Meet Sara Nicholls, one of the first women qualifiers for the open pairs
Sara Nicholls wants to prove that women can compete against men when she lines up in the world open pairs at Potters today (Friday) (writes Sian Honnor).
In just her second year of playing in PBA qualifying events she hit the jackpot with partner Ross Owen when they won through the Newport IBC event in October. She is one of the first women qualifiers for the event.
“I’m delighted, it’s an achievement I’m incredibly proud of,” Sara said.
“After watching the World Indoor Championships at Potters on TV for many years, I am now excited to be a part of it all. I am looking forward to competing against many of the top players on the biggest stage. Although Ross has played there previously, we are both looking forward to playing together at these championships and I’d like to hopefully proving that women can compete.”
Sara’s achievement is even more remarkable as she has only been bowling indoors for two years.
Having first stepped onto the green at the age of ten thanks to her grandfather, she’s always loved the outdoor game.
“My grandad did a lot in Carmarthenshire to get the younger element into the game at that time and it encouraged me to take up the sport with a lot of my mates from school playing also,” Sara recalled.
“I have always loved playing lawn bowls, ever since I was little. Grandad was always my role model, not only for his skills and what he taught me, but also for his sportsmanship and generosity. He always encouraged me to practice, learn, and improve. He was my biggest supporter.
“Another person who inspires me is Anwen Butten. She has achieved remarkable success in the world of bowls, winning many medals and awards. She showed me that I have a lot of potential in my lawn bowls career. She motivated me to aim higher, work harder, and be more confident on the green.”
Early success for Sara came when she won the club women’s singles at her outdoor club Llandeilo Bowls Club, where she has been a member for 24 years.
Her current indoor club is Llanelli IBC where this season, Sara has enjoyed taking part in the Welsh men’s Saturday championship league as women have been allowed to enter for the first time.
Sara said: “I love how bowls is very inclusive and has helped me travel around the world, meeting and making great friendships with many people along the way.”
Sara says her top three career highlights are representing Wales at the Atlantic Championships in her home country, playing at the recent outdoor World Championships in Australia where she narrowly lost out on the last end of both the pairs and fours quarter-finals and representing Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“The Atlantic was special not only because I medalled with one of my best mates, but my family was able to watch all my games and my friends also come and supported most days,” she recalled.
“Competing with the world’s best bowlers and representing my country at the Commonwealth Games was a memorable experience for me. I felt honoured to be part of team Wales and also to witness Ross winning a medal at the games.
“The Commonwealth Games was a spectacular display of various sports, and I was privileged to participate in it and interact with other athletes from different countries.
“Making my debut at the World Championships in Australia was amazing. I enjoyed sharing the stage with some of the best bowlers in the world and my friends. The environment of bowls in Australia was unforgettable and the way of bowls out there was just brilliant.”
Another feather in her cap was being invited to introduce bowls to young children as part of Team Wales Commonwealth Games’ initiatives.
INSPIRING OTHERS
“I’ve loved by going into schools and teaching kids about the sport and giving them a little taster sessions,” Sara said.
“It’s a real passion of mine. They split the groups so you have the children who are sporty and not so sporty, so the more shy ones are not overpowered.
“It’s fabulous to see people coming out of their shells.
“My favourite session was going into a school and teaching 60 young girls the importance of sport and how to play bowls during a well-being session.
“One thing that’s amazed me is how many girls are keen on cricket, which they find more exciting and dynamic with its new formats for example the 100 and 20/20. I liked the format of the CWG, which drew a lot of supporters in Birmingham. My friends came along and found it easy to watch with the new colour bowls for each team.
“I believe it is essential to expose the kids to the charm and variety of bowls and this will help to make the sport we love more attractive to the future generation.
“My own hopes for the future are to hopefully do well at the upcoming championships in Potters and also to continue competing for Wales at the highest level and to hopefully win some titles along the way.”
Bumper crowds are again expected at Potters throughout the championships and World Bowls Tour are delighted to have Imagine Cruising back on board for their second year as the headline sponsor of the event.
Every match will be streamed live on the World Bowls Tour’s Facebook page and YouTube channel at no cost. Important: Please be mindful of fraudulent activity on social media, particularly during the World Indoor Championships. The streaming is available free-of-charge and you should not make any payment or share personal data with anyone promoting live streaming links. Please only watch the live coverage via the official sources.
From Monday 15th to Sunday, January 21, coverage will be available through BBC on BBC 2 and Red Button.
The full daily schedule and draws can be found at the following links:
Check out Bowls International‘s January issue for a pull-out preview supplement, with interviews, fill-in draw and more.
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