Bowls England Chief Executive Tony Allcock OBE has today announced that he will retire from the post in Spring 2020.
Tony won 15 World titles during a distinguished playing career including back-to-back World Outdoor Singles titles in 1992 and 1996, and was Lawn Bowls Performance Director at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester – the team securing three Gold Medals in the eight events.
Following his competitive retirement from the sport, he has dedicated his life to developing and modernising the sport of bowls in his role as Chief Executive of the English Bowling Association in 2003 and then Bowls England following its formation in 2008. He was awarded the OBE for services to Lawn Bowls in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Tony said: “Bowls England, and the English Bowling Association before it, has been my life since 1st April 2003 and I am extremely proud of what has been achieved. In making the decision to retire at this juncture in my career, I feel that Bowls England is now established as a much respected National Governing Body. It recently delivered what has been publicly described as one of the most successful National Championships ever staged.
“I believe my journey at the helm of the ship is ended, the first stage of Bowls England’s journey is complete, and it now finds itself in an excellent financial position with some exciting projects ahead that will naturally present inevitable challenges. Announcing my retirement at this juncture will allow the Members to shape their future in the election of a new Chair and appointment of a new Chief Executive.
“I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Board Chair David Mitchell-Gears MBE, Directors, Presidential Team and County Associations, and in fact all that are associated with Bowls England. The Staff at Bowls England are second to none. Each and every one of them have been appointed by me and they too dedicate part of their lives, over and above the call of duty.
I thank all with whom I have worked for making every working day an enjoyable one and hope that I shall have the opportunity before April to say my goodbye in person.”