Bowls 8/8/07
National Team Preparations Going WellThe listing was posted by Scottish Disability - Bowls (Lawn)
The thirteen person national bowls squad assembled at the St Cyrus club near Montrose for the first of four August training days. St Cyrus was selected by Head Coach Bob Dick because the all weather playing surface presented challenges similar to those likely to be encountered by the team when they compete at the World Championships in Sydney in October. Club President Robert Smith and several club members remained with the players and support staff throughout the day and offered encouragement and an unlimited supply of teas and coffees during breaks. The team will return to St Cyrus later in the month and also visit the Abbeyview club in Dunfermline and Sighthill Club in Edinburgh.
Team preparations have gone really well. Graham Stewart manager of Whiteinch Indoor Bowls Club in Glasgow was happy to offer four days of club time to SDS to hold selection days. The selection days included a series of skills tests set by the Head Coach. The tests presented specific bowls challenges for the players and the opportunity to play their full range of deliveries. From an initial squad of over thirty the final team of thirteen physically disabled and visually impaired bowlers was selected to make the trip “down under”. Test results were recorded and the averages of the leading Scottish players over four days were very impressive. Hopes are high that team members can produce this same high level of play during the championships proper.
SDS has been privileged to work closely with Scottish Blind Bowls to identify the strongest players to compete at the World Championships. Five blind or partially sighted bowlers have been selected, all have experience of bowls at the very highest level and several are reigning British Champions. Three of the five physically disabled bowlers selected were members of the Scottish wheelchair bowls team that convincingly won the Home Nations title at East Kilbride earlier this year. Two of the three physically disabled women bowlers selected have no experience at international level but during the trials and training they have made enormous progress. Team manager Michael McCreadie is very optimistic about the Championships following the success of the Scottish Team at the International Test Series held in Nottingham last year. Scotland finished second behind Australia and Michael reckons the team of 2007 is even stronger.