Cyclo-ssage sponsor Bowler of the Year awards

Cyclo-ssage are delighted to announce that they supported Bowls England as title sponsors of the 2009 Bowler of the Year awards.

We demonstrated our products to players, spectators and officials, including Bowls England Chief Executive Tony Allcock, at the Men's and Women's National Championships earlier this year. Cyclo-ssage director Philip Boulton said: "Many bowlers and officials, including Tony Allcock, tried it out at the National Championships this summer and were delighted with the results. We are convinced that the Pro Personal Massage System, which offers a gentle, yet highly effective massage action, can contribute positively to the improved health of bowlers of all ages as well as enhancing performance levels."

Leading bowls journalist David Rhys Jones, who has organised the awards since 1993, added: "We were determined not to let the awards, which have become a popular feature of Bowls England annual dinners, disappear, and we welcome the offer from Cyclo-ssage to put their name to the 2009 awards. I am also pleased to say that Henselite and Taylor Bowls are staying on board, and they will provide the winners with prizes 'in kind' from their range of bowls or some state-of-the-art bowls gear.

The Cyclo-ssage/Henselite Woman Bowler of the Year was announced at the Bowls England Women's Annual Dinner held at the Walkers Stadium on Friday 20th November and Derbyshire's Jean Baker was given the title for 2009.

England international Baker rewrote the record books with her victory in the Women’s National Pairs Championship alongside Lynne Bowen at Royal Leamington Spa – as it was the only major national outdoor title she had not previously lifted. She is now the only woman to have won all six major national titles – Four-wood, Two-wood and Champion of Champions singles plus the Pairs, Triples and Fours.

David Rhys Jones, who presented the award on behalf of the bowls press at the Women’s Annual Dinner and Presentation on Friday 20th November, said: “Jean has represented England at world and Commonwealth level, and is one of the most annoyingly consistent performers on the green. What’s more, in her role as county secretary, she works hard to promote bowls, and is active in encouraging young bowlers to take up the sport. Indeed, with Lynne deciding to play in Worcestershire, Jean will be pairing up with one of her young protégés Emma Jackson next season.”

Jean won the award ahead of several other strong candidates this year including Amy Monkhouse (Lincolnshire), Natalie Melmore (Devon) and Jayne Croxall (Nottinghamshire). Tony Allcock MBE, Chief Executive of Bowls England, added: “Jean has been a terrific servant to the sport of bowls, on and off the green, for many years and this award is very well-deserved.”