Ken Stott passed away on 28th December 2020, after a long illness.
Ken was President of Bowls New Zealand in 1999/2000, having played a major role in the amalgamation of the national men’s and women’s bowling associations in 1996.
“He made a huge contribution to the administration of the game at both centre and national level,” says former Chief Executive of Bowls New Zealand, Kerry Clark, “During his tenure as National President he represented the organisation at the Asia Pacific Championships in Kuala Lumpur where the New Zealand women did particularly well, winning the Singles, the Triples and the Fours.”
“In 2000, he also attended the Women’s World Outdoor Bowls Championship in Moama, New South Wales where New Zealand again won the Triples and Fours. The same year, he was in Johannesburg, South Africa when New Zealand won the Triples in the Men’s World Outdoor Bowls Championship.”
“In the 1990’s he was a well-known administrator at club (Roslyn Bowling Club), centre (Dunedin Centre), and national level,” recalls Kerry, “I think he was known so well because he was such a nice guy.”
Bowls New Zealand Development Manager, Steve Beel, agrees.
“He had this ‘air’ about him,” says Steve. “You knew that he knew what he was doing. At the same time he had the elegance of a gentlemen … he was always immaculately dressed in blazer and tie … he was the sort of guy that made bowls the gentleman and gentlewoman’s game it is.”
Ken’s administrative career started back in 1982/1983 when he was elected Centre Delegate for his Roslyn Bowling Club during its centennial season. He held the position for over 25 years, becoming President of the Dunedin Bowling Association in 1988/1989.
“Funnily enough,” says Roslyn Club President, Geoff Simons, “He didn’t become President of our Club until 1990 … after his centre presidency.”
He was made a Life Member of both the club and the centre (in 2003) … more for his contribution with the pen rather than the bowl.
“When I lived in Dunedin, I can remember playing against him in various teams,” says Kerry. “He wasn’t what you’d call a stand-out bowler. But he was a stand-out administrator. And that was the magnificent contribution he made to the game.”
He was an automatic go-to person when it came to being co-opted as a founding committee member to kickstart the Dunedin Lawn Bowls Stadium. Ken was always there putting up his hand for any bowls administrative task.
He was the special guest of honour at the Roslyn Bowling Club’s 125th anniversary dinner in Dunedin in 2008, having been the club’s only National President. But for Ken, the honour was his. That was the sort of man he was.
However, Ken found he had to forgo his love of bowls and bowls administration, when he became too ill to continue.
He and his wife Mary moved to a retirement village in Paraparaumu, where he passed away just after Christmas. He is survived by Mary and their four children.
Thanks for everything, Ken. RIP.