Sports Minister bowls them over at Hillsborough

Sports Minister, Gregory Campbell, MP, MLA, has praised the achievements of women’s bowling ahead of the Senior International Series which starts tomorrow.

Speaking at a reception tonight in Hillsborough, Minister Campbell said:  “I am pleased to be here in my new role as Sports Minister to mark the contribution which the Irish Women’s Bowling Association has brought to sport in Northern Ireland.  I also want to congratulate the women’s team who competed in the New Zealand world bowls championships and who returned home with bronze medals.”

The Senior International Series of women’s bowls will see competitors from England, Ireland, Jersey, Scotland and Wales competing for the Eve Trophy at Belmont Bowling Club.  

The Minister concluded: “Women’s outdoor bowling is somewhat under-represented in Northern Ireland and indeed women are generally under-represented in all sport.   This is something that I would like to address and will be one of the many targets for improvement in the Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation which I hope to launch shortly.  

“The aim of the Strategy is get people into sport and physical recreation and to adopt an active lifestyle regardless of age, gender, social background or disability.”

The Minister also paid tribute to Margaret Johnston MBE, who recently announced her retirement from international bowls.   During Margaret’s 27 year international career she attended six commonwealth games and was awarded an MBE in 1991 for services to bowls and in 2004 was BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the year.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Senior International Series of women’s bowls take place at Belmont Bowling Club commencing on 17 June 2008.
2. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk.
3. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.