SPENCER and Kay Kerley years of dedication to bowls was honoured as joint winners of the Service to Sport award

The husband and wife live in Oakley and have been members of the Oakley Bowls Club since it started in 1978.

Kay has been an influential and inspiring figure throughout her career in bowls.

She is both a committed player and volunteer since she started playing the game in 1976.

Within Hampshire, she has been a long serving member of the committee, and has held around six positions, including president, secretary, county team manager and vice-chair.

As a player she represented Hampshire for 28 years meaning she is the third highest capped county player. Kay was also an international selector and England president.

She always supports players in competitions and will even offer to drive them if necessary.

While at Nationals, Kay offered to be the county manager for the Hampshire teams to help with coaching and shot selection.

At club level, Kay gets involved with all aspects of the club, and helps with the coaching and mentoring of new bowlers when they join the club.

Spencer has been involved with bowls for almost 50 years and is an outstanding administrator.

At Oakley he has been the secretary for 37 years as it has emerged as one of the most successful in the county.

Additionally, he is the hugely respected and efficient secretary of Bowls Hampshire, an organisation recognised by the NGB as its most progressive member.

Despite his heavy commitments, he makes himself available for club friendly matches, is the only member to have never missed a club tour and can always be seen at social events mixing with both new and older members.

Under the auspices of the club’s mentoring scheme Spencer is always willing to be a mentor for new members. Over the years he has actively encouraged many members, particularly nurturing the juniors.

Spencer was delighted that they had won the award and said: “It was a big surprise for us as bowls does not win that many awards. Oakley is the biggest club in north Hampshire and last year was the club’s best to date making nine county finals.

“We are hoping to add an artificial rink next to the grass one we have, so even more people can play all year round.