John Rednall, England’s most capped men’s player, has announced his retirement from the international game. Rednall, who made his debut 35 years ago at the age of 23, notched up over 100 caps for his country, demonstrating incredible longevity and dedication to bowls.
His debut came alongside David Bryant CBE, and over the subsequent years he became one of England’s most established leads of his generation. In 2004, he won Bronze in the Men’s Fours at the World Championships, and in the same year he won Gold in the Pairs at the British Isles. He has also enjoyed much national success, including victories in the Men’s Pairs in 2003 and the 2009 Champion of Champions. He also represented Team England at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada. Other titles include the EBA Double Fours (now the Two Fours), the National Top Club and the National Top Four. He also won the National Junior Singles at the National Finals in 1987 – and he duly added the British Isles Junior Singles crown to his collection the following year.
“I have had an absolutely brilliant international career and will look back on the amazing opportunities and experiences the EBA and Bowls England have given me. As a seven-year-old, my dream was to be an international bowler. Thanks to Bowls England, I have played in many different countries, played with and against true legends of the sport and fulfilled many of my sporting ambitions. “
“Bowls has been my life, my greatest love, and I leave the international set up with great memories. The friendships I have made through international bowls still remain and I thank all those I have played with and against over four decades for making my England career a massive part of my life” he added.
“I am extremely indebted to the selectors of the EBA and Bowls England who picked me for thirty-one years.”
Not that John intends to step back totally from bowls. His knowledge and passion for the game will be put to use in other areas of the sport. “I am enjoying writing about bowls and commentating, as well as being Middleton Cup manager for my beloved Suffolk. I sincerely wish Bowls England well in the future” he added. He has also coached the Bowls England Junior Academy, and his commitment to the sport is also demonstrated with his fundraising efforts last year for Disability Bowls England, running 100 miles a month. He wrote the section on “Leading” for the Coach Bowls Level 3 syllabus – another thing to add to his list of contributions to bowls.
Jon Cockcroft, Chief Executive of Bowls England, paid tribute to a stalwart of the game in this country. “John’s long and illustrious contribution to the international team has been remarkable. To play for one’s country for over three decades is quite an achievement, and no doubt John will look back with great fondness on the rivalries and friendships he enjoyed along the way. We thank John for his efforts in an England shirt and for his desire to help us develop a national Player Pathway, and we wish him well for the future.”