Neil Hope named as young bowler of the year (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Neil Hope named as young bowler of the year

AT the annual dinner of the English Bowling Association, held in London on Saturday, Wiltshire's Neil Hope was named at Young Bowler of the Year for 2002.

In an event sponsored by Bowls International magazine, it is the first time a Wiltshire player has won this prestigious award.

And Hope, who now stars for the Westlecot club in Swindon, had a wonderful year.

He qualified for the EBA National championships in four events - pairs, fours, singles and U25 singles - and the latter saw him reaching the quarter-finals.

He was also part of the England Junior team that took part in the home international series in Belfast, the third successive year that he has been involved at junior international level.

In addition, Neil was runner- up in the National indoor U25 singles and, with his father Martin, reached the final of the national indoor Father & Son competition.

Hope also qualified for the World Indoor U25 Singles Championship in which he reached the quarter-finals.