Inverurie man becomes triple world champion at indoor bowls after historic win

Inverurie bowler Jason Banks says he is “still the same person” after an incredible week of competition saw him become a triple world champion.

At just 28 years old, he is the first person to hold all three world titles at once, a record he could only dream about before the championships began in Norfolk.

After beating Robert Paxton in the men’s singles final, Jason completed the hat-trick of victories.

“I knew as it was going on that more and more people were starting to speak about it,” Jason told STV News.

“It was driving me on, but I was trying to put that to the back of my mind and just focus on the smaller details of what I had to do to win.”

Jason had a warm welcome home, as the Garioch Indoor Bowling Centre in Inverurie renamed the club after him.

Despite his historic win, he said: “I’ll still be the same person, it’s just really been overwhelming with all the messages and the attention I’ve been getting with the press and people I’ve been meeting.

“I’m just looking forward to getting some time to myself and to relax.”

As for the Garioch Indoor Bowling Centre, they have seen plenty of talent.

The bowling gene runs in the Banks family, with Jason’s mother, father and sister all being bowlers.

Jason started his journey at just ten years old and says that had it not been for the club, there is “no way” he would have been playing indoor bowls.

They now hope his success will attract more youngsters to get involved in the sport.

Arthur Murrison, the club’s president, said “To win all these trophies, world champion three times over, Scottish international, it’s just so overwhelming for the family and our club.

“We hope to get a lot of income from people that haven’t bowled before to come and join us, we really would love that to happen.”

Banks was ranked 7th before the championships but has climbed to 2nd following his victory.

The Inverurie bowler is now turning his attention to recruiting more people to give bowls a try and is hopeful his record wins will encourage others to take up the sport.

He said: “I think the next thing for me is to try and boost the popularity of bowls in the area.

“I think lots of people are becoming more interested in bowls on the back of watching me playing.”

In addition to his singles victory, Banks also lifted the mixed doubles title with 21-year-old debutant Beth Riva and the men’s doubles title with compatriot Michael Stepney.