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MEET YOUR NEW EIBA PRESIDENT, PAULINE ADAMS |
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"It will be great to join up with club members from all walks of
life, there are some very interesting people out there with good
stories to tell," she said. "I also want to meet the other UK presidents, see the youngsters compete in their under 18's, under 25's etc and attending the home internationals. I can't wait for that feeling of belonging and taking pride in England's ability. "Other things I am excited about are watching the finals at Nottingham, seeing teams that have never been before and the regulars. It really has been an eye-opener these last two years of what goes on behind the scenes. I shall be making notes!" The Falcon IBC player hasn't looked back since she was encouraged to attend a beginners' session at Falcon IBC at the age of 25. "I've loved bowls right from the start," Pauline said. "I played crib for a local pub in Chelmsford and we use to play against three outdoor bowls clubs, the men from Writtle Bowls Club asked me, my hubby and my friend and her hubby to try bowls, so off we went. Because there was a mixture of ages but the older players were good company, I didn't have any pre-conceived ideas about 'old man's marbles'. "After one night the other three dropped out, but I continued the three days and at the end the Writtle men were there to sign me up for outdoors." Pauline jokes that although her daughter Alison was born in June, the birth of her son Nicholas was timed right: "He was born in February and I could get back on the green at the end of April," she added. "I signed up for indoor bowls about five years after starting outdoors. I initially thought I might have to give indoors a miss when I went back to work, as women's games were only played during the day and weekend friendlies, but by luck I was asked to join an evening league. I have been lucky to work for managers who were happy for me to work flexible hours so that I could go and play bowls. "What hooked me was the idea of trying to get one large sphere as close as possible to a smaller one: it's like a fairground racket of hooking a fish, you've just got to keep trying! "I love that there is always another game to play, if you've lost, you haven't lost, you are just preparing for your next game. Bowls is like a secret world, that sadly not enough people know about." As soon as she started playing regularly, Pauline entered competitions and was proud to reach the semi-final of the Essex Women's County Indoor Singles. Her dream is to win the Falcon IBC club championships, though she admits she 'has been trying for years and there is always someone you cannot beat - you know who you are!' She says she feels lucky to have been able to keep playing during her working years. Now working part time at a local shop and post office, Pauline retired from Essex County Council after 20 years' service, finishing her career in children social services. Pauline has earned her county badge, both indoors and outdoors, and enjoys being part of the Falcon women's teams competing in national competitions. Playing in two EIBA celebrations matches sparked her desire to find out more about the presidential team. Pauline recalled: "I saw what a bond there was amongst the players and wanted to be a part of it. I was asked by past president Mark Cohen if I would consider being junior vice president and here I am. "It has been interesting to see what goes on in the background and how efficient the EIBA staff, they guide you all the way. You are looked after very well. "My friends have all said well done. My mum, who is 97 and very independent, is very proud and my hubby - who's going to make my tea, and the children - said "so we are not going to see you for a year!" Just kidding, they are pleased for me." What will her presidential style be? "Open and friendly, there is no mystery to being president, just your love of bowls," she said. "I am pretty old school, but I do fully understand why some changes have been necessary within the game such as tweaks to the rules, i.e time limits, number of ends, two wood triples etc, we would be here to midnight with some games. Too many changes however and it wouldn't be bowls. "Attracting more people to the game is tough, but I think if we could get schools, girl guides, scouts, more youth organisation etc, more involved with one day competitive mini tournaments, it might spark some youngsters. Catching people just getting to the age where i.e. netball, football, cricket is getting a bit tougher. It would also be worth asking large companies if they would like an 'away day' at the bowls club, where colleagues could bond over a game!" QUICK-FOR QUESTIONS: What club do you play at? Falcon Indoor Bowling Club in Chelmsford. It started out as four rinks in the middle of Chelmsford, then moved to its new site in Springfield Chelmsford and now has eight rinks, great amenities and is well run by the directors and staff members. Do you/did you play other sports? No other physical sports played; I used to play darts (pub theme going on here with crib as well!). What bowls do you play with? Henselite ABT2000. Preferred playing position? Happy to play where I am told - but like leading or skipping. Sian Honnor. We'd love to know what bowls means to you, get in touch at info@eiba.co.uk Previous Article - Interview with Lauren Finbow |
August 2024
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