The first full team of athletes set to represent Wales at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been announced today following the selection of the Lawn Bowls team.

With two gold, three silver and three bronze Commonwealth medals already won by just two members of the squad, a total of 15 bowlers will be heading to the Scottish city next summer aiming to add more to their collection.

Competing over nine days in six separate events, Wales’ bowlers will compete in the Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours, Visually Impaired Mixed Pairs and Para-Sport Triples.

Former Welsh and British Isles Singles champion and Commonwealth Games Co-ordinating Manager for Lawn Bowls, Hazel Wilson is delighted with the squad:

"We’re really happy to be the first team announcing our full squad. The bowlers have been working hard to earn selection and knowing they’ve secured their place will now allow them to focus on their preparations for the Games.

"There’s a great mix of youth and experience amongst the team which will stand us in good stead and I’m confident that we can continue with the medal-winning ways previously shown by bowlers at Commonwealth Games."

The women’s bowls team, selected by the Welsh Women’s Bowling Association, will feature:

Anwen Butten, Carmarthen Pairs and Fours

Lisa Forey, from Swansea lives in Newport Triples and Fours

Kelly Packwood, from Newport lives in Pontypool Triples and Fours

Kathy Pearce, Berriew in Powys Triples and Fours

Caroline Taylor, Berriew in Powys Singles and Pairs

They will be led by Women’s Team Manager, Anita Williams.

The men’s team, selected by the Welsh Men’s Bowling Association, will feature:

Mark Harding, Beddau Pairs and Fours

Paul Taylor, Bridgend Triples and Fours

Jonathan Tomlinson, from NPT, lives in Newport Triples and Fours

Robert Weale, Presteigne Singles and Pairs

Marc Wyatt, Caerphilly Triples and Fours

They will be led by Men’s Team Manager, Alun Hodges.

Fully integrated into the lawn bowls programme will be two Para-Sport events for bowlers who are visually impaired or have a physical disability.

Selected to compete in the Visually Impaired Mixed Pairs are:

Rosa Crean, Cardiff

Gilbert Miles, Swansea

And competing in the final Para-Sport event, the Triples for bowlers with a physical disability will be:

Chris Gibson, Cardiff

Dave Powell, Monmouthshire

Kevin Woolmore, Wrexham

Chris Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, said:

"Lawn bowls has made a fantastic contribution to the final Team Wales medal tally at the last few Commonwealth Games and I’m looking forward to seeing some of those medallists perform again for us in Glasgow."

"The inclusion of Para-Sport events for bowlers is great to see and it’s meant that we’re able to send more bowlers to a Commonwealth Games than ever before."

"We’re nearly at the 200 days to go mark and momentum is really building now. The team is starting to grow and years of preparations are starting to come together. With the whole nation on our side Team Wales is 3 million strong and we’re looking forward to witnessing that support during the Queen’s Baton Relay and the Games next year."

Key facts

• The oldest member of the squad is 71 and the youngest is 25.
• Three members of the women’s team and management reside in the small mid-Wales village of Berriew.
• Half of the squad will be making their Commonwealth Games debut.
• Robert Weale is one of Wales’ most decorated Commonwealth athletes having won two gold, three silver and a bronze medal from previous Games.