Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week 2024 - Laura Cluxton
As part of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week 2024, we are profiling a number of inspirational females that we are fortunate to have involved in bowls. Next up is Scottish para international player, Laura Cluxton.
Laura is relatively new to bowls, having only taken up outdoor bowls in 2022 at Alloa East End Bowling Club. Despite her inexperience, Laura has already demonstrated immense talent and made her international debut in May 2024 as Scotland triumphed over Ireland in a two-day test match.
However, Laura’s debut in bowls was not her first appearance for Scotland on the international stage as she is a former paracyclist, who has competed at many major events, including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This competitive sports background will undoubtedly aid Laura’s development in bowls in the coming years.
We spoke to Laura to find out more about her sports journey. Read the full Q&A below.
Q1. When and how did your bowls journey begin?
LC: “I began playing indoor at the beginning of 2020, it was short lived unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bowling was off and on until the pandemic was over. My first season at Alloa East End Bowling Club was 2022. I got into bowling after I met Ron McArthur in 2014 and he has been asking me to play ever since. When I retired from cycling I decided to give it a go.”
Q2. What’s your favourite thing about bowls?
LC: “My favourite thing about bowling is there are lots of opportunities to take part at club level and also in the visually impaired side of things. It is a really well integrated sport and it is great I can play with mainstream players as well as visually impaired. I also really enjoy the fact that my husband is able to play too so it feels like a family sport.”
Q3. Can you tell us more about your sports background before you took up bowls?
LC: “From 2013 to 2019 I was a tandem paracyclist and I was part of Team Scotland for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. I also competed at World Cup's both on the track and road and at national events too.”
Q4. You were part of the Scotland team that overcame Ireland in a test match in May 2024. How did it feel to be part of this event and make your international debut?
LC: “I was absolutely delighted to be selected for this event. I felt really proud to represent Scotland. I really enjoy that level of competition and it seems to bring out the best in me on the bowling green. I was stunned to be picked since I am new to the sport and feel I still have a lot to learn.”
Q5. What would you say to encourage other women and girls that may be interested in trying bowls?
LC: “They should just give it a go! There are plenty of opportunities to go to a try bowls day and there are many bowling clubs that you can go to. It is very accessible – clubs have their own bowls for you to use, all you need is comfortable clothes and trainers. Bowls clubs in my experience are very welcoming and encouraging.”
Q6. Do you have any ambitions that you would like to achieve in the future?
LC: “I would like to continue to improve and have the opportunity to be part of the Scottish team in the future. If the Commonwealth Games are coming to Glasgow next time round it would be great to be back there in a different sport. All I need to do is keep practicing and who knows!”
A huge thanks to Laura for taking time out of her busy schedule to share more details about her sports background. Over 16,000 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