For some people, a bowling club is somewhere they visit on weekends to gather with family and friends. For Greg Helm, it’s been the backdrop to almost every chapter of his life.
Greg was just 10 years old when his father, Keith, first brought him down to Engadine Bowling Club in 1990. More than three decades on, he’s gone from junior bowler sneaking onto a spare rink with his brother, to State Champion, to Club employee, to a career in sports administration, and now to a seat on the Engadine Board. We sat down with Greg to hear about the people, the moments and the greens that shaped him along the way.
You started playing bowls at a young age. What first attracted you to the game, and what made you want to keep playing?
I was fortunate to be introduced to bowls and Engadine Bowling Club at the age of 10, when my Dad, Keith, took up the sport back in 1990.
My brother and I would come to the club while Dad was getting coaching lessons each Saturday morning. We noticed that one of the bowlers stored his bowls in the mat and jack cupboard, so when he left, we would get them out and play against each other on a spare rink. It wasn’t too long until the coach, Jim Dwyer, started giving us some coaching tips, and we just got hooked. The greens became a second home for me.
Looking back, I’d say we had the perfect introduction for someone taking up bowls: playing with family in a fun but competitive environment, with the opportunity to get better under the guidance of an experienced coach. We were really fortunate to be welcomed and encouraged by all the Club’s members, many of whom are still great friends today.
Engadine Bowling Club has been part of your life since childhood. How has the club influenced you, both personally and professionally?
I’d say it probably contributed to my warped sense of humour, constantly hearing “dad” jokes as a kid and being around adults on weekends rather than people my own age! But it also shaped my confidence and resilience in dealing with people of all ages.
I’m grateful the club has given me the opportunity to form many lifelong friendships, and I’ve always been surrounded by people willing to offer support, advice and different perspectives on things, both good and bad.
My working career started at the Club just a week after I turned 18, carrying a spray bottle, a cloth and a bucket for cleaning out ashtrays and collecting empty glasses off tables. Something that still sticks with me if I see a table of empty glasses! I continued to work at the club while I studied at university, and by the time I left six years later, I was in a supervisor’s role. It taught me that career progression is possible if you’re keen to learn new things and show some initiative.
I moved into a career in sports administration after the club and had the opportunity to continue working in bowls for the next 18 years with Bowls NSW. For the past three years, I’ve been with Judo NSW, something I could never have achieved without my time at Engadine Bowling Club.
Looking back over your bowls career on the green and as an administrator, which moments are you most proud of, and why do they stand out?
Winning the 1997 NSW State Junior Singles was special, as it was the Club’s first ever State title. But being part of the Development of Bowls Committee, formed back in 2000 together with club stalwarts Ken Oliver and Peter Hughes, probably stands out the most, as it set the platform and strategic direction for the Club’s on-green success, which continues to this day.
The committee set a five-year vision and mission for Engadine to be recognised as one of the Top 5 Clubs in NSW, and within three years we had won the Club’s first State Number 1 Pennant title. Since then, the Club has had so many amazing achievements, including many more State and National titles.
Since becoming a Director, what has been the most rewarding part of helping shape the future of the club?
The most rewarding part of being a Director is being around people who all want to see the best for the Club, and who recognise our important role in serving the community and the members.
You’ve been part of Engadine Bowling Club for most of your life. How have you seen the club evolve over the years, and what changes have stood out to you the most?
When I started as a junior bowler, I had to sit outside on the verandah before games because I was under 18 and was only allowed into the club for 30 minutes after the game had finished.
The evolution of the club into a family-friendly and inclusive venue, catering for the growth of the community, has stood out most to me. The various facelifts and renovations, both inside and out, have kept the club modern, and most recently the installation of The Lawn has been a great addition. The vibe outside is fantastic now, especially playing bowls on a Sunday afternoon with live music!
What do you think makes Engadine Bowling Club such an important part of the local community?
The Club is such an important hub of the Engadine community because it provides something for everyone. It’s a place to meet for a celebration or a quiet catch-up between friends and family, for entertainment from raffles to trivia to live music, and the food is great.
As an employer, the club has been the springboard for many young people in the local community, giving them their first job in hospitality and the skills to move on to bigger and better things in their careers.
The club also supports several local sporting teams and other community groups, and of course, it’s important as the only place to have a game of bowls!
What would you say to someone who has never visited the club or thought about giving bowls a try?
You’re always welcome, and we look forward to seeing you soon! Check out our website and social media platforms to see what’s on at the club that might interest you.
Bowls is such an inclusive sport, and it doesn’t matter if you play just for fun or for a competitive challenge, you’ll meet so many great people here at the Engadine Cougars!
As you look to the future, what are you most excited about for the club and its members over the coming years?
The Board has established an ambitious strategic plan and is planning some exciting initiatives and opportunities, which will continue to evolve and modernise the club for the benefit of all members and the wider Engadine community.
I’m excited to see so many new faces on the bowls green, particularly on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons, in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. I really hope that lots of these members get as much enjoyment out of bowls and Engadine Bowling Club as I have.
Get to know some more of the team:
Our Sports and Community Co-Ordinator Wes
