2025 National Championships - Stage One Stars: Ross Young
Next up in our National Championships qualifier stories is East Calder Bowling Club’s Ross Young, who has qualified in the Gents Para B7-B8 Singles for this year’s event.
Ross began bowling at 10-years-old and has dedicated a large amount of his life to his beloved sport. Through his talent and relentless hard work, Ross has travelled the world to compete in bowling events, culminating in winning gold at both the British Transplant Games and World Transplant Games.
In September 2023, Ross achieved a long-life dream of representing Scotland in a test match against England at the National Centre for Bowling, Ayr. The Scottish team delivered some inspiring performances over the two-day event to defeat England 2.5-1.5 in the test series.
Despite taking a year out from bowls in 2024, Ross is now back this year with a rejuvenated hunger and motivation looking to win his first ever Bowls Scotland national title. Ross will compete in the semi-final of the Gents Para B7-B8 Singles on Saturday 2nd August.
Find our full Q&A with Ross below:
Q1. When did you start playing bowls and how did it come about?
RY: “I was 10 when I started bowling at Balerno Bowling Club in Edinburgh. Lots of my friends were involved due to their parents being members of the club, I was never away from the club when I was a junior.”
Q2. What’s the best thing about playing bowls?
RY: “There are many good things about playing bowls. The one thing that sticks out the most is the friends I have made and still continue to make.”
Q3. You used to compete in the Transplant Games. Can you tell us more about what this involved?
RY: “Back in November 2010, I received a kidney transplant, I was diagnosed with kidney disease in August 2004, just after my oldest son was born. The Transplant Games are open to anyone who has had a transplant, the British Games are held annually around the UK, this is to help promote organ donation. There are all the usual sports on offer, which includes bowls.
“In my first year competing, I was lucky enough to win the British title in Belfast. If you are successful at the British Games you can be selected to represent GB & NI at the World Transplant Games.
“My first World Games were in South Africa in 2013 where I was lucky enough to win the World title. I picked up another British title in Newcastle in 2015, and more recently I won a bronze medal in Perth, Australia in 2023.”
Q4. You represented Scotland at the Para Home Nations in 2023. Can you tell us more about that experience?
RY: “From the moment I was selected to the moment we were triumphant, I was on a constant high, I was truly honoured to have been selected to represent my country. As I mentioned earlier, getting to meet new friends and the fact I was playing at Ayr was a big high for me.
“I took a year out in 2024 and came back into things this year and was lucky enough to be invited to the performance weekend at Ayr. Being involved with the Scotland set-up was an honour for me and another proud moment.”
Q5. What would it mean to you to become a national champion in 2025?
RY: “If I was lucky enough to be a national champion it would me everything to me. I’ve bowled for many years and been lucky enough to win a few things as well as travel to some parts of the world I never thought I would ever go to, so to be a national champion at Ayr would be the icing on the cake.
“If I never bowled again after that, it would not be a problem. Going by the talented competition on offer as well, it would mean even more!”
A huge thank you to Ross for sharing his story as part the lead up to the 2025 National Championships. For more information on this year’s event, please visit: https://www.bowlsscotland.com/competitions/national/national-championships