New President appointed to lead World Bowls

World Bowls staged their Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday (Tuesday 19th November) and the members of World Bowls elected five (5) Directors under its newly adopted Constitution. 

Sue Beatt (Scotland), Darryl Clout (Australia), Claudius Lam (Hong Kong China), Brett O’Riley (New Zealand) and Hazel Wilson (Wales) were all elected. 

Immediately following the AGM, the Board met and by lot, the five Directors were appointed for terms ranging from one to three years - Clout for 1 year, O’Riley and Beatt for 2 years, Lam and Wilson for 3 years. Additionally, the Board appointed Brett O’Riley as President who will succeed Darryl Clout. 

Darryl decided to stand down after four years of service as President and overseeing the most significant period of change since the inception of World Bowls. 

O’Riley commented on his appointment, “I am delighted to be elected as World Bowls President for the next two years by the Board. I look forward to working together with my Board colleagues, the member nations and the executive team to continue to drive our sport in positive new directions, making our game relevant and successful for the times we live in. 

I have had a lifelong involvement in bowls through my family and career. That gives me the perspective to know I am following in the footsteps of some amazing predecessors, many of whom have had a direct impact on my life journey. 

The strong support of Bowls New Zealand Aotearoa, Bowls Oceania, my World Bowls colleagues, and my family and friends, has been instrumental in my willingness to take on this responsibility, and have the time to work alongside Neil and the wider team. 

We have so much to achieve in the directions that bowls is taking. New opportunities for competitive players of all kinds, expanding our game into new countries, and strengthening the sport in our existing nations, through a digital lens and by communicating effectively at every step. 

I want to acknowledge the work my predecessor Darryl Clout has led over the past four years in the strategic changes made by World Bowls. It has been a long and complex process and it is great having Darryl’s support and his continued involvement on the Board.”