Boring, slow and for the elderly are just some of the words that have plagued me during my 18-year bowling career. “Isn’t that the sport old men play?”, people would quip as I told them I, a 26-year-old women, play bowls. Through school I was teased about my unusual sport choice, as I turned down parties, days out and shopping sprees in favour of heading to my local bowls club. The jibes and sneering continued into adulthood, with frequent comments about the tasteless outfits, the archaic rule book and the snide remarks about it “not really being a sport”.
But that’s never deterred me from sticking with bowls and finally the sport is starting to see some change for good.
Gone are the days of long skirts, gloves, brown shoes and plain white outfits – with clubs and counties up and down the country embracing the new tide of striking kit.
More games are being streamed online, allowances are being made for those who work full-time, big brand sponsors have been secured and people are starting to come together to properly tackle the unhelpful stereotypes that have persisted for so long.
Frustratingly, bowls is only viewed as a sport for retirement, when most elite players across the world are in their 30s, juggling successful careers and young families.
The average age of England’s women’s senior team is 33 and the upcoming British Isles International Series in Ayr will let us showcase our sport at its best.
I’ll be joining 44 of England’s top bowlers heading to Scotland on Thursday to compete in the first joint Men’s and Women’s senior series, which is debuting an exciting new format.
Instead of the typical six rinks, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Jersey will field a top 10 format comprised of different disciplines: singles, pairs, triples and fours. All nations bar Jersey are fielding two teams.
Many were apprehensive about the move but the response has been positive as players feel it provides a stronger team spirit and opportinuties to play in their favourite discipline.
There’s no better feeling than pulling on your England shirt and showing just why you deserve to be there.
The nerves are sure to kick in, but the thirst to win gold alongside your teammates will push the fears away – especially with the electric atmosphere a joint series promises.
The excitement will surely mirror the buzz of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games that I got to witness firsthand as an in-venue presenter.
It was England’s highest-ever medal tally, with two golds, two silver and bronze medals.
With two medal wins for the para-bowls teams, it also served to highlight the truly inclusive nature of the sport, suitable for people of any age, ability or impairment.
There aren’t many games where I can play national competitions with my dad one night, my best friend the next and a team of men and women the day after.
And there’s nowhere I’d rather be on a warm summer’s evening, than playing competitively alongside my friends and sitting down for a cold pint in the clubhouse afterward – hopefully celebrating a win.
The Aviva Nationals Finals starts on Thursday August 10 in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. It runs until August 27, to book your tickets, click here.
