Giulia Gallo says she’s ‘deeply honoured’ to play for the USA at the World Bowls Indoor Championship, April 20-25, at Aberdeen IBC, Scotland.

“The USA has provided me with numerous opportunities, both professionally and personally. I will wear the Stars and Stripes with pride on the world stage,” she told World Bowls media officer Ceris Hewlings.

Gallo is one of 27 female players bidding to become World Bowls Indoor Bowls Championship women’s singles champion.

It’s a strong field of competitors including defending champion and World Bowls Series No 1 ranked player Nor Farah Ain Abdullah from Malaysia, last year’s runner-up Malta’s Connie Rixon and bronze medallist Linda Ng (Canada).

Female competitor field is really a who’s who of bowls. Take a look: Kelsey Cottrell (AUS), Auleria Shieunda Fuller (BOT), Linda Ng (CAN), Soledad Robertson (CYP), Emily Kernick (ENG), Cindy Royet (FRA), Alison Merrien MBE (GGY), Ada Lai (HKG), Zoe Minish (IRE), Caroline Whitehead (IOM), Maureen Caesar (JAM), Sayuri Abiru (JPN), Rachel MacDonald (JER), Pian Yuk Ping Lai (MAC), Emma Piryana Saroji (MAS), Nor Farah Ain Abdullah (MAS), Connie Rixon (MLT), Diana Viljoen (NAM), Tayla Bruce (NZL), Shae Wilson (NFK), Claire Anderson (SCO), Esme Kruger (RSA), Lisa Bonsor (ESP), Caroline Lehmann (SUI), Rahsan Akar (TUR), Giulia Gallo (USA) and Lauren Marie Gowen (WAL).

We spoke to Gallo about her about her thoughts ahead of the championship.

WB: What are you most looking forward to at the World Bowls Indoor Championship?

GG: I am looking forward to testing my singles game on the indoor carpet at Aberdeen, to learn from the best in the game. It will be a great experience for sure.

WB: How did you qualify for the event?

GG: I was selected amongst the pool of 2025 Team USA Players.

WB: How are you preparing?

GG: Between now and April, I will continue playing and practicing on grass at Laguna Beach or on carpet at Laguna Woods. In early April, I will arrive in Scotland, where my friend Ailsa Robertson will host me. I plan to practice daily at one of the indoor facilities in North-Eastern Scotland.

WB: Have you played bowls in Scotland before?

GG: I had the opportunity to participate in friendly matches in Inverurie and Elgin, as well as a few rounds at the Indoor Garioch Club, now known as the Jason Banks Arena.

WB: You will be playing mixed pairs with fellow USA competitor Bill Brault. What do you know about Bill’s game?

GG: I have played with and against Bill many times over the past few years. He is a steady and experienced bowler, with many titles to his name. Bill, along with his wife Anne Nunes, shares a similar sense of humor with me, and we have become good friends over time. When I heard that

I was going to play with him, I got very excited. He also provides me with coaching advice whenever he can, so I am familiar with his perspective on the game and the shots to make.

WORLD BOWLS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Thirty-two countries are taking part in the World Bowls and the International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC) event.

All five corners of the globe will be represented in the six-day event which pits the European and Oceania powerhouses against those from the America’s, Asia and African regions.

Three of the most sought-after titles are up for grabs in the women’s and men’s singles and mixed pairs competitions which sees a some of the best names in the sport competing.

For the full player field for the event, see www.worldbowls.com

FOOTNOTE: Since 2022, the event has been jointly sanctioned by World Bowls and the IIBC. Previously, it was run by the World Indoor Bowls Council/IIBC.

WORLD BOWLS SERIES

The World Bowls Indoor Championship is a Platinum event on the World Bowls Series (WBS) calendar. The WBS was launched in 2024, 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. The 2025 calendar has just been launched (see www.worldbowlsseries) and features 30 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 and increase their earnings potential, 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.

The Victorian Open (March 21-30) and Asian Lawn Bowls Championship (April 27-May 4) are the next event events on the calendar.

For the latest rankings, see www.worldbowlsseries.com

Any further enquiries can made to:

General – World Bowls CEO, Neil Dalrymple at ceo@worldbowls.com

Media – Ceris Hewlings at ceris.hewlings@keypublishing.com

Caption: Giulia Gallo at a recent event.

Photo Credit: Gary Barnes