Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week - Emma MacLeod Q&A

To mark Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week 2025, we are profiling Emma MacLeod from Dumbarton Bowling Club as one of the inspirational females we are fortunate to have involved in our sport.

Emma grew up around the bowling club watching her father and grandfather play and soon began bowling herself at the age of 14. Her dedication and commitment ensured she continued to progress as one of the most talented young female players in Dunbartonshire.

Since then, the Dumbarton Bowling Club player has progressed through the international ranks from making her under 25 debut in 2014 and then gaining her first senior international cap in 2017. In the last two Bowls Europe Championships, Emma has impressively picked up medals in all four singles, pairs, triples and fours disciplines. She also won a bronze medal in the women’s pairs alongside Claire Anderson at the 2023 World Bowls Championships in Australia.

The 2025 season came with a new challenge for Emma as she is expecting a new addition to her family and has continued to bowl throughout her pregnancy. Continuing to compete at the highest level has provided Emma with a familiar routine, regular exercise and connection with friends. Emma represented Scotland in the British Bowls Internationals in Wales in June and claimed the Bowls Scotland Ladies Singles title at the beginning of August. The match was live streamed to thousands of viewers on the BBC Sport website – some incredible memories to share with baby once they grow up!

We spoke to Emma to find out more about her bowls journey so far. Read the full Q&A below:

Q1. When and how did your bowls journey begin?

EM: “Bowls has always been a part of my life. From an early age I remember being around bowling clubs to watch my dad and pappy play.

“At around age 14 I attended Dumbarton Bowling Club to try bowls for myself with their junior section, they already had some young girls playing which made giving it a go easier. Dumbarton Bowling Club’s junior section is still thriving today thanks to some of its volunteer members.”

Q2. What’s your favourite thing about bowls?

EM: “My favourite thing about bowls is the people you meet and the places you visit. I’ve been fortunate in the experiences I’ve shared with bowlers locally and internationally making some great friendships and memories along the way. It’s always exciting when representing Scotland to see how our sport is played around the world.”

Q3. How did it feel to win the 2025 Bowls Scotland Ladies Singles?

EM: “Honestly, absolutely delighted! When I found out I was pregnant in January, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be and just set myself a target of trying to play as long as I possibly could as a way of keeping fit and staying in touch with everyone.

“Since I was keeping well, I decided to give the Scottish singles a go. I was delighted when I managed to qualify out of my district, so to go the whole way was even more of a shock, but I’m absolutely thrilled to get an outdoor national title under my belt.”

Q4. How have you found competing at the top level of the sport during your pregnancy?

EM: “It has been an interesting and valuable experience. I’ve really had to listen to my body and have rest days when needed, whether that be physical or mental rest. I feel continuing to bowl has also been good for my pregnancy helping me keep fit and keep in touch with friends.”

Q5. What does the sport need to do to support working women and mums like yourself to participate?

EM: “In terms of the sport supporting working women to participate, I think there needs to be more opportunity to play at nights and weekends.

“I’m fortunate enough to be in the high performance set up to see where the game can take you. If I didn’t have that then all I’d really be able to play in is my club ties and district qualifiers for Northfield.

“Unfortunately, county/West of Scotland competitions play during the day, and I can’t afford all that time off work.”

Q6. Do you have any ambitions that you would like to achieve in the future?

EM: “I’d love the opportunity to continue to represent my country at a high level, whether it be internationally or at world events such as the Commonwealth Games.

“Most of all I want to continue to enjoy the support I love for years to come.”

A huge thank you to Emma for taking time out of her busy schedule to share more details about her bowls journey. We wish her and her family the best of luck in welcoming their little boy into the world later this month.

Over 13,000 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