2024 National Championships - Stage 1 Stars: Kyle Logan
Next up in our National Championships qualifier stories is Kirkliston Bowling Club’s rising star, Kyle Logan, who has qualified in both the Youth Triples and Gents Fours for this year’s event.
Kyle comes from a strong family pedigree with the Logan family being one of the most decorated families in Scottish bowls history. His father, Grant, has represented Scotland at senior international level on over 50 occasions. Amazingly, Kyle is the seventh member of the Logan family to have pulled on the Scottish jersey throughout the years.
Despite only being 17 years of age, Kyle is no stranger to competing in the National Championships at Ayr. In 2022, he finished as a silver medallist in the Youth Triples alongside Ruaridh Mann and James Dunnett. Last year he also reached the quarter-final of the Gents Junior Singles despite being one of the youngest competitors in the competition.
These impressive displays have seen Kyle earn his first international call up for the under 18 Scotland team later this season. Kyle and his teammates will travel to Belmont Bowling Club in Belfast to take on England, Ireland and Wales on Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd July.
The West Lothian youngster will certainly be hoping to follow in his families footsteps and win gold when he takes to the greens at Ayr later this month. Kyle will compete in the Youth Triples on Saturday 27th July with Ruairidh Mann and Lucy Joseph and the Gents Fours with Darren Pearce, Greg Logan and Grant Logan on Wednesday 31st July.
Find our full Q&A with Kyle below:
Q1. When did you start playing bowls and who is your biggest inspiration?
A: “I started bowling when I was about 10 or 11 years old. My dad (Grant) would take me down for a game on the green when he wasn’t playing himself and I also entered some of the fun day competitions at the club to help gain more experience.
“My dad is my biggest inspiration as I’ve grown up watching him play for Kirkliston, West Lothian and Scotland. We play in the club pairs together and he always encourages me to try and be the best player I can.”
Q2. What are your favourite things about playing bowls?
A: “My favourite things about playing bowls are the friends I’ve made, competing in the sport at a pretty good level and being able to play on lots on different greens around the country.”
Q3. How does it feel to be able to play alongside your family in club, county and national competitions?
A: “I really enjoy playing alongside my family in all types of competitions including the West Lothian County Top 10, Scottish Inter County Top 10 and the Andrew Hamilton Trophy.
“They all play or have played at a really high level, but we all have a great laugh with each other and they all look after and encourage me wherever I go.
“I’m really looking forward to the experience of playing with my dad and Uncle Greg along with Darren Pearce in the Gents Fours at this year’s National Championships at Northfield.”
Q4. You were recently selected for the Scotland U18 international team. How much are you looking forward to receiving your first cap in Belfast?
A: “I was ‘buzzing’ when I got the email to say I’d been selected for Scotland. That was my main goal for this season as I’m too old for under 18’s next season.
“I can’t wait to meet up with the rest of the team and hopefully we’ll all have an enjoyable and successful series in Belfast.”
Q5. Have you set yourself any targets for the Youth Triples or Gents Fours events at this year’s National Championships?
A: “The target is to try and win them both, but that will be the target for everyone who has qualified for Northfield!
“We’ll just take it game by game, but as long as we give it our best shot we’ll see where it takes us. It’ll be a great experience again regardless of the outcome.”