2023 Scotland Junior & Youth International teams announced
Bowls Scotland is delighted to announce our Junior and Youth International teams for the 2023 season.
The combined men’s and women’s Junior (Under 25) International Series will be contested between Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales at Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club, Wales on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September. Each country has been able to select separate men’s and women’s teams, both consisting of 12 players (3 rinks) plus an additional two reserves. There will be an individual winner in both men’s and women’s events and an overall combined series winner too.
Due to the age limit being increased to Under 27 in 2022 to enable players to compete that missed out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a number of new caps in both men’s and women’s Scotland teams respectively with the age limit now alternating back to the traditional Under 25 cut off.
In the men’s team, Scotland’s coaches have kept faith with four experienced players in Blair Davidson, Paul Innes, Dean Riva, and Darren Weir, who were all involved in successive series victories in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The other 10 players in the squad are all new caps but certainly have the talent for international honours.
There are notable inclusions for last year’s Bowls Scotland Gents U25 Singles champion, Danny Stevenson, and likewise Bowls Scotland U18 Singles champion, Jamie Noon. Current European Open pairs holder, Daniel Martin, has also been selected along with Lewis Betts, who was part of the Craigentinny rink that won the Bowls Scotland Gents Fours in 2022. Aaron Betts, Logan Kennedy and Aaron Miller have all progressed from last year’s successful U18 International Team too. Stewart McAlees, Bradley Buchan and Lee Trotter complete the team as a trio that are all recognised with various honours at outdoor and indoor events.
The women’s team features Amy Borthwick, Ellie Borthwick, Aimee Harris, Rebecca Houston, Beth Riva, Lauren Roddie and Eilidh Weir, and, who have all represented Scotland at outdoor Junior International Series previously. The remaining seven players are all new caps but are all consistent performers in their own right ready to make the step up.
Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy and Megan Sproat have all made the jump to the U25 team after impressing during the 2022 U18 International Series, which Scotland won at the National Centre for Bowling, Ayr. West Fife’s Kara Lees and Sophie McGrouther are also included, having both won the SIBA Women’s U25 Singles in recent years. Emma Blyth has been rewarded with a place in the team after recently winning the Bowls Scotland Linda Brennan Ladies U25 Pairs. Emma Kennedy, who finished runner-up in the Linda Brennan Ladies U25 Pairs, completes the team and will be hoping to make an impact during the series in Wales.
The Youth (Under 18) International Series will also be contested between Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August at Ebbw Vale Bowling Club, Wales. A total of 12 players have been selected by each nation, which feature a mix of both young male and female players.
During the weekend, the 12 players will be split into various Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours teams as they will contest a number of test matches throughout the weekend. Scotland are defending champions from 2022’s event and will be looking to return home with the trophy again later this year.
Beth Isbister, Logan Kennedy, Leah McCloy, Aaron Miller, and Jamie Noon all return to the team after playing key roles in Scotland’s triumph last year. Seven new caps complete the team which include Amy Blyth, following her recent Bowls Scotland Linda Brennan Ladies U25 Pairs triumph. Scottish Young Indoor Bowlers Association (SYIBA) Young Master Singles runner-up for 2022/23, Emily Houston, has also been included in the squad.
The team is rounded off by Charlie Mitchell, Zak Morrison, Lennon Rafferty, Ellie Rendall and Sarah Roberts, who will all be hoping to impress in their outdoor Youth International debuts.
Colin Noon, Head Coach for both the Junior and Youth International teams, said: “Firstly, it's a great privilege to lead these teams into both U18 and U25 international series during August and September.
“Scotland has such a depth of talent and potential at these age groups and as such picking each team was really challenging. However, I'm thankful to my support coaches for delivering robust trials and selection processes.
“We believe we have landed on a good mix of experience, coupled with some exciting new caps in all three teams who are looking forward to testing themselves against the other home nations during their respective series in Wales.”
To view the 2023 Men’s U25 Junior International Team, please click here.
To view the 2023 Women’s U25 Junior International Team, please click here.
To view the 2023 Mixed U18 Youth International Team, please click here.
Best of luck to the three Scottish teams in their respective international matches throughout this season!