EBYDS - Information

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGUARDING THE ENGLISH BOWLS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

PLEASE CLICK HERE
GEORGE HOPPER
THE FOLLOWING WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOWLS ENGLAND WEBSITE
As part of our new series, we will be profiling the future stars of bowls at both international & county level. In this edition, we focus on George Hopper of Surrey, who is the reigning U18 National Indoor Singles champion and has made a monumental impact in his home county from a very young age.

Key stats

AGE: 16
CLUB: Newdigate BC and Donyngs IBC
COUNTY: Surrey
SOCIAL CHANNELS: Instagram
Success to date
LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS:
National Titles:

  • EIBA U18 National Singles winner 2022

  • EBYDS U14 Singles, Skills and Overall 2019

International Recognition: 

  • Attending Bowls England Junior Talent ID Day on 19th June

County Titles:

  • County Triples semi-finalist 2021

  • Surrey CBA badge (youngest male player in Surrey to receive the badge)

  • Multiple County and Regional EBYDS School Of Excellence winner

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE:
Winning the Under 18 National Singles title indoors is definitely my greatest achievement. I had to play 5 matches in one day at the finals and managed to keep my focus and form throughout. It was also an amazing experience to play with cameras on the match.
MOST MEMORABLE MATCH & WHY:
My most memorable match would have to be the Surrey Triples quarter final last season. It was a close game all the way through and we ended up going to an extra end. I was skipping; by the time I got onto the mat we were down and I had two bowls to draw the shot. With my last bowl of the game, I drew a toucher that won us the match and my county badge. It was great to make the semi-finals with a full team of under 25 players.
My Game
FIRST EXPERIENCE:
When I was six my friend, Andrew Orme, took me to a junior morning at Donyngs. I think I stayed on the green for around 2 hours and loved it.
FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE:
I’d say I enjoy singles the most, I really like the simplicity of it and the range of shots you get to play. However, I like the team spirit and strategy you get in team games.
STRENGTHS:
I tend to perform well under pressure which has helped me a lot in important matches and finals.
BEST FRIENDS IN BOWLS:
Andrew Orme, Hugo Manuel, Ryan Bickley, Callum O’Brien, Josh McCarthy, and a lot of other people from my outdoor and indoor clubs as well as Surrey.
The Future
ASPIRATIONS:
Being selected for England teams at junior level, and hopefully senior level in the future. I’d also love to go to Australia and play in the Bowls Premier League at some point.
ONE THING YOU’D SAY TO GET SOMEONE TO TRY BOWLS:
Look up the more competitive and top level side of the sport and you’ll see a more exciting side to it than what people generally expect to find.
COMMONWEALTH CRYSTAL BALL – HOW WILL TEAM ENGLAND GET ON:
I think the team looks very good this year and the green at Leamington is quite unique which should give us a bit of a home advantage. I’ve got tickets to see some of the bowls so hopefully I can watch them pick up some medals.
If you know a young player in your club or county who we should feature on a future Bowls NxGen, please email daniel.ellicott@bowlsengland.com.
YASMINA HASAN
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY YASMINA

Key stats

AGE: 20
CLUB: Egham BC and Egham IBC
COUNTY: Surrey
LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS:
Club: (at Godalming)
2013, 2015 and 2016 Under 14 singles
2018 Ladies Singles Championship; Under 18 Singles and mixed pairs
Club (at Egham)
2020 Open two-wood champion
2021, 2022 Ladies Two-Wood Championship
2021 Ladies handicap singles; drawn pairs
2022 Ladies Singles Championship
County:
2019, 2021 Junior Pairs champion
2021, 2022 Junior Singles champion
2021 Achieved County Badge
2022 Two-Wood singles, Women’s Triples and Palm Trophy
Nationals:
2017 (Semi-Finalists), 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 Amy Rose
2021, 2022 Lead in the Johns trophy squad – National Finalists for both years
2021 National Junior Pairs Semi-Finalists
2022 Qualified for Leamington championships in the following: Women's Triples, Two-wood Singles, Junior singles.
2019 Bowls England u18 Youth Academy squad
EBYDS:
2020 Area winner, qualified for Regionals (cancelled due to Covid)
2019-2020 EIBA Bronze Skills Award.
Indoor
2021-22 National Singles Regional Finalist
2022 Travelling reserve for Women´s British Isles Indoor Bowls Council Under 26 International series. Ended up playing against Ireland & Scotland, a great experience.
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE:
Achieving County Badge at aged 18; reaching National Finals in the Johns two-years running; National semi-finalists in Junior Pairs; qualifying for two ‘senior’ events in 2022 Nationals; Selected for Bowls England u18 Youth Academy.
 
MOST MEMORABLE MATCH & WHY:
When I played Kylie and Barry in the National Mixed Pairs in 2017, as that is where my career took off, and my thanks go to Kylie for putting my name forward.
 
FIRST EXPERIENCE:
2011 – junior taster session at Godalming Bowls Club; fell in love with the sport and have loved it ever since.
 
FAVOURITE DISCIPLINE:
Seem to do best in singles, but love working with a team as well.
 
STRENGTHS:
Perseverance, determination and stamina. Always got to be ready to make a comeback!
 
ASPIRATIONS:
To represent England outdoors and to be part of the Commonwealth Squad.
 
BEST FRIENDS IN BOWLS:
Too many to note! But they span all across the country.
 
ONE THING YOU'D SAY TO GET SOMEONE TO TRY BOWLS:
It is for everyone, no matter your ability; ethnicity; age, or gender, anyone can do it. Break the stereotype and get involved.
 
COMMONWEALTH CRYSTAL BALL - HOW WILL TEAM ENGLAND GET ON:
We have a strong upcoming International squad for both the junior girls and boys. The only thing holding us back is the reduced format, and lacking an Under 18 England squad now, but if the Series squads go back to their old formats, and the u18s are brought back, the future is very bright.
England can only build and get better from winning two Golds at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.