Kelly McKerihen, 38, ended a momentous 2024 by being crowned the World Bowls Series No. 1 ranked female player.

She talks to World Bowls media officer Ceris Hewlings about her rise to the top of the ranking list where she sits with 732 points, 36 points clear of second place Malaysia’s Nor Farrah Ain Abdullah.

WB: How and when did you start playing bowls?

KM: I started playing bowls from a very early age, as my dad and grandparents played, but didn’t get into it competitively until I was 15-years-old.

WB: How long have you lived in Australia?

KM: I’ve been living in Australia since 2015, so just over nine years now. Before moving to Australia, I was a primary school teacher, teaching French. I now work as a bowls instructor/coach at Perfect Trail Coaching. I play at Clayton BC (Melbourne) and Port Credit BC (Toronto, Canada). I play with Taylor Bowls (size 3 GTR/SR in Australia and size 2 ACE in the Northern Hemisphere).

WB: What was your first bowls achievement?

KM: First bowls achievement domestically was when I won the Canadian Junior Championships in 2006. Internationally, my first major achievement was coming home with two bronze medals on my Canadian debut at the Atlantic Championships in Ayr (2007).

WB: What are some of your other bowls achievements?

KM: Other major results highlights would include:

– World Championships Singles Bronze Medals in 2012 and 2016

– World Championships Singles Silver Medal in 2023

– 9-Time Canadian Champion

– 2-Time Australia Champion (2024 Singles and 2021 Mixed-Pairs)

– 2024 Australian Open Women’s Fours Champion

– 2024 Hong Kong Classic Women’s Pairs Champion

– 2017 Multination Bronze-Fours & 2019 Multination Silver-Singles

– 3-Time Commonwealth Games Participant (2014/2018/2023)

WB: How does it feel to be ranked number one in the world?

KM: Being ranked #1 is a great feeling but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates who played alongside me this year! I’ve had a great year on the greens and have been playing really well, so it’s nice to be acknowledged for those successes!

WB: How important is the WBS ranking list for the future of bowls?

KM: The ranking list is a great new initiative that World Bowls has put into place. It not only celebrates player’s achievements, but also will hopefully give an opportunity for more global exposure of our great game!

WB: What does it mean to represent Canada?

KM: It’s a huge privilege and honour whenever I get given the opportunity to don the Maple Leaf and get called up for international duties. I have been lucky enough to do so for the last 18 years and continue to work very hard to be the best player I can be for my country.

WB: How often do you practise?

KM: Anywhere from one-four times a week, depending on the time of year, how busy my playing schedule is and what event I am trying to peak for.

WB: Do you have a bowls hero and if so, who?

KM: There are plenty of players who I have and continue to look up to. Players who have had success on all surfaces (carpet/grass, fast greens/slow greens) at the highest of levels (World Championships and Commonwealth Games), players such as Jo Edwards and Alex Marshall MBE, Ryan Bester all come to mind.

WB: Does anyone else in your family play bowls?

KM: Yes. I grew up in a bowls family. My dad, brother and sister all play. I have learned so much about the game from watching my grandparents/dad play, as well as having the chance to play internationally for Canada at the 2016 World Championships. I also have been lucky enough to have shared winning a Canadian Championship my sister and wear the maple leaf alongside her at a North American Challenge.

WB: Who has helped you with your bowls career so far?

KM: So many people have influenced and helped me along my bowls journey so far, from coaches, to teammates, to sports psychologists and IST team members with team Canada. But I would have to say that my bowls family back in Canada (especially my dad) helped me significantly from the start. Putting so much time into my growth as a young player and took the chance on me, travelling with me to giving me opportunities to play at the highest of levels to help develop my game.

WB: What’s next on the bowls calendar for you?

-2025 State Championships and Regional Playdowns

-2025 Victorian Open in March

-2025 Australian Open in June

WB: What are your aims in bowls?

KM: I still have goals set on winning a World Championship title and medal in the Commonwealth Games.

WB: What’s your advice to anyone taking up bowls?

KM: Be a sponge…ask questions/get advice from those who have ‘been there/done it’ and remember that you learn something from every experience you put yourself in, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and play without fear. But most of all, don’t forget to have fun!

World Bowls Series is the official year-long calendar of sanctioned events connecting to the official world rankings. It is a joint venture between World Bowls and Tier 5 Ventures. The sanctioned events occur across the globe and will feature a mixture of existing and new events.

WBS currently has 29 sanctioned events. Each WBS event will belong to a different tier having different ranking points based on the size, location, and stature it presents for the sport.

The purpose of WBS is to build the profile and brand of bowls, showcase the best players in the game, accelerate the legitimacy of the sport on the global stage and launch world rankings that will help create clarity and interest in the sport of bowls.

For more information regarding the World Bowls Series, contact: Neil Dalrymple, CEO, World Bowls, [email protected]

Female Rankings List: HERE

Male Rankings List: HERE

Author: Ceris Hewlings, World Bowls media officer

Caption: Kelly being congratulated by World Bowls president Brett O’Riley