PERFORMANCE TEAM

Mo Monkton

Performance Director

Mo is one of the best in the business, bringing decades of experience both on and off the green. She began playing bowls in 1991 and quickly made her mark, winning several county titles before becoming National Pairs Champion and National Triples runner-up in 1998.

Her international career began in 2003 representing England outdoors, followed by her indoor debut in 2006 after claiming a national title. Alongside her playing career, Mo has always been passionate about developing others, starting junior sections at club level and managing both outdoor and indoor county youth squads.

From 2008 to 2015, she led the EIBA Women’s Under 25 Team before stepping into a role as Women’s Outdoor Selector. Mo’s journey into para bowls began in 2014 when she coached and managed the Team England Para Squad at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Since then, she has managed England’s para teams at the 2015 IBD World Championships and the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and has served as Performance Director for Disability Bowls England.

Mo was awarded Female Coach of the Year and Inclusive Coach of the Year in 2018 and took on the role of Team England Women’s Manager in 2020. Following success at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where the women claimed two medals, she was named Interim Performance Director and led England to more success at the 2023 World Championships in Australia.

Mo’s wealth of experience in playing, coaching and leadership gives her the confidence to thrive in her current role, and she remains deeply honoured to lead the Bowls England Performance Team.

Telephone: 07817 313 663
E-mail: mo.monkton@bowlsengland.com

Kirk Smith

International Men's Team Manager

Kirk was part of the inaugural Junior International team in 1990 before earning his place in the Senior International team for six years between 2000 and 2005. He has represented England at the European Championship, claiming gold in 2003 and silver in 2005. Kirk has also clinched victory twice in the National Fours (1999 and 2019).

He became an international selector in 2019 and was made the Men’s Senior International team manager the following year.

Kirk is a highly motivated individual, participating in many other sports in his spare time. Team England men had his full support in their quest for medals in Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as they claimed one Gold, one Silver and one Bronze.

Telephone: 07808 960 778
E-mail: kirk.smith@bowlsengland.com

Sandy Hazell

International Women's Team Manager

Following in her father’s footsteps, Sandy started bowling at the age of 12. She made her Junior International debut in 1990 before gaining the first of thirty-two caps for the Senior International team in 2007. As part of the Commonwealth Games team in Delhi in 2010, she won Bronze in the Ladies Triples. Sandy is also the only Englishwoman to have won the prestigious Hong Kong Classic singles title in 2012.

Having previously served on the Kent Executive for a number of years, as selector and co-manager of the Amy Rose side, she became an England selector in 2020.

As she continues to play bowls competitively, Sandy used her experience and expertise to contribute to a successful Team England campaign at Birmingham 2022. England’s women won Gold and Silver.

Telephone: 07850 306 575
E-mail: sandy.hazell@bowlsengland.com

Nicola Bowe

International Junior Team Manager

Nicola began playing bowls in 1985, following her family’s footsteps. She played for England from 2013 to 2015 before becoming Women’s U25 Junior Manager in 2017 and U18 Manager in 2023.

Her successes include winning the National Triples (2013), a British Isles Silver Medal (2014), and leading Wigton BC to three Women’s Top Club titles. As Women’s Junior International Manager, she guided the U25 team to multiple British Isles titles and a British Bowls Series win in 2022. Under her leadership, the U18 team became British champions in 2023.

In 2022, she managed England Women to European Championship success in Ayr, Scotland.

Outside of bowls, Nicola serves as a Deputy Headteacher in Primary Education. She holds professional qualifications in Headship and is also a certified professional coach in Leadership.

Telephone: 07850 737 668
E-mail: nicola.bowe@bowlsengland.com

Helen Lewis-Wall

International Para Team Manager

Helen began playing bowls in 1985, when she joined a brand new bowls club with her father. She first qualified for the national championships in 1991, competing in the pairs alongside her mother, and has been a regular participant ever since. In 2002, Helen claimed the England singles title, and the following year she made her England debut.

Helen has managed the achieved notable success. Under her leadership, the Para team secured two bronze medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and another bronze at the World Championships on the Gold Coast in 2023. Most recently, she managed the Para team at the inaugural World Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2025, guiding them to a bronze medal in the Para Mixed Pairs and a gold medal in the Para Women’s Singles.

Outside of bowls, Helen enjoys playing pétanque and captains the Crofters team in the Leicestershire 1990 Pétanque League.

Mal Evans

International Performance Coach

Mal brings a wealth of coaching knowledge to the performance setup, with over five decades of experience in sport. He began playing bowls in 1971 and has represented Warwickshire at Middleton Cup level.

A former teacher with a background in sport coaching, Mal has coached a wide range of sports from school through to county level. He became the first bowls coach to achieve the Level 3 accredited coaching award, and also holds a Level 3 ski coaching qualification.

Mal is a Director of Coach Bowls and plays a key role in delivering coaching courses and producing technical content. He is also a member of the World Bowls Coaching Advisory Group, helping shape coaching standards on a global level.

Alongside Team Manager Nicola Bowe, Mal coached the England U18 team to British Championship success in 2023 and a silver medal finish in 2024.

Telephone: 07910 216 117
E-mail: mal.evans@bowlsengland.com

Bernie Hill

International Area Scout - North

Bernie is delighted to start this role with Bowls England. Having been involved in the sport of bowls for 36 years, Bernie feels this is an amazing opportunity to play a key role in the performance pathway, working closely with Counties, Coaches and the International Team Managers.

She is looking forward to helping to shape the future of our sport, supporting the next generation of bowlers to make England the best.

Telephone: 07833 421 577
E-mail: bernie.hill178@gmail.com

Shayne Rimmer

International Area Scout - North

Shayne has over 35 years of experience in bowls, winning both the Middleton Cup and Balcomb Trophy.

As Bowls Lancashire Junior Manager, he has helped three junior players reach England international level, led Lancashire’s men’s team to the White Rose Trophy National semi-final, and introduced the county’s first ever Amy Rose side to support young female bowlers.

With experience coaching both bowls and football, Shayne is passionate about identifying and developing talent. As an International Scout for Bowls England, he is committed to ensuring players from all regions are recognised and supported to strengthen the future of the sport.

Telephone: 07714 094 273
E-mail: shaynerimmer@live.co.uk

Catherine Popple

International Area Scout - East

Catherine brings a remarkable breadth of experience to the selector’s team. Over her illustrious career, she has amassed 15 National titles and three British Isles titles. She spent 26 years as an England international, representing her country from 1987 to 2012.

She also had the honour of competing in three Commonwealth Games (Canada 1994, Malaysia 1998, and Melbourne 2006) and participated in the Atlantic Rim Games in South Africa on two occasions.

Telephone: 07759 051 548
E-mail: stucat99@hotmail.com

Stuart Thomas

International Area Scout - East

With over 40 years in the sport and a career that spans both junior and senior international levels, Stuart Thomas brings a wealth of experience to our performance team. A former Men’s Junior International Manager, he is no stranger to identifying and developing top-tier talent.

A five-time national champion and a decorated England international, he knows exactly what it takes to win on the biggest stages. Now, he’s turning his focus to uncovering the next generation of international players.

Passionate about the game and with a keen eye for potential, Stuart is eager to work alongside the performance management team to find and nurture talent that aligns with Bowls England’s international ambitions. His track record speaks for itself, now, he’s ready to help shape the future of the sport.

Telephone: 07808 722 734
E-mail: stu.thomasbe@yahoo.com

Julie Skelly

International Area Scout - South

Julie’s passion for the game of bowls has shaped the past 35 years of her life. She has had the privilege of representing England at junior level, and have consistently represented my county and club. Her involvement extends beyond playing, as she is a qualified umpire, coach, and has for many years been involved in team selection and management for both club and county events.

Telephone: 07540 433 574
E-mail: julieskelly1977@gmail.com

Gerry Smyth

International Area Scout - South

Gerry gained his first outdoor international cap in 1981, along with indoor international cap in 1982 with subsequent years to follow.

He held the position of Buckinghamshire Middleton Cup Manager for six years building a successful youthful team. Gerry has competed for many years in National Championships both indoors and outdoors achieving a considerable amount of success.

Most recently, Gerry has been involved with the EIBA International Team both senior and junior for the last nine years, managing the Men’s Under 25 side in February this year.

His interests outside of bowls include most sports which he enjoys watching rather than participating.

Telephone: 07767 958 800
E-mail: gamsmyth@gmail.com

Julie Leake

International Area Scout - West

Julie’s first Senior International Cap was in 2006 after winning the National Singles in 2005 and the World Singles Champion of Champions in New Zealand in 2006. There followed 46 International Caps as well as two Golds and a Silver at the 2011 Atlantic Rim Games and a Bronze in the Hong Kong International Bowls Classic pairs in 2012 as well as a British Isles Triples title in 2022 and National Champion of Champions winner in 2022.

Julie is the Coaching Coordinator at her club Poole Park BC in Dorset as well as serving as an Officer and Coach within the Dorset Youth Bowls Academy organisation.

She is also no stranger to the High Performance Management Team having previously managed England at the European Championships in 2019 and assisted at two Atlantic Rim games and the 2016 World Championships.

Telephone: 07523 081 468
E-mail: julesleake@icloud.com

Kevin Phillips

International Area Scout - West

Born in 1953, Kevin has been a member of Topsham BC in Devon and played bowls for over 60 years. He is currently the Bowls Devon Team Manager for Middleton Cup, Balcomb Trophy and White Rose and played 178 consecutive Middleton Cup games before becoming Team Manager. Kevin was previously an International Selector since 2020.

Telephone: 07742 724 048
E-mail: kevinphillips1953@outlook.com

Judy Plater

International Para Scout for Physically Disabled

Judy has played bowls for nearly 40 years, was part one of the original England Under 25 teams and has represented her county in both the Johns Trophy and Walker Cup. She has also qualified for the National Finals on a few occasions.

Judy was involved in Disability Bowls England for four years. She has a passion to see the game grow and become more inclusive, provide opportunities for disabled players to take their game to the next level and, with Bowls England’s support, achieve great things in the future.

Telephone: 07899 924 682
E-mail: judy.plater1990@outlook.com

Nigel Morgan

International Para Scout for Visually Impaired (VI)

Nigel is a Level 3 Coach Bowls Coach, Tutor and Assessor, VIBE International Squad Coach and Wiltshire’s County Coach.

He believe we have a unique and truly inclusive sport where gender, race, or disabilities mean we all play the same game with no differences. My passion is with disability and especially with sight difficulties. Nigel has been fortunate enough to be selected several times to direct VI bowlers and will be off for his third World Championship in New Zealand 2027 with the VIBE England team.

Nigel welcomes the opportunity to work with anyone in England, to aid and support all disabilities.

Telephone: 07913 720 304
E-mail: njm7504@gmail.com