Jean calls it a day on bowling administration

But Jean had already decided at the start of the 2012 season that this was to be her last in any position connected to the Association and she told the annual meeting she would not be seeking re-election.

Jean received recognition of her services when an IWBA Council meeting agreed to offer her Honorary Membership in recognition of her services to bowls and other sports. The honour has been accepted.

Her love affair with the administration side of Irish women’s bowls began in 1994 when her club, Ewarts, put her forward as vice-president of the Association. It was Ewarts’ turn to provide the vice-president and the following year Jean was elevated to president.

In the third year of automatic progression Jean became the past-president, but in that year, 1996, Jean was elected as assistant secretary to Vera Canning. The final accolade came in 2000 when Jean was elected to the position of secretary of the IWBA.

Jean revealed she has not really played any other sport, though she did take part in hockey at school. “My husband, Jim and I, played short mat bowls at Cavehill Methodist Church and later we both joined Ewarts short mat club.

“My first taste of outdoor bowls was at Ewarts, who I joined in 1970 and played there until three years ago. I was never a great player - certainly there was never any chance of my being an international.’’

Jean revealed she almost gave up the game in the early days. “I worked and had to take time off to play bowls, but when I first decided to play for Ewarts, they were short one day, I got soaked as it rained heavily throughout the game. I thought: was this really what I wanted to do and was it worth taking time off work? But, I did play throughout the years and enjoyed it.”

Her husband got an interest after going along to watch Ewarts play on several occasions.

Jean may never have played at the top tier, but she was at all the Home International Series when Ireland played against England, Jersey, Scotland and Wales. “I got to know all the secretaries and other officials from the different countries as we sat together and got to know each other.”

Ireland hosted the Atlantic Rim Tournament at Bangor in 2005 and it was one of the really big occasions. But, perhaps, Jean revealed how the game has changed for she never got to any of the distant venues, like Australia. “Everyone had to pay travel and hotel expenses. I just could not afford it,” said Jean.

She revealed that one of the top players, Tony Alcock, was always very helpful and friendly when offering advice on aspects of the game.

One other recent happening stood out in Jean’s memory. In a British Isles Series Ireland opened with a win over England. “They were really great that day, though it went downhill afterwards. But, I do not think England have got over that result yet.”

There is one significant change Jean made to the Irish game last year. Women’s bowls throughout Ireland has been struggling for players and in the 2011 season the entries for the McMaster Cup (the all-Ireland competition) had dropped alarmingly. One team reached the final by playing one match. Indeed the competition was suspended on the following year.

“It was not good enough for the top National competition,” said Jean, “Something had to be done and with the help of the Council I pushed through the new format of three rinks instead of four. I think it was justified as the entries soared to 28.”