This week I’d like to turn my attention to a sport that usually gets overlooked – bowls.
I have recently heard the news that South Holland-based sportsman Ashley Caress has been selected to represent England in upcoming competitions.
Ashley (22) has won multiple county titles and secured a national championship back in April.
However, selection for England is the pinnacle of his already impressive bowls career.
With that in mind, I decided to meet Ashley to discuss bowls, football, work-sport balance, sporting superstitions and future ambitions…
AT: Firstly, can you summarise exactly what bowls is – as I think many people refer to bowling as ten-pin?
AC: You’re right there! Whenever I state that I play bowls the initial reaction is that of ten-pin. People just do not expect younger people to play the sport.
In reality, there are high numbers of under-25 bowlers in England and it frustrates me that people do not see or believe this.
AT: I’m aware that you also play football and have a career in teaching as well as bowls commitments. How do balance your lifestyle?
AC: With great difficulty sometimes! It can be very hard to balance my sporting commitments alongside work and also find time for family and friends.
I’m extremely lucky to be from a family who understand sport and the subsequent demands of it, they have always supported me from a young age.
Furthermore, I must mention my girlfriend Bethany who hasn’t been without her moans (I’m bowling for England on her 21st birthday) but has always been supportive and encouraging which is vital to any success.
The school in which I work is amazing too. The headteacher and all members of the Senior Leadership Team are enthusiastic about bowls and grant all time off in order to compete.
Without this positive attitude from my employers it wouldn’t be possible to represent England and compete in national championships.
All bowlers, including world champions, have to work as prize money and sponsorship simply isn’t high enough to turn professional.
All top players rely on their employers to be flexible and unfortunately some players fall away from the game because of financial struggles.
AT: A few weeks ago my column explored sporting superstitions. Do you have any superstitions in relation to bowls?
AC: I have always had methodical approaches to any sporting competition.
From a young age, I would always put my right boot on first and would never tie the second knot in the laces until I was on the pitch and the game was about the start.
I follow this method today. When I play bowls, I never deliver a bowl until I have tapped my index finger on the bowl three times.
I am fully aware that these rituals are psychological but they make me feel good and feel confident about my performance.
Many people will tell you that they have no superstitions, but I believe everyone does something unique, even if they do not realise it.
I like many maybe had a judgment of bowls before actually playing or seeing what it’s all about.
On the back of this, I recently took the time to get down to Ayscoughee Bowls Club with none other than Ashley’s brother Daniel Caress – who himself is striving to kick-start a bowls career.
From this experience, I can tell all you reading just how difficult I found it.
However, just getting down to a bowls club and trying it actually left me wanting to keep playing.
Therefore, my judgement of lawn bowls has very much changed.
I hope that Ashley will get the recognition he deserves for this incredible achievement and I for one wish him all the very best in the coming years.
