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WITH A SURNAME LIKE "BOWLER", I WAS MEANT TO PLAY THIS GAME |
| Fifteen
years ago, the then brick-layer was dealing with prolonged bouts of
depression, which became so severe he attempted suicide. After spending nearly two months in a coma, Craig woke as a triple amputee. Incredibly, the 46-year-old says he wouldn't change a thing and he credits bowls as a "life-changer". "Bowls gave me a purpose in life again and helped me with my mental health no end," he added, "I also feel that with my surname, I was meant to find the sport." Craig, a father-of-two, was introduced to bowls in 2010 by a friend's Dad. "He asked me if I wanted to try bowls and I laughed at him and said it's an old person's game," he said. "How wrong I was. I went to my local bowls green and watched them play- it was outdoors and the sun was shining and I thought to myself I'd like to give this a try. "Within two hours I was hooked. The following year I had the confidence to enter club competitions. "My first success was winning county league and getting promoted to division one for Bedfordshire." Craig's bowling highlights to date include being selected to play for England in the DBE England Home Nations event. He recalled: "It was such a great honour to put that England shirt on and represent my country and to win the series was amazing. "Another great moment was being selected to play for my club in the National Top Club team. To play alongside able bodied players means the world to me. "But the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2023 was by far the most amazing experience I've ever had and winning the bronze medal... it stills feels like I was dreaming. They are memories I will never forget as long as I live." Craig describes the tournament as 'mentally and physically tough'. "The laughter, the emotion, the highs, the lows; you name it -we all felt it. To come away with a medal in front of my wife Abby and son and daughter Max and Tilly, was such a privilege and to play alongside the best in the world will be something I will never forget. "What I love about bowls is the diversity- there is no other sport that can have a 10-year-old playing against a 90-year-old or a triple amputee playing an able bodied player. "I also love the friendships you make and the social live bowls gives. Whether you are competitive or not competitive, the sport is open for anyone." Last month Craig was named captain for the inaugural test match held between Disability Bowls England and the Irish Para Bowls Federation, which took place at Solihull IBC. The players undertook a number of skills exercises, such as drawing to within a foot of the jack, bowling on to giant playing cards and scoring what you landed on, firing bean bans off cones. "It was really enjoyable; a great bonding session and good for getting to know the Irish," Craig said. "In the afternoon we played five pairs matches which England slightly won overall, 3-2, a good result as there are some very good players in the Irish squad. "I was made team captain which was a great honour." On Saturday the teams received coaching from Mal Evans before competing in a second test match, which England won, 4-1. Just two weeks later, Craig won the DBE Singles competition in his category, B6. "I'm over the moon to win this title, especially as it's taken me five years to do it!" So what's next for Craig? "I would love to qualify for the national finals in the able-bodied comps," he said. "That's my dream. Also, if there is another Commonwealth Games it would be great to be given the chance with Kieran to go one better." When he is not bowling, Craig volunteers in a care home, cooking for residents once a week. He also works with the emergency services and army to assist in training medics before they are put into real-life situations. He said: "I've had a lot of incredible experiences as a result of bowls so it's really nice for me to be able to give something back." QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS > What would you change about bowls? I would like all bowls - indoors, outdoors, short mat and crown green to all come under one governing body. > Who is your role model? I look up to Nick Brett. He has so much experience and shows such love and passion for the sport. And he's the most funny and witty bloke I've ever met. > Pet hate on the green? When people clap a wick. > What's the best thing about indoor bowls? You don't get wet. Sian Honnor Previous Article Ruby Hill Under 25 Singles Champion |
February 2024
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