The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Bowls champ aims to rally fellow youths
Ateenage bowling champion is calling on other youngsters and people of all ages to join her when the new season kicks off at the weekend.
Nicknamed the “queen of the green”, 16-year-old Hannah Pirie represented Thornton in Fife when she scooped the U-18 Youth Triples Champions medal and trophy at the national championships in 2023.
The engineering apprentice, who went to
Glenwood High School in Glenrothes, bagged the title at the championships staged in Ayr last July.
Hannah is based at Kinglassie Miners Welfare and Bowling Club which is gearing up for its big open day on Saturday (April 6).
She said: “I grew up around a bowling green and first picked up a bowl aged seven – my whole family plays including my sister, so there are good memories here. Bowling just brings people together.
“We unfortunately do not have a junior section here in Kinglassie which is one of the drawbacks. I represented Thornton because they have to combine young people from different clubs due to a lack of juniors within the district.
“I think it is because bowling is seen as an older person’s sport and people don’t really know a lot about it but my experience in bowls helped me get my apprenticeship because I could clearly show that I was skilled in team building
and leadership as well as good at communication.
“The number of friends I have made from my week in Ayr is amazing and we regularly stay in touch through social media. They are from all over Scotland.
“I think young people should come along to our open day here in Kinglassie. It is a good laugh and you
certainly do build your confidence.
“It is also good to speak to older people because you get different life stories. It is like a big extended family, and I am looking forward to continuing to play bowls this year and building all my skills.”
Kinglassie club president Dave Bruce said: “Hannah is an excellent ambassador
and I support her call for people of all ages to come along to our open day where they will be warmly welcomed.
“We will be on hand to answer any questions they might have about the sport or joining our club and we can arrange for them to play a game free of charge.”
The open day begins at 12.30pm.