David Gourlay is set to make his return to the sport as he takes on the post of High Performance Coach for Bowls Scotland.
Gourlay, who started his career in Annbank, has seen phenomenal success on the green over the years and has successfully transferred his knowledge and experience off the green as well.
Having won ten World Bowls Tour titles and represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in 1998, David then turned his focus to working with the world’s very best players, guiding Team Scotland to three medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
With the memories fresh in his mind from those victories, Gourlay will take up his post on 1st October 2016 with the hope of emulating similar success on the world stage and at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018.
Working with the High Performance squad and closely with fellow Annbank resident and High Performance Manager Rhona Howie MBE, Gourlay will be sure to stamp his own style on the job in hand, a style which saw him win the respect of Scotland’s world class players. The announcement of the new High Performance Coach comes at the perfect time as the High Performance Squad gear up for the World Championships later this year as well as for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Although due to timings he will have no input in the selection of the team heading to the World Championships, Gourlay is looking forward to working with the players that will be chosen.
Commenting on his return David said: “I’m honoured to have another opportunity to work with Bowls Scotland’s High Performance Squad as we prepare for Gold Coast 2018. Competing in Australia will provide a different set of challenges to the Glasgow games but I’m confident Scotland has the players and support programme to succeed.”
Bowls Scotland CEO Alan McMillan commented: “We are delighted to have David back working with our High Performance Squad again. He was extremely keen to get involved again, is as usual full of ideas and has a proven track record following the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. We are looking forward to him working with our players, Rhona and the support staff.”