By James Humphrey
A Dumbarton bowler has been named in the Scotland squad for this year’s World Championships.
Dumbarton BC member Emma McIntyre, 30, will represent Scotland on Australia’s Gold Coast later this summer.
Emma joins an 18-strong team made up from the men, women and para teams which will be the first Scotland team at the World Championships since 2016.
Emma will take part in both the singles and doubles with her partner Claire Anderson where she will be looking to add more silverware to her collection.
She had a successful last year where she competed at the European Championships taking home a bronze medal in the women’s pairs and a silver medal in the women’s singles.
Now the Gold Coast awaits Emma as she looks set to make an impact on the global stage.
She told the Lennox: “The World Championships is one of the premier events in bowls. It will give me a chance to test myself against some of the best players in the world.
“Between now and my first game at the Gold Coast I’m going to do everything possible to make sure I’m as prepared for the challenges ahead as I can be. I hope to do Team Scotland proud.
“I was extremely pleased with my results at the European Championships and the lessons I learned. I hope to emulate my success, or possibly better it.
“That will be difficult given the quality of opposition we will face, but I hope to call upon the experience I’ve gained over the last few years playing alongside some of the best international level players to have played the game.
“We, in Scotland, are very fortunate to have so many top international level players in the country. The Scotland team selected have an abundance of experience. I count myself lucky to be surrounded by some of the best bowlers in the world and hope that, mixed with my own qualities, it can be a recipe for success for the team.”
Emma began playing as a teenager at Dumbarton BC, and admits she still has to pinch herself when she realises that she’s now representing the country.
“I began playing bowls as a hobby when I was a teenager and it quickly turned into my passion” she said.
“It’s something I invest a lot of time in and get a great deal of satisfaction from.
“To be selected to represent Scotland with my fellow teammates in the World Championships is an enormous honour which is something I still can’t quite believe is true.
“I’m immensely proud and want to do my best for team Scotland.
“This opportunity is the pinnacle of my bowling career to date and I cannot thank my coaches/ selectors enough for the opportunity.”
And despite the event being Emma’s World Championship debut, she says she is setting her sights on gold.
Emma added: “Going into any tournament the objective is always to try and win gold in as many disciplines as possible for team Scotland.
“It goes without saying I will always try my very best and hope that along with the time and dedication I’ve invested beforehand it’s enough on the day.
“With that being said its important to acknowledge this is my debut in this event and I’ll be up against extremely talented, established players from other nations who will also be hungry to win gold for their respective countries.”
The World Bowls Championship gets underway on August 29.
