I first started playing at the age of 14, and what began as a love of the sport quickly became something much bigger. Bowls was a family sport for us, bringing generations together, creating friendships, memories and a real sense of belonging.
I never imagined just how important bowls would become in my life.
In May 2021, my life changed completely when I suffered a catastrophic stroke.
Suddenly, things I had taken for granted became incredibly difficult. My recovery was going to be a long journey, and there were many challenges along the way — physically, mentally and emotionally.
But I had something that gave me a reason to keep pushing forward.
Bowls.
I was fortunate enough to take part in a 10-week Bowls for Stroke Survivors course, funded by Bowls Wales.
Those ten weeks gave me much more than the opportunity to play bowls again.
They gave me confidence. They gave me motivation. They gave me something to work towards. And, most importantly, they helped me realise that my stroke did not have to define what I could achieve in the future.
Week by week, I began to get stronger. I started to regain confidence in myself and in what my body could do. Being back on the bowling green gave me a sense of purpose and helped me reconnect with something I had loved since I was 14.
The course may have lasted ten weeks, but the impact it had on my life continues to this day. I still work on getting stronger every day — and bowls continues to be a massive part of that journey.
My journey eventually took me further than I could ever have imagined.
From being a stroke survivor trying to rebuild my strength and confidence, I went on to become part of the Welsh Para Bowls Squad.
To be included in the squad was an incredibly proud moment. It showed me just how far I had come.
Bowls had gone from being something I loved, to something that was helping me rebuild my life — and then to something that allowed me to represent Wales.
That journey has taught me never to underestimate what is possible when you have the right support, the right people around you and something that gives you a reason to keep going.
My love of bowls has now taken another exciting step. I opened Nice Weight Bowls Shop at Swansea Indoor Bowls Club.
What started as a passion for the sport has become part of my working life and my business. For me, Nice Weight Bowls isn’t simply about selling bowls and equipment. It is about being part of the bowls community — a community that has given me so much throughout my life.
I understand first-hand what bowls can mean to someone. It can be competition. It can be friendship. It can be family. It can be exercise. It can be a reason to get out of bed and keep moving forward. And for people recovering from illness or disability, it can become an important part of rehabilitation, confidence and wellbeing.
Looking back, I often think about how different my life could have been if bowls hadn’t been there. My stroke changed my life, but it didn’t take away my love of bowls. In fact, in many ways, my stroke showed me just how important bowls really was.
The 10-week Bowls for Stroke Survivors course, funded by Bowls Wales, gave me the opportunity to rediscover something I loved and use it as part of my recovery. That journey continues today.
From starting bowls at 14, to playing as a family, to becoming a Welsh Para Bowler, to opening my own bowls shop — bowls has been there through some of the biggest moments of my life. It has helped me become stronger. It has helped my wellbeing. It has given me friendships, opportunities and a sense of purpose.
And now, through Nice Weight Bowls, I have the opportunity to give something back to the sport and hopefully help others discover what bowls can do for them too.
My stroke changed my life. Bowls helped me rebuild it. And my journey is still continuing.
Whether you’re buying your very first set of bowls, upgrading your equipment, or searching for the latest accessories, we’re here to help you find the right products to suit your game.
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