GARY SMYTH

Nickname on bowling green:

Gazza or Smythy

How did you get the nickname:

Big Davy Palmer when we first played together in Ballywalter 

DOB: 12th December 1963

Occupation: Civil Servant

What format did you start playing:

Shortmat  

Which was your first club:

Ballywalter Presbyterian

Which formats have you played and which do you still play:  

I have played all three and still do although it is only one a year for the indoor [stadium]

Which format do you prefer to play: 

Outdoor but it is a toss up with that and shortmat

Any particular reason:

Outdoor if you get the weather. Shortmat because it is friendlier

Make, model, size, colour and weight of bowls:

Concorde size 5 black for shortmat
Henselite Tiger size 5 green for stadium and outdoor

Who introduced you to bowls:  

The late Willie Davidson who was a member of Ballywalter bowling club

Who has been the biggest influence on your bowling career:

The late Jack Adair and David Corkill

Who would you most like to meet:

Sir Alex Ferguson and Tiger Woods

Interests outside bowls: Golf and Manchester United

Childhood Sporting hero: George Best   

Most memorable moment [in bowls or in life]: 

Probably my first cap for Ireland

If you could change one policy/rule what would it be:

Scrap giving away the jack. It is not a good rule

What do you regard as your best or most satisfying achievement in bowls:

I think the highest accolade a player can get is to be selected to represent ones country and for me it was my first international appearance

What goal do you have in bowls:

I do not have any now. My goal was always to play for Ireland  

At what age did you make your international debut:

Twenty five years old in all three formats  

What year: 1988, I think it was that long ago

What outdoor green is the best you have played on:  

In United Kingdom: Worthing

In Northern Ireland: I always liked Ulster Transport but at its best Knock

Most difficult opponent: Jim Baker

Which opponent [if any] do you regularly play that usually beats you:

Everyone. Anyone can beat you on their day

What frustrates you most when playing:

Players who call their bowls in when they do not have possession ofthe mat

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:

Yes I think it would enhance the game to have someone who has been there and done it and worn the tee-shirt

Do you think respected past and current internationals should be invited to have an input with the u25s:

Most definitely, I think young players nowadays look up to bowlers who have been there and done it and it can only be good for the game

Titles and near misses: 

Unfortunately I have no national titles but have experienced the disappointment of losing in two shortmat finals

Runner-up in three NIPGBL finals

1 niba title

1 singles City of Belfast

1 singles Bangor tournament

I have been fortunate to win many North Down titles at shortmat

Runner-up in a few assosciation finals at outdoor