Julie Forrest wins 2025 Scottish Sportswoman of the Year Award
Congratulations to Julie Forrest on winning the 2025 Scottish Sportswoman of the Year award at the annual Scottish Women in Sport awards night held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on Friday 21st November.
Winning her third World Indoor Ladies Matchplay Singles title in January 2025, Julie’s triumph capped off not just an incredible 12 months on the green, but a career which has spanned over 30 years of competing and winning at the highest level. Since as far back as 1988 Julie has won multiple national titles, British Isles titles, World Indoor Championships titles and World Bowls Championships medals as well as representing Scotland at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Cementing her place as one of the most successful female bowlers ever, Julie’s third World Indoor Ladies Matchplay Singles win earlier this year saw her join England’s Carol Ashby and Ellen Falkner MBE as three-time champions – only Katherine Rednall has won the title on more occasions. Julie is Scotland’s second most capped ladies’ international player indoors behind only Margaret Letham, amassing an incredible 81 caps so far since making her debut in 1993. The legendary athlete from the Scottish Borders has also won an astounding 10 ladies national indoor singles titles, putting her far ahead of any of her competitors in the record books.
In recent years, Julie has taken on the role of Scotland’s under 18 international team manager at both the indoor and outdoor games, using her knowledge and experience to help nurture the next generation of stars. Of course, like everything else she does, Julie has brought undoubted success to the role, with Scotland winning both the indoor and outdoor British Isles series during her time as manager.
Following on from winning the 2025 Scottish Sportswoman of the Year award, we spoke to Julie in more detail about her bowls career. Read the full Q&A below:
Q1. How did it feel to win the Scottish Women in Sport 2025 Scottish Sportswoman of the Year award?
JF: “A massive shock. I did not start bowling with a view to winning national titles and more.
“For much of my career I have been largely unknown out with the bowling world. Even at home in Hawick, and again outside the bowling fraternity, I would say that it is only in the last five to six years since my World Indoor Ladies Matchplay Singles successes that are televised on the BBC, that there has been increased recognition. That is not a complaint. In fact, it has helped me keep my feet on the ground. So even to be nominated for such an award was a bolt from the blue.
“The awards dinner fell right on top of the Scottish singles finals weekend so although when the invite came through, I still had to qualify so the singles had to be a priority, so the award was always put to the back of my mind. When I qualified for the finals weekend, there was then some logistical issues to sort out.
“I kind of arrived at the dinner having not thought about it. So, when it was announced that I had won I nearly fell off my seat. I have still not had time to process it as it was straight to bed after the dinner and up and off to Stirling the next morning to bowl in the semi finals of the Scottish singles.”
Q2. How do you reflect on becoming a three-time World Indoor Ladies Matchplay Singles champion in January 2025?
JF: “In five of the last six years I have won either the ladies singles or mixed pairs at the World Indoor Championships at Potters. However, I had been going for about 15 or so years before that, so my initial reflection is that my perseverance and resilience finally paid off. That makes each one so special.
“It was also great to be able to share it with my daughter Alex, who has become a Potters fixture over last two to three years, and my sister Susan. It was probably the first time she has travelled with me. She must have enjoyed it though as she is coming back.
“Has it sunk in yet? The answer is yes. I do not dwell too much on titles as you are all too soon onto the next match. Having said that, if and when I do reflect on my bowling career, I sometimes have to pinch myself. It is more than I could ever have imagined, including titles, travel and friendships.”
Q3. You have competed at the highest level in the sport for over 30 years. What has been the secret behind your longevity?
JF: “I suppose that it is life balance. I was 37 when my daughter was born and my husband Derek and I agreed that I stop playing outdoors. We had waited a long time for Alex to come along and while I wanted to continue bowling, I didn’t want to be an absent mum which could easily have been the case.
“It seems to have been a good decision. My career before Alex was two Scottish singles titles and three World titles. Since her birth I have managed to add a further 10 Scottish titles and 11 World titles.
“As bowls became less import in my life, I won more. Maybe I became more relaxed.”
Q4. What is it that motivates you to continue to compete at the highest level?
JF: “As important as bowls is, I suppose that for large parts of my life I don’t think about bowling at all. I work part-time, have a large garden to maintain, have an exercise regime to try and maintain my body, I try to spend time with family and friends and squeeze in the odd holiday if I can.
“I do not start the season with targets of winning specific titles. I know my bowling calendar and try to ensure that I have done enough to be at a certain standard at the right times. Of course, I want to win tournaments when play starts, but my main motivation is not to let myself down by playing below the level I can play at. I am not afraid of losing, in fact I have learnt more in defeat than I ever have in winning, but I do not like to underperform.
“In some ways my bowling career has taken on a life of its own.”
Q5. How supportive have your family been throughout your career in helping you achieve your dreams?
JF: “My mum and dad were the reason I started bowling. As a bored teenager I followed them along to the bowling club and picked up a set of bowls. They have followed me all over at all levels. One of my greatest thrills was winning the Scottish triples with my mum and Joyce Dickey.
“I mentioned my daughter Alex above and although she does not bowl, she does like a good celebration, a bit too much sometimes. I did not want to push her into bowls just because I played, but it has been great to able to share some of my wins with her over the last couple of years.
“Finally, my husband Derek. He is not a bowler and certainly does not follow me to tournaments. I have already said that we agreed that I stop playing outdoor bowls but continue playing indoor. When Alex was young, that was only possible because of him. Our decision allowed me the freedom to grasp every opportunity that came my way.
“He sees his role as keeping my feet on the ground, which he has an uncanny knack for. He is also not slow to remind me that his brownie point drawer is full and overflowing. He is retiring next year and has a large bucket list. He has told me to be prepared.”
Q6. In recent years you have taken on the role of Bowls Scotland U18 Pathway Lead. Why is this important to you and what do you enjoy most about the role?
JF: “It has always been my intention to somehow try to put something back into the sport. Now that Alex is older and I do not play in the summer I have some more time available.
“I am delighted to able to lead the under 18’s and support the under 25’s Pathway Lead, Colin Noon. Scotland is one of the World’s top bowling nations and we have an obligation to keep it there. The only way to do that is to invest in our youth.
“I have enjoyed watching our youngsters develop. Their confidence has grown, and they are very supportive of each other. We are lucky enough to keep producing talented young bowlers and we need to give them the opportunity to maximise their promise. Our motto is ‘Team First’.”
Q7. With the spotlight set to shine on bowls during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, what would you say to encourage other women and girls that might be interested in trying bowls?
JF: “Firstly, bowling is a very sociable sport at club level. Although I have a lot of success in singles, it is first and foremost a team sport. From the start you will meet people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is fun, and if fun is all you ever get from bowls then what could be better?
“With practice and determination there is scope to improve and test yourself against your regions and the country’s best. Qualification from club championships can lead to national championships in a number of events. Success in the above can lead to international selections and beyond.
“Give it a try, you never know!”
Q8. Finally, what does the future in bowls hold for Julie Forrest?
JF: “I’m 57 years’ young, but I know that this will not go on forever. As I mentioned earlier, I do not really set goals each season. Equally, I have no real fixed plan for the future of my bowling career.
“At this point I have the Ladies World Matchplay at Potters in January to look forward to. Beyond that, who knows.
“I would like to keep working with our young players. It is not so much about coaching them how to play, but helping in shot selection, game management and general confidence building. It has become as important for me to help them reach their goals than it is for me to keep winning.”
A huge thanks to Julie for taking time out of her busy schedule to share more details about her bowls journey. Over 15,000 women and girls currently participate in bowls throughout Scotland, if you are keen to get involved find your nearest club here: https://www.bowlsscotland.com/club-finder
Sadly, both Sarah Gourlay and Mary Wilson missed out on winning the Pioneer in Sport and Contribution to Para Sport awards respectively. However, we are still immensely proud of both women’s achievements being recognised at such a prestigious awards evening.