British Isles Championships 2024- Gents Singles Preview
We have arrived at the week of the 2024 British Isles championships, which will see Scottish champions compete across 14 different disciplines to test their might against their fellow national championship winners. We have been speaking with all the players and teams prior to the event, to get some insight into their feelings ahead of such an occasion, as well as looking at their journey to Leamington Spa. We also sought some insight on the bowlers, by asking them to pick between one of TVs most divisive duos.
Our gents singles representative is Alastair White, who plays his bowls from Jedburgh BC, which is situated in the Borders of Scotland. Alastair is a two-time Scottish singles champion, first winning the title in 2012, before last year’s triumph.
His father, Roy White, who also lifted the Scottish singles title in 1973, was the man who introduced Ally into the game. Alastair would watch his father play, when he was young, before finally taking to the green himself at 12 years of age.
Alastair recalled the tough route to the national championships last year, saying that there were no easy games in the district. He explained that when he arrived at Northfield, it was no easier, and these tribulations were typified by his first-round encounter, where he saw his opponent lying game, with Alastair only having one bowl to play. He managed to turn it around however, and kicked the wheels into motion, for what was a fantastic run of games.
Ahead of the British Isles, Alastair expressed his excitement for the week ahead:
“I am very much looking forward to the championships, and the chance to meet and catch up with fellow bowlers too.”
Alastair’s comments highlight that bowls is much more than a sport and can also act as a fantastic social network!
I spoke further with Alastair about his father Roy’s past success, as it marks half a century since he represented Scotland at the British Isles championships. Alastair said that bringing home the gold on such an occasion would make the win “even more special.”
White’s favourite bowler is Alex Marshall, who Alastair has played both with and against over the years. He also opted for the taller of the Geordie duo, choosing Ant over Dec.
Alastair will be in action in the second session of day one in Leamington (26th June, 13:30), where he will square off with England’s Lewis King in the semi-finals.