Get to know the Bowls Australia Board: Lydia Dowse
Bowls Australia’s (BA) Board of Directors is composed of individuals with extensive experience across various fields, each bringing unique expertise to the Board.
In this new interview series, we’ll introduce you to the Board members and explore the experiences and perspectives that shape their contributions to the sport.
Following on from Craig Meagher is Lydia Dowse, who was appointed as an Appointed Director in 2018 before filling a casual vacancy Elected Director position in 2024.
Dowse brings more than 30 years of sports administration experience to the Board and currently works with Swimming Australia as the National Integrity Manager.
She sees the sport as an integral part of the community and strives to use her expertise to assist bowls in growing even further within the Australian sporting landscape.
Q: Can you share your professional background and area of expertise? How has it shaped your approach to your role on the Board?
I am a lawyer by profession but have worked as a sports administrator for more than 30 years. My areas of expertise include sports law, governance and integrity. I approach my role on the Board through the lens of risk and good governance which I believe are crucial elements to the workings of any Board.
Q: What sparked your initial interest in your field of expertise, and how did that evolve over time?
When I studied law I had no idea that it would lead to a career in sport! However, I was very fortunate to work in the field of sports law at a young age and it sparked my interest to work in-house at a sports organisation. My career started in football (soccer) but moved into major events, AFL and now swimming. Once I had my first taste of sports administration I knew I was hooked. I have stayed in the sports industry and love it as much today as at any time. Many sports boards are looking for people with specific skills, including legal expertise, and as a result I have been a Director of a few sports including bowls.
Q: How did you first become involved with bowls, and what drew you to the sport?
As an appointed director I do not come from the sport of bowls. However, I was delighted to be asked to join the Board in 2018 because it was a great opportunity to be involved and to make a contribution at the national level. Like most Australians, I grew up with family members who played bowls and so the sport was familiar to me. I was drawn to become involved as a Director because of the fun I had playing social bowls and because I know what a big and important sport it is nationally.
Q: Which bowls club are you currently a member of, and what does your involvement there mean to you?
I am a member of Carlton Princes Park Bowling Club.
Q: What is it about bowls that you find most captivating or rewarding, either on or off the green?
I have always viewed bowls as the unsung hero of Australian sport as it provides lifelong competition and engagement to people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a sport everyone can have a go at and enjoy.
Bowls clubs provide a central meeting place for the broader community. They are often used for polling booths, meeting places and venues for parties and celebrations. In times of natural disasters, the bowlo provides a sanctuary and shelter. I feel privileged to be involved in a sport that gives back to the community and that is a quintessential part of Australian life.
I really enjoy watching bowls at the elite level. I attended the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and watched the best bowlers in the world compete in front of rapturous fans. It was a real highlight of the Games.
Q: In addition to your role with Bowls Australia, what is your professional position or career outside of the sport? How do you balance these commitments?
I am currently the National Integrity Manager for Swimming Australia. This is a full-time role where I manage the integrity function (anti-doping, child safeguarding, member protection, race-fixing and code of conduct issues). I find that being on the Bowls Australia board complements my work, in that bowls, like all sports has integrity threats and issues and it is helpful to hear how other sports address those issues and to share ideas.
Q: What motivated you to join Bowls Australia’s Board, and how do you hope to contribute to the sport’s growth and development?
When I was asked to join the Board back in 2018 I was keen to contribute to the governance of the sport in particular. My focus has been on developing the overall professionalism and governance of how decisions are made. The current review of the Bowls Australia constitution is part of that. Being able to contribute to the integrity space, including adoption of the National Integrity Framework has also been very satisfying. For bowls to thrive it must have a robust governance system in line with modern principles.
Q: As a Board member, what do you see as the most significant opportunities and challenges for the sport of bowls in the coming years?
There are many opportunities for bowls to grow as a sport- through growth in our participation numbers, events and revenue. To connect with our participants and introduce our sport to new parts of the Australian community, to grow our volunteer base. Also to increase the profile of our Jackaroos and to review our game format offerings. Climate change and changing demographics and priorities present challenges to the sport of bowls. However, given that our sport in Australia is 140 years old I am confident that we can meet those challenges through alignment of purpose and vision with our member organisations and stakeholders.
Q: What personal or professional values guide you in your decision-making process on the board?
I am currently undertaking a course on ethical leadership at the Cranlana Institute with the support of the Australian Sports Commission. Our President, Iain Evans, is also participating. The learnings from this course have helped to focus our minds on leading with authenticity and integrity. All deliberations and decisions at board level are made through the lens of our values and ethics. This is the bedrock of everything we do.
Q: What would you like your legacy to be within the bowls community, and how do you hope future generations of bowlers will view your contributions?
I believe we collectively all make a contribution to bowls, including every volunteer, participant, staff member and director. I would like to leave the sport of bowls knowing that I made a contribution to its improved governance and integrity functions and that my successors on the Board are left with a stable and thriving sport.
Q: Are there any specific initiatives or projects within Bowls Australia that you’re particularly excited about or involved in?
I am proud to be the longest serving Board member at Bowls Australia. But all good things must come to an end and my term will finish soon. The sport is in very good hands with our President, Iain Evans, our CEO, Matthew Kennedy, and all the volunteers and staff who make bowls the great sport it is. It has been an absolute privilege to serve the bowls community and I wish them well for the future.
