Marion Purcell is the mixed pairs world indoor bowling champion. She started playing 18 years ago in Cwmbran where she ‘caught the bowling bug’. Now she is a double world champion after taking the mixed pairs crown in 2015 and 2020.
Marion said: “I have been into sport and fitness all of my teenage and adult life and fell upon bowls after being bribed a swap, a keep fit class which I was running in return a try at bowls at my local park in Cwmbran.
“That park has been on my doorstep since the day I was born. And that was it, I caught the bowling bug.
“I train at Torfaen Indoor Bowls Club at Cwmbran Stadium. Typically I practice every other day for two hours. But I practice every day leading up to a competition or international game.”
During the summer she trains at Cwmbran Park and plays for Pontyfelin Bowls Club.
“It is such a buzz”
“I also go to the gym and for a jog most days. I am lucky I have a very supportive husband who supports me 100%. He is very proud of my achievements as is most of my family. As well as winning national competitions I’ve won two world titles. It is such a buzz to say the least.”
WATCH the moment Marion Purcell won her second World title
“I have to qualify for these so it’s quite time consuming and of course the love of the game drives me to it.”
Her partner in the mixed pairs final at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Potters Leisure Resort in Great Yarmouth was Nick Brett. During his final match in the open pairs he played a spectacular shot and the video of it went viral (Scroll down for the clip).
Marion said: “The bowl that he played in his pairs final with Greg Harlow! Oh my God, it was amazing stuff, good enough to go viral. He is such a nice guy and so funny. He was so encouraging especially when I was struggling with my form in the final. What happened there I don’t know. I just couldn’t put my game together and that happens in any sport. But with Nick on top form he carried us through to the finishing line. That’s bowls eh?
“Covid-19 has put everything to a complete stop. But I’m making the most of my time on lockdown and doing my other hobbies, gardening and learning to cook.
“I’m still doing my exercises and keeping fit. I dread to think what my neighbours must be thinking about watching me running around the garden to the beat. I’m really looking forward to getting back to the game soon.”
Watch Nick Brett’s ‘ridiculous’ shot that went viral
