WHAT A LOAD OF BOWLS

About WHAT A LOAD OF BOWLS

What a Load of Bowls brings you the news, stories and conversations from around the greens. Join hosts DJ Dilworth and Simon Lyttle every fortnight for player interviews, tournament wrap-ups, coaching insights and honest discussions about the game we love with plenty of banter along the way. From grassroots club bowls to the international stage, there’s something for anyone who enjoys rolling a bowl, following the action or having a laugh. Fresh perspectives. Familiar voices. What a load of bowls.

Publisher

DJ & Simon

Category

news · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Apr 2024

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

85 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   85 |Champions Crowned, Underdogs Shine & TBA Hits the Greens

   Episode 85 - Champions Crowned, Underdogs Shine & TBA Hits the Greens World champions, European gold and a wrong bias on the live stream… Episode 85 has plenty to unpack! 🎙️ DJ and Simon are back with another episode of What a Load of Bowls, covering the latest international action, stories from around the greens and new opportunities to develop your game. DJ shares his experiences from the commentary box at the World Champion of Champions in Barham, including Mandy Boyd’s path to the women’s title and Iain McLean’s victory in the men’s event. There are standout performances from smaller bowls nations, memorable characters and a reminder that even national champions can send one down on the wrong bias! We also round up the European Championships, celebrate Ireland’s golden run and the Netherlands’ success, and check in on the Australian Nationals. Plus, Simon introduces two new developments from The Bowls Academy: expressions of interest for on-green Player Development Sessions and a Remote 1:1 Coaching program offering ongoing support across four sessions. In this episode: 🏆 World Champion of Champions finals and stories from Barham. 🌍 Smaller nations making their mark on the international stage. 🇮🇪 Ireland’s European success and medals for the Netherlands. 🇦🇺 Australian Nationals updates and a tribute to John Green’s state career. 🎯 Help shape where TBA’s on-green development sessions go next. 💻 Remote 1:1 Coaching and a structured approach to improving your game. All that, plus the usual DJ and Simon banter! 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!

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   84 | Girl Power, Premier League Drama & Back to Basics

   Episode 84 - Girl Power, Premier League Drama & Back to Basics Simon’s back from Canada, DJ’s claiming credit for opening international doors, and normal service has well and truly resumed! In Episode 84 of What a Load of Bowls, we celebrate Lisa Phillips and her team’s impressive victory at the Dubbo International Fours, unpack the Queensland Premier League finals, and discuss why expanding to four rinks could benefit more players and clubs. With DJ heading to Barham for commentary duties, we also preview the World Champion of Champions singles, pick out contenders in the men’s and women’s fields, and debate whether Simon has already put the curse on his favourite. In Coach’s Corner, Simon tackles a small detail that could be creating a big inconsistency in your game: where you stand on the mat. Discover how a more consistent starting position and release point can help you better understand and adjust your line. Also in this episode: 🎙️ Simon’s Canadian adventures and the inevitable welcome-back roasting. 🏆 A memorable win for the women at the Dubbo International Fours. 🔥 Queensland Premier League results, standout performances and four-rink competition. 🌍 World Champion of Champions predictions ahead of Barham. 📰 Discussion of Neil Dalrymple’s announced retirement plans. 👏 Bowls NSW awards nominations and recognition for those helping the sport thrive. 🚗 Merimbula and Taren Point joining the NSW Platinum Pennant field. 🎯 TBA’s plans for face-to-face development sessions, with expressions of interest coming soon. All that, plus moths, mountain running and the usual questionable professionalism. Hit play and join DJ and Simon for another episode of What a Load of Bowls! 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!

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   83 | John Bezear – From Aussie Greens to Canadian Colours

   Episode 83 - With Special Guest John Bezear Simon’s away in Canada and apparently can’t make the time difference work… so DJ finds another bloke in Canada who can! In Episode 83 of What a Load of Bowls, DJ catches up with Canadian international John Bezear for a chat about comebacks, World Championship medals and the opportunities bowls can create. John shares his journey from taking up bowls in Canberra with a broken arm to playing for NSW, chasing an Australian spot and eventually moving to Canada. After stepping away from the sport, a phone call brought him back and he went on to win World Championship pairs bronze alongside Ryan Bester in both 2012 and 2023. They discuss what makes that partnership work, John’s experience at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and why he believes the shorter format and shot clock can help bowls reach a wider audience. There’s plenty for club bowlers and coaches too, as John explains his passion for player development and the coaching app he’s developing to track performance, structure practice and support more informed selection decisions. 🎙️ In this episode: • Learning the game in Canberra and finding his feet at Merrylands. • NSW success and the disappointment of missing Australian selection. • Moving to Canada, stepping away and returning to international bowls. • Playing alongside Ryan Bester on the world stage. • Leading under pressure and adapting to the Glasgow conditions. • Coaching, performance data and the challenges of club selection. • The differences between Australian and Canadian bowls. • Big ideas for attracting new people to the sport. An honest conversation about backing yourself, helping others improve and finding your way back to the game. 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!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

6,748

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

16 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

80

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

71

Contact WHAT A LOAD OF BOWLS

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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