THREE Commonwealth Games bowls medalists were back in Leamington to say thank you to the club who supported them in 2022.
Gold Commonwealth medalist Nick Brett took part in the England Trials at Leamington Bowls Club in Archery Road on Saturday May 18.
In the evening he was at Warwick Boat Club with two other Commonwealth medal winners, Craig Bowler and Kieran Rollings.
Volunteers from Warwick Boat Club bowls section were helpers at the Games in Leamington.
Chris Hurst was a pusher – lining up the bowls – for para bronze medalist Craig Bowler and his partner Kieran Rollings.
She said “It was an amazing experience. Craig in particular is a real character, he dyed his hair bright red for the Games and had words such as ‘boom’ painted on his legs and wheelchair.”
Craig’s story is particularly inspiring. He was suffering from mental health issues and attempted to take his own life. He had lost both his legs and one arm and he spent two months in a coma.
Craig first tried bowls 15 years ago after being introduced to the sport by a family friend and believes if he can play bowls anyone can.
He said: “When you’re someone like me and people are like ‘I don’t think I can do it’ – just look at me. I’ve got no legs and one arm and I have a bronze medal”.
Craig went on to marry the woman who had nursed him back to health and they have two children.
And as a result of the success of the Games and the profile it has brought the sport, Warwick Boat Club Bowls members held a collection which raised £400. This was presented to the players to help Disability Bowls England continue its programme of inclusivity in the sport.
Dave Hurst, the Warwick Men’s Bowls Captain, added: “We were excited to welcome such high profile bowlers to our club, very pleased to support Disability Bowls and hope to further encourage people of all ages and abilities to take up the sport.”
