Olympic Torch run will be Sweet reward

Rene Sweet from Lostwithiel BC in Cornwall will one of the first people to run with the Olympic Torch on Saturday 19th May when she carries it during the opening day of the relay on its passage from Land’s End to Plymouth.

Rene was nominated for the relay, in recognition of her dedication to coaching over the last 20 years, by club mate Rosie Smith.

During this period Rene estimates to have introduced more than 1,500 people to the sport of bowls with the assistance of her husband Brian – and is looking forward to continuing the good work in 2012.

Rene said: “I find it difficult to put a figure on the number of people I have coached but my husband, Brian, and I have been actively involved with the county coaching team ever since we became coaches and have assisted or run skills days at clubs throughout Cornwall every year. In the last two years we have introduced school children into bowls after initiatives by local clubs to encourage youngsters to try our sport and in 2012 we hope to repeat the exercise with St. Breock School at Wadebridge Bowling Club, whilst also assisting at our own club’s taster days which last year saw 35 attendees last season, with several joining as a result, and we hope to do even better this summer.”

Rene started bowling herself in 1989, before moving into coaching in 1993. The 60-year-old continues to play at the highest level herself, and reached the quarter-finals of the Bowls England National Singles Championship in 2011.