World Bowls has announced that Chief Executive Officer Neil Dalrymple will retire from full-time employment in August 2027, concluding a significant period of leadership that has overseen substantial growth, innovation and international development across the sport.
The World Bowls Board has accepted Mr Dalrymple’s retirement plans and will shortly commence an international search process to identify the organisation’s next Chief Executive Officer. The appointment will be one of the most significant leadership positions in global bowls and para bowls, responsible for guiding the sport through its next phase of growth and development.
World Bowls President Brett O’Riley acknowledged Mr Dalrymple’s contribution to the organisation and the sport internationally.
“On behalf of the World Bowls Board, our Member National Authorities, athletes, volunteers, officials and partners around the world, I would like to thank Neil for his outstanding leadership and service to the sport.
Neil has played a pivotal role in strengthening World Bowls as a modern international federation, advancing our strategic priorities and positioning the sport for future growth. His commitment to diversity, inclusivity, innovation and collaboration has helped create a strong foundation from which the sport can continue to thrive.
This includes the creation of the World Bowls Series, our merger with International Bowls for the Disabled, and membership of the International Paralympic Committee and World Pétanque and Bowls. The recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow successfully showcased how the sport of bowls is changing and Neil led that process with significant positive results.
While Neil will remain fully engaged in leading World Bowls until his retirement in August 2027, it is appropriate that we now begin a structured succession process to identify the best possible leader for the next chapter of our organisation.”
The recruitment process will be conducted internationally and seeks an exceptional leader capable of advancing World Bowls’ vision of making bowls the world’s most diverse and inclusive sport. World Bowls currently represents 90 Member National Authorities across six global regions and continues to pursue ambitious strategic objectives, including growing participation, strengthening commercial performance, driving fan engagement, improving capability and capacity in the sport, expanding global partnerships, and pursuing future Olympic and Paralympic opportunities.
The successful candidate will be expected to build on the organisation’s strong foundations and work closely with the Board, Member National Authorities and strategic partners to drive continued innovation, global engagement and sustainable growth throughout the sport.
Mr Dalrymple said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead World Bowls and looked forward to supporting a smooth leadership transition.
“It has been a privilege to serve World Bowls and the global bowls community. I remain fully committed to the organisation and our members over the coming year and will work closely with the Board to ensure an orderly and successful transition.
The sport has tremendous momentum and opportunity ahead of it. I am confident the next CEO will inherit a strong organisation with ambitious plans and a passionate global community determined to grow the sport further.”
Further details regarding the recruitment process, including the position specification and application information, will be released by World Bowls in the coming weeks.
