For most people it may be the particular delivery style that singles out Billy Allan from Cowdenbeath from other Scottish Para bowlers? Others may be impressed by his record of selections for IBD World Championships in Malaysia, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand and of course the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. There are however other qualities that Billy possesses that rank him up with the leading Para sportsmen and women in the 40 year history of Disability Sport Fife.
Billy looked up to and learned so much from Scotland’s Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Atlanta Paralympic medalist David Heddle from Fraserburgh. Throughout the 90s David dominated the men’s open and year after year Billy reached the final stages but could not topple the great man. 2002 was the year of the Manchester Commonwealth Games and scene of David Heddle’s finest triumph. It was also the final occasion that David won the Scottish Lawn Bowls title. Billy became Scottish Champion in 2003 for the first time and yet again in 2005 and 2007. He then had to wait until 2016 to regain the Dewars Trophy but he has now just completed a treble of victories following his win this year in Aberdeen. David Heddle is the only other bowler to complete the treble in the 38 year history of this event.
Billy Allan is fiercely loyal to Disability Sport Fife and Scottish Disability Sport. He never misses a DSF lawn bowls or carpet bowls National qualifying event and his record in carpet bowls at national level is exceptional. Billy is a fierce but fair competitor and he is a role model for emerging Fife bowlers. DSF values Billy greatly because of his loyalty to the local and national programmes and of course for his considerable skills as a bowler. Billy has been a brilliant servant to Disability Sport Fife and long may he continue.
Richard Brickley MBE – President Disability Sport Fife