ALAN PAUL

Nickname on bowling green: Pricey

How did you get the nickname: 
Was named Pricey after my resemblance to the legend that is John Price, started at my outdoor club and stuck with me ever since 

DOB/Age: 7th June 1983 {25yrs}

Occupation: Engineering Tendering Executive

What format did you start playing: Shortmat

Which was your first club:  
My first club was Maghera Presbyterian. Currently I play for Cookstown High

Which formats have you played and which do you still play: 
I have played all three forms of the game at some stage but only play outdoor and shortmat at present  

Which format do you prefer to play: 
Toss of a coin between shortmat and outdoor  

Reason: 
The tournaments and interzone are great to compete in at shortmat and our league is very competitive.  But hard to beat a game of outdoor when the sun is shining, and the challenge it offers

Make, model, size, colour and weight of bowls:
Shortmat - Taylor elite size 5, black
Outdoor - Henselite Classic size 5, black

Who introduced you to bowls:  
My dad and brother.  My grandparents were always talking about bowls and got them hooked, I soon followed

Who has been the biggest influence on your bowling career:
Would have to be my parents. But there have been several members of clubs indoor and outdoor who have added their experience  

Who would you most like to meet: 
John Price

Interests outside bowls:
I like to spend as much time as I can with my girlfriend. Just relax and have a laugh

Childhood Sporting hero: 
Eric Cantona  

Most memorable moment [in bowls or in life]:
Most memorable moment in bowls would have to be winning Irish Singles last year 

If you could change one policy/rule what would it be: 
Not really a rule, but would love all outdoor greens to have a certain standard they must adhere to. I think this would improve the standard of bowls being played

What do you regard as your best or most satisfying achievement in bowls:  
It was obviously very satisfying winning Irish singles shortmat last year, and competing at the world championships in shortmat.  But playing on senior international outdoor team was an achievement I'm very proud of

What goal do you have in bowls: 
Would like to keep improving, win more titles and most importantly keep enjoying my bowls   

At what age did you make your international debut in each format: 
Outdoor Senior 25 Years Old Junior 18 Years Old
Shortmat Senior – 20 Years Old 'A' Series 18 Years Old
Stadium Junior – 24 Years Old

What year:  
Outdoor 2008 - Junior 2001
Shortmat 2003 ['A' Series 2001]
Stadium Junior 2007 

Have you won any major or national titles:  
Won Irish shortmat singles title in 2008 having been beaten in the final two years previously 

What outdoor green is the best you have played on in the UK: 
I really enjoyed playing at Llandrindod Wells in Wales both times I have been there

In Northern Ireland: Locally I think Larne is best I have played  

Most difficult opponent:
Colm McHugh would have to be the toughest opponent to play against at shortmat as he can play any shot, and such a good temperament.
Jeremy Henry must be the most difficult I have played at outdoor.  When you lay shot he can attack the head or draw with great accuracy

Which opponent [if any] do you regularly play that usually beats you:
Well beat him couple times before, but Barry Kane has had the upper hand recently against me in outdoor championships

What frustrates you most when playing: 
Most frustrating thing is when I'm playing poorly. Not much else really apart from people calling opponents bowls

Would you be in favour of players forming their own think-tank and having a place on the management committee of each outdoor association including the IBA:  
Yeah. Always good to have another point of view to discuss 

Do you think respected past and current internationals should be invited to have an input with the u25s: 
Yes this can only benefit the U25 team. Having been part of the team for last 8 years, there has been much improvement, and this type of experience can only be another positive step 

Other Titles and near misses: 
Shortmat:  
Champion of Champion Singles – Winner x 1, Runner up x 1IIBA
Licensed Tournaments - Winner x 51, Runner Up x 21
Irish Singles - Runner up x 1
Irish Rink – Runner up x 1
World Singles - 3rd Place
Interzone – Winner x 5
British Isles Top Team – Winner x 5
Irish Club Championship – Winner x 1
British Isles Internationals (Team) – Winner x 4  

Outdoor: 
NIPBA Rinks – Winner x 1, Runner up x 1
NIPBA U25 – Winner x 1, Runner up x 2
NIPBA Singles – Runner up x 1
NIPBA U18 – Runner up x 1
Senior InterAssociation – Winner x 2