 |
The EIBA is pleased to acknowledge the following Official Partners & Suppliers
-(003).png){kind=logo}
|
PUTTING IN THE HOURS ON THE GREEN IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS FOR TOM HOLMES |
|
"Switching clubs and counties to
try and chase success has meant that I've been fortunate fortunately
represented my country three times at junior level outdoors this
year I made my debut indoors. "I haven't enjoyed playing as much as I am right now and making the move to Solihull IBC and Cheltenham BC has been brilliant; both have an extremely competitive nature and a really good group of people to be around which has made the whole bowls experience much more enjoyable." Alongside older brother Dan, Tom has won family pairs titles both indoors and in 2023 was crowned Bowls England Men's Junior champion. "It feels like my game started to come together a lot more since Covid and I've had more confidence in myself since then. "My first successful indoor series last weekend was unbelievable, I cannot put into words how I felt coming away; I'm still bouncing off of the walls now! Having participated in junior international bowls since 2017 and not ever managing to get my hands on a series win, you start to wonder if you will ever manage to get over the line. "We started off extremely strong in all three of the games across the board which gave us the instant belief that we have the side to do it. I don't feel like that's something you can judge until you play those first few ends, especially in the juniors where new caps are always coming through into the teams." Tom said the team believed that the Scotland game was 'the real dealbreaker' of the series: "They have been so dominant for the past four years and having lost a large portion of their team from last year we knew it was a really good chance to try and get one back on them. Seventeen ends into the game into the game we were ahead in a razor close game, across the rinks we picked up 14 shots this end consisting of a 7,6 and a 1 which gave us so much momentum and control. "From there it was just game management and making sure we didn't do anything silly. "After a really strong final game against Ireland, I'd just finished signing the card from our game as the final rink was just finishing. As soon as they started shaking hands, I just lost it and started sprinting up the green in joy to go and celebrate with the lads. It is hands down the best ever feeling I have experienced on a bowls green. "I can't speak highly enough of our side's morale and attitude in Northampton. I was made up when Aaron asked me to come and lift the trophy with him at the end having been the captain the previous year, he's an absolute gentleman and deserves all of the respect in the world."  Tom was just seven when he first picked up a bowl, following in the footsteps of brother Dan and their grandfather Don Pugh: "He spent an awful lot of time taking us to games and coaching when we were younger, he was a qualified coach and umpired at Worthing many times so we had a lot to learn from him and owe a lot of our success to him. "As time went on, I became more and more competitive so it was easy for me to stay in the sport, though I don't feel I had the natural ability to play and I've put in a lot of hours within the weeks to maintain the level I'm at. "I believe it first started to click was when I was about 12/13, when I made the Middleton cup side in Herefordshire for the first time and gained experience against other counties at that level. As a young player people are extremely nice and quick to complement you which encouraged me to carry on doing what I was doing." The first taste of success at national level came Tom was 15 in the Sutton Winson U18 tournament at Leamington. "Coming from Herefordshire, I wasn't really exposed to that many other younger players and didn't really understand the stature of the nationals at the time." he recalled. "I was unaware of a lot of the opposition that was in the competition at the time who if you were to look back now, have been successful in their own right. "What I love most about bowls is playing at the absolute highest level I can is what I strive to do as often as possible - fingers crossed that level keeps increasing!" Next for Tom is the Men's International Series in Wales next month: "I was over the moon to get a reserve spot in the side this year so I look forward to supporting the guys in that and have no doubt they'll bring the trophy back to England again! "I was 15 when I represented England for the first time in an U18 series outdoors, I was extremely nervous and to be honest didn't play very well at all from what I remember but it was a sniff of something else that there was to play for. "The feeling of pulling on the shirt and walking onto the green with so many people watching is an incredible feeling. The raw passion from players across the countries shows what it means to everybody. For me the best thing about it is that you are not just playing for yourself, you're playing for the pride of your nation. Every bowl has to be played with conviction and that is why you see people celebrate the way that they do! "All of the guys, past and present, that have represented our country at the elite level are worth looking up to. The way they handle themselves on the green and the ability they have is something I aspire to, I can only hope to achieve some of what our best players have over the years." Sian Honnor. We' d love to know what bowls means to you, get in touch at info@eiba.co.uk Previous Article - Interview with Millie Tuck; EIBA Women's U25 SIngles winner this season |
February 2025
 |
Archives |
Accessibility |
Downloads |
Guidance Notes |
Links |
Photos |
Contact Us |
Privacy Notice
 |