Nationals Stories - all in the family

The National Championships is the biggest event in the bowls calendar in Scotland, and there is always a tale or two to tell. 

For one family from Alloa East End BC, this busy, bustling week in July will be particularly special, with three generations competing at the SYBA Championships and the National Championships.

The youngest of the Kirk family, Daniel, is 11 years old and will be skipping Alloa East End's youngsters who have qualified for the triples (12-year-old Ryan Ure and 10-year-old Rhigan Willocks complete the line-up) at the SYBA Championships on Sunday 22nd July at the National Centre for Bowling in Ayr.

Daniel’s older brother, 16-year-old Peter, won the Bowls Scotland District 9 gents’ junior singles to qualify to play in that event at the National Championships. He will also be the lead when the East End take to the field to play in the gents’ triples, with team-mates Chris Duncan (second) and long-serving skip Joe Dawson.

To complete the family outing to Ayr, the boys’ mother and grandmother are representing the East End in the ladies’ rink. Their mother, Gillian Kirk, will play third to their grandmother, Marion Mcfarlane, who skips the rink. The two other team members are Morag Walsh and Jackie Keir.

"Alloa East End is well known in Clackmannanshire for the enthusiasm it has in bringing youngsters into the sport through other family members," says District 9 secretary George Barr, "and this remarkable achievement shows how successful that approach can be."

With thanks to Colin Blake, George Barr and Alloa East End BC.