BowlsWales has today announced that Alun Jones is stepping down from his role as Chair of BowlsWales and the board, following completion of his three years term of office.

Alun was a key member of the Steering Committee that successfully delivered the transition from the Welsh Bowls Federation to the formation of BowlsWales in 2017 and since then has worked tirelessly alongside bowls organisations and individuals throughout the country to promote our sport.

Board service is one of the toughest volunteer roles of all, and Alun has undertaken his role with dedication and a clear sense of purpose and it is appropriate that we should thank Alun for his huge contribution and commitment to BowlsWales and to bowls in Wales in general. We would not have been able to accomplish the things we have without his wise counsel and patient advice, and we hope that, as Alun looks back on his time with BowlsWales,  he too will acknowledge that our achievements so far would not have been possible without him at the helm.

Thank you Alun for your leadership, support, advice and huge contribution from all at BowlsWales.

Owen Burgess, Senior Officer at Sport Wales the national organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales marked the occasion by saying:

‘’Sport Wales recognise the valued contribution that Alun Jones has had on the sport of Bowls. Alun has worked tirelessly over many years for a range of bowls bodies and during his time chairing Bowls Wales has been committed to modernising the game and driving forward the sport of Bowls in Wales.”

BowlsWales thanks Alun for all his hard work over many years’ involvement in bowls in Wales and wish him and his family our best wishes for good health and fewer phone calls and emails at all hours of the day and night.

BowlsWales has meanwhile appointed Ken Burton as Interim Chair whilst we undertake further recruitment for a number of director vacancies to complete our board of directors. Ken Burton will be well known to many bowls’ followers throughout Wales. He is an International Umpire, Advanced Coach and has also served as President and Treasurer of the Welsh Indoor Bowling Association. Ken was also President of the Welsh Bowling Association, representing the outdoors game, in 2015.

Ken said “As interim Board Chair for the next few months, we will continue the massive progress already made and work to bring all the stakeholders together thus safeguarding the future of bowls in Wales.”

Owen Burgess has confirmed “he will continue to work with Bowls Wales and with Ken Burton in his capacity as interim chair to see the game grow and prosper in Wales’’.