Holly Hamilton and Alan McDonald appointed as National Development Officers

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Holly Hamilton and Alan McDonald as Bowls Scotland’s new National Development Officers.

Holly will take up the NDO West position, supporting clubs in Argyll & Bute, Dumfries & Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, and West Dunbartonshire. Holly currently supports a volunteer sports development group in Ayr with a focus on youth engagement. A talented curler, Holly is also on the British Curling Olympic Pathway Programme and a Scottish Institute of Sport supported athlete.

Alan will take up the NDO East position, supporting clubs in Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Stirling, and West Lothian. Alan is a qualified Level 1 bowls coach and match convener at his bowling club, Balgay, in Dundee. He has also supported disability and inclusion opportunities throughout Perth and Kinross, including Boccia and Short Mat Bowls. Bowls has been a huge part of Alan’s up bringing having started playing at 11 years of age.

In their roles as National Development Officers, Holly and Alan will work alongside our existing NDO, Stuart Bell, to help clubs to ensure they are as efficient as they can be in their day to day running. As a team they can support member clubs with club management, resources, good practice examples as well as the efficient implementation of our national development programmes, Try Bowls and BowlsMark.

Business Operations Manager, Sarah Pryde-Smith, said: “I am delighted to welcome Holly and Alan to the Bowls Scotland team. Both Holly and Alan bring different experiences and expertise to the development team, and I am confident they will make a positive impact. 

“Our clubs are at the heart of everything we do, and with our new strategy under development and the addition of Try Bowls Activators, the support members can access continues to grow and develop.  

“I would encourage clubs to get in touch, say hello, and see what support Stuart, Holly and Alan can provide you with.”