1. The Long-Term Athlete Development Pathway
Bowls in Canada
The Long-Term Athlete Development Pathway

2. Table of Contents Background Why Should We Care? Where Do We Start?
How Do We Keep People Involved For Life?
The Bowler Development Pathways
Where Do I Fit?
What’s Next for Bowls & LTAD?

3. Background
In 2002, the Canadian government adopted the Canadian Sport Policy.
This policy is a commitment to a vision of enhanced participation, excellence, capacity and interaction in Canadian sport.
In 2005, Sport Canada assembled an Expert Group to turn this vision into reality.

4. Background
This Expert Group developed “a framework and philosophy for promoting lifelong engagement in sport and physical activity for all Canadians, while also revitalizing Canada as a competitive force in the international arena.”1
This framework and philosophy, which was further updated in 2012, has been endorsed by the Canadian government and by every recognized sport in Canada.
1. CS4L - LTAD 2.0

5. Background Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) is
ONE of MANY sports in Canada
committed to implementing this
framework and abiding by this philosophy.

6. Why Should We Care? Implementing the Framework will help BCB to…
Recognize the developmental needs of all bowlers regardless of age and ability;
Develop and maximize player potential;
Encourage participants to stay involved for life.

7. Why Should We Care?
If we implement the Framework, we will see
MORE people of ALL ages and abilities trying bowls, and
INCREASED numbers of clubs retaining and growing their membership
This means a stronger and healthier bowls community across Canada

8. Where Do We Start?
Before we can help all bowlers reach their potential, maximize their enjoyment of the game, and become involved for life, we need to first understand why people participate.

9. Why Do Adults Participate?
Many adults do not discover BOWLS until their ability in other more physically demanding sports lessens due to age or health reasons. Most wish they had discovered it sooner!

10. Why Do Adults Participate?
Other reasons include:
Social aspect
Enjoying a new sport
Affordability
Outdoor activity
Low impact sport
Competitive outlet

11. Why Do Youth Participate?
Majority of youth play BOWLS because a relative introduced them to the sport.
Many continue because of the social aspect.
Early success keeps many involved.
Having FUN is key.

12. Now that we have a basic understanding of why people participate, how can we ensure they stay involved for life?

13. Research shows…
The higher the enjoyment experienced, the more players choose to participate and remain involved in their sport.
Also, the sooner you experience some form of increased competency, the more likely you will be to stay involved.

14. How can we ensure enjoyment and increased competency?

15. Enjoyment
Research has shown2 that enjoyment in sport can be broken down into three broad categories:
Personal satisfaction
Experiencing the game and success
Significant social experiences
Enjoyment in Sport
2. Enjoyment in Sport,

16. SYSTEM SYSTEM Essentially, there needs to be a
in which players can meet their needs for enjoyment AND skill development at various stages of participation.

17. Generic Development Pathways for All Sport
Every sport in Canada has implemented a SYSTEM that includes a roadmap for player development
These “pathways” aim to identify stages of development, with appropriate activities to maximize progression.
This concept is also known as “Long-Term Athlete Development” (LTAD).
Discuss athlete vs player

18. Long-Term Athlete Development
LTAD is a framework that has been endorsed by every recognized sport in Canada.

19. Long-Term Athlete Development
Whether someone is NEW to the sport, or an EXPERIENCED player, LTAD aims to help maximize the enjoyment of all participants in the sport by developing their skillset at an appropriate level.
LTAD is NOT just for athletes who are striving to compete internationally.
LTAD is meant to show a pathway for ALL players to maximize their potential and find that sweet spot where they enjoy the game the most.

20. Pathways supported in the System
Every development pathway needs to be supported in the SYSTEM by elements such as :
Coaching
Officiating
Clubs
Volunteers
Facilities

21. Pathways supported in the System
In 2012 BCB launched the bowls specific version of an LTAD framework. BCB’s LTAD framework includes BOWLER and SYSTEM development

22. The Bowler Development Pathways

23. Bowler Development Pathways
The first two stages are called “Active Start” and “FUNdamentals.”
These are the beginning stages of ‘physical literacy’ development.
For more information on physical literacy, please visit

24. Bowler Development Pathways: Learn to Bowl
For new bowlers (any age)
This is the first introductory stage of bowls specific development.
The emphasis is on getting people to roll bowls and learn the basics of the sport.

25. Bowler Development Pathways: Learn to Bowl
This stage outlines the foundational skills of the game.
Basic rules of the game are introduced.

26. Bowler Development Pathways: Train to Play
This stage focuses on further skill development
More emphasis is placed on interpreting and applying the rules
Basic strategies of the game are introduced
Players may compete in leagues, jitneys, local tournaments

27. More Bowler Development Pathways
For the bowler aspiring to compete internationally, the next few stages look more like a pyramid.
This is the “High Performance Pathway” or Excellence Stream.

28. Excellence Stream
Generally, the Excellence Stream is targeted towards athletes aspiring to be high performance athletes.
In order to succeed in the Excellence Stream stages, athletes will need to devote significantly more time into high volume and high intensity training.
Train to Excel
Train to Compete
Learn to Compete

29. Bowler Development Pathways: Learn to Compete
This is the beginning of the Excellence Stream.
Bowlers in this stage are competing from club through to provincial play and may aspire to national play
There is an expectation of more advanced knowledge of the rules and application of more advanced strategies
Many bowlers shift from this stage directly to the Bowling for Life pathway.
Train to Excel
Train to Compete
Learn to Compete

30. Bowler Development Pathways: Train to Compete
Many national championship competitors are found in this stage (i.e. Majors, Indoor/Outdoor Singles)
Bowlers are more likely to apply advanced strategies
There is increased emphasis on mental preparation and game focus and skill training is very specific
While many bowlers in this stage have a goal of competing at the international level, many choose to transition into the Bowling for Life pathway
Train to Excel
Train to Compete
Learn to Compete

31. Bowler Development Pathways: Train to Excel
Bowlers in this stage aspire to be an international champion.
Significant time is devoted to further development of tactical / technical playing skills
There is increased focus on specialized training
Athletes are striving to reach their highest potential in this stage.
Athletes who retire from this stage often transition to the Bowling for Life Pathway
Train to Excel
Train to Compete
Learn to Compete

32. BOWLING FOR LIFE represents the biggest portion of bowlers in Canada
Bowler Development Pathways:
BOWLING FOR LIFE represents the biggest portion of bowlers in Canada
There are thousands of bowlers across Canada in this stage.
Their physical ability, competitiveness and skillset can vary drastically.
Enjoying the sport at their club may be their #1 desire.

33. Bowler Development Pathways:
BOWLING FOR LIFE includes bowlers who transition FROM other stages in the pathway because they are choosing to change their focus for the immediate future or the longer term.
Bowlers in this stage may also choose to enter or transition BACK to other pathway stages

34. Bowler Development Pathways: Bowling for Life
Bowling for Life players may choose to be highly competitive.
There are club, regional, and provincial events as well as national championships that aim to serve this demographic.

35. Bowler Development Pathways: Bowling for Life
The Bowling for Life category aims to make sure that bowls is a sport for life, regardless of age, development or progression pathway.

36. Bowler Development Pathways: Bowling for Life
Bowling for Life is also MORE than just playing the game.
Many players in the Bowling For Life stage become valuable volunteers.

37. Bowler Development Pathways: Bowling for Life
Some examples include:
Coaching
Officiating
Organizing
Committees
Boards

38. WHERE DO I FIT?

39. Stage Identification
There are many bowlers who can identify with more than one stage.
The stages of bowls are not fixed and bowlers can move between them freely.

40. Stage Identification
Many bowlers will find themselves shifting between categories several times throughout their bowling careers depending on their goals.
Let’s look at two examples…

41. Jane’s Story
Meet Jane.
Jane joined The Best Lawn Bowling Club last year and is excited to join again this year.
Jane enjoys bowling because of how fun and relaxed a sport it is.

42. Jane’s Story
Jane is asked by a club member, Jessie, to play in the provincial pairs playdowns.
Jane does not think she is good enough, but Jessie insists.
Jane does not want to let Jessie down, so she looks at the Bowler Pathway and discovers that she should train at the “Learn to Compete” stage.

43. Jane’s Story
Jane practices for the playdowns, and they finish in third place.
After the event, Jane decides she does not want to compete at a higher level. She had much more fun at her club events.
However, Jane saw officials for the first time and decides she wants to become one.

44. Jane’s Story
Jane contacts her provincial officiating chair and takes her certification course within the next year.
Now, Jane competes in her club tournaments, but is an official at the provincial playdowns every year.

45. Jim’s Story
Meet Jim
Jim is also a member of The Best Lawn Bowling Club.
Jim loves to compete in club events.

46. Jim’s Story Jim is currently in the “Train to Play” stage.
Jim wants to be on the national team.
Jim spends numerous hours working with a coach to develop his skillset at the “Train to Play” level.

47. Jim’s Story
After a lot of training, Jim and his coach have agreed that he has mastered the skillset of the “Train to Play” stage and he advances to the “Learn to Compete” stage.
Jim plays in his provincial playdown, but is unsuccessful.

48. Jim’s Story
The next year, Jim trains with his coach on his “Learn to Compete” skillset.
Jim competes in his provincial playdowns, and wins!
Jim advances to the “Train to Compete” stage.
Unfortunately, Jim is unsuccessful at the National Championships.

49. Jim’s Story Jim and his wife decide to settle down and start a family.
Jim no longer has the time to practice or develop his skillset.

50. Jim’s Story
Jim still wants to be involved with bowls, so he remains a member of The Best Lawn Bowling Club.
Jim has now moved away from the Excellence Stream and is in the Bowling for Life stage.

51. Jim’s Story
Ten years later, Jim finally has time to try for the national team again.
Jim trains with his coach at the “Learn to Compete” level to make sure he still has the proper skillset.

52. Jim’s Story
Jim then trains with his coach at the “Train to Compete” level and wins the national championship three years in a row.
Jim makes the national squad.
Jim is now entering the top of the pyramid in the “Train to Excel” stage.

53. Finding the Right Pathway
As shown with the examples of Jim and Jane, bowlers can move in and out of stages throughout their bowling careers depending on their goals
Identifying which stage they were in helped Jim and Jane to determine the appropriate skills they needed in order to reach their desired stage.

54. Bowling Pathway Progressions
An ideal pathway should allow each stage to flow smoothly with the next, so bowlers – just like Jim and Jane – can progress from stage to stage without major roadblocks.
While many may not wish to develop to an international calibre like Jim did, the pathway still needs to provide opportunities for bowlers like Jane to progress according to their goals.

55. Competition Model
Appropriate Competition provides opportunities for bowlers to experience:
Personal satisfaction
Experiencing the game and success
Significant social experiences

56. Competition Review
Every sport in Canada is or already has engaged in a competition review to ensure their model meets the needs of their participants
To learn more about BCB’s Competition Review process, please visit contact the LBAA office or BCB.

57. What’s Next for Bowls & LTAD?

58. Next steps for LTAD in Bowls
Finalize and implement an updated national competition model
Develop resources to support SYSTEM implementation at all stages, including:
Volunteer resources
Official’s recognition
Coach recognition
Stage-specific training material
Education and promotion resources

59. What we hope to see by implementing a Bowls LTAD Framework
Increased opportunities and personal satisfaction for bowlers of all levels.
Intentional development of bowlers resulting in better results.
More Canadians choosing bowls and more bowlers becoming lifelong members.

60. What ELSE do we hope to see?
Clearly identified pathways encourage development at each stage.
A transparent pathway to the top of the pyramid.
More bowlers having FUN at every stage!

61. Contact BCB at office@bowlscanda.com
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