World Bowls is delighted to announce that Mark Cowan has been appointed Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Bowls and Para Bowls Technical Delegate.

In a confirmation letter received by World Bowls, Katie Sadleir, CEO, Commonwealth Sport, said: “I am writing to thank you for your nomination of Mark Cowan for the role of Technical Delegate for Bowls and Para Bowls at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. I am very pleased to officially confirm this appointment.

“We are delighted to have Mark on board, given his wealth of knowledge and experience in bowls and depth of knowledge of major multi-sport Games.”

Mark is one of 12 Technical Delegates appointed by Commonwealth Sport and the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company.

Taking place from 23 July to 2 August, Glasgow 2026 is an 11-day celebration that combines 10 world-class sports with a future-focused vision, built and delivered by the vibrant spirit of Glasgow. Set within a concentrated, eight-mile corridor that brings the Games closer to the fans than ever before, Glasgow 2026 will deliver a record-breaking para sport programme, the largest track cycling and swimming competitions seen at a Commonwealth Games and groundbreaking events like the return of the Commonwealth Mile in athletics.

Technical Delegates (TD) represent international sports federations and are responsible for ensuring that competition is delivered to the highest possible standards and adheres to a sport’s rules and regulations. Technical Delegates will oversee all technical aspects of their respective sports, during Glasgow 2026.

The appointment is the latest stage in the planning process for Glasgow 2026.

Recently, it was announced that a total of seven gold medals will be on offer for Games.

Bowls is one of 10 sports included in the streamlined competition, the 23rd of its kind, with bowls set to be staged indoors for the first time in the event’s history.

Bowls will see singles and pairs disciplines contested in both the open men’s and women’s schedule, with the para component to remain the same as Birmingham 2022 that consisted of men’s and women’s B6-B8 pairs, as well as the vision impaired mixed pairs.

World Bowls media officer Ceris Hewlings caught up with Australian-based Mark to gauge his feelings about the appointment.

WB: How does it feel to be appointed the Bowls and Para Bowls Technical Delegate for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games?

MC: It is very exciting but also somewhat nerve wracking at the same time. Given the circumstances surrounding the cancelled games in Melbourne, the reduction in some of the sports and the new look format for bowls in these games, it is certainly fantastic to be a part of the organisation of getting the games up and running in a short amount of time. Also following in the footsteps of Kerry Clark who was TD for the past 30 years I am on a very steep learning curve and somewhat apprehensive in making sure I get things right.

WB: Tell me about your bowls background?

MC: I started bowls when I was 24. I played a decent grade of cricket here in Melbourne but had a ‘come try’ bowls night and never went back to cricket. I was fortunate to play 230 games for Victoria as a player, became a coach in the ’90s and in 2002 became an umpire. The National Officiating Director (NOD) of umpiring for Bowls Australia at the time, Doug Corben earmarked me for CG2006 as an official and I finished up marking the men’s singles final (where Kelvin Kerkow ripped his shirt off after winning) which is the ultimate accolade for the International Technical Officials (ITO’s). I then took over Doug’s position as NOD after he passed away in 2008 and I have been to each Commonwealth Games since 2006, along with my good friend and UK counterpart in Allan Thornhill from England. I was also an assistant coach under Steve Glasson’s leadership for Bowls Australia looking after the Australian players from Victoria and Tasmania. I have been very lucky that I have had a chance to work in a number of positions, including Technical Delegate for World Bowls and now for CG2026

WB: What will be your first job following the appointment?

MC: In normal circumstances you would have four years to get the games ready for the next one but with Melbourne cancelling the games we have to squeeze four years of work into 18 months. I have already been working on the layout of the venue in terms of the green, the playing schedule and fitting all the games into the required amount of playing days as well as the Conditions of Play. I think the workload is only going to ramp up from here.

WB: What are you most looking forward with the role?

MC: Given the different format for these games that we play here in Australia to a TV audience but is not played elsewhere around the world, I am looking forward to help deliver a bowls event that could be the catalyst for a younger generation to take up the game in a short fast paced environment.

The Glasgow 2026 Technical Delegates hail from seven different nations and includes a former Commonwealth Games champion, Olympians, a former ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission and a former Team England Chef de Mission. The 12 officials have all been selected for their extensive officiating and technical experience across multiple Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The other appointed delegates are:

• Athletics and Para Athletics – Chris Cohen (ENG)
• Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – Andrew Tombs (ENG)
• Women’s Artistic Gymnastics – Trisha Hade (AUS)
• 3×3 Basketball – Robert Rieblinger (GER)
• 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball – Charlie Bethell (ENG)
• Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling – Paul Watson (NIR)
• Judo – Loretta Doyle (SCO)
• Netball – Kate Agnew (NZL)
• Para Powerlifting – Noor Syhieda (MAS)
• Swimming and Para Swimming – Craig Hunter (ENG)
• Weightlifting – Sam Coffa (AUS)

Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026 Phil Batty OBE said: “Glasgow 2026 is excited to welcome the Technical Delegates appointed to the Games next summer. Officials are the cornerstone of the sporting competition and they play a key part in bringing the Games to fruition. I have no doubt that this is a moment of pride and achievement for those selected. We look forward to working with this hugely experienced group of officials to deliver an exhilarating sporting competition across 10 sports next summer.”

CEO of Commonwealth Sport Katie Sadleir CNZM added:  “The role of Technical Delegate is essential to ensuring world-class competition and athlete experience at Glasgow 2026. Their expertise, collaboration, and commitment will help deliver a Games that meets the highest standards of sporting excellence and inspires millions across the Commonwealth. We thank the International Federations for their nominations and we are delighted with the experienced team of delegates we will have taking part in Glasgow 2026.”

The Technical Delegate for boxing will be appointed in due course.

To find out more about Glasgow 2026 and to stay up to date with all the latest news, volunteering and ticket information visit www.glasgow2026.com