LOCAL bowls player Linda Ryan came fourth in the Seventh European Bowls Union team championships, hosted in Paphos last week, raising hopes that a Cyprus team will be present at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Cyprus finished in ninth position overall
This is the second time Paphos has played host to the bowls tournament, which took place at the at the Athena Beach Hotel and Athena Royal Beach Hotel.
Sixteen teams competed, including, England, Wales, Guernsey, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Spain, Scotland and Portugal.
The local players were hand-picked from the top twenty players in Cyprus, by selectors and the national coach, Mike Cooper.
Cyprus’ ninth place, out of sixteen, meant they finished marginally better than the last championships, where they ranked ninth out of fourteen.
Ryan told the Sunday Mail, “Looking at who finished above us, such as, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales and Spain, we did OK.”
“I’m very pleased with my finish; fourth out of 64 players isn’t bad,” she added.
“We’ve got a South African trip coming up; we’re going to Johannesburg for the Atlantic games which start on May 4. We begin training next week.” This will be the first time Cyprus has taken part in the Atlantic competition.
“We’ve only ever taken part in the European championship, so the Atlantic competition in South Africa will be really good for us. It’s good tough competitive bowling there,” she added.
“We’ve had no further news as regards the Commonwealth Games, but I hope these games will have helped us. We really have to sell ourselves to get the backing we need.”
Ryan said the teams above Cyprus regularly participate in big games and so are used to competing every year.
The weather during the tournament was abysmal, with continuous rain, thunder and lightning. The mixed pairs tournament had to be played inside.
“There was a good turnout considering the awful weather and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Ryan. “I felt my confidence improving with each game I played.”
She added, “I’m pleased we’re getting increased media coverage and it’s beginning to make people sit up and take notice. Our membership is increasing, although I would like to see more Cypriots join.”
Referring to the Commonwealth Games, she said, “We will have a better idea of our standing after the Atlantic games, and we will put together a package for the Commonwealth Games Olympic commission sometime in May.”
Bowlers in Cyprus are determined to take the national team to the global stage.
Four members of Bowls Cyprus recently attended an interview with the Commonwealth Games and Olympic committee in Nicosia, to find out what they need to do to apply for entry into the team representing Cyprus.
Ryan admits it is her dream.
“To walk into the arena being led on by someone carrying the Cypriot flag would be amazing,” she said.
Norris Forster, the public relations officer for of Bowls Cyprus said, “The event went extremely well, especially in view of the bad weather. The opening and closing ceremony took part in front of stands full to brimming over with spectators. They must’ve been frozen. It was a very good tournament.”
“I would have to single out team member Linda Ryan for doing so well. She had a bad day on the final day and if she had won these matches she would’ve come in third. We would expect her to do well though, as she was an English International player,” he pointed out.
The next European championships are to be held in Holland.
“The next step for our players is training for imminent trips to Hong Kong and China. In May, ten players, five men and five women are off to South Africa.”
Bowls is often viewed as an old man’s game and it has taken a few years to get it off the ground in Cyprus. But this all seems to be changing.
“We’re having a steady trickle of new players joining the bowls clubs in Cyprus generally. I know some clubs are having two or three new members every week,” said Forster.
Although he pointed out there is still a lack in Cypriot membership, steps are under way to try and encourage more locals to join in the sport.
“We’re hoping to hold some floodlight training sessions when the weather is warmer, so that people, in particular Cypriots, who are working will get an opportunity to join us.”
Forster added, “I’m not sure if bowls is their scene – maybe they even have the view that it’s old fashioned. But this isn’t so. In the UK it’s becoming known as a young man’s game and money is now involved at the top. I can’t see that happening in Cyprus though,” he said.
The Cyprus Athletic Organisation supported the European championships, and Forster would like them and the CTO to promote bowls on a similar level as golf.
“I’m not saying forget the golfers,” he said,” but don’t forget the bowlers.”
According to Forster there are continual bowls holidays to Cyprus, and shortly ex- world champion, Andy Thompson, will be taking training sessions in Paphos for players who are hoping to brush up their tactics.
“These holidays are for accomplished bowls players who wish to improve. I think it’s a great idea,” he said. “Bowls is for everyone and is a great family sport. I can only hope it catches on with the Cypriots.”
For further information visit www.bowlscyprus.net
