Paul Hartley’s love affair with bowls started almost by accident. Growing up in a small pit village, he’d spend hours watching his dad and uncles play on the local green — though, by his own admission, he was usually more interested in kicking a football around.
“I was a big football fan,” Paul told Fen Regis Trophies. “I used to get told off all the time for kicking my football on the bowling green.
“One day, I just decided to give bowls a go, and I was hooked. Turns out, I was probably a better bowler than a footballer.”
Early Lessons and Family Inspiration
Paul joined Blackhall Bowls Club when he was 13. Before that, he was too young to play officially, although the club still allowed him to practice on the green. It didn’t take long for his natural ability to shine through — he won his first competition at just 14.
“There were a few people at the club who helped me along, but my dad, Alan, was the main one,” he said.
“He was my biggest supporter. He kept me right and travelled all over the country to watch me play. Sadly, he passed away five years ago, but I know he’d be proud of how far I’ve come.”
A Career-Defining Setback
For a while, football remained a big part of Paul’s life. He played every weekend and enjoyed the social side of the game. But in his early twenties, a serious knee injury forced him to stop playing football altogether.
“I tore my cruciate ligament, and as a joiner by trade, I couldn’t afford to be off work for months having surgery,” he explains. “That’s when I turned my focus back to bowls. It gave me that same competitive buzz I’d had with football — but without wrecking my knee.”
Bowls quickly became more than just a hobby. “It’s got everything — the competition, the friendships, the laughs after the game,” he says. “You meet people from all over the country, and a lot of them become friends for life.”
Reaching the Top
After years of hard work, Paul achieved one of his biggest dreams in 2012: being selected to represent England.
“Pulling on the England shirt was unbelievable,” he said proudly. “When the national anthem starts and you’re standing there knowing you’re one of the best in the country, it gives you goosebumps. It’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”
Two years later came what he still calls his proudest moment, winning the prestigious Champion of Champions title in 2014.
“That one meant everything,” Hartley explained. “It gave me real confidence, and my dad was there watching. That made it even more special.”
From Near Misses to the World Stage
Despite national success, Paul had a long wait before breaking through internationally. For years, he came agonisingly close to qualifying for the World Indoor Championships, losing several finals in a row.
“People started calling me the bridesmaid,” he laughed. “I’d been in seven qualifying finals and lost the lot!”
Persistence paid off. In 2023, Paul finally booked his place — and he made it count, beating former world champion Jamie Walker and reaching the quarterfinals of the tournament.
“It was unreal,” he says. “To play at Potters, the home of world bowls, is something else. It’s the best atmosphere you can imagine.”
That run gave him a huge boost. “I know now I can compete with the very best. A few years ago, I might’ve doubted it, but not anymore.
“I’m good enough to win it.”
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Paul’s goal is clear: to win one of the major national titles that would qualify him for the British Isles Championships.
“I’ve won national singles, pairs, and mixed events, but not the one that gets you to the British Isles,” he said. “That’s the big target for next year.”
Giving Back to the Game
As passionate as Paul is about competing, he’s just as committed to helping the next generation come through — especially the young players at his current club, South Shields.
“Some brilliant kids are coming through now,” Paul said. “When I started, there were hardly any youngsters around, but it’s totally different these days.
“We’ve got a lad at our club, Layton, who’s only 13 or 14 and already playing in national competitions. He’s got massive potential.”
Paul hopes that one day, when his own playing career winds down, he can turn his experience into coaching.
“I can’t see myself ever not being involved in bowls. It’s given me so much and I’d love to give something back.”
From the Blackhall green to the world stage, Paul Hartley’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and love for the sport. And with his eyes now set on a world title, his journey — much like his trademark delivery — still looks perfectly on line.
By Aaron Gratton
