Collins to drop one of his hats

GARRY COLLINS has shocked the bowls fraternity by voluntarily stepping down as an island selector and team manager. Collins, 25, will not stand for another term at the November annual meeting of Bowls Guernsey but he hopes to continue as chief executive.

'I want to get more involved in the administration,' said Collins.

'I've done my three years. I could seek reelection but have decided not to.'

Collins' own playing career has been hindered by his multitude of off-rink duties, but he now hopes to play more and better with one job fewer to carry out.

But, he says, filling in for an unwell Matt Le Ber in the recent World Bowls qualifier in Scotland, has nothing to do with his decision.

'It was a nice experience stepping in for Matt, but I had already made my decision.'

'I have enjoyed my time as manager and coach,' said a man who has got to travel far and wide in the role.

'It's taken me to England, Wales, Scotland twice, Ireland twice, Portugal and Australia in those three years and in that time I have booked hundreds of flights and rooms, issued three to four hundred letters and correspondence to players, organised training times, meals etc.

'I have also paid for most of my flights and accommodation, which has cost thousands.

'But I did it for the love of my sport.

'I'm not looking for thanks or a well done, I did it because I wanted to. I have made a couple of mistakes along the road, but I'm human and stood by my principles.'

Collins says the high point of his time as manager was seeing Le Ber and Dan de la Mare land the British Pairs outdoor title.

Meanwhile, his successor(s) are in for a busy time.

'I was looking at the calendar for next year and there are 45 working days away, if you went to everything.'

Domestically, the jury is out whether Collins has raised standards. On taking over he introduced a new island fours league which, he believed, would assist preparations for the Le Quesne Trophy inter-insular.

But Guernsey continued to lose the annual clash against Jersey.