Following the Performance Strategy review and the Board approval of recommended changes to the Performance Team structure, Bowls England welcomed applicants for all updated roles and are now pleased to announce the appointments of Sandy Hazell, Kirk Smith, Nicola Bowe and Mal Evans, who will form the Performance Team for the 2025 season and beyond.
The developed structure considered Bowls England’s new responsibilities to international para bowls, reflects the performance elements of the domestic competitions’ changes, designed to create more connection between Inter-County competition and the England international programme through greater collaboration with County Team Managers as well as considering the needs for the exciting international programme ahead, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2027 World Championships.
Performance Team Structure
Several high-quality applications were received, and following a series of rigorous interviews, those appointed as Team Managers and the newly formed Performance Coach, who will work closely with Coach Bowls to embed a culture of coaching and its relation to development within our international programme, are:
Women’s Team Manager – Sandy Hazell, Appleyard BC, Kent
Men’s Team Manager – Kirk Smith, Gerrards Cross BC, Buckinghamshire
Junior Team Manager – Nicola Bowe, Wigton BC, Cumbria
Performance Coach – Mal Evans, Sherwood Park BC, Warwickshire
Para Team Manager*
*The appointment of the Para Team Manager has been deferred until later in the year to allow for the para transition from Disability Bowls England and to raise awareness of the requirements and opportunities within the performance team.
Ahead of the new season, Performance Director, Mo Monkton, said, “I would like to personally thank everyone who applied for the Performance Team roles. There were a number of high-quality applications, and it was inspiring to hear of all the great work being done within our sport. I extend my congratulations to those appointed and very much look forward to working with the team as we embed our Performance Strategy, develop the player pathway programme and work towards continued international success. With the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2027 World Championships on the horizon, it is a particularly exciting time for Bowls England.”
Each appointment has extensive experience of the international set up having previously been in post, and all showed considerable understanding of the updated job roles and responsibilities during the interview process. Their first task will be to interview and appoint their team of International Scouts, and to collaborate with the English Indoor Bowling Association as we head towards the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will be contested indoors for the first time in the game’s history.
You can find out more about the Performance Strategy Review here.
See the calendar of international events for the 2025/26 season here.
Thank you to those stepping down
John Ottaway, Di Wilson-Rogers and Stuart Thomas each stepped down from their respective roles within the Performance Team and decided not to apply for roles within the new structure. We thank each of them for their passion, dedication and service to bowls.
John Ottaway reluctantly resigned from his Performance Team role due to family commitments, and the management team will miss his extensive experience and knowledge of the sport, having been involved in the international set up since 1985. John intends to continue with the roles he holds within his county, including the Bowls England County representative.
John said, “Over the last 11 years, I have really enjoyed being part of the Performance Team and working with all the Performance Directors, Team Managers and International Selectors both past and present. I hope I have contributed in some way to the successes of our international teams over this period.”
Di Wilson-Rogers served as Women’s International Selector for the North region, using her experience to identify and encourage players to step into the international arena. Reflecting on her time, Di said;
“I feel now is the time to retire from my position with Bowls England. I have had a very enjoyable time watching the juniors develop and move into the senior team and had many successes with the seniors over my time. I wish Bowls England further success and will see you all at Royal Leamington Spa in the summer.”
Stuart Thomas’s journey began with representing England at Junior International level before making his debut in the Senior international team in 2000.
Transitioning into leadership roles, Stuart became an international selector in 2021 and later assumed the Men’s Junior international team manager position in 2022. Having decided to step down from his role, Stuart said;
“It has been an incredible honour to wear international colours once more and to work with such a talented group of players over the past three seasons. I want to thank Bowls England for the opportunity and, my fellow managers and Bowls England staff, most importantly, every player who has represented their country during my time, it has been a privilege to be part of your journey. I wish my successor the very best of luck.”
Performance Director, Mo Monkton, said; “From myself, the wider Performance Team and everyone at Bowls England past and present, I want to thank John, Di and Stuart for their many years of service. They have each played an integral part in the development of our sport and they will be sorely missed in the management set up. I have no doubt that they will continue to be great advocates of the game, sharing their experiences and inspiring generations to come. We wish them all the very best for future endeavours and I personally look forward to seeing them on the green.”