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Harry Goodwin Looks Back on a Memorable Year |
"It was Grandad who introduced me to the
game, he took me down, aged six,
and I was hooked. Straight away I loved the challenge of trying to
get better and improve and if I had shots to practice, I’d really
want to achieve those successfully before I was happy to finish."
This mantra has proved very effective for
25-year-old Harry, who has had a memorable year.
He said: "It started off with winning the National Under 25 Singles last year indoor championship, which was my first national singles title to have won. This gave me the confidence and belief to be able to win individual competitions. "Going on to the outdoor season: being selected to play in the European Championships was amazing to be part of. Coming away with a silver medal and the team championship winners wasn't the gold I was looking for, but it was still a great tournament for me. "Then, winning the National Champion of Champions in August at Leamington was one of the best feelings. It was a huge highlight being such a big competition to win in England and I think it spurred me on going into the World Under 25 Championships indoor. "This was also my first major national title outside of Under 25 bowls that I have won individually, and so for me to prove to myself that I can compete and win at the top level in a singles event was big for me mentally. "Going on from this to the indoor season, becoming World U25 Singles and Mixed Pairs Champion has become my best achievement to date. Obviously, winning a world title is not an opportunity that comes around very often, so winning the Under 25 singles first off last February gave me the chance to compete in this event. "To actually win the world title is something you dream of, but you don't always believe it is possible; to do it in one but let alone both was a really special moment for me and everyone who has always supported me. "Coming home having won both the World Under 25 Singles and Mixed Pairs competitions was unbelievable. These successes have to be my career highlights to date, and I am just looking to push on this year to achieve more national titles." Harry enjoyed success at club, county and team national competitions when he played in Devon, but says he feels his first taste of success at the top level was winning the National Under 25 Pairs with Zach Kidd in 2018. "This will always be memorable for me as I feel it gave me the confidence and belief to go on and win further nationals. "It was even more memorable given the backstory - a couple of days before travelling to Leamington for the National Under 25 Pairs, Zach messaged me to say his bowls were out of date and asked if I had a set of aces he could borrow. Fortunately, I had a set which were in date and we went on to win the whole thing! "Another big highlight has got to be winning the National Two-Fours with Kings Bowls Club in 2016. We had such a great team and togetherness; that was our first piece of silverware as a club and this set us off to win the National Top Club on multiple occasions over the following few years. So, that for me is very special to win it with all my best mates." Harry first represented England in 2015 in the England Under 18 test match versus Wales at Royal Wotton Bassett at the age of 17. He recalls: "We won the test match and I then went on to represent England a month later for the British Isles series in Ballybrakes, Ireland indoors where we won a gold medal in the triples and a silver in the fours, as well as the overall team trophy. "Making my England Under 25 debut indoors in 2016 was very memorable because we had a successful home series, coming away with the trophy from Bristol. Outdoor my standout memory would have to be making my debut in the England Senior team in Ayr, Scotland in 2019. However, making the European Championships last year tops both of these as it was my first experience at a higher level being able to play against many countries. "I believe the reason I have kept bowling for so long has to come down to the success of winning competitions and striving to achieve more to reach the top. "Also, having the backing of my family and friends boosts this further. Ultimately, I'd love to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal." Harry, a plasterer, admits that making the move from Devon to Kent to live with partner Imogen Jenner was tough. "It was hard because of the different ways of life, but it was a move I wanted to make," he said. "Bowls wise, I found it challenging leaving Devon, mostly because of the great team I was part of at Kings Bowls Club. I think the reason Devon is so successful is because there are some top players, and other players are learning from them which is the best influence on creating a strong team. I think this also encouraged a lot of youngsters into the game during my generation. "There are less internationals in Kent, but I also feel Kent is a strong county where players are spread around various clubs."   Harry's
biggest frustration in the bowls world is reluctance to change.He said: "I don't like it when things do not always move forward to improve the game and atmosphere, which will help the stereotype around bowls. Also, with the sport being expensive to play at times, winning nationals and getting very little back in terms of prize money can be frustrating. "I personally feel that indoors and outdoors both offer competitive national competitions and international levels. Although, generally indoors is based more on practice and skill; usually the right people come out on top. "One big change that is trying to be made, is playing music in clubs throughout competitions which will provide more atmosphere, making the game not so eery. "I think indoors can also be quite expensive compared to outdoors so it would help if there was some way to improve this at all. Finally, different types of competitions would be good to change the game and bring something new, so people want to try it out." Harry will be looking to defend his National Under 25 Singles title at Spalding IBC on Saturday 21st January. Sian Honnor Previous Article David Bolt Previous Article Yaz Hasan Previous Article Nick Brett |
January 2023
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