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Davies ready for DBE manager challenge and wants to raise profile of brilliant charity |
| Since then there have been excellent
performances in both the Home Nations Series and indoor and outdoor
national competitions and Sue says she is excited about the 'amazing
opportunity' although she has big boots to fill after Mo Monkton and
Helen Lewis-Wall took a step back. "This role is not just about the high performance team; it will include supporting all DBE members who wish to play competitively - including the Visually Impaired bowlers and directors and the Learning Disability bowlers - encouraging and facilitating their development and supporting them throughout their journey," Sue said. "In 2019 I started to become involved with Disability Bowls England after chatting to Mo in the stand at Leamington. I was inspired by the DBE players and wanted to support them in their goals and volunteer to help the charity itself. I took on the role of Secretary initially while I was still working and was then co-opted as selector for the high performance squad.  "Being on the management side of things is going to be different, although I feel confident that I have the background knowledge and experience to move forward with this. However, I will also be relying on the support of the other officers/managers within DBE for their advice and guidance; we are all one team at DBE, and that is one of the strengths of this brilliant charity. Sue's aims are to help DBE members achieve their goals, which is not an easy task considering the organisation relies totally on funding from sponsors and donations. "We need funding in order to run all the events for our members including taster days, competitions, friendly matches and sending teams to compete in Home Nations events," she added. "We are actively looking for sponsors and as without them we will not be able to operate effectively. "One of the biggest challenges at DBE is making people aware of what is available for bowlers of all abilities to enable them to play this inclusive sport at whatever level they aspire to." DBE has been busy visiting clubs around England to run taster days and raise awareness showcase what is available, giving people the opportunity to try out the various bowling aids which are on offer and meet the team. Many new members have come on board during the last year. Sue said: "Since I became involved with DBE I have made many new friends and learned so much from so many inspirational people. I really enjoy being a part of the dedicated management team and the whole DBE family. "If I can help people by giving them my time and support, that is what I will continue to do. It is a big commitment, but it is something I feel strongly about and I am looking forward to all the challenges along the way." Sue was introduced to bowls in 1995 through work colleague Joan after the pair started playing tennis together. "She was a member of the local bowls club in Broadway and my husband John and I had an introductory session at the club with Joan, and I loved it," Sue recalled. "I was completely hooked from the start and spent many hours at the club practising from day one. I still enjoy playing now as much as I did then. "Bowls is a great sport for all. I particularly enjoy the more lively atmosphere of the game as is evident in Australia and feel that this should be encouraged - e.g. music playing between games and sometimes during games, the crowd being more involved and being able to cheer when a good shot is played. "We want to encourage more young people to take up the sport and to watch the sport; livening up and brightening up the image must be a good way to go." Sue's first success came the year she began in a club pairs competition, which she admits 'whetted her appetite.' "I entered more competitions, including county and nationals, and in 2000 qualified for the first time to play at Leamington in the National Finals," she said. "I have qualified for the nationals every year since then; I know that this run will come to an end at some point, but I will continue to play competitively as long as I can."  An England international
from 2007-2015, Sue has also represented her country in the European
Championships in Cyprus and played in the Hong Kong Classic. Her
career highlights include winning the National Singles twice in 2010
and 2012.She played for Welford-on-Avon IBC for a number of years and reached the National Finals on numerous occasions. "Once, in the latter rounds of the triples, we had a fantastic match again Helen Wall and her team who proved just too strong for us on the day and I think we lost on an extra end. Helen and I still talk about it," Sue recalled. "I stopped playing indoors after about ten years as it became too much of a rush around while I was working full time, but as I retired from work last year there is a fair chance that I will have another go in the not too distant future. "As well as being a competitive sport, indoor bowls is a great way to meet people and stay in touch with friends who also play outdoors - and you don't have to worry about the weather! I would definitely recommend it. "I love the EIBA National Finals which are a showcase for indoor bowls in England and all competitive club bowlers aim to play there. I go every year as a spectator and to support friends who are playing, and am looking forward to my visits again this year. There is always a great atmosphere and the competition is fierce. "This year I will be going to support the DBE players who have qualified in both the DBE competitions as well as in the nationals and will also hopefully catch up with friends old and new while there. Good luck to all who have qualified." Sian Honnor |
April 2023
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