I have been called many things in my life – good and bad – and now you can add international lawn bowls player to that list!
Alongside former British and Commonwealth champion boxer Junior Witter, I joined Andrew Newell, a seasonedbowls player, and Mervyn Edwards, a veteran on the circuit, to form Jamaica’s first ever lawn bowls team!
We made our debut at Kelvingrove, the gorgeous venue that will host lawn bowls at the Commonwealth Games. As we threw our woods down the rink, the world’s greatest bowls players looked on with interest and enthusiasm. The sport has never seen a more colourful collective – and we could prove to be far more than an entertaining side show.
Despite Junior and I being complete novices, we could play a key role in lawn bowls moving to the next level. The sport needs four more countries to join the global set up to be able to apply to become part of an Olympic Games – which would be the pinnacle for all those involved. So if we, as lawn bowls Jamaica, manage to gain an official status as a recognized national team, then that leaves the sport just three short.
And there is a precedent of “new” countries joining the formal international set up fairly swiftly. As we slugged it out with a GB crown bowls side and Scottish Presidents team, Pakistan’s Commonwealth lawn bowls players cheered us on. They are very familiar with Kelvingrove, as three of the four players are from Glasgow! Having successfully completed their paperwork they will compete at the Commonwealth Games in the green of Pakistan.
In between thrashings, we took on our Glaswegian Pakistani friends and were only narrowly beaten! And for me it was at this point that this project transformed from a bit of giggle to a genuine opportunity to participate at the Commonwealth Games in 2018. If a group of guys from Glasgow with Pakistani roots could do it, why can’t we?
Watch this space people.
HANGING OUT WITH JAMAICA’S SUNSHINE GIRLS!
I recently had the pleasure of filming with Netball Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls in Kingston. The feature will air within BBC Sport’s coverage of the Commonwealth Games.
I have covered the island’s athletics stars extensively over the years, and it was a real treat to learn more bout a team of humble young women who are desperate to win gold in Glasgow.
