79 | Gary Kelly: Ready for Glasgow | Commonwealth Games Draw Preview

79 | Gary Kelly: Ready for Glasgow | Commonwealth Games Draw Preview

EPISODE 79 - GARY KELLY: READY FOR GLASGOW | COMMONWEALTH GAMES DRAW PREVIEW With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games bowls competition about to begin, Simon and DJ complete their Games preview with one of Northern Ireland’s leading medal hopes - Gary Kelly. Preparing to represent Northern Ireland at his fourth Commonwealth Games, Gary joins DJ to discuss the work, travel and sacrifices required to remain at the highest level of the sport. Gary arrives in Glasgow in outstanding form following a BPL MVP performance, a Platinum Pennant victory with Warilla, success at The Everest, two gold medals at the Multi Nations event and a second consecutive Australian Open pairs title. Despite those results, Gary remains grounded, grateful and focused on representing his family, friends and country. Gary discusses: • Preparing for his fourth Commonwealth Games • The sacrifices required to compete internationally while living in Australia • His outstanding form leading into Glasgow • Preparing for the indoor carpet surface • Controlling the controllables and trusting your preparation • The pressure of the shortened sets-play format • Why he believes a one-end tiebreak is too cutthroat • Representing Northern Ireland in the singles and pairs • His ambition to complete his Commonwealth Games medal collection with gold After the interview, Simon and DJ break down the men’s and women’s singles and pairs draws. They identify the toughest sections, debate the leading medal contenders and make their predictions for which players and teams will progress to the semifinals. The boys also discuss DJ’s opportunity to commentate at the Games, how Australian viewers can follow the action and the possibility of a Commonwealth Games gold medal being decided by a single-end shootout. Episode 79 also celebrates the podcast passing 20,000 downloads and The Bowls Academy reaching 5,000 Facebook followers. Thank you to everyone who continues to listen, follow, comment and share the podcast. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow What a Load of Bowls Podcast, leave us a rating and share the episode with another bowler.   PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY 🏆 The Bowls Academy Unlock Your Bowls Potential.  Play With Confidence 👉 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com [https://www.thebowlsacademy.com] 🎽 SSA (StarSub Apparel) Australian-made custom apparel for clubs, teams, and events. 👉 https://www.starsub.com.au  [https://www.starsub.com.au%20] Follow on Instagram: @starsubapparel  [https://www.instagram.com/starsubapparel] 🏟️ MakMax Australia The leaders in architectural shade and canopy structures — including iconic bowling club canopies across Australia. 👉 https://www.makmax.com.au [https://www.makmax.com.au]  Bowling Canopies: https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies [https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies]  🚗 Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Locally owned and operated, providing affordable and reliable vehicle hire for individuals and businesses. 👉 https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au [https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au]  🏛️DACCA Architecture The experts when its comes to club renovations, re-fresh and new builds - Speak to Tony and the team 👉🏼 https://daccaarchitecture.com.au/ [https://daccaarchitecture.com.au/]   📧 CONNECT WITH US Got a question, topic idea, or want to get involved in the show? We’d love to hear from you! 📩 Simon Lyttle – simon@thebowlsacademy.com  📩 DJ – dj@thebowlsacademy.com  Explore our full range of coaching content, blogs, and gear: 🌐 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com  🛒 https://shop.thebowlsacademy.com    💬 HELP US GROW THE SHOW! If you enjoy What a Load of Bowls: ⭐ Rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 📢 Share the episode with your teammates and bowling friends 💌 Send us an email or tag us with your feedback — we might read it on the next episode!

78 | Preparing for Glasgow with Kelsey Cottrell, Selina Goddard & Teri Blackbourn

EPISODE 78 - PREPARING FOR GLASGOW WITH KELSEY COTTRELL, SELINA GODDARD & TERI BLACKBOURN The Road to Glasgow continues as DJ sits down with three of the leading women in international bowls: Australia’s Kelsey Cottrell and New Zealand representatives Selina Goddard and Teri Blackbourn. Kelsey is preparing for her fourth Commonwealth Games after previously winning bronze, silver and gold on the Commonwealth stage. She discusses the challenge of earning selection in a reduced Australian squad, balancing international competition with family life and preparing to skip under the pressure of a 30-second shot clock. She also explains why her preparation has become highly specific, from practising on carpet and using her Glasgow bowls to working on quick decision-making, pre-shot routines and the tactical demands of the shortened format. Selina returns to Glasgow, where she made her Commonwealth Games debut in 2014. She shares why her preparation remains firmly process-focused rather than outcome-focused and explains the importance of adaptability, deliberately practising on unfamiliar rinks and making every minute of limited preparation time count. Teri prepares for her first Commonwealth Games after an incredible rise through the outdoor game, which has already included a world championship and a World Cup singles silver medal. She discusses balancing bowls with work and family, the value of her indoor bowls background and what it means to have her two boys travelling to Glasgow to support her. Simon and DJ then break down the major lessons club bowlers can take from these elite athletes, including: • Being event-specific with your practice • Focusing on your process rather than the result • Training yourself to adapt quickly • Changing rinks, lengths and conditions during practice • Preparing for the pressure moments before they arrive • Trusting your technique and established routines • Making every bowl count in a shortened format With the Glasgow Commonwealth Games fast approaching, this episode provides a fascinating look behind the scenes at the preparation, sacrifice and mindset required to compete on one of bowls’ biggest stages. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow What a Load of Bowls Podcast, leave us a rating and share the episode with another bowler.   PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY 🏆 The Bowls Academy Unlock Your Bowls Potential.  Play With Confidence 👉 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com [https://www.thebowlsacademy.com] 🎽 SSA (StarSub Apparel) Australian-made custom apparel for clubs, teams, and events. 👉 https://www.starsub.com.au  [https://www.starsub.com.au%20] Follow on Instagram: @starsubapparel  [https://www.instagram.com/starsubapparel] 🏟️ MakMax Australia The leaders in architectural shade and canopy structures — including iconic bowling club canopies across Australia. 👉 https://www.makmax.com.au [https://www.makmax.com.au]  Bowling Canopies: https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies [https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies]  🚗 Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Locally owned and operated, providing affordable and reliable vehicle hire for individuals and businesses. 👉 https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au [https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au]  🏛️DACCA Architecture The experts when its comes to club renovations, re-fresh and new builds - Speak to Tony and the team 👉🏼 https://daccaarchitecture.com.au/ [https://daccaarchitecture.com.au/]   📧 CONNECT WITH US Got a question, topic idea, or want to get involved in the show? We’d love to hear from you! 📩 Simon Lyttle – simon@thebowlsacademy.com  📩 DJ – dj@thebowlsacademy.com  Explore our full range of coaching content, blogs, and gear: 🌐 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com  🛒 https://shop.thebowlsacademy.com    💬 HELP US GROW THE SHOW! If you enjoy What a Load of Bowls: ⭐ Rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 📢 Share the episode with your teammates and bowling friends 💌 Send us an email or tag us with your feedback — we might read it on the next episode!

77 | Ryan Bester, Corey Wedlock, Ali Forsyth & Kelly McKerihen | Road to Glasgow

EPISODE 77 - RYAN BESTER, COREY WEDLOCK, ALI FORSYTH & KELLY MCKERIHEN | ROAD TO GLASGOW Episode 77 of What a Load of Bowls continues our Commonwealth Games build-up with three brilliant interviews featuring Ryan Bester, Corey Wedlock, Ali Forsyth and Kelly McKerihen. Ryan Bester joins us ahead of his seventh Commonwealth Games, reflecting on his incredible longevity, what it still means to represent Canada, and his pursuit of a first Commonwealth Games gold medal. Corey Wedlock shares how he is preparing for Glasgow after a huge Australian Open, his partnership with Aaron Teys, the importance of BPL-style experience, and why the shot clock and short format could make this one of the most unpredictable Games yet. We also sit down with Ali Forsyth and Kelly McKerihen for a fascinating look at preparation from two elite bowlers representing different nations. They chat about selection, carpet preparation, adapting to the indoor surface, team-first mentality, and how they support each other while competing for New Zealand and Canada. Plus, Simon and DJ chat about the growth of The Bowls Academy delivery analysis, the NSW State Championships, and welcome DACA Architecture as a new partner of the podcast and The Bowls Academy. As always, keep that little disc on the inside and good luck in those greens.   PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY 🏆 The Bowls Academy Unlock Your Bowls Potential.  Play With Confidence 👉 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com [https://www.thebowlsacademy.com] 🎽 SSA (StarSub Apparel) Australian-made custom apparel for clubs, teams, and events. 👉 https://www.starsub.com.au  [https://www.starsub.com.au%20] Follow on Instagram: @starsubapparel  [https://www.instagram.com/starsubapparel] 🏟️ MakMax Australia The leaders in architectural shade and canopy structures — including iconic bowling club canopies across Australia. 👉 https://www.makmax.com.au [https://www.makmax.com.au]  Bowling Canopies: https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies [https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies]  🚗 Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Locally owned and operated, providing affordable and reliable vehicle hire for individuals and businesses. 👉 https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au [https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au]  🏛️DACCA Architecture The experts when its comes to club renovations, re-fresh and new builds - Speak to Tony and the team 👉🏼 https://daccaarchitecture.com.au/ [https://daccaarchitecture.com.au/]   📧 CONNECT WITH US Got a question, topic idea, or want to get involved in the show? We’d love to hear from you! 📩 Simon Lyttle – simon@thebowlsacademy.com  📩 DJ – dj@thebowlsacademy.com  Explore our full range of coaching content, blogs, and gear: 🌐 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com  🛒 https://shop.thebowlsacademy.com    💬 HELP US GROW THE SHOW! If you enjoy What a Load of Bowls: ⭐ Rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 📢 Share the episode with your teammates and bowling friends 💌 Send us an email or tag us with your feedback — we might read it on the next episode!

76 | Ross Owen & Sam Tolchard Prepare for Glasgow 2026

EPISODE 76 - COMMONWEALTH GAMES SPECIAL: INSIDE THE WELSH AND ENGLISH CAMPS Episode 76 launches our build-up to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with two of the Northern Hemisphere’s leading players joining DJ for an inside look at their preparations.  Welsh international Ross Owen is heading to his third Commonwealth Games, where he will contest the men’s singles and skip the pairs alongside two-time defending champion Daniel Salmon. Ross discusses the lengthy Welsh selection process, the sacrifices required to remain indoors during the UK outdoor season, the importance of competitive test matches and the responsibility of representing Wales across two disciplines. He also reveals how focusing heavily on singles over the past two years helped him secure one of the biggest opportunities of his career. England’s Sam Tolchard is preparing for an incredible fifth Commonwealth Games and another opportunity to claim the elusive gold medal missing from his collection. Sam explains England’s selection process, the challenge of stepping away from outdoor competition, learning to incorporate structured drills into his preparation and the difficulty of preparing for an unknown portable indoor surface. He also shares his thoughts on the brutal short format, set jack lengths, the shot clock and why every small moment will matter in Glasgow. Simon and DJ also recap all the major results from the 2026 Australian Open, including another remarkable tournament from Corey Wedlock, singles victories for Jamie-Lee Worsnop and Aaron Teys, and the outstanding performances across all 18 events. The boys discuss: -Simon’s player development weekend at Goulburn Railway Bowling Club -Delivery analysis for 40 club bowlers -The latest milestone in Maitland City’s new covered-green development -The Australian Open champions -Corey Wedlock’s extraordinary tournament record -The contrasting preparation of Australian and UK players -The challenges of limited practice on Glasgow’s portable rinks -Why the short Commonwealth Games format could produce some major surprises With unfamiliar surfaces, limited preparation time and some of the world’s best players competing under a cutthroat format, Glasgow 2026 is shaping up as one of the most unpredictable bowls events we have seen.   PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY 🏆 The Bowls Academy Unlock Your Bowls Potential.  Play With Confidence 👉 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com [https://www.thebowlsacademy.com] 🎽 SSA (StarSub Apparel) Australian-made custom apparel for clubs, teams, and events. 👉 https://www.starsub.com.au  [https://www.starsub.com.au%20] Follow on Instagram: @starsubapparel  [https://www.instagram.com/starsubapparel] 🏟️ MakMax Australia The leaders in architectural shade and canopy structures — including iconic bowling club canopies across Australia. 👉 https://www.makmax.com.au [https://www.makmax.com.au]  Bowling Canopies: https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies [https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies]  🚗 Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Locally owned and operated, providing affordable and reliable vehicle hire for individuals and businesses. 👉 https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au [https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au]    📧 CONNECT WITH US Got a question, topic idea, or want to get involved in the show? We’d love to hear from you! 📩 Simon Lyttle – simon@thebowlsacademy.com  📩 DJ – dj@thebowlsacademy.com  Explore our full range of coaching content, blogs, and gear: 🌐 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com  🛒 https://shop.thebowlsacademy.com    💬 HELP US GROW THE SHOW! If you enjoy What a Load of Bowls: ⭐ Rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 📢 Share the episode with your teammates and bowling friends 💌 Send us an email or tag us with your feedback — we might read it on the next episode!

75 | Aron Sherriff: Chasing Five in a Row at the Australian Open

EPISODE 75 - ARON SHERRIFF: CHASING FIVE IN A ROW AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN Episode 75 is here - three quarters of a ton - and it’s Australian Open time! This week DJ and Simon are joined once again by the legend himself, Aron “Omar” Sherriff, as he prepares for another huge Australian Open campaign at Broadbeach. Aron talks about his lead-in to the event, his preparation, stepping away from state and international duties, keeping his competitive fire burning, and what it would mean to continue one of the most incredible winning streaks in lawn bowls. At the time of recording, Aron was chasing a fifth straight Australian Open singles title and eighth overall - a record that is already hard to comprehend. He also gives his thoughts on Queensland’s latest selections, the Commonwealth Games format, Australia’s team chances, and the challenge of competing on carpet. DJ and Simon also cover the scale of the Australian Open, Daryl Clout’s honour, Ghana’s first national championships, Natasha Van Eldik joining Club Maitland City, and plenty more from around the bowls world.   PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY 🏆 The Bowls Academy Unlock Your Bowls Potential.  Play With Confidence 👉 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com [https://www.thebowlsacademy.com] 🎽 SSA (StarSub Apparel) Australian-made custom apparel for clubs, teams, and events. 👉 https://www.starsub.com.au  [https://www.starsub.com.au%20] Follow on Instagram: @starsubapparel  [https://www.instagram.com/starsubapparel] 🏟️ MakMax Australia The leaders in architectural shade and canopy structures — including iconic bowling club canopies across Australia. 👉 https://www.makmax.com.au [https://www.makmax.com.au]  Bowling Canopies: https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies [https://www.makmax.com.au/projects/bowling-club-canopies]  🚗 Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Locally owned and operated, providing affordable and reliable vehicle hire for individuals and businesses. 👉 https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au [https://www.newcastlecarrental.com.au]    📧 CONNECT WITH US Got a question, topic idea, or want to get involved in the show? We’d love to hear from you! 📩 Simon Lyttle – simon@thebowlsacademy.com  📩 DJ – dj@thebowlsacademy.com  Explore our full range of coaching content, blogs, and gear: 🌐 https://www.thebowlsacademy.com  🛒 https://shop.thebowlsacademy.com    💬 HELP US GROW THE SHOW! If you enjoy What a Load of Bowls: ⭐ Rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts 📢 Share the episode with your teammates and bowling friends 💌 Send us an email or tag us with your feedback — we might read it on the next episode!