Bowls England can confirm that Robert Paxton has decided to step away from our Commonwealth Games Performance Squad preparing for Birmingham 2022. This is due to family reasons.

Performance Director John McGuinness commented “Robert has been a key member of England’s performance programme over the last few years, having won a Gold medal in the Triples at the last World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2016 and a bronze medal in the singles at the last Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018. He has been a valuable squad member throughout this period and, when the time is right for him, I hope to see him back in the frame to represent England.”

Paxton said “I’m sad to have to take this decision but it’s in the best interests of myself and my family. I want to thank Bowls England and the wider bowls community for their support. I wish the remainder of the squad all the very best for the coming months.”

Paxton will not be replaced in the squad at the moment as it prepares to for a busy summer of preparations with international matches against Ireland in May and a Home Nations event in July and September.

We wish Robert all the best and hope to see him back in the international arena in the future.