As part of our series, we profile the future stars of bowls at both international & county level. In this edition, we focus on Millie Tuck of Dorset, who won the National Women’s Junior Singles this year and represented England in the British Bowls Under 25 International Series.
Key stats
AGE: 19
CLUB: Poole Park BC
COUNTY: Dorset
SOCIAL CHANNELS: Facebook | Instagram
Success to date
LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS:
National Titles:
- 2024 – Women’s Junior Singles
- 2024 – Yetton Trophy runners up (indoor)
- 2023 – Atherley Trophy runners up (indoor)
- 2023 – U30 Double Triple semi-finalists (indoor)
International Recognition:
- 2024 – British Bowls U25 International Series
- 2024 – EIBA U25 International Series
- 2023 – British Bowls U18 International Series
- 2023 – EIBA U18 International Series
- 2022 – EIBA U19 International Series
County Titles:
- 2024 – Women’s Triples
- 2024 – Women’s Singles (indoor)
- 2023 – Women’s Junior Singles
- 2023 – Women’s Singles (indoor)
- 2022 – Women’s Junior Singles
- 2021 – Women’s Junior Singles
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE:
Representing England at Under 25 level.
Winning the National Women’s Junior Singles after 6 rounds against tough, experienced opposition.
MOST MEMORABLE MATCH & WHY:
A difficult choice between Junior singles final and Skipping an U25 rink against Wales. The Junior Singles final because it was my first National final and I managed to claw back a 10-2 deficit to win 21-15 plus my Nan was there to watch me. Skipping against Wales because it was my first Under 25 cap for England, we got a good start, winning the game.
My Game
FIRST EXPERIENCE:
Attended a junior open day at my local club (Blandford BC) with my brothers on a Saturday morning, coached by Sid and Joy Steele. I was only 7 years old, but I fell in love with both the competitive and social sides of bowls. I now have lifelong friends across counties.
FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE:
Singles and pairs because you have the greatest number of bowls and get the opportunity to play a range of shots within one end, ranging from a draw to a runner. Singles is lonely, however you can choose your own shots and always have time to chase deficits.
STRENGTHS:
- Yard-over shots – lots of my shots during the U25 international series were trailing the jack to make counts.
- Keeping calm and composed on the green when playing big shots.
- Bowls under pressure.
- Being determined and not letting a strong start from the opposition get to me.
BEST FRIENDS IN BOWLS:
Ellie Johnson, Yaz Hasan, Imogen Cracknell, Liv Starr, Emma Langridge, Rebecca Cresswell and many more.
The Future
ASPIRATIONS:
Win a ‘senior’ national title and make it into the Senior England Team.
ONE THING YOU’D SAY TO GET SOMEONE TO TRY BOWLS:
Bowls is a sport for people of all ages, at a competitive or social level. It is one of the few sports where a grandma can play at the same level as her grandchild! It’s a fun, sociable sport that can be enjoyed by everyone!
If you know a young player in your club or county who we should feature on a future Bowls NxGen, please email daniel.ellicott@bowlsengland.com.