Norma Shaw, who took up bowls in 1963 at the age of 25 became one of England’s most decorated women bowlers, admired for her elegant technique, longevity and contribution to televised women’s bowls. She had a fine record against male opposition and could claim to have beaten most of her male contemporaries, including World Bowls Hall of Famers Jim Baker, Richard Corsie and Willie Wood MBE. 

A self‑taught player who rose to international prominence, Shaw collected 12 medals at World Bowls and four at Commonwealth Games, as well as five at the Atlantic championships. Nationally, it is surprising that she won the English outdoor singles title only once – in 1998 – but she did win the indoor equivalent no fewer than seven times. 

At the 1981 World Bowls Outdoor Championships in Toronto, Canada, Norma achieved her finest individual performance. She won the gold medal with 15 wins from 17 games in the marathon round-robin competition format, two wins clear of silver medallist Flo Kennedy from Zimbabwe. This helped secure the Taylor Trophy for the England team. 

England secured the Taylor Trophy again at the 1988 World Bowls in Auckland, New Zealand, with Norma skipping the triples and fours combinations to silver medals, losing both finals to Australia skipped by Hall of Famer Dorothy Roche. 

In 1985, Norma, who was proud to represent the County of Durham, was honoured with an MBE for her services to the sport.  

Norma remained active in coaching and promotion of women’s bowls throughout her life and is remembered as a role model for generations of English players. 

Commonwealth Games 

1982 (Triples Bronze), 1994 (Singles Bronze), 1998 (Fours Bronze) 

World Bowls 

1981 (Singles Gold), (Pairs Bronze), 1985 (Pairs Bronze), 1988 (Triples Silver), (Fours Silver), 1992 (Singles Bronze), (Triples Bronze), 1996 (Fours Bronze), 2000 (Triples Silver) 

Atlantic 

1993 (Singles Gold) 

WIBC/IIBC Women’s World Indoor Singles 

1997 (gold)