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MILLIE TUCK MAKES HER MARK ON INDOOR GAME |
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Drawing upon the confidence she
gained from her outdoor season to the indoor surface, Millie played
three games in her area to qualify for the indoor U25 Singles finals
that were being held at her home club, Dolphin IBC. "This was a big goal of mine as I had never qualified in the indoor U25 singles before," she said. "During the finals, I had three tough games, including a tie break in the semi-final and playing my best friend Ellie Johnson in the final. It feels like the practice and training that I have put into the sport has started to pay off, alongside the dedication of Sid and Joy Steele growing up in Blandford junior section from the age of seven, as well as Penny Cresswell and Julie Leake's guidance when I joined Dorset Youth Academy and progressed into county teams and began getting England trials. "Winning was definitely another moment for the memory book that was made extra special by having my grandparents, my mum and lots of support from friends and club mates. I felt more nervous for this weekend than any other bowls match. I definitely felt much more pressure to do well both due to playing on my home green as well as winning the outdoor event. Having the champion of champions alongside the U25 singles meant I got to watch and learn from some of the 'senior' more experienced players and it was incredible that the final was contested by two U25 players who I know well. "Doing the double was an unreal feeling that will be hard to beat." Millie described the Women's Junior International Series last weekend as "one of the best moments" of her international career so far. "I was most looking forward to skipping a rink for the first time, I feel like I have really developed in this position for the last few years both indoor and out," she said. "This is because I have had the opportunity to skip at club and county level where we have managed to get to the final stages of the indoor Yetton and Atherley events. I felt ready to bring these skills onto the international stage. We are such a close group; I was really looking forward to playing alongside some close friends and to bring the trophy home! "After some tough games but convincing wins against Wales and Ireland, it all came down to our game against Scotland on Sunday morning. After our team talk with Lorraine, Sandy and Kirsty and wise words from Chloe, we had lots of positives to take into Sunday's games alongside increasing the intensity. We wanted to come out of the blocks strong and get ahead of the Scottish team.  "We were successful at doing this, finding ourselves 11 up at four ends and 16 up at nine. However, Scotland fought back at us and led by one on the 15th end. We were prepared for this and continued to support each other and recognise good bowls across rinks. We kept pushing and by the 18th end we scored 18 shots to Scotland's five, putting ourselves 11 ahead." When her rink was two ends behind the rest against Beth Riva, Millie prepared herself and her team to be the last rink standing. "Scotland fought back at us again, putting us four ahead going into my rink's last two ends," she recalled. "My rink kept ourselves calm under pressure, taking away Scotland's five to lay one on the 20th end. Scotland needed six on the last end to win the game, so we managed the game accordingly and tried our best to match their bowls. After a great last attempt from Beth, Scotland scored four on the last end and we were crowned champions. It was the best feeling to regain the title after the last few years, and one I want to continue doing for my next years. The celebrations definitely lasted all day!" Millie's dream is to make the senior international team and win a senior national title: "I also want to continue to play in both U25 international teams and try to win the U25 singles again. "I have always been a competitive person so when I began entering county and national competitions I was pulled in by the competitive nature of the game. I love how you can have close and hard games against players of all ages and that age doesn't define your level in the sport. I love that you can share the sport with family, whether that is playing alongside my nan, my grandad and mum coming to watch or the support from the rest of my family from afar. I love the tight-knit nature of the sport. "My county, Dorset, have always been very helpful and supportive towards my goals and aspirations. I have also developed lots of very close friendships in bowls, which I will cherish forever. Finally, I love playing at a high level and I am proud to pull the England shirt on and play for my country." Sian Honnor. We' d love to know what bowls means to you, get in touch at info@eiba.co.uk Previous Article - Interview with Lorraine Kuhler, England Women's U25 International Manager |
February 2025
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