New Bowls England Chair says bowlers must ’embrace change’
Earlier this month Bowls England announced four International Team Managers for a three-year term as well as the positions of Chair and Junior Vice President of Bowls England.
David Tucker (Devon) was appointed as the Chair.
David is a well-known face within Bowls England, having served as Director of Governance.
He is also the Treasurer and Middleton Cup Manager for Bowls Devon.
David said: “I am honoured to have been elected Chairman of Bowls England to succeed David Mitchell-Gears and thank everyone for their support and confidence.
“I would like to feel that during the past ten years as a Director I have made a positive contribution to the benefit of our sport and its membership.
“Everything has been aimed at improving consultation and communication. We cannot, however, be complacent.
“We are in a changing world and if bowls is to survive we have to embrace change particularly within the fields of development and recruitment at all levels and more importantly improve the image.
“There are exciting times ahead particularly with the Commonwealth Games in 2022 at Royal Leamington Spa from which I hope there will be lasting legacies for our sport.
“However, the Board’s first priority will be to appoint a successor to Tony Allcock.
“I look forward to working with the Board to drive Bowls England onwards and upwards.”
Junior Vice President is Deepak Tanna (Leicestershire) .
He said: “It’s a huge privilege and humongous honour and a great responsibility to have been given such a prestigious post. I will be Bowls England President, when England host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
“Thank you to Bowls England for appointing me as their next Junior Vice President for 2020. I would also like to say a big thank you to my own club Goodwood Bowling and Social Club Leicester and of course my County, Bowls Leicestershire for their support.
“I would also like to thank all those friends and fellow bowlers who have sent me messages of support and congratulations both prior to and after my being offered the position. I will do everything I can to prove worthy of such an honourable position.”
In accordance with the Articles of Association, David and Deepak will take on their new roles from the Bowls England AGM in February 2020.
The new Senior International Men’s manager is Kirk Smith (Buckinghamshire).
A former international selector, Kirk is President and Greens manager of his home club, Gerrards Cross.
He worked alongside Performance Director John McGuiness at the Atlantic Championships in Cardiff this year.
Kirk said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be appointed. The void that was left by John Bell was bigger than anyone could have anticipated so I am looking forward to getting behind the great team that we have.
“I will provide the direction to ensure that pride is restored and we get back on track.”
Mo Monkton is the new Senior Women’s Manager.
Having been junior women’s manager for the EIBA for a number of years, Mo more recently has turned her hand to working with disabled bowlers. A founder member of DBE, she was team manager/coach for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgoe 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 and is a women’s international selector for Bowls England.
She said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed Women’s Team Manager.
“I will give 100 per cent to the job and look forward to working with and supporting such a great squad of players to maintain the high standard expected from a Bowls England International team.”Paragraph
The Junior International Men’s manager is Martyn Sekjer (Kent) and the Junior International Women’s manager is Nicola Bowe (Cumbria)
These managers remain unchanged as both Martyn and Nicola have been in position since 2017 and have both been appointed again for the roles.
