Mary Wilson appointed first Bowls Scotland & Erskine Ambassador

Scotland para international Mary Wilson has been appointed as the first ambassador for the Bowls Scotland partnership with Erskine Veterans Charity.

The high-performance bowler, 59, made her Scotland debut at the Home Nations competition in 2021 following a distinguished club career at Trinity Bowling Club in Edinburgh. Mary is currently Ladies President at Trinity as well as being the Ladies Head Coach at Dudley Bowling club, also in Edinburgh.

However, it is Mary’s background in the Armed Forces which makes her the perfect fit as the partnership’s ambassador. She joined up aged twenty-nine, the oldest recruit in her intake, before going on to serve 20 years in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

Duel qualified as a Mental Health Specialist and Adult General Nurse she served in Belize for seven months, carrying out Jungle Warfare Training. Her work was also recommended for “Mention in Dispatches for Bravery” while out in Hong Kong.

Mary completed operational tours of Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, as well as a stint in charge of the Field Mental Health team during a tour of Afghanistan.

Erskine and Bowls Scotland agreed a three-year partnership last year, to promote the mental and physical benefits of playing the sport. The two organisations, now, with the help of Mary, are aiming to increase the opportunities for Veterans to take up bowls, while supporting the Veterans who are already a part of Scotland’s thriving bowls community.

Plans include maximising engagement and fundraising among the bowls community, new projects to make bowls more accessible for Erskine residents, and the development of para players as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of ex-servicemen and women.

As Scotland’s foremost provider of care for Veterans and their spouses, Erskine provides unrivalled nursing, residential and dementia care within a network which includes three care homes and a Veterans Village, supporting Veterans of all ages.

Mary said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Partnership Ambassador for the Erskine and Bowls Scotland’s collaboration. Our Veterans hold a special place in my heart, having seen first-hand the sacrifices that many make to serve for their country. The work that Erskine Veterans Charity carry out across Scotland is second to none and I am looking forward to working alongside them in my new role.”

Watch our full interview with Mary below...