Bowls national coach seeks to inspire young talent
After 11 years of international competition, she decided it was time to make way for new blood and focus on supporting the development of emerging talent.
WENTWORTH Bowling Club members had the honour of being guided and trained by national bowls coach, Susan Nel, on Saturday, 10 April.
Back in her days, The 65-year-old was an avid sportswoman who played badminton and squash. She was also an aerobics instructor. However, it was an invitation to try her hand at lawn bowls in 1990 that sparked her passion.
“Someone encouraged me to try out bowls and I did just that. I was hooked from the get-go. It’s impossible to be perfect at bowls and you never say ‘I’m the best’ as in the other sports I did. You can play brilliantly today and tomorrow you’re up against someone who has played for one year and you lose. It was such a challenge to me and I loved it. I stopped all other sports and was on the green every day after work just to try and perfect my game, but you can’t,” said Susan who gave up her other sports interests and surrendered to the appeal of the bias.
The move to Gauteng in 1997 sparked a flurry of success in Susan’s career. In 2001 she was runner up to Lorna Smith (Trigwell) in the national singles and went on to win the SA Masters in 2005. This was followed by Bowls South Africa awarding her South African colours. She represented SA in tests in Namibia and the African states and travelled with the SA team to participate in Atlantic Rim tournaments, Commonwealth Games and World Bowls Championships, earning a cache of medals that include 12 international gold medals. She has participated in three Commonwealth Games, her first being in Melbourne in 2006. She received gold in 2010 in India and received gold for fours and bronze in trips in Scotland in 2014.
“I played for South Africa for 11 years and in all those years, there is only one tournament where I didn’t get a medal.”
Susan shared the special understanding that develops when playing in a team and emphasizes the perception that prevailed between herself, Santjie Olivier, Sylvia Burns and Colleen Piketh during her international play. In Christchurch in 2016, after 11 years of international competition, she decided it was time to make way for new blood and focus on supporting the development of emerging talent.
“I wasn’t really interested in coaching but was almost pushed into doing it. I got to an age where I needed as an international player to let go and make way for the younger players. I was the oldest athlete at the Commonwealth Games. I was encouraged to consider coaching and so I did all three levels of training. Bowls South Africa recognized my contribution to the sport and I was awarded level four accreditation. I’ve come to love coaching very much and it’s very fulfilling to see a player develop their skills. It’s absolutely rewarding” said Susan who still plays and competes at a higher level. She is also a new member and coach at Amanzimtoti Bowling Club.
“I would love for bowls to be televised more in South Africa because it would get more people interested. I would also like it if the government would make bowls a school sport because there are a lot of children who cannot play a contact sport and this would be perfect for them. There also no difference between a boy and a girl nor a difference between a 10 or 50-year-old out on the green. If you can roll bowl, you can play. Bowls teaches a player coordination, concentration, how to mingle with others and to be a team player. It’s just an overall great sport.”
Her support and influence are thanks to all the coaches who have guided her throughout the years. “I try and share all I’ve learnt with every player I get the opportunity to help.”
When she isn’t on the green, Susan enjoys reading and walks on the beach.
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