Garry Collins, in conjunction with Bowls Europe and World Bowls, is delighted to announce his appointment as the new World Bowls Ambassador for Europe and joins the Regional Development & Ambassadors Committee. This role will help to coordinate development within Europe and share positive initiatives with bowls colleagues from across the globe. 
 
Garry was the European Regional Director for World Bowls between 2016 and 2023, he was involved in creating Bowls Europe in 2021 becoming the first Administration Director, a post he continues to hold today.  He was the President of the British Isles Bowls Council between 2014 and 2016 for the fixed three-year term but served in all, 20 years on the British Council in one role or another. In 2004 he created Bowls Guernsey, having already served 6 years on the men’s association, creating one combined body for bowls in Guernsey, he step-down from Bowls Guernsey in 2023 after 20 years involvement, he held roles including Secretary, Treasurer, Team Manager and President at different times. Garry is a qualified Coach and Umpire of the sport and has also been a director of the Commonwealth Games and was the Chef De Mission for Guernsey at the 2018 Gold Coast Games and the Youth Games Team Leader at the 2017 Bahamas Games. In total Garry has held 65 different voluntary roles in sport, across 15 different bodies, with 293 years of combined service over the 28 years. 
 
Garry received the Guernsey Sports Commission award in 2023 for outstanding contribution to his sport, also in 2017 he received the award for Best Event Organiser and in 2004 the Under 25 award for outstanding contribution to his sport. In total Garry has received 11 awards for administration and achievement as an athlete, having played at 35 international events for Guernsey, winning 11 international medals, including playing at two Commonwealth Games with finishing in the top ten at each event, winning Gold at the British Championships and Silver at the European Championships. 
 
Brett O’Riley, President of World Bowls and Chair of the Regional Development & Ambassadors Committee said, 
‘I am delighted to announce Garry has taken up this role for World Bowls. Garry and I were directors together of World Bowls between 2021 and 2023.  I know he is keen to use his experience and his passion to help develop countries further. World Bowls has grown its members countries over the recent years and pushing hard for bowls to be part of the 2032 Olympics to be held in Brisbane, Australia’ 
 
Garry Collins said 
‘I am very pleased to have been appointed an Ambassador, having started bowling at the age of 11, and now 45, so 35 years of experience on the green and plus some 28 years on the admin side, it’s a great honour to be named an International Ambassador, when I think of little Guernsey, we have done alright for international honours, we have produced many World Champions and Guernsey is known on World map for bowls’