2025 National Championships – Stage 1 stars: Christine Tennant and Keith Shuttleworth
New Abbey Bowling Club in District 31 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and two of the clubs’ members hope to add to the celebrations by bringing home silverware from the 2025 National Championships at the National Centre for Bowling, Ayr later this month.
Christine Tennant and Keith Shuttleworth won the Bowls Scotland Mixed Pairs in 2024 and will be back again this year, having qualified to defend their title.
Christine, who previously won the Ladies Over 55 Singles in 2022, will going for a hat-trick of titles this year courtesy of qualifying in three disciplines. The duo’s Mixed Pairs campaign will begin on Saturday 26th July , with Christine then competing in the Ladies Over 55 Singles from Sunday 27th July before the Ladies Singles begins on Thursday 31st July.
Find our full Q&A with Christine and Keith below:
Q1. When did you start playing bowls and how did it come about?
CT: “Keith started playing at the age of 14 and I started at the age of 34. Keith followed his parents around the bowling greens till he was of age to start playing himself. I started because a friend asked if I fancied trying the bowling.”
Q2. What’s the best thing about playing bowls?
CT: “Meeting a lot of different people out and about. Bowls is a sport for all ages, competitive or otherwise.”
Q3. What does it mean to be defending your Mixed Pairs title together in 2025?
CT: “It’s a great achievement to get to Northfield again to defend our title after winning five competitive games at district level.”
Q4. Christine, how does it feel to qualify for this year’s National Championships in three different disciplines?
CT: “This is something I didn't think I could possibly achieve, but I am looking forward to my week at Northfield and testing myself against the best in the country.”
Q5. Keith, what would it mean to you to become a national champion again in 2025?
KS: “To win a third Scottish title would be a dream come true for me.”
Q6. What has support been like from your club, and how special would it be to return to New Abbey with silverware in the clubs 50th anniversary year?
KS: “We have always had great support from our small club. 17 members travelled to Worthing to support us in the Gents Triples in the 2010 British Isles Championships. If we return with silverware again in 2025, there would be a big celebration.”
A huge thank you to Christine and Keith for sharing their thoughts in the lead up to the 2025 National Championships. For more information on this year’s event, click here.