Wednesday 22nd November 2000
sportscotland has warmly welcomed today's announcement that Edinburgh has been chosen as the site for the headquarters for the new unified World Body for Bowls.
Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, commented, "This announcement is a recognition that Scotland's sporting infrastructure is definitely on the ascendancy and provides an environment where major Sporting Bodies can flourish.
"Bowling in particular is one of Scotland's most consistently successful sports, with our men and women bowlers picking up gold medals at virtually every World Championships and Commonwealth Games in recent years.
"The success in recent years of younger players such as current World no 1 David Gourlay (34) from Glasgow is also ensuring we have a new generation of role models who are challenging public perceptions of the sport and are encouraging more youngsters to give it a try.
"Having the world governing body for the sport on our doorstep can only benefit this development and further establish Scotland's international reputation as a nation committed to improving the development of sport."
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Edinburgh was chosen as the location for the new unified world body by the 'World Bowls' Steering Group.
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The New HQ for 'World Bowls' will be located within sportscotland's building at Caledonia House, South Gyle.
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Other major sporting bodies located in Scotland include the World Curling Federation and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.
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Scotland has around 2,000 (indoor and outdoor) bowling clubs.
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Around 5% of the adult population in Scotland regularly play bowls. 74% of players participate at least once a week with 55% playing more than once a week. This is one of the highest participation frequencies of any sport in Scotland.
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Scottish men won six of the 10 Indoor Singles World Championships in the 1990s.
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In recent Commonwealth Games, Margaret Letham & Joyce Lindores won gold in the Pairs in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, with Frances Whyte & Sarah Gourlay (mother of current Men's World no 1, David) winning gold in the Pairs in 1994 in Victoria. Richard Corsie won gold in the Men's Singles at the 1994 Games.