http://www.bowlsinternational.com November 2017 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL 29H
e said: "It was hardly surprising that
Linda would very quickly make her
name as a fine bowler considering
the family background, bowls was in
the blood.
"Her grandfather Billy Coop had been an
International player, father Ritchie had captained
Wales outdoors in the late Sixties and her
mother Eileen had been one of the finest women
players, both outdoors and indoors, of her
generation.
"Linda quickly gained success both indoors
and outdoors- firstly at club and county level
and then at national level.
"Many will remember Linda playing for Port
Talbot Ladies and Swansea Indoor and the
formidable player she was alongside her mother
Eileen and the late Julie Davies, what a great
trio they were both outdoors and indoors.
"Linda rapidly gained
international recognition
and was capped
outdoors and indoors
and her performances in
the Home Internationals
were rewarded with
selection for the 1986
Commonwealth Games.
"Playing in the fours
at Edinburgh, alongside
Linda Parker, Joan Ricketts and Rita Jones,
she enjoyed probably her greatest moment in a
Welsh shirt when they won the gold medal.
"I know Linda treasured that medal, she was
so proud to be part of a remarkable Games for
Wales with the men's fours of Robert Weale,
William Thomas, Hafod Thomas and Jim
Morgan also taking gold.
"An historic moment for Welsh Bowls and
Linda was not only proud to play her part, but
also cherished the great friendship she made
during those days with her Welsh team mates.
"Linda was to represent Wales at two further
Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990
and Victoria in 1994, this time without medal
success, but still representing Wales with greatOBITUARY|Linda Evans
Linda
Evans
Bowlers in Wales and beyond
were rocked by the news
of Linda Evans's death last
month. John Price was a close
family friend of Linda's as well
as a bowling colleague, and
spoke at her funeral.skill and passion.
"I was fortunate to travel with Linda to
Auckland, 1990 was my first Games. Everyone
will remember how immaculate Linda was
both on and off the bowling green, her skirts
and blouse were always immaculate and ironed
to perfection and there was never a hair out of
place.
"I remember we would tease her sometimes,
telling her she looked like she was going to a
fashion show rather than a bowls tournament,
she took the banter well , she told me and I
quote, 'scruffy off the green and you would play
scruffy bowls on the green!'
"Linda would go on to achieve so much
success in the rest of her playing career, she
won a silver as part of
the fours at the 1993
Atlantic Championships
and was delighted later,
in the twilight years
of her international
career, to join a new
generation of young
players namely Kathy
Pearce, Anwen Button
and Caroline Taylor in
the fours at the 2004 World Bowls, winning a
bronze medal.
"Linda was one of a small group of players
in Wales to have medalled at the three major
outdoor championships. She also won a number
of National and British Isles titles, but I know
the success she cherished most was to win the
1992 National Outdoor Pairs with her mother
Eileen and to go on to clinch the British title
with her in 1993.
"Linda was also very proud when husband
Keith achieved international honours indoors
and she was also a loyal member at Port Talbot
and Swansea Indoor. Linda was always modest
in victory and humble in defeat, she always
appreciated the sport was bigger than theindividual and always wanted to put something
back into the sport.
"She would make time to coach new bowlers
and beginners at Swansea Indoor Club,
alongside former World Indoor Champion Terry
Sullivan.
"With her knowledge and passion for the
game of bowls and her engaging and warm
personality, Linda inspired many beginners to
join local clubs, even today I meet people in
the street who tell me how great Linda was for
helping them and introducing them to the sport.
"Despite her success as a player she never
forgot the grass roots and despite playing at the
highest level and all her success, was prepared
to work for her local club and always had time
for new bowlers.
"When she retired from international bowls
in 2006 Linda wanted to give something back
and became Treasurer of the WWBA. Gill said:
'Linda was such a great ambassador for our
sport and Welsh bowls has lost a great person
and friend.'
"In recent years Linda worked with many of
the junior bowlers in Wales, not only as a Coach
and Manager to the Welsh Under 25`s but also
with youngsters at her local club.
"Linda wanted to help and inspire these girls
and I know she was so happy to see current
top players like Kathy Pearce now taking over
the reins. Even though she was so heavily
involved with the WWBA administration in
later years, Linda still found time to play bowls
and still achieved great success. She formed
another formidable trio with friends Jill Willis
and Wendy Morris at Port Talbot Ladies and
together they won the Welsh and British Isles
Outdoor Triples in 2011, her last major success
as a player, 40 years after taking up the sport.
"The game of bowls was Linda's passion and
there is much to celebrate- she achieved so
much as a player, administrator, coach, umpire
and volunteer."“Even during her
successful playing career
she would make time to
coach new bowlers and
beginners at Swansea
Indoor Club.”
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