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WOMEN'S OVER 50'S TRIPLES CHAMPION LIZ GILHAM REFLECTS ON 25 YEARS PLAYING BOWLS |
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Liz, a keen sportswoman who competed in athletics, tennis, hockey
and netball at school, had turned to village darts when her two
daughters were young. "I became interested in the game of bowls as the Mum of one of our team happened to play bowls at Milton Regis BC," she recalled. "When I moved back to Sittingbourne I tried to join the club but was led to believe that I would have to wait until someone left (or died) before I had a chance of becoming a member. I was absolutely delighted when I heard that an indoor club was to be built. I will never forget the first time I went to see the inside of the building and found out what I needed to become a bowler. I was taken onto the green in borrowed shoes and bowls and was given a demonstration of how to play. The instructions were to hold the bowl in the palm of the hand and make sure the little circle on the bowl goes on the inside and the big circle on the outside, stand on the mat, look at the number on the next rink and bowl towards it. After about ten minutes he simply told me the rest is down to me, if I want to improve then I have to practice and play in club matches. I thought this was great advice and now that's what I say to new bowlers. I wish I had known more about bowls clubs in the area as I probably would have started bowling earlier and not waited until I was 51." The new indoor facility in Kent attracted plenty of quality players, and Liz believes their experience helped improve her game: "I feel very privileged to have had their help as they gave me the chance to play with them in nationals and county matches. What impressed me most was our opening day and everyone, including new bowlers, had the opportunity to play a few ends against some invited well known bowlers. It was an eye opener just to see how the game was played by such skilled players." Less appealing for Liz was the uniform. "I wasn't impressed with the awful grey skirt I had to wear, especially as it was so long, trousers were not worn by ladies then," she said. "The strange thing about my bowling was I had this awful habit as I delivered my bowl. I would grab my skirt in my other hand and pull it higher and higher up my leg. This was quite embarrassing at times and also took quite a long time to deliver my bowls. I would often have the men shout out "In your own time, Liz". I still take a long time now! "When I joined Milton Regis we had a navy blue skirt which was a lot nicer. The thing I hated about outdoor was playing in the pouring rain; I always said I looked like a condom in my long white waterproof coat and hat, not a pretty sight! Unfortunately I no longer play outdoors but I had some great years playing for Milton Regis and managed to win my County badge and The National Travelsphere Top Club, now known as just The Top Club." The variety of the games on offer is one of the many things Liz loves about bowls. "At Swale we have daytime and evening leagues, Aussie pairs, Scroungers, bowls drives, bowl and lunch, Saturday morning club, Kent League and friendlies. There is something for everyone and all ages, which is great. I love the representative games, for example, the Yetton, Top Club and Egham. Most players that enter these games are very competitive so it becomes really exciting as the game goes on. I am also a very good spectator and supporter, I am quite happy to sit and watch bowls at all the top games. "I always look forward to starting again in October. Everyone returns after the summer and the buzz is back along with the new expectations of hopefully winning and maybe doing better than last year. I know eventually I will lose the motivation to play the amount of bowls I play now and the realisation that I can no longer play to the standard I would like. But that's okay because I have had the best time ever with the bowlers at Swale. Hopefully there are a few more times yet. I have always enjoyed playing against different people at different clubs. It's always a challenge on other greens. "Having been a bowler now for 25 years I have made many good friends and sadly lost many good friends, not only at Swale but all over the county. No matter what has happened someone will be there to help and encourage you. I think there is something special about bowlers as they are naturally kind people who seem to have time for each other. Several times I have needed support and my friends at the club have been there for me and helped me get through bad times and encouraged me back to bowling when I really didn't want to. You are never on your own when you join a bowls club." What are Liz's greatest achievements? 1. The first time I won the Ladies Club Championship in 2002/3. I had managed to get to the final the two previous years but lost, due mainly to nerves and not understanding how to read the head properly but mostly my opponent playing better than me. On the third attempt I won and I felt so proud. There were no nerves this time and I managed to concentrate and block everything out. 2. Winning the National Top Club Trophy in 2010 when the tournament was played over the weekend at Torbay in Devon, the competition was actually played in the hotel complex where we stayed. It was such a fantastic time and I enjoyed the camaraderie of all the players from around the country, not just our team players. 3. My latest and probably greatest achievement which is the National Over 50 Women's Triples title played at Nottingham in March 2024. This was very special for me as I was lucky to be playing with Sandy Hazell and Wendy King, not just brilliant world class bowlers but my friends, that was why it means so much to me. We had a WhatsApp group where we would communicate with each other and it was Sandy who named it "The Junior Triples". We even had different names for eachother; I was Mavis! The weekend was absolutely fantastic; each game was good bowls and played in good spirit. My main aim is to get to Nottingham again: I would love to win one more time." Sian Honnor. We' d love to know what bowls means to you, get in touch at info@eiba.co.uk Previous Article - Interview with Aaron Johnson |
November 2024
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