The 23-year-old teacher leading lesson on stripping bowls’ stigma
Sophie McGrouther, a 23-year-old primary school teacher from Fife, is competing for Scotland in the women's singles bowls event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, hoping to challenge perceptions of the sport as she pursues a medal. As the youngest member of Scotland's bowls team and a former world indoor champion at 21, she wants to use her platform to inspire younger players and shed bowls' image as an older person's pastime.
McGrouther took up bowls aged 10 after a taster session at school, later joining Abbeyview Bowling Club without family encouragement, unlike many of her peers. She recalls being an object of curiosity as a child at the club, but says the social side of the sport has kept her involved despite missing out on other activities while training. Twelve years after watching Scotland win pairs gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, she is now competing alongside those same heroes at a revamped, more modern indoor event featuring music and lighting designed to attract new fans.
- Sophie McGrouther, 23, competes in Commonwealth Games women's bowls singles
- Former world indoor champion aims to challenge bowls' "old man's game" image
- Hopes to inspire younger players and grow the sport's appeal
New here? Start with this
Bowls is a sport where players roll weighted balls towards a specific target area, and it has traditionally been associated with older people rather than younger generations. This perception has contributed to fewer young people taking up the sport compared to more popular alternatives.
Sophie McGrouther is a 23-year-old primary school teacher from Fife who became a world indoor bowls champion at 21, making her one of the most accomplished young players in the country. She first tried bowls at school aged ten and has since dedicated herself to the sport despite the lack of wider participation among people her age.
McGrouther hopes to challenge bowls' image as a pastime for older people and inspire younger players to take it up. She believes her success and visible presence in the sport can help demonstrate that bowls appeals to all ages and deserves recognition as a competitive pursuit for young people as well.