It is with great regret that World Bowls Tou r has to announce the sudden death of John Davies, WBT Director and WBT's Assistant Tournament Director. John passed away on Saturday 15th July 2017 due to a sudden severe illness. His funeral will be at Poole Crematorium on the 2nd August 2017 at 2.30pm and friends and bowlers welcome. Family flowers only please but donations can be made to charity which will be at Dolphin Indoor Bowls Club where refreshments will be available after the funeral.
John will be sorely missed by all at the World Bowls Tour and particularly by those that worked alongside him at all the Professional Bowls Association Qualifiers and the World Bowls Tour Television events. John loved his bowls and he was extremely passionate about the Top Ranking events where he was heavily involved in the administration and running of them. He dedicated himself to looking after the players to ensure that they had everything they needed during play and also when they needed assistance outside of the events themselves.
John loved the events and took particular pride in his job and nothing was ever too much for him to do and he worked tirelessly at the events to ensure a smooth flow to each and every event. He would never let anything stand in his way and there was one particular time when this came to the fore when there was no room for the Umpires and Officials in the dining room. Not to be outdone John arranged for two tables to be brought into the backstage in the arena which he promptly set up with full dining regalia and ensured that we all ate a hearty meal!!
John had special affection for the players and was a true gentleman throughout his time span with WBT, always ready and willing t o assist. He particularly loved the WBT Annual Awards and said his proudest moments where when he presented players with their awards as he always felt that they were 'his kids'. He held all the WBT players in great regard and said that it was his job to make sure that they had everything they needed at all events.
Alongside this great dedication to the sport John also had a massive sense of humor and became well known for being found with a mug of tea in his hand – he said it was the life blood that kept him going!! – John would be often found laughing at meal times with players and officials over his love of custard!
The World Indoor Championships at Potters Resort was where John came to the fore, with the event spanning a three week period for the admin side John was always there at the start sharing the 14 hour days busily organising and overseeing the office and he always brought his wife, Sharon, as he said that this was too long a period to be without the greatest love in his life.
He rarely grumbled about anything but he was a stickler for things to be just right and would always put players first, quite often producing miracles in answer to players and officials needs!
John will be sorely missed at the events and will forever be remembered by those of us at WBT who had the opportunity and pleasure to work alongside this great and wonderful gentleman.