‘A game played in superb spirit…a fabulous experience’

Surrey’s Yasmina Hasan was one of several Bowls England Under 18 academy and Youth Development players to be invited to participate in this year’s Celebration Matches.

Our Celebration Matches recognise clubs and counties who are commemorating special occasions and wish to mark the occasion with a Bowls England representative team. The team has currently visited 10 of the 32 fixtures, with the remaining games to be played throughout the summer.

With a gap identified in the 2021 calendar for youth bowlers following the cancellation of our Youth Academy event and British Isles International Series’ due to Covid-19 restrictions, our Celebration Matches have provided a great opportunity for talented youngsters to enjoy representing us around the country.

“It was a superb initiative from Bowls England to extend the invite to Youth Academy Bowlers,” commented Min Hasan, Yasmina’s father.

“It was so unfortunate that the Youth Academy had to be cancelled this year, but Bowls England is certainly giving the same youngsters a chance to play and develop.”

Hasan joined the representative team on 7^th July at President Paul Robson’s club, Woolston and District BC in Hampshire. Yasmina was joined on her rink by Friends of English Bowling Membership Secretary John Thompson, Sussex County Treasurer Lindsay Bangs, and Hampshire’s Lesley Summersgill and remarked that the event was ‘warm, welcoming and friendly with a game played in superb spirit… a fabulous experience’.

Yasmina will also feature in the Celebration Match at Ross-on-Wye BC in Herefordshire for its Centenary on Thursday 22^nd July.

Upcoming Celebration Match Fixtures:

22nd July – Ross-on-Wye BC, Herefordshire (Centenary)

27th July – Rosemount BC, Sussex (Centenary)

28th July – Staplecross BC, Sussex (50^th Anniversary)

29th July – Cobham BC, Kent (Centenary)