Archer retires as a Scottish rep
Australian-based Scot, Graeme Archer, has decided to retire from his international playing career for Scotland. Forty six year old Archer was born in Edinburgh and played for Loanhead Miners Welfare Club. He began his international outdoor career in 1996 and was a member of the Scottish fours team competing at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. But it was ten years later that Archer’s crowning moment came when he captained the highly successful Scottish team at the 2012 World Championships in Adelaide. There Scotland won an incredible six medals, Archer winning gold in the triples and bronze in the fours. Following the 2012 Worlds Archer stayed on in Australia, becoming a development officer at Clayton Bowls Club in Melbourne, whilst continuing to compete for Scotland. In the February 2013 World Cup in Warilla, Australia, he played under the saltire and reached the semi finals. Then last summer he made the 20,000 mile round trip to Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre to compete for Scotland in the 8 Nations Championships. Archer, who recently married England international Carol Ashby, is retiring from international duty with Scotland to fully embrace his new life down under. Paying tribute to Archer, Scottish National Coach David Gourlay said: “In my opinion Graeme was one of the most talented bowlers that Scotland has ever produced, and not only in his bowling skill. His ability to be part of a team and to get the best out of a team was quite unique. “We wish Graeme all the best in the future and his new life in Australia. I’m sure he will continue being a great asset to bowls.”