Who are our National Council members and what do their roles involve? Our series continues to cover each of our heads of departments and their involvement in our sport from the time they first bowled to what’s in store for the future.
Meet BTBA Regional Officer South Matt Smith
Tell us about yourself – and your personal bowling Journey
Hi, my name is Matt Smith and I am the current Southern Regional Officer for the BTBA. Most people will know me or at least have seen me (there aren’t many 6ft9 bowlers out there – so I am not easy to miss).
I had been around bowling from a young age as my dad bowled for London Transport and I have memories of attending the annual Transport Tournament held at Great Yarmouth and travelling up as a team (along with their families) on a London doubledecker bus.
I always knew bowling would be a big and important part of my life. I started bowling in the Fruitina league in 1997 at my home centre, Lewisham. First prize for the league was a mountain bike that hung from the ceiling in the bowl.
In 2005 I joined the Fireball league at Bexleyheath where I met a lovely lady called Sam who would eventually become my wife. I would travel more of the country with Sam whilst she participated in ICC events, including YACS (under 24s) and adults and I got to see more of the bowling world and it opened my eyes to what more bowling had to offer.
In 2016 I encouraged my dad to trial for London’s senior team, however he said he would only trial if I trialed for the adults. To my surprise I qualied and would bowl for London for the first time that September alongside my dad. In November 2016, the late Ed Lane asked me to join the London committee to bring a fresh perspective and I agreed to stand as Chair.
In 2017 my daughter Evie joined London YBC. Not only was she a 4th generation bowler on Sam’s side and 3rd on my side (so bowling was very much in her blood), we decided to get her to join up during her battle with Leukemia to help rebuild her muscles and strength after all her chemotherapy and treatments. In October 2017 Evie took her last dose of Chemotherapy. Evie took part in her very first tournament in January 2018. We are still convinced that bowling helped to give her the strength to fight and beat her illness. Evie has participated in the Youth Bowling tour every year since and still loves the sport and the people in it. I found a new love of the sport, but as a spectator.
How did your move into the administrative side of the sport begin – what positions you have you held and what motivated you to get involved.
In 2021, I noticed that the position of Southern Regional Officer had come up and after a discussion with Sam I decided to apply. My application was successful, and I took over the role from Vicki Harman. I had big ideas, a big voice and I guess I am memorable so was hopeful that I could make a difference to bridge the gap between bowler and the BTBA. I was passionate about being a key part of change for the future of the sport.
What is your role within the National Council – and why it’s important?
My role within the National Council as the regional officer, is to be the key figure between members and management. I am here to answer any questions they may have or to point them towards the correct person. My job is to also promote the BTBA too and to offer the services that they provide.
It is important that the members see that someone has their interests at heart and as I do travel across the country for bowling, not just to bowl myself but also as a parent of a bowler on the Youth Bowling tour, it is also good to be recognised as someone who can hopefully be of help. Local Associations are also in need of a go to person when assistance is required and that is also part of my role within the National Council.
And in promoting the sport at a regional level then I would say that my biggest success is the introduction of The S.L.A.T League.
It is a touring league that involves 8 different Local Associations and takes 2 calendar years to complete. Bowlers can only compete if they have trailed for ICC within their Local Association (LA) and each team must field a female in every game as part of the 5 person team. But we also encourage juniors to bowl and they get a bonus depending on their age. 20 pins if U16 and 40 pins if U13.
So far we have had 6 rounds and 175 different bowlers have taken part between the 8 LAs.
I am extremely proud of being one of the co creators of this format alongside my wife Sam. We have been praised for promoting team bowling as well as giving those that trial but dont make the full ICC team a chance to experience what bowling for your county is.
Now tell us what’s great about bowling
The people you meet and bowl with.
I bowled for 25 years with my Dad and I also met my wife through bowling and now I meet more people whilst travelling around for the tour that Evie bowls in. Sam and I even had a bridesmaid for our wedding that we met through bowling. These people that you meet though this sport can have a huge impact on your life and can be only be a good thing.
There are a lot of personal achievements that a person can make through bowling. High Games, High Series, League winners, Tour Stop Winners. It means that there always things to aim for within the sport.
And lastly, who doesn’t love the smell of a Pro Shop when getting that new ball drilled!!!!