A MAN suffering from bipolar disorder and depression has been barred from membership at a Sydney bowling club after a clash over club bylaws.

Lawn bowls is John Randall's passion and he regards it as valuable therapy for his illness, so he is devastated that Pittwater Memorial Bowling Club has turned its back on him. Mr Randall, 68, of Mona Vale, resigned after a row with the club's committee over whether he could coach bowls.

When he tried to rejoin, he was rejected. He took the matter to the Anti-Discrimination Board.

"I was too enthusiastic and I upset [the committee]," Mr Randall said. "All I wanted to do was help by coaching and I organised a free demonstration day with a bowls company called Greenmaster."

The 70-year-old club, at Mona Vale, is attached to Pittwater RSL. Mr Randall understood the club secretary had said the demonstration day was a good idea and he started to organise it. But he ran into a minefield of bylaws, regulations and disciplinary committee decrees.

The club admonished Mr Randall for overstepping his authority, being "disruptive" and "conduct unbecoming" a member.

Mr Randall admits he became flustered and at one stage told the committee they were "a bunch of bastards" and resigned. "Severe depression came on and I was back in hospital. I had told them bowls was my way back, but they didn't care."

Some members invited him to rejoin. But the committee voted 8-1 not to accept the nomination.

Mr Randall lost his case before the Anti-Discrimination Board. He could not prove he was barred because of his mental condition.

Club bowls secretary John Keran said: "I think he was playing on his mental health problem and using it to justify his behaviour. He was very difficult to get on with. It affects the whole atmosphere of the club.

"We are not stopping him playing bowls here, but he can't be a member."