McGrouther (SCO) had been introduced to the sport via a taster session at her primary school and was instantly hooked, to the surprise of her family who had no previous interest in bowls.

Fast-forward 12 years and not only has she risen to the top of the sport, becoming world bowls indoor champion last year at the age of 21, but McGrouther is now competing in her maiden Games in that same city, delighted to find the evergreen Marshall and Foster are now her teammates.

Marshall – affectionately known as ‘Tattie’ – is Scotland’s most successful Games competitor and bids for a sixth gold medal, alongside his longstanding pairs partner Foster.

“I remember watching Alex and Paul in 2014 and it just makes it even crazier being picked for the Games team alongside them 12 years later,” McGrouther said.

“This is Alex’s eighth Games. That’s such a commitment and something to aspire to.”

McGrouther represents the hosts in the Women’s Singles, with Jason Banks – also making his Games debut having won the world indoor bowls championship in 2025 – competing in the Men’s Singles.

Banks is keen to lean on the experience of his veteran teammates as the competition develops.

“It's good to have Paul and Tattie as well as Caroline Brown, who have been here doing it for years," he said.

"That’s a help for those of us who are coming in for the first time – to know we can reach out and have a chat whenever we need it.”

Taking on the world’s best

Scotland will be hoping to add to their 42 bowls medals in Games history, but with many of the world’s best lining up, competition will be fierce.

In the Women’s Singles, Australia’s Ellen Fife (née Ryan) returns to defend the title she secured at Birmingham 2022, facing a strong field that includes World Bowls Series No.1 Emma Firyana Saroji (MAS), seven-time world indoor bowls champion Katherine Rednall (ENG) and the reigning world bowls indoor champion Alison Merrien (GGY), as well as Scotland’s young hope. 

“I think everyone would say they’re going for the gold medal,” McGrouther said.

“That’s the ultimate goal, but any colour of medal would be amazing.

"I'm just really looking forward to taking in all the experience, the atmosphere and trying to perform on that world stage.” 

Banks is also keen to test himself against an elite field when the Men’s Singles opens the Games action on 23 July.

“It feels like all the best players in the world are here trying to win the medals, so it's a hard field to compete against,” he said.

 

“There are so many good players in the competition, so it's going to come down to fine margins and maybe a little bit of luck.

"But with it being the first Games for me, on home turf, with friends and family watching, it makes it a bit more special.”

There are seven gold medals to play for across the Bowls and Para bowls competitions, which are being held indoors for the first time in Commonwealth Games history.

The action at The SEC Centre features four rinks with Bowls and Para bowls matches taking place simultaneously.

Each rink is named after a legend of the sport and the Games – England’s David Bryant and Ellen Falkner, Wales’ Robert Weale and Malaysia’s Siti Zalina Ahmad.

The Bowls competition starts 23 July. For the full schedule, click here.

 GNS im/nh/cjl/tb/lcm