“Braveheart” the movie has nothing on the brave hearts of the Scottish athletes at the Learning Disabilities Indoor Bowls International Series 2024 for the Munro Cup. Considering after the opening two sessions play Scotland were sitting firmly on the bottom of the table.

The Event started on day one with a rousing opening ceremony. Then the games for the Munro Cup began in earnest. A fabulous atmosphere in the stadium and England, the defending champions got off to a great start with some very close bowls across their rinks with Harry Aitken (England) playing a superb last bowl in the level 2 pairs game. Which meant England led the table after the first session of games.

In session two Millie Campbell of Wales had a resounding 21.3 victory in the singles. But again it was the defending champions England who secured more points and at the lunch break the table scores were England 10, Wales 8 and Scotland 6.

But after a confessed “stern” talking to by their team coaches over lunch, the Scottish team came out with a battle cry roar. The home nation took several of the games right to the wire by coming out on top in all four games they played in the session. Table after round three: Scotland take the lead with 14 points England have 12 and Wales are on 10.

So to the final session of the first day and it was an intense session with the scores ebbing and flowing across the rinks. The game of singles between Gemma Broadhead (England) and James O’Brien (Wales) was a fantastic game of singles with Wales coming out winning after a tight measure 15-13. Final standing at the end of Day one. Scotland 20, England 16 and Wales 12.

Day two and a brilliant atmosphere from all three teams to start the day. Singing and chanting and team building. What an amazing time was had by all. Smiles. Smiles. Smiles. That added to the increased spectator numbers made for a truly great vibe.

Then down to business and the first session of the day. The Welsh squad are noteably showing huge improvement every year. Holding their best ever points tally and another good scalp in this round when top Welsh Athlete Naomi Baelz skipped her triple Harry Gwatkin and Lorna Clark to a 1 point win over the very strong England level 1 triple. But it was Scotland that proved their strength across the session and with one session of games to go the table stands. Scotland 28, England 18 and Wales 14.

The final session of competitive games. Scotland powered away to a convincing victory. A significant win coming from the Scottish tri of Paul Clapperton, Robbie Anderson and Raymond Brumby against England.

Scotland roared again when they were announced as the LDIBIS Munro Cup Champions 2024. Final table: Scotland 36, England 20 and Wales 16.

A huge thank you was given to all the event supporters and particularly to the Falkirk team and the amazing LDIBIS volunteer team. These sort of event’s simply rely on support and volunteers to support the athletes. The LDIBIS volunteers are “Simply the best” but then (as the writer of this article) I am a bit biased as year after year they travel from all over the country at their own expense to support the event. It’s a true team effort. We are all like a family.

At the closing ceremony two of the original head coaches bowed out. Marie Nicholson England Head Coach and Ron McArthur Scotland Head Coach have both taken the decision to stand down after 4 events involvement. Both were part of the original team who sat down to create the LDIBIS and start the International series. Janice Gower (me) LDIBIS event manager who was also in the event set up from the start said, “It was a tearful moment at the closing ceremony of this years event when both Marie and Ron stepped down from their head coach roles. We simply would not be here without the two of them and their enthusiasm to promote an event which brings learning disability athletes the opportunity to pull on their countries shirt and go head to head against other countries and work as a team, I for one will never forget their involvement and hope they will both still involved in some capacity but that they take heart for what they have done for their athletes over the years.”

The presentation and awards were given by Zander Ness, the Falkirk Indoor Bowls Club President. A very proud Gary Flynn (Scotland’s Head Coach) lifted the coveted Quaich “The Munro Cup”. Taking the title on home soil Gary spoke after receiving the cup, “I’m overwhelmed with the performance of the squad. Just so happy for everyone involved for the commitment from all the players and the coaches over the year, it makes it all worthwhile. I’m so proud off the effort and way that they have conducted themselves throughout the tournament. And to lift the Munro Cup on home soil is a very proud and emotional moment for us all.”

And so the curtain closes on another successful event for the amazing LDIBIS athletes and our band wagon moves to Wales and Cardiff on the 23rd and 24th April 2025.