Jeremy Henry off to Oz [4/09] One of the best bowlers ever to grace these shores, Jeremy Henry, has departed for a new challenge down under in Australia. On a few occasions over the past two years Jeremy has travelled to play bowls in Australia. He and his great mate Ian McClure were offered the opportunity to play in the Australian Premier league with Taren Point in 2007 and made a great impression. Jeremy returned the following season to help Taren Point lift their first ever Premier League Title, he had the second highest percentage wins of all the skips. The Portrush gent has since returned to Australia on a further two occasions to play in tournaments. Again an invitation was extended by a club side for Jeremy to play a few games. Sebastopol [outside Melbourne] asked Jeremy to come and play in the new format called the super6s when they became aware that he was intending to come down to play in the Australian Open. The club considered his short stay a success and they were delighted with his contribution. Jeremy put in commendable performances in the Australia Open in the singles, pairs and triples reaching the final of the latter. While down under Warilla bowling club were looking for a new bowls co-ordinator and welcomed the application from Jeremy. The big man created quite an impression and within a short period was offered the appointment on a three year contract. The job represents a massive challenge in many areas but was a fantastic opportunity to be involved full time in a game that he loves. The offer was an unexpected surprise to Jeremy and from a bowling point of view was a fantastic opportunity. However the biggest decision was not about the challenges or any other aspects of the job; the dilemma he faced concerned the upheaval of leaving family and making a home in a new country. He asked for time to consider the matter and after further discussions to clarify minor matters he concluded that the opportunity was too good to refuse. It is a testament to the character of Jeremy that a six month review was agreed so that both he and the club could assess the situation to decide if the arrangement was satisfactory for both parties. Warilla is one of the biggest bowling clubs in Australia and the job of Bowls Co-ordinator covers just about all aspects associated with bowls. It involves managing the day to day running of bowls within the larger club structure, organising tournaments, managing rotas and overseeing the efficient running of bowling. One of the biggest challenges that excites Jeremy is the prospect of introducing additional ideas and attracting new people to the sport. He is keen to enhance the involvement of more youth and encourage them to become enthused about playing bowls. He will also undertake a hands-on coaching role which should help build a solid foundation for the club in future years. Coaching could also produce a rapport with all new bowlers including juniors that will make them feel part of the set-up and not onlookers or outsiders. His remit also includes the promotion of bowls in the area and a further goal is to persuade sponsors that partnerships with bowls can be mutually beneficial. There are so many aspects to the job that he will undoubtedly be a very busy man. It may appear a dream job but there is a lot of responsibility on the bowls co-ordinator especially at a club with the reputation and name of Warilla. Bowling continues all year round at Warilla and Jeremy not only has the responsibility of running bowls on the three outdoor greens but also on the indoor rink. He will have his hands full but he is thrilled to have so many challenges ahead of him in a sport that he enjoys so much. Jeremy goes into the unknown with a little trepidation due to the realism of the task facing him however he it relishing the opportunity to take bowls forward in the area. The responsibility that accompanies the job only adds to his determination to progress bowls. Jeremy will be looking forward to running the premier league bowls team. It has been five years since Warilla played in and won the premier league, within their ranks at the time was Alex Marshall and the great Willie Wood. To keep Warilla in the premier league and move them forward will be a massive task. Such a long absence coupled with the high expectation of a top club adds enormous pressure to the quest of staying in the premier league. It will not be an easy task but one that Jeremy will look forward to as he can have an influence on the playing side using his vast experience and ability to have a positive impact on the team. This competition has the respect of a long list of international bowlers who have participated in the event. The majority of whom regard it as the best club competition of his kind that produces a standard that is unequalled in quality anywhere else in the world. Jeremy will be a loss to bowls in this country and regrettably will not be available for the international team in the immediate future. It was an extremely hard choice to make and one that Jeremy would have preferred not to make but he thought it fair to all if he was to opt out. It was a brave and selfless decision but the most practicable for the coming months. Hopefully he will be able to juggle his calendar down under and in the future be available for international selection. Jeremy considers it an honour to play for his country and did not take this interim decision lightly. His intention is to return at various times and if he can arrange those trips around international selection then he will do so. One of the major downsides to the job offer is that Dober has to leave the many friends he has made within bowls especially his clubmates in Portrush. Jeremy has been greatly encouraged by the positive reaction of his fellow bowlers. It will be a huge wrench to leave and Jeremy admits that he will miss Portrush however he acknowledges that the job was too good an offer to turn down especially as it is not the kind of job that is often offered to guys outside Australia. The good news is that Jeremy will have time to play bowls and should be able to enter all the major events in Australia which in turn may raise his standard even further. He is expecting to continue to play in the PBA and he may even be involved in arranging some PBA qualifying competitions at Warilla. Jeremy is planning to change his bowls and initially may use a Taylor Vector as he hopes to continue his association with the Taylor brand. In summary Jeremy stated ‘it should be a fantastic experience getting paid for doing something you love to do, I will miss pulling on the green jersey, representing Ireland and playing international events.’ For such a talented individual who has won so many illustrious titles there is no ego with Jeremy Henry, he comes across as a down to earth person with a pleasant nature. Success has not affected him in any detrimental way and in serious conversation appears humbled to have had success at a sport he loves playing. An endearing gent who is wished all the very best as he starts a new chapter of his life. | 
