The Falklands Islands Team came to Ramsbury ahead of the Island Games
The Falkland Islands bowls team is travelled to Ramsbury and Aldbourne Club for a much anticipated week of training ahead of the 2025 Island Games, which was held in Orkney.
The team will covered more than 8,000 miles before arriving at Ramsbury for their final preparations ahead of their first fixture in Orkney.
This will be the second time the team competes at the event, after a brilliant debut at the 2023 Guernsey Island Games where they brought home a silver medal in the OpenTriples.
The Games brought a new challenge, as it was be the first time lawn bowls is played following indoor competitions in 2023 and 2005. That made the visit to Ramsbury even more important, giving the team a proper chance to get used to playing on real grass greens. Back in the Falklands, training has taken place in some very creative locations over the years, including a school corridor and on taped together mats, so
getting out onto a purpose built outdoor green will be a welcome step up.
“We are really looking forward to it,” said team member Oliver Thompson. “Practising on a proper grass green is going to be great preparation, and it is always a bonus to visit a club that is so friendly and welcoming. We really appreciate the support.”
The team travelling to the 2025 Games was the largest international bowls squad the Falklands has ever sent, with nine players in total. Managed by Nancy Locke, the team includes three players making their international debuts: Ian Barnes, Kris Thorsen and Teddy Summers. They will be joining a solid core of experienced players, including Chris Locke, Daphne Arthur Almond and Andrea Stanworth, who competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Sharon Barnes who competed at the Champion of
Champions in 2024. Sybie Summers had played at the 2023 Guernsey Island Hames and Oliver Thompson rounds out the squad, bringing experience from the year’s World Indoor Bowls Championship in Aberdeen.
The Island Games are often described as a mini Olympics for smaller nations and territories, with teams from places such as Guernsey, Jersey and Greenland taking part. But more than just the sport, it is about connection, friendship and representing your home with pride — something the Falkland Islands are once again honoured and excited to be part of.