England Lawn Bowls Commonwealth Games Team Announcement

The England Lawn Bowls team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India has been announced today.

The twelve players who have been selected to represent England in Delhi next October are:

Women

- Ellen Falkner (St Neots BC, Cambridgeshire)
- Sian Gordon (Kings BC, Devon)
- Sandy Hazell (Milton Regis BC, Kent)
- Natalie Melmore (Kings BC, Devon)
- Amy Monkhouse (Cleethorpes BC, Lincolnshire)
- Jamie-Lea Winch (Bilton BC, Warwickshire)

Men

- Stuart Airey (Carlisle Subscription, Cumbria)
- Mark Bantock (Desborough BC, Berkshire)
- Mervyn King (Hunstanton BC, Norfolk)
- Robert Newman (Reading BC, Berkshire)
- Graham Shadwell (Spencer Moulton BC, Wiltshire)
- Sam Tolchard (Kings BC, Devon)

John Bell, Lawn Bowls Performance Director, said: "I am delighted with the first phase of the 2010 Commonwealth Games Performance Programme. I believe it has not only produced a final team which is very capable of winning medals in Delhi, but importantly too, it has achieved several significant successes for the squad members, and Bowls England, in English, British and World competition during its course.

"The high quality of performance, together with the enthusiastic and committed effort produced by the squad members has made the selection of the final twelve extremely difficult. The high standard of competition for places has however ensured that the selected team for India is extremely talented and resilient. It has a good mix of youth and experience, a strong desire to succeed, along with a proven record of winning major titles. It can move forward into the second phase of the Performance Programme with confidence, and a resolute determination to win further honours for Bowls England."

The selection process has followed an extremely rigorous assessment process, which has been applied to a very comprehensive programme of events, and which has taken into account a number of key factors.

Players have been judged on their performances in a wide variety of international and regional events, squad weekends, and national championships. Their skill levels, and capability, on varying surfaces have also been influential in the selection.

Temperament, mental toughness, physical fitness and compatibility have also been factors in the final decision. In this respect the Commonwealth Games Performance Programme has had the benefit of the services of a sports psychologist and physiologist to provide valuable guidance.

John Bell added: "The final selection has been very difficult as indeed it should have been. I congratulate all the squad members on the way they have participated in the performance programme, and sincerely thank them for the enthusiastic, supportive and professional manner they have supported it. Indeed they have been a credit to both themselves and Bowls England. I believe the team represents a valuable investment for the future, which will bring sustained benefits for Bowls England for many years to come."

The final squad members will now participate in a programme of world wide events, and intensive squad training activity in preparation for their participation in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The Commonwealth Games Performance Programme is wholly supported by Sport England.