but ‘starve it of oxygen, anything negative is not for us’.
Everything should be positive, so if someone in your rink, or in any rink, plays a good shot, show support – even if you haven’t seen it!
All positions in the rink are equally valuable. Rachel explained that early in her career she spent four years playing as a Lead.
That’s when she practised, learnt and developed the basic but essential skill of draw bowling. This is the essence of successful bowls.
Personal development.
Rachel emphasised the value of routine. Planning before getting on the mat. The release – keeping your head down, your palm facing up and your arm extended and pointing in the direction you are aiming.
Bowlers can have success with unconventional actions. Whatever your approach, routine and consistency are king. The better players do have reasonable techniques.
Drills are essential.
Embrace them at team training and at personal practice. Follow them with match practice.
Her favourite drills are:
First, with your rink (or any group of 3-4 players) place a kitty on the T and draw past. As soon as one person bowls short, all bowls are sent back. Start again. The goal is for every bowl from every player to finish past the kitty. And, to stay on the green.
Second, with a group of 3-4 people play an end. The bowl furthest from the kitty is taken out of play. Play another end and repeat until there’s just one player left.
Third, the 40 Bowl Drill. If you do it the day before a game… You will play better the next day!
Other snippets included:
Getting help. Lots of people may offer to help you. Identify someone who ‘speaks your language’. (Rachel welcomed enquiries from any woman by email, SMS, etc).
Get different playing experiences. State events and tournaments are great learning opportunities.
In your rink. Have fun. Enjoy. Rinks that can gel will get better results.
‘Bad’ Bowls. They happen. Move on. So what. We’re all human. Get back into it. Every bowl beyond the kitty is OK.
Your opponents. You will come across a wide range. Intense, casual, rough, etiquette obsessed, talkative. You can stay focussed. It does not matter who your opponents are.
In conclusion, the night was revealing.
Wendy’s preparation and probing questions means she has successfully auditioned for the future role as host of SBCTV for interviewing coaches and match-winning players after games.
Rachel has demonstrated her ability to creatively contribute to our clubhouse redevelopment. She is promoting a hammock on the northern end with an intercom to the bar. She is also advocating for our new bar fridges to be big enough to hold a bigger range of champagne.
Rachel is a great catch for our club.
Our women have turned out in huge numbers and again demonstrated their enthusiasm and commitment to embracing all things at SBC.