2025 Time to Talk Day: Steve Key Q&A
Bowls is a sport that champions friendship and community togetherness whilst promoting physical activity in the outdoors. To mark 2025 Time to Talk day we spoke to Steve Key from Inchture BC in Perth for a Q&A about the difference bowls makes to his mental as well as physical health. We last profiled Steve and the club as part of our Return to the Green series in 2021, a story which showed the community spirit of bowls, with family, friends and members fundraising to provide Steve with his bowling wheelchair.
We last profiled Steve and the club as part of our Return to the Green series in 2021, a story which showed the community spirit of bowls, with family, friends and members fundraising to provide Steve with his bowling wheelchair.
Since then, Steve has continued to find success on the bowling green, making his Scotland debut in 2024 in the Test Match against Ireland at the National Centre for Bowling. Steve played an integral role in the team’s success, helping Scotland to secure a convincing victory by winning all of his individual matches. We spoke to him to find out more about his passion for the sport:
Q: Since we spoke in 2021 what have been your bowling highlights?
A: “Obviously being selected to represent Scotland against Ireland in 2024 was a huge highlight for me to compete at International level. Other memorable moments from my bowling career include... Inchture Bowling Club Championship in 2022. Winning the Perthshire Disability Sports wheelchair singles in 2021, ‘22 and ‘24. The National wheelchair Championship in 2023 and ‘24. (2022 was unfortunately rained off.) Perthshire 4’s in 2023. Also, several internal and external competitions. I also had the honour of being club president at Inchture.”
Q: How did it feel to make your International Debut against Ireland in 2024?
A: “I was very Honoured to be selected for the Test against Ireland. I thoroughly enjoyed the Team dynamics amongst the Scotland Para players, coaches and support team and the whole experience was something I won’t forget.”
Q: Why is bowling important to you?
A: “The best thing about Bowls is it’s an all-inclusive sport and you can play at any level as an equal. I try and play as much as possible to try and stay at the sharp end of the game and keep myself active. I find that clubs are always welcoming and happy for me to play in my wheelchair, at my own club my fellow members are always encouraging and supportive.”
Q: In 2024, Bowls Scotland introduced an open podium pathway for all bowlers in Scotland... Did you find these events to be beneficial and inclusive?
A: “I personally found the podium pathway events interesting. They allow you to visit greens you would not usually get to play on. It should be promoted. It should open up the opportunity for people to experience our sport at the top end. It certainly in my opinion has shown para sport to be highly competitive.”
Q: Have you set yourself any targets for the 2025 season?
A: “My aim for 2025 is definitely to get selected more often to get more internationals under my belt. I am highly committed to achieve a higher level.”
Steve has recently been shortlisted as a finalist in the Disability Sports Personality of the Year category of the 2024 Perth and Kinross Sports Awards which take place next month thanks to his achievements over the last year. Bowls Scotland wish Steve all the best for the awards and the 2025 season and look forward to seeing what comes next in his impressive competitive career.
Stuart Chesby, Bowls Scotland Disability Development Officer said:
“It was great to see Steve debut at International level last season, and I am delighted to hear about the positive experiences he has had and continues to have within our sport as a person with a disability. Steve's story highlights that the relationships formed through bowls can support our mental health as well as the more obvious benefits of the physical activity of the game. It is great to see a bowler being shortlisted in regional sports awards, and all of us at Bowls Scotland wish Steve the very best for the awards night in March,”
Stuart’s role focusses on increasing opportunities for players with a disability to participate in bowls and providing accessible environments for this, if you or your club need support in these areas, please contact Stuart via: stuartchesby@bowlsscotland.com