The last time Laura Daniels competed Down Under she was crowned world champion, so the Skewen bowler is hoping it will be very much a happy return trip for next month’s Commonwealth Games.

The 32-year-old accountant is making a habit of winning major titles and she wants to crown her Team Wales debut by bringing home the first Welsh women’s bowls gold medal since the fours triumphed in Edinburgh in 1986.

Given her pedigree she certainly won’t be looking to make up the numbers on the Gold Coast having won the prestigious women’s World Singles Champion of Champions title in Sydney in November. She also won the 2016 World Pairs gold medal with Jess Sims in New Zealand and was also crowned the 2015 World Indoor Bowls singles champion.

Throw in two World Indoor Bowls Mixed Pairs titles with Paul Foster in 2013 and 2014 and it is easy to see why everyone is getting excited about what she might be able to achieve on the Gold Coast. She will compete in the singles and join forces with Sims in the pairs.

“I felt honoured and privileged to be chosen to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games. It is something I have been working towards for many years and to reach my goal is a very fulfilling feeling,” said Daniels.

“I’m at an advantage in knowing how different conditions in Australia are compared to the UK greens and I’ve been able to adapt my training regime around this.”

Laura started playing short mat bowls at the age of 12 after seeing her older brother in action and has made remarkable progress on the greens around the world since then.

“Growing up playing bowls was not necessarily deemed as cool, in fact I was constantly asked why I wanted to play old man’s marbles! But, I didn’t really care as I enjoyed myself,” she said.

Her pairs partner, Llandrindod Wells BC player Sims, also has some success in Australia to spur her on. She struck bronze in the singles event at the 2014 World Junior Championships, but would love to improve on that colour on the Gold Coast.

WELSH WOMEN’S BOWLS MEDALISTS AT THE COMMONWEATLH GAMES

Women’s Singles
1994       Rita Jones          Silver
2006       Betty Morgan    Silver

Women’s Pairs
1994       Janet Ackland & Betty Dainton   Bronze
1998       Rita Jones & Ann Sutherland       Bronze
2002       Anwen Butten & Joanna Weale  Bronze
2010       Anwen Butten & Hannah Smith  Bronze

Women’s Fours
1986       Linda Parker, Linda Evans, Joan Ricketts & Rita Jones        Gold
2002       Ann Sutherland, Gill Miles, Nina Shipperlee & Pam John Bronze

Women’s Visually Impaired Singles
1994       Gloria Hopkins   Silver