2025 Scottish Disability Sport Week - Ross Noble Q&A

To celebrate 2025 Scottish Disability Sport Week, we are showcasing one of our para-athletes who we are fortunate to have involved in bowls. It’s multiple national champion and Scottish internationalist Ross Noble from Summerside Bowling Club.

Ross was encouraged in early life to take up the sport with his dad, grandad, brothers and cousins all already participating in bowls. The man from Edinburgh admits this was one of the best decisions he ever made, with bowls making a positive impact to both his physical and mental health in everyday life.

After an amazing couple of years winning the 2024 and 2025 Bowls Scotland Gents B2-B3 Singles and this year’s inaugural Bowls Scotland Visually Impaired Open Pairs alongside Robert Barr, Ross has been included in Scotland’s Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Athlete Longlist. With final selection for the Games being completed in April 2026, the proud Scotsman will be hoping to gain the opportunity to represent Scotland at a home Games next year.

We spoke to Ross to find out more about his journey so far. Read the full Q&A below:

Q1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first got into bowls?

RN: “I play at Summerside Bowling Club in Edinburgh. I never really had a choice in the matter. My grandad, dad, brother and cousins all played. My dad ran the junior section at my old club so when I got old enough, I was eager to play.”

Q2. What was it about bowls that made you choose it over other sports?

RN: “I tried football and rugby growing up and I enjoyed them, but bowls was always the one I enjoyed the most! As soon as I stepped on the green it was so therapeutic it was like everything else just didn't matter.”

Q3. Can you tell us about the bowling aid you use and how it helps you take part in the sport?

RN: “As I have a vision impairment, we are allowed to use a few aids such as a string down the middle of the rink, a monocular and a director. I have started using a monocular the last couple of seasons which allows me to be able to see the head from the opposite end which helps give you an idea of what is going on and who might be lying shot.

“I also use a director which is a person who informs you of what is happening at the other end where your bowl has finished, and they can help by advising you on which hand or shot you should play. For other VI players, a director might also set them up on the mat correctly and stand in front of them with a marker so that that bowler knows where to aim.

“Another aid that VI players use is what we call the clock system. Where the jack is the centre 6 o'clock is nearest the player and 12 o'clock is nearest the ditch, the marker or person at the head would then shout down to tell the player what position on the clock the bowl has finished and the distance between the bowl and the jack. This allows a VI the mentally map out the head.”

Q4. Has playing bowls made a difference to your physical or mental health?

RN: “Bowls has made a massive difference both physically and mentally. It's always been my therapy so anytime something is going wrong with my health or in my personal life I just go play a game and forget about it.

“After I had a few major health scares since 2018 bowls has been a massive lifeline. I initially thought I was probably going to have to give up playing, but instead I persevered and figured out ways to still compete at a high level regardless of my conditions.

“After getting involved in the para side of things I was able to learn a little bit more which again I took back and used to adapt to my game so I can continue playing.”

Q5. What would you say to someone with a disability who hasn’t tried bowls yet but is thinking about giving it a go?

RN: “Do it! It's like everything else you won't know until you try it. Bowls is such an inclusive sport and extremely social. If you have a disability don't let that stop you.

“If the Commonwealth Games show us anything, it shows those with all kinds of disabilities can represent our country on a massive stage.”

Q6. What has been your greatest achievement in bowls so far?

RN: “The biggest achievement is always getting to represent your country on home soil or abroad. However, my biggest personal achievement is probably winning my club championship two years running.

“I've won para national titles and those are incredibly hard to do but winning my club championship not just once but twice helped me prove to myself I still have the ability to compete with extremely talented players regardless of my struggles.”

If you’ve been inspired by Ross’ story, you can find your local bowling club using our Club Finder Map. Coloured pins denote our Try Bowls and BowlsMark clubs which both offer open and inclusive events and opportunities to try the sport throughout the season.