World Bowls CEO Neil Dalrymple to Retire in August 2027

World Bowls has announced that Chief Executive Officer Neil Dalrymple will retire from his full-time position with the organization in August 2027.

Under the Australian’s leadership since replacing former CEO Gary Smith in December 2022, World Bowls created its World Bowl Series in 2024 in partnership with Tier 5 Ventures, merged with International Bowls for the Disabled, and joined the membership of the International Paralympic Committee and World Pétanque and Bowls.

Dalrymple previously spent 15 years as CEO of Bowls Australia, the largest member nation in the sport, as well as serving as CEO of Softball Australia and NT Cricket, and holding senior management roles at Cricket Australia.

World Bowls is the recognized international sports federation for bowls and para bowls in the world, sports referred to in the United States as lawn bowling. It currently has 90 member national authorities across six global regions, and in 2023, the federation launched a new strategic plan to arrest the decline in its membership, expand the sport into new markets, and grow the number of member nations.

The World Bowls Board said that it would shortly begin an international search process to identify the organization’s new CEO, who will be responsible for guiding the sport through its next phase of growth and development.

“On behalf of the World Bowls Board, our Member National Authorities, athletes, volunteers, officials and partners around the world, I would like to thank Neil for his outstanding leadership and service to the sport,” said World Bowls President Brett O’Riley. “Neil has played a pivotal role in strengthening World Bowls as a modern international federation, advancing our strategic priorities and positioning the sport for future growth. His commitment to diversity, inclusivity, innovation and collaboration has helped create a strong foundation from which the sport can continue to thrive. 

“While Neil will remain fully engaged in leading World Bowls until his retirement in August 2027, it is appropriate that we now begin a structured succession process to identify the best possible leader for the next chapter of our organisation.” 

“It has been a privilege to serve World Bowls and the global bowls community,” said Dalrymple. “I remain fully committed to the organisation and our members over the coming year and will work closely with the Board to ensure an orderly and successful transition. 

“The sport has tremendous momentum and opportunity ahead of it. I am confident the next CEO will inherit a strong organisation with ambitious plans and a passionate global community determined to grow the sport further.”

Olympic Future

Bowls is not in the current program for the Olympic Games nor the Paralympic Games, though it has been a staple in the Commonwealth Games program since 1930.

However, last year, World Bowls and Bowls Australia launched an official global campaign to lobby for the sport’s inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games. The sport’s acceptance into the World Pétanque and Bowls Federation (WPBF) and its inclusion in the International Paralympic Committee are seen as important milestones for the “Bowls for Brisbane 2032” campaign, which could make its inclusion in the 2032 program more likely.

Further details regarding the recruitment process for Dalrymple’s successor will be released by World Bowls in the coming weeks.