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SIT DOWN WITH NEW SELECTOR - KIRSTY |
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How did you get into bowls? KH: I started when I was six-years-old at a Taunton Deane Bowls Club in Somerset. My mum Maggie was a cook at the club and so I went down there most days after school and hung around until she finished work. One day the club was holding a taster session which I went to and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I continued to practice when I could and go for coaching lessons. When I was, my role models were Edna Bessell and Mo Monkton due to them playing for Somerset, but also a personal role model would be Sue Evans as she took me under her wing when I was about ten years old, and she taught me everything I know. What's the best thing about bowls? I love how the game can be very technical and figuring out what your opponent might do. I think what motivates me the most is I can get on the green and forget what is going on around me such as my work life as a nursing associate and life in general. Bowls is my way of relaxation. II enjoy the excitement the game can bring, you don't know how you're going to play on the day and how your opponent is going to be. After a bowls match I do go away and think about what I could improve on for next time. Also, I have a great club behind me who are so supportive and the social life within bowls is lovely too as you meet a variety of people and some become lifetime friends. Earlier this year you represented England at the World Bowls Indoor Singles Championship in Australia, where she won a bronze medal in the mixed pairs with Martin Puckett.  How was the experience? Australia was an amazing experience and once in a lifetime opportunity and now I have a taste of it I am hoping for more in the future. I was able to have my partner Kim, Dad, and my friend Sophie to join me in my experience and they supported me by easing the pressure and taking my mind off bowls when I had some spare time. The facilities which Warilla had were mind blowing; they had three outdoor bowls green and an indoor, a massive food hall, casino and they were also talking about making it bigger which sounded interesting for their future. What were your expectations before the trip? My expectation was to go out there and hopefully manage to get out of the group in the singles and be in a chance to win a medal. Going with Martin, who I have known for a little while, I knew we would be in with a very good chance of getting a medal in the mixed pairs. During the group stages of the mixed pairs, Martin and I gelled together and supported each other through the competition. In the singles I was going out there to try my best as I feel I'm more of a team player then a singles. Essentially I just wanted to enjoy the experience and meet new players. In the mixed pairs we had a very close game with Malta which went to the tie breaker. One bowl in particular that stands out was the bowl Martin played on the second end to draw a back toucher to give us a chance to go into the third end. We eventually won the match to then play the Oz team. On the day we tried our best but unfortunately were unable to get over the line. We both felt that their bowls were more suited to the rink and everything we tried to do didn't go our way. The singles again was an experience which I really enjoyed and if anything, this event has made me realise that I need to start believing in myself. I managed to get out of the group stages and came up against Julie Forrest from Scotland. She found the rink quicker than me which put the pressure on, but I was proud of my performance.  How was your indoor season generally? I was able to win the National Ladies singles title back in the 2021/2022 season and this year I qualified in the mixed fours, women's pairs, and family pairs, which I won alongside my brother Levi. It has always been our goal to win a national title together so it will always be a memorable one. When I play with Levi there's always a lot of banter which is amazing. Within Somerset I won both the women's pairs and triples and I also won the British Isles Singles up in Scotland this year and I really enjoyed everything I played in. What are your goals moving forward? To keep playing at a high standard of bowls and continue to play for England. I want to be able to perform well in competitions to hopefully win another national title. Whenever I represent my country I feel honoured. Why did you want to become a selector? I am delighted to be part of the selection team within the under 18's and u25's international team and working alongside with three great ladies. I wanted to be a selector to give something back to England and I'm able to do that now. Sian Honnor Previous Article Lorraine Kuhler |
August 2023
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