A Lane Ranger is what we call the person who delivers these programs. That’s YOU! A teacher, support worker, parent, carer, bowler, coach or someone keen to learn how to bowl.

• Like a coach; you’re able to communicate really well. No need to be a great bowler!
• Reliable, vibrant, friendly, attentive, work well with children and adults
• Like a teacher; able to instruct large groups with different needs all at once
• Lane Rangers may work with parents/volunteers, coordinate and run sessions
• Promote the programs responsibly and report back to centre or state managers
• Is aware of the importance of child protection and treating people equally
• Strives at all times to keep participants safe and having an enjoyable learning experience

Lane Rangers must complete training, be registered and agreed to the T&C’s.

Lane Rangers must also possess current government clearances (e.g. Working with Children, Blue Card, Vulnerable People, Teaching Accreditation) prior to delivering a program.

Any Lane Ranger delivering Bowl Abilities must also complete Special Olympics Australia’s free online course ‘Coaching Athletes with an Intellectual Disability’. In addition, the Introduction to Autism Spectrum course is also valuable to all Lane Rangers, as is completing a Level 1 Tenpin Bowling Coach qualification online.

It’s also strongly recommended that anyone working with children also completes Play by The Rules Child Protection training, this online course is free. The safety of all participants is very important; protecting our centres, participants, parents/carers and YOU at all costs. When delivering the program, avoid hands-on touch rather instruct by demonstrating, explaining verbally or visually, utilising the printed resources or via other modifications (ramps, bumpers, off-lane training activities using bean bags and cones, etc). A high 5 is okay if the participant is comfortable, a hug or being anywhere alone with participants is not okay. We encourage you to stay in the visual field of staff and other adults at all times. For further information please review Tenpin Bowling Australia’s Member Protection policies and Child Safe Sport Framework here. Be sure to report any incident of concern to bowlp[email protected] or your local contacts (police, staff, etc).

Once your checks and answers have been approved, you’ll have access to a secure online Lane Ranger’s portal, complete with additional resources including all the session plans and videos to help you deliver a high-quality program.

Sport Australia has created a Physical Literacy Framework to assist building skills, knowledge and behaviours to lead active lives. It helps to understand progress on a physical, psychological, social and cognitive level – here’s how it might apply to tenpin bowling:

PHYSICAL

• DO – Movement skills: stepping, walking, lunging, squatting, lifting, swinging, pushing.
• USE – Equipment: any sort of ball, large tennis ball, beanbags. Pins or something similar; drink bottles, blocks or witches hats.
• SAY – “My muscles are getting stronger, I’m getting fit, this will improve my balance and coordination.”

PSYCHOLOGICAL

• DO – Emotions: win or lose, success, failure, working towards a goal, part of a collective (bowlers, Bowl Patrol, a team, class or centre).
• USE – Motivation to score a strike, knock more pins down, gain a wristband, progress further away from pins, get a strike or high score.
• SAY – “What happens when I fail? How do I feel when I bowl well? Why do I get angry when I miss the pin?”

SOCIAL

• DO – Relationships & Collaboration: team mates, identify centre staff, coach/Lane Ranger, Assistant Lane Rangers, famous bowlers like Jason Belmonte.
• USE – Ethics of fair play, etiquette of tenpin bowling, respect for equipment, other players, competition. What are the rules?
• SAY – “How do I encourage other bowlers? Teaching my friends how to bowl is fun. I like learning with others.”

COGNITIVE

• DO – Safety & Rules: picking up the ball, avoiding slippery lanes, wearing special shoes and taking turns.
• USE – Tactics: adjusting ball delivery to target remaining pins, aiming for high scores, strikes.
• SAY – “How many more points do I need to hit my goal? Am I safely bowling? If I think hard about it – sometimes I bowl better.”

SUMMARY
Here’s what some of some of our Lane Rangers think is the most important thing to remember;

• Sarah says “The varying abilities of the participants can be very different; you need to be able to adapt content to suit. The important thing is that they are having fun and being active (not always about perfect technique and high scores)”
• Emily says “Teach to the ‘group’, stay positive with feedback, don’t worry about critiquing technique too much.”
• James says “Over the course of multiple programs I’ve seen participants grow socially and develop more sophisticated social skills as well as the bowling fundamentals being taught during the program.”
• Moira says “They are kids. Focus on fun BUT have rules. Don’t expect the kids to get it right first or second…. go. Celebrate the small successes.”