A Dumfries pensioner will make her Commonwealth Games debut for Team Scotland at Birmingham today.
At 72 years and 11 months old, para lawn bowler Rosemary Lenton will be one of the oldest to have ever competed in the sport at the event.
She will make her debut alongside Pauline Wilson in the Women’s B6-8 Pairs.
Rosemary said: “We have been practising every day and managing to get a look at our opposition. I am excited to get going now, although it is still hard to believe that I am actually here.
“Pauline and I are bonding which is crucial for a team to work together. The team spirit amongst the Scottish Para team is working really well. We are all supporting each other.
“My training started several years ago but it has been ramped up for another year since Covid-19. Bowls Scotland has been great in supporting all of the para athletes in both games practices but also in the mental preparation and what to expect during the games.”
Rosemary’s route to sporting success began almost two decades ago when an injury that left her in a wheelchair opened her eyes to a variety of sports.
She said: “I went into hospital for what was meant to be a straightforward operation but I got an infection and had to have nine operations and was in hospital for three months.
“I struggled going back to work so I retired early and wanted to find something to socialise.
“I first tried curling in 2005 and later that year joined the Crichton Royal Bowling Club. I couldn’t have imagined I would come this far with what was my hobby.
“Never did I think I would be competing at this level. For my sport of lawn bowls this is the highest level of competition.
“You always see others competing and whilst you read about them, it is just a pipe dream, although in my case, it has come true.”
A spokesman for the Crichton Bowling Club described Rosemary as “an inspiration to us all”.
He added: “We are so proud of Rosemary’s achievement in being chosen to play at the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games run from July 28 until August 8.
