Road to Comm Games - Mike Kernaghan Head Coach

Your Story

How did you first get involved in bowls, and coaching?

I first got involved in bowls through my father, who suggested I might enjoy the game. Coaching was always something I was interested in, and over a long playing career I worked with a number of players. When my international playing days came to an end, I moved into a High Performance coaching role.

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The Coaching Side

What do you love most about coaching high performance athletes?

Working with athletes that have a huge desire to get better.

What’s the most rewarding part of helping players grow and perform?

Seeing them take responsibility and be accountable for their performances.

What keeps coaching interesting for you after all these years?

I just love being involved at the elite level.

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Working with Athletes

What do you look for in athletes at this level?

First and foremost, technical and tactical ability. Then a desire to improve and the ability to perform consistently at a high level.

How do you help players bring out their best in big moments?

We focus on staying present and concentrating on the here and now. Having a solid pre-shot routine is key, along with not being influenced by the scoreboard.

What role does trust play in the relationship between coach and athlete?

It’s paramount. Without trust, it becomes very difficult to engage with athletes in a constructive and positive way.

How do you tailor your approach for different personalities and playing styles?

We treat each athlete as an individual — everyone comes from different backgrounds and brings their own personality and style.

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Preparation & Performance

What goes into preparing athletes for a campaign like the Commonwealth Games?

Preparation starts with ensuring athletes are in a good place personally and professionally, so there are no external pressures. From there, we map out timelines from selection through to competition across all areas — personal, professional, and bowls. Each athlete develops a training plan that reflects this, with regular weekly reflection built in.

How important is mindset when performing on the big stage?

It’s huge. At this level, all athletes have the technical and tactical ability — the difference is how effectively they use their mental skills in key moments.

How do you help athletes stay grounded under pressure?

We reinforce that pressure is self-induced — it comes from within, not from external sources.

What do the small daily habits look like that lead to success?

That looks different for every athlete.

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Team Culture

What does a strong high performance team environment look like to you?

Everyone is connected.

How important is connection and culture in a campaign like this?

Very!

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Commonwealth Games

What excites you most about coaching at a Commonwealth Games?

Seeing athletes achieve their dreams.

What are you most proud of in this group heading into the campaign?

It’s not about me, it's about the players and the hard work they have put in to reach this level.

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Looking Ahead

What excites you about the future of high performance bowls in New Zealand?

The number of young males and females in their early to mid-twenties who are starting to make their mark domestically.

What do you hope athletes take from being part of this environment?

That they feel supported on their journey and understand that the role of support staff is to help them get better.

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Quick Fire

What’s something people might not know about you?

I first saw a sport psychologist in 1989 to help develop my mental skills.

What keeps you motivated?

I love seeing people achieve their dreams.

What would you say to a young bowler wanting to reach this level?

Work hard!!

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