![\"Ron](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Ron-HomerJPG.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRon Homer will represent Team England in para bowls this summer and has set himself the goal of leaving Glasgow with a gold medal around his neck.<\/p>\n
Ron Homer will represent Team England in para\u00a0bowls\u00a0this summer and has set himself the goal of leaving Glasgow with a gold medal around his neck.<\/p>\n
Ron Homer is determined to make the most of his Commonwealth Games debut after the sport of bowls saved his life.<\/p>\n
The 73-year-old will represent Team England in para bowls this summer and has set himself the goal of leaving Glasgow with a gold medal around his neck.<\/p>\n
Competing in the pairs alongside director Sally-Ann Lewis-Wall, the man from Yeovil doesn\u2019t believe in competing just to make up the numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to aim for the top,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s no point going there thinking you\u2019re not going to do anything. Gold would be superb.<\/p>\n
“The Games will be daunting at first. You\u2019ve seen it on TV over the years. The opening ceremony, playing other countries, it\u2019s going to be some event. But I\u2019m up for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Homer\u2019s journey to the Games is remarkable, having only discovered bowls after suddenly losing his sight in his mid-40s. Prior to his loss of vision, he worked in the motor trade and later ran his own window and carpet-cleaning businesses, both of which relied heavily on driving.<\/p>\n
But when that independence disappeared, life became a struggle.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lost my sight virtually overnight,\u201d Homer explained. \u201cI had detached retinas and about seven operations in 18 months. You lose your job, you can\u2019t drive, and your whole world collapses.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything came to a big black hole. It was a very dark place for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the turning point came when a social worker suggested Homer try his hand at down at Yeovil Bowls Club, which had a section for visually impaired players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew absolutely nothing about bowls,\u201d he continued. \u201cBut I plucked up the courage, went along and basically caught the bug. Now here we are 30 years later. Bowls was a life changer, really. A life saver.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since then, Homer\u2019s career has flourished, reaching such pinnacles as winning gold in the B2 section with Keith Cook at the 2015 International Blind Bowls Association World Championships in New Zealand, as well as claiming world bronzes in 2017 and 2023.<\/p>\n
Such is the nature of para bowls, Homer has been able to play with able-bodied players and believes the sport\u2019s inclusivity sets it apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need adaptations,\u201d he continued. \u201cYou just need someone to tell you where your bowls finish. Compared to other sports, it\u2019s unique.\u201d<\/p>\n
Away from competition, Homer has also given decades of service to the sport. He spent more than 20 years as treasurer of Yeovil Visually Impaired Bowls Club and remains on the committee. In recognition of that commitment, he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2026 New Year Honours list.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt came completely out of the blue, when I saw the letter, I was completely taken aback,\u201d he added. \u201cI had to read it about 10 times before it sunk in, but I couldn\u2019t tell anybody, which was the hard part. Bowls showed me there is life after trauma. I would urge anyone of any age or ability to give it a go.\u201d<\/p>\n