History (Updated 11th November 2006)

(Amendments in bold below)

The Scottish Young Bowlers Association (SYBA) was founded in 1982, to promote the sport of "Bowling" for young bowlers up to the age of under 16 (at 1st April in each year).

The first President of the SYBA was Andy Houston (Argyll and Bute), who gave his name to the SYBA's Inter-Counties Competition.

Mr Houston was President in both 1983 and 1984.

In 1983 a Singles Tournament took place at Bogleha BC under the "SYBA" banner and 19 youngsters competed.

The winner was Iain Middleton (Ardbeg BC).

In 1984 the "Curtis, Sloane and Hewitt" Cup was given to the Association, to be presented to the winner of the National Singles.

This was duly won by C McNeil (Eyemouth BC) in the first year.

By 1985 the SYBA had reached a membership of 85 Clubs throughout Scotland.

In 1986 the Association was presented with the "Osborne" Cup for the National Pairs and also the "Argyll Marine Plate" for the National Triples.

The first winners of these in 1986 were "Thankerton BC" in the Pairs and "Dalserf BC" in the Triples.

The Bank of Scotland became involved as sponsors for the National Finals in 1987, by which time the number of Clubs in membership of the SYBA had risen to 178.

The Bank of Scotland continued their sponsorship until the year 2000.

1989 saw the commencement of the Inter-Counties competition, for the "Andy Houston" Trophy, with Member Districts each putting forward their 4 rink team, to compete in Area Qualifiers.

The 4 Area finalists then played off, within the President's District, with the winners taking home the "Andy Houston" Trophy as "Scottish Champions".

There is also a "Vice President's" competition played each year - Each District being allowed to select one rink of under 14's, who then compete on a green within the Vice President's district over one day's bowling.

The eventual winners going home with the "Alan Michie" Trophy.

The SYBA currently has 19 Districts from Northern Counties and Highland in the North down as far as Wigtownshire in the South of Scotland.

There were 255 Member Clubs within the Association during 2006, with over 3500 young bowlers, from the age of 8 upwards.

2004 also saw the creation of the SYBA International Select Team, bringing in young bowlers from all 18 Districts and resulting in a game against an Under 25 Select at Lenzie BC.

More games for the International Select during 2005 and 2006 took place and the SYBA team has remained unbeaten (on grass) against all opposition.

The only defeat to date for the SYBA team has been against the SYIBA, in a match indoors, when many of the opposition were in fact SYBA Internationals playing for the SYIBA team.

In 2006 the National Finals for Singles, Pairs and Triples took place at Grangemouth BC and Zeneca BC, with 144 young bowlers from throughout Scotland competing to become the National Champions in their respective competitions.

The National Finals were held on 12th August 2006.

The President for 2006/07 is Mr Frank Strathearn (Central East District), therefore the Inter-Counties Finals are due to be played in his home area in September 2007.

Vice President is Mr Ross Dennis, who is also the SYBA Treasurer, and the Vice President's trophy will take place in June 2007 in his district of Perthshire.