Adelaide Lightning basketball coach Chris Lucas helps younger brother and SA women’s lawn bowls mentor Tony Lucas

Tony Lucas first sampled his brother’s coaching qualities with his under-14 church basketball team. Four decades on, the SA women’s lawn bowls coach is still learning from older sibling and Adelaide Lightning mentor Chris Lucas.

26/3/19 - Tony Lucas, brother of Adelaide Lightning basketball coach Chris Lucas, is the new SA women's lawn bowls coach. Picture SIMON CROSS

TONY Lucas first sampled his brother’s coaching qualities when he took charge of his under-14 church basketball team.

Four decades on, the state women’s lawn bowls mentor was still learning from older sibling and Adelaide Lightning coach Chris Lucas

“I reckon I was the bloke that got fouled off the court the quickest,” recalled Tony, of playing under a teenage Chris at St Clair Recreation Centre.

“But we’re both very competitive people and even back then he was very, very passionate about what he was doing.

“He’s been a lot more involved with women’s sport than I have been over the years, so he’s certainly a great sounding board for me.

“He’s always been the famous one in the family and I’ve always been the understudy.

“I’m pretty proud of what he’s achieved, but now I’m on that journey as well.”

Tony, 53, was appointed SA coach this season, 13 years after following his mother, Yvonne, and his late father, Len, to West Lakes Bowling Club.

He said a friendly sporting rivalry growing up with his brother had fostered a will-to-win he had carried from the basketball court and football field, to the bowls green.

But Chris, who guided the Lightning to its first WNBL grand final since 2008 this past summer, was shocked to see his sibling follow in his coaching footsteps.

“When he decided to start coaching I sort of joked about it with him and said ‘it’s not just a walk in the park’,” Chris, 59, said.

“But I’m actually a bit surprised that once he started doing it, he became quite passionate about it.

State women’s lawn bowls coach Tony Lucas is learning from older brother and Adelaide Lightning basketball mentor Chris Lucas. Picture: Simon Cross

“It’s very satisfying coaching and it’s also challenging.

“But he was always pretty determined when he was younger and he’s got a good feel for player management, so I think he’ll rise to the occasion.

“He’s approached it head on and is doing particularly well.”

Chris, a dual title-winning coach with Townsville, had transformed the Lightning from wooden-spooner to runner-up in three years at the helm.

The 270-game WNBL mentor inked a new contract with Adelaide last month, after fears for its long-term future were allayed by external investment.

Tony passed his first major assignment with the state team in February, winning its maiden Test against Victoria in three years.

Tony Lucas will play for West Lakes in the SA Premier League lawn bowls grand final. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Adelaide Lightning coach Chris Lucas addresses his players during this past season’s WNBL grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed

He hoped adopting a similar focus to his brother would help SA earn respect at next week’s Australian Sides Championships in Ettalong, NSW.

“Chris is not into outside noise,” said Tony, who would also play in West Lakes’ Premier League grand final against Adelaide on Saturday before travelling to the nationals.

“He’s very direct with what he requires and what he needs to have to win, and I’m a little bit that way myself.

“South Australia has been seen as a it of a basket case as far as women’s bowls goes, but I’m trying really hard to change that culture.

“I want us to be competitive and I’m quietly confident we have improved.”