National Volunteer Week featuring Ross Bannister
Volunteers are an integral part of any sports existence, and in bowls we are privileged to have so many wonderful volunteers working within their clubs, for their state associations and Bowls Australia. Tasmania’s Ross Bannister has been part of the bowls community for 39 years and in more recent years he has been very busy giving back to the sport he loves.
Bannister wears a number of significant hats at the Derwent Bowls Club in Hobart; he is the President, Secretary and Greenkeeper; however if that wasn’t already a handful, Bannister has taken on a number of roles within Tasmania.
Bannister is the President of Bowls Tasmania South Coaching Committee; he was the President of Bowls Tasmania Coaches Board and was classed as the Technical Coach for Bowls Tasmania last season.
Bannister is also the Chairperson of Bowls Tasmania South Match Committee and is responsible for running the Southern Championship Games; and that’s still not all this man can do!
Bannister was previously the Under 18 Junior Boy’s State Coach for 3 years; he was the State Men’s and Ladies Coach for one year each and took on the tough job as Selector for the Under 18 Boys and Girls for four years at different times during the last seven years.
Bannister says the thing he enjoys most about volunteering his time is helping other bowlers improve their game.
“I thoroughly enjoy coaching and in particular watching keen new bowlers starting out in the game,” Mr Bannister said.
“I get a lot of satisfaction seeing them improve after I’ve shared all my knowledge of the game with them.”
After a visit from Bowls Australia last year, three Tasmanians were signed off as Presenters and Assessors of the Coaching Accreditation Courses.
Bannister has valuable ideas on the new coaching and officiating structure; ideas that he has put into motion in Tasmania when presenting to new coaches and umpires throughout the state.
Since 2014 Bannister has helped 84 Tasmanians get accredited by conducting a National Umpire Course, two Markers Courses, One Competition Course, two Selectors Courses, two Measurers Courses and a Club Coach Course all since October 2014.
Bannister went above and beyond his requirements as a Presenter and Assessor by compiling Power-Point presentations to assist with the delivery of information and created his own quizzes on the laws of the sport for budding umpires.
Bannister is a top level player and whilst he thoroughly enjoys playing bowls most of his time is taken up helping his club and Bowls Tasmania; he is a truly fantastic volunteer to have as part of our game.