Two new records have been set for the World Indoor Championships in January 2017 and by far the biggest is that never in the history of the WBT World Indoor Championships have so many women qualified in the same year to play in the World Indoor Open Singles at Potters Resort.
Never have 3 ladies qualified in the same year direct through to the last 32 either - until this year. From New Zealand Debbie Wilford faces England’s Mark Royal, English International, Janice Gower, meets England’s Mervyn King and finally - probably the best indoor Scottish Lady player and Scottish International, Julie Forrest, who has to face compatriot Stewart Anderson also from Scotland.
Two other Ladies have come through the ranks of the Professional Bowls Association’s qualifiers with Ruti Gilor from Israel and Hong Kong’s Vivian Yip getting through to the preliminary rounds at Potters with a chance to qualify for the last 32 .
Into the Under 25’s Championship from Australia is 19 year old Ellen Ryan, 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games Silver and Gold Medallist. She is also the 2015 Australian Open Singles Champion and has built a reputation also outdoors, winning the 2016 Under 25 Singles and also the Under 25 Mixed Pairs.
The other new record is that from one of the smallest indoor clubs in the Country, namely Blackpool Newton Hall Indoor Bowls Club, 3 of it’s members are in the last 32 for the World Indoor Open Singles. With Mark Dawes getting into the Top 16 for this coming season, England International Janice Gower and Professional Bowls Association No 1 Ranked player, Chris Gale all coming from this small club - it must be something about the club that produces Champions!
Neil Furman is one of the top USA players and has been knocking on the door of the top 16 for a while now and has been given one of the wildcard entries into the last 32. The remaining wildcard has gone to youngster, Tom Warner from England. He is an up and coming bowler building a strong reputation and he has today just been awarded an U’25 Regional England indoor trial. One to possibly watch for the future!
The event starts on the 12th. January 2017 and runs right through to the 29th January. From the 13th - Friday afternoon at 2pm all matches will be streamed LIVE on www.youtube.com/worldbowlstour and then on the Monday 23rd BBC Network will be showing matches live on BBC 2 and their digital portfolio.
Tickets and venue information can be got from www.pottersholidays.com