DC Q&A Morag Robertson
As part of our ongoing commitment to heighten awareness of the good work being done by volunteers, we have reached out to our District Co-ordinators (DCs) and District Youth Co-ordinators (DYCs) to find out more about these roles and the dedicated volunteers who carry out this crucial role.
We spoke to Ladybank BC’s Morag Robertson, DC for District 7 Ladies to find out more about her volunteering journey in bowls.
Q) Describe your role as District Co-ordinator?
A) As District 7 Ladies Co-ordinator I am responsible for arranging venues and greens for District Playoffs for National Finals at Ayr. I also work alongside Clubs organising games and ensuring that everything (hopefully) runs smoothly. I also am available to help Clubs with any issues they may have during year and be there to support them whenever I can with anything they wish and will help, as much as I can.
Q) Why did you decide to become a DC and how long have you been in the role?
A) I have played bowls since I was 14years old and bowls is a big part of not only my life but my families. I played with Junior Internationals for 3 years, I have played at National Finals a few times and have enjoyed watching Nationals Finals at Ayr for many years and have always had that thought at back of my mind that “I’d like to be part of making this happen.” I have been Secretary of my local Club for a few years and involved with other Associations and after being asked to apply for District Secretary role that I would like to give it a go. I became Secretary for District 7 in 2019 but with Covid, 2022 was my first time at Ayr as a District Co-ordinator and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of it.
Q) What do you like best about your role?
A) I enjoy being able to help the Clubs where I can, meeting other Co-ordinators and learning from them. Bowls is a great “family sport” and it’s great to see young and old playing together in the various competitions. I also enjoy being able to help Clubs out, where I can and giving them help and support through the knowledge and skills I have picked up over the years. It’s great to be able to put that to use helping others.
Q) What advice would you give to somebody considering volunteering for their club (or for Bowls Scotland?)
A) Give it a go – Bowls is a great sport and it’s a social sport, where you can meet so many people from different Clubs, making new friends along the way. Giving some of your time to your Club is something that I think is essential, taking the time to put something back into your Club can be rewarding for you and help keep Club going.
I volunteered at National Finals in 2022 and it was great working alongside other volunteers, meeting and chatting to them about why they play bowls and why they volunteered was so great. Also chatting to people as they were coming in and going out of event, it was great to see the smiles and feeling of pride of the players at reaching this stage, even if they got beat, they were still proud to have reached actually “playing at Ayr.”
Q) What is your favourite thing about bowls?
A) Taking part, being part of the team, Bowls is such a levelling sport. I love playing bowls because it’s game I can play competitively or for fun. I enjoy playing with my family (it’s always competitive), there are currently 4 generations of my family playing at my Club and I have great nephews now playing and it’s great to see how keen they are and their competitiveness. Bowls is a game; you can start young and continue playing to a grand old age – what more could you ask for!
Huge thanks to Morag for taking the time to give answers for this Q&A. As Morag highlights, bowls is a brilliant sport for the whole family to play together with no barriers to young or old, if Morag’s words have inspired you to have a go at bowls, our Club Finder Map is a great way to find your local bowling club.
Bowls Scotland are currently recruiting DYCs in certain districts, find out more here or contact our Coach and Volunteer Manager, Adam Martin via adammartin@bowlsscotland.com