NOEL GRAHAM

Nickname on bowling green: Nokie 

DOB: 2nd November 1968

Occupation: Painter and Decorator

What format did you start playing: Shortmat

Which was your first club: Hilden in Lisburn  

Which formats have you played and which do you still play:  
Have played all three [shortmat, outdoors & stadium] and still play the three formats to differing degrees. The main game is outdoor and in the winter I enjoying some shortmat competitions. I am a member of the PBA and the qualifying for the world championships is now the only time I play stadium  

Which format do you prefer to play:
Outdoors as I enjoy the outdoor life and the different challenges the game presents sometimes on a daily basis  

Make, model, size, colour and weight of bowls: 
Greenmaster size four medium   

Who introduced you to bowls:  
Life time friend Jim McInnes

Who has been the biggest influence on your bowling career: 
Jim McInnes

Interests outside bowls: My Family

Childhood Sporting hero: Tony Allcock

Most memorable moment [in bowls or in life]: 
Beating wibbly [Jackie Smyth] in Hong Kong classic singles 

If you could change one policy/rule what would it be: 
Giving away the jack

What do you regard as your best or most satisfying achievement in bowls:  
Winning a gold medal at the world fours  

What goal do you have in bowls: To keep playing as long as possible 

At what age did you make your international debut:  
19 years of age in outdoors  

What year: 1991 stadium 26 caps
1998 outdoors 61 caps

Which major & national titles have you won:

World Outdoor fours gold 2004

British Isles singles winner 1996 - outdoor

British Isles triples winner 1998 - outdoor

Irish singles winner 1996 - outdoor

Irish triples winner 1994 1998 - outdoor

Irish triples winner - indoor  

What outdoor green is the best you have played on: 

Worldwide: Pine Rivers in Australia  

In United Kingdom: Worthing

In Northern Ireland: Knock

Most difficult opponent: Kevin Campbell, South Africa

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

What frustrates you most when playing: 
Mobile phones

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

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

Titles and near misses:

World outdoor pairs silver 2004

Commonwealth games fours bronze 1994 2002

Hong Kong classic singles gold 1996 - outdoor

Hong Kong classic pairs gold 1999 2000 2004 - outdoor

European team gold 1997