A DARLINGTON man is among thousands of inspirational people from across England who will take the role of baton bearers in the Queen’s Baton Relay this summer, ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Scott Morland is club secretary for South Park Bowls Club and lead for the club’s Inclusion Bowls project, ‘That’s How We Roll’.
He found out he had been chosen to be a baton bearer a couple of weeks ago, and he couldn’t believe it.
Scott said: “I couldn’t believe it to be honest. I was chuffed. My family was really pleased as well. I think my daughter would’ve been more impressed if it was for the Olympics though!”
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Each baton bearer is nominated on grounds of being inspirational, so there is sure to be a huge variety of people chosen to participate.
Scott said: “I don’t know the specific reason I was nominated but I suspect it’s for my work with the bowls club to make the sport as inclusive as possible.”
The club won Bowls England ‘Story of the Year’ for Scott’s work during the Covid lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 and for his commitment to make bowls truly a sport for everyone by investing in disability aids, modern equipment and training in LGBTQ+ training and safeguarding.
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The club was nominated and shortlisted for a further two awards for 2021, for Club of the Year and Coach of the Year, and were presented at an awards night in February this year.
To win the Story of the Year, Scott ensured the club; created a Covid-safe environment following national guidance, won three grants used for accessibility, bought modern bowling equipment to encourage young people to try their hand at the sport, doubled club membership, created the first women’s team for the club and created its own club leagues and competitions as all competitive bowls competitions were cancelled across the county.
South Park Bowls Club also welcomes little ones in its newest children's sessions for 4 years and over. Visit www.thatshowweroll.uk or email Scott at scott@southparkbowls.co.uk
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