The Annual BTBA Awards for 2026 began on October 10th during the 2026 Senior inter County Championships Dinner at Basildon Holiday Inn.
Presentations were made by BTBA Chairman, Geoff Brown
AWARD – TEAM OF THE YEAR
sponsored by DISCO BOWL
2026 BTBA Team of the Year
Angie Brown and Diane Johnson
The nominations were:
Junior Team England Girls at the EYC
Team Scotland Grand Seniors (All BTBA members)
Kim Johnson and Gary Baker – World Championship Grand Seniors Doubles Winners
Angie Brown and Diane Johnson – World Championship Grand Senior Doubles Winners
“This year’s winning Team were World Grand Seniors Doubles champions. That of course narrows it to two of these nominees. The winners however also added a European Grand Seniors Doubles Silver medal.”
oooooOOOOOooooo
AWARD – BTBA SENIOR FEMALE BOWLER OF THE YEAR
sponsored by STROUD BOWL
2026 BTBA Senior Female Bowler of the Year
Diane Johnson
The nominations were:
Angie Brown
Diane Johson
Sandra Simmonds
Lynn Squibb
“The voting in this category has been the closest ever in our annual awards. Just one vote separated two of these nominees. This is probably unsurprising given their performances and successes together at both World and European Championships.”
oooooOOOOOooooo
AWARD – BTBA SENIOR MALE BOWLER OF THE YEAR
sponsored by STROUD BOWL
2026 BTBA Senior Male Bowler of the Year
Alan Keddie
The nominations were:
Gary Baker
Steve Carnell
Gordon Humphries
Kim Johnson
Alan Keddie
“The winner has had another ’quiet’ year!! His successes include: 2026 European Championships, Grand Senior, Masters, Gold…2026 ESBC, Senior, Masters, Winner…2026 European Championships, Grand Senior, Team, Bronze… 2025 Qubica/AMF Senior Summer Series Winner…winner of two 2026 STBA (Ranking events).”
oooooOOOOOooooo
AWARD – VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
sponsored by The UK Tenpin Bowling Operators
2026 BTBA Volunteer of the Year
Sam and Matt Smith
BTBA Chairman Geoff Btown writes…
“ It was my pleasure to attend the SLAT league finals at Romford. The league was organised and run by Matt and Sam Smith over the past 2 years. I had a very enjoyable day watching the climax to the league with the winners being decided on the very last game, Hampshire holding off a late charge from Bedfordshire “
While there, I took the opportunity to present a much deserved “ Volunteer of the year award “ jointly to Matt and Sam Smith.
This award is sponsored by the UKTBO for which both were nominated but could not be split.
The following letters of recommendation accompanied the nominations and better capture the reason behind this award.
In my opinion, this person is a champion of the sport in every metric, From supporting local YBCs, running the SLAT multi-county league events, serving as committee member on the London BTBA section countless fundraising and charity initiatives within and beyond these events, coaching youth bowlers, and even running our own localbowling league. Sam embodies what it is to love and support the sport of bowling. I am personally indebted to her for her efforts helping me grow and succeed as a bowler. and believe her efforts detailed above should be recognised with this award
If we had more Sam Smiths we would be the biggest sport in the world!
Whilst still recovering from a serious illness, Matt has continued to support and assist all the counties within the Southern Region. With the help of his wife, he established the Southern Local Association Tour, which is now successfully into its second year.
Matt consistently goes above and beyond, contributing to wider National Council activity and offering support wherever it’s needed. He brings fresh ideas to every meeting and engages enthusiastically with BTBA initiatives, always adding value to the work we do.
More to follow…
NOMINATIONS FOR ‘THE BOWLER OF THE YEAR’
The process of receiving nominations included all current members being emailed giving them the opportunity to make nominations in two categories:
- the Bowlers Bowler of the year, or better known as Bowlers Champion, and
- the Chairmans award.
Each nomination needed to include the reasoning behind them.
The awards committee short listed nominations in the four Bowler categories and for the Team. These were forwarded to the Local Associations/Counties for them to cast their votes. Other awards, including the Volunteer and Official of the Year come from the Local Associations and National Council nominations. Youth awards nominations come from the Youth Bowling Committee.
