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JAMES RIPPEY REFLECTS ON A STELLAR YEAR OF BOWLS AHEAD OF POTTERS APPEARANCES |
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From being part of the EIBA
Liberty Trophy winning team and winning the National Open pairs last
season, qualifying in three World Bowls Tour events; World Pairs,
World Singles and Scottish Open; and he squeezed lifting both the
EIBA summer singles pairs and singles in between. We caught up with James ahead of his time on the famous portable blue rink: "Bowls has just all come together... it's been an extremely busy last two years but I have been more dedicated than I have for a long time, I put in the practice at a small club up the road from me when I can, including 7am roll ups whenever I can fit them in. I have really worked hard on my running bowls in the last 12 months; it's always been a weak point, but feel I'm in a good place with them now which is showing in my results and performances. "Qualifying for both PBA singles events means a real chance of reaching the top 16 as I've only ever qualified on one event before. Form wise I feel like I'm playing the best I have going into big events and am much more relaxed about preparation. I've played at Potters quite a few times and the lines haven't changed, it's just the pace. I used to practice every minute of the day in previous years but even if you practiced on the day the pace changes when you actually start your game." James has many fond memories to choose from, but when asked for his bowls highlights to date, picks lifting the Scottish Fours. He said: "I was 17, it was my first national title and I was representing a small town so it was a crazy reception coming home that day. "Also, the National Triples with my good but miserable friends Andy Squire and John Stewart was special as it was my last bowl of the game that won it and can still remember it today. "Finally, my first time qualifying for Potters as I had been runner up about three times and winning the Open Pairs in April. "I still love the competition of the game and the completely different challenges you can face from one day to the next.  "My daughter started playing with me when she was 15 and although she wasn't taking the game seriously we made the EIBA finals of the family pairs. It was so special to see her reaction when we won the area final, pure joy that reminds you why this game can have so many special moments. I hope she continues to play but I won't hold my breath as football, tennis and boys take priority (in that order I hope!)" James took up bowls at the age of nine, following his esteemed grandparents into the game: "I turned up early for football practice and tried crown green, whilst chucking them all over the place I was asked if I could join a pairs tournament on the green next door as they were short, I missed football and the rest is history. "I have been so lucky to play for both Scotland and England and be one of only a handful of players to do it. "Indoors, one green can be so different to another and the people you play vary so much in age and styles of play so it's always different. I love the social side of the game also, my ushers and best man at my wedding were all bowlers. "Even after playing for many years, you still learn more about the game all the time. One example is watching Sam Tolchard's massive shot in the triples against Nicky Brett last year, I wouldn't even have thought about taking the bowl behind out." One thing James would change about bowls is the money poured in: "In the UK, clubs need to be run as businesses to make money rather than just bowls clubs. I was lucky enough to travel to Australia last year for the Aussie Open and saw the huge difference with clubs focused on making money through other ventures and the result was that the clubs are busy and thriving." Sian Honnor. We' d love to know what bowls means to you, get in touch at info@eiba.co.uk Previous Article - Interview with Izzie White |
January 2025
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