As we continue our Road to the Finals series, bowlers across the country are sharing what it means to qualify for the Aviva National Bowls Finals at Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa. From first-timers to returning champions, there’s many wholesome stories of coming out of our bowls clubs.
Ann Lattimore (Bowls Oxfordshire President) on behalf of Caroline Campion’s family
The Aviva National Bowls Finals at Leamington will be a real family affair for one Oxfordshire family. Caroline Campion, her son Will, daughter Helen, and son-in-law Lee Young, along with their granddaughter Grace, will all represent the county at Victoria Park starting next week.
The five, who all play at Banbury Central BC, will compete in a variety of events. Caroline, who has also qualified in the national senior women’s singles, will be playing for Oxfordshire in the four wood singles. She, along with her daughter Helen, is part of their Women’s Fours team as well as Oxfordshire’s Walker Cup squad, which has progressed through to the last eight. Lee and Will are playing in the Men’s Fours, whilst Lee will also be competing in both the Men’s Singles and Two Bowl Singles.
This will be 11-year-old Grace’s first appearance at Leamington, where she will play for Oxfordshire in the Women’s Under 24 Pairs with partner Zoe Pratley.
Ian Gaythwaite – Whitehaven Recreation BC, Cumbria
After almost 15 years of playing bowls on and off, I’ve finally qualified for Leamington — and for the first time, Whitehaven BC has won the Cumbria County Fours title. We achieved it at Finals Weekend in Wigton at the end of July. My teammates include two Leamington veterans, Jackie Walker and Ryan Prince, along with Ryan Corkill, who won the National Junior Pairs in 2024.
Jack Wilson – Eastbourne BC, Sussex
My father-in-law George and I are thrilled to have qualified for the Men’s Pairs. We’ve had a great season and winning the Sussex County Pairs was a fantastic moment for us. I’ve played at Leamington once before in the Men’s Fours two years ago, so I’m looking forward to returning. We can’t wait to get back to Leamington and play.
Steve Poyner – Vines Park BC, Worcestershire
I’ve been fortunate to qualify in multiple events, and recent highlights include winning the Senior Singles in 2023 and the Men’s Fours last year. Playing for England at the British Isles Championships in June was a huge honour if putting on the England shirt. I’m pleased to return to Leamington in the triples and the fours with Chris, Gareth (Reg) and Richard to attempt to defend out title. Rich has qualified in three events, and Reg has managed to qualify in all four Blue Riband events – a real achievement. Huge thanks to the Vines Park members and committee for their fantastic support. We’re looking forward to the journey, the café bacon or sausage bap, and onto the green, who knows what might happen…?
John Osborn – Harpenden BC, Hertfordshire
This will be my fourth trip to the National Finals in five years. We’re back in the Men’s Fours this year – and it’s a first finals appearance for one of our team, which brings back memories of how it felt for me that first time. In past years, I’ve also played in the Senior Singles and was part of Hertfordshire’s Middleton Cup team that reached the final. I also used to work for Aviva, so it’s great to see them supporting the Finals again. I’ve even made a Bowls England Easter post previously – complete with a photoshopped bowl swapped for an Easter egg! A few laughs, but memorable all the same.
Emma Langridge – Branksome Park BC, Dorset
Winning the Dorset Ladies Fours and qualifying for Leamington has ticked off two big goals for me this season — to win a county competition and qualify for the Aviva National Bowls Finals in a new discipline. As part of a team, I’ve managed to achieve this 2 in 1. It’s my first qualification outside of the junior competitions.
Neil Poole – Shires BC, Lincolnshire
I was fortunate and priviledged to play at Leamington in 2022, winning the Tony Allcock Trophy with my club Shires. I had fantastic memories and have dreamt of qualifying again. Since then, I’ve had two major health setbacks – a heart triple bypass in early 2024 and colon cancer surgery in February 2025. It’s been a tough journey, but I focused on recovery with the goal of playing again and hoping to one day play at the Aviva National Bowls Finals again. I’m over the moon to have qualified in the Over 60s Fours with my good friends and teammates.
Simon Jefferies – Plympton BC, Devon
Last year, I qualified in the Over 55 Singles in just my third full year of playing. I decided to try the Men’s Singles and Two Bowl Singles as a last minute entry. Seven games later, I’ve qualified from Devon alongside Sam Tolchard and have now developed a new love for Two Bowl Singles.
Chris Dowsing – Histon BC, Cambridgeshire
This is my first time qualifying for the Aviva National Bowls Finals, having qualified in the Men’s Two Bowl Singles. I’m a third generation bowler who has been bowling for 33 years but only entered county competitions in the last two seasons, so to qualify this soon is amazing. I come from a bowls family – my grandad and his twin brother started it all, followed by my mum, dad and uncle, and then I joined at 13. We’re a small village club with around 50 members, and I can remember the ladies (including my mum) qualifying in the past – but never the men.
Don’t miss your chance to watch the stars in action!
Join us at the Aviva National Bowls Finals from 13–31 August at Royal Leamington Spa. Tickets are available now.