Player Profile: Neil Hope
	Without doubt the the most successful bowls player to come out of Highworth Bowls Club: England Junior International Neil Hope.
	The 2001 season saw Neil's second year as an England Junior International, when he was selected to represent England in the British Isles Bowls Council Junior International Series held at Llandrindod Wells in September. Playing at lead on the rink skipped by David Bolt of Durham, Neil's rink turned in winning cards against both Wales and Ireland. This is surely just the beginning of an illustrious bowling career for Neil, who started playing at Highworth in 1989 at the age of nine. His achievements so far have included: England Under 25 Junior International player. Four times winner of the Wiltshire Under 25’s County Singles; runner up in 2001. Winning a place at Worthing as Wiltshire County Singles finalist. Middleton Cup player since 1995. South Western Counties Under 25's Singles winner on three occasions. South Western Counties Under 30's Top Team player. Highworth Club Champion in 2001, 1998, and 1994.		Neil in action at the 2001 British Isles Bowls Council Junior International, Llandrindod Wells.

			Despite a busy schedule in top level bowls, Neil has always found time to support his own club in competitions and friendly matches, even turning out at short notice to stand in for league games when needed. Sadly Neil left Highworth us at the end of the 2001 season to pursue his bowls career with Swindon's Westlecot Bowls Club, where he is already a regular player in their highest levels of indoor competition. This move is of course a natural progression for Neil. The strength of the Westlecot club will provide the support he needs to achieve the success that he deserves, and our best wishes go with him.

	Young Bowler of the Year 2002
	In December 2002, the English Bowling Association named Neil Hope as EBA Young Bowler of the Year, the first time a Wiltshire player has won this award. Neil's outdoor and indoor accomplishments for 2002 included: Qualifying for the EBA National Championships in no less than four events: pairs, fours, singles and under-25 singles - the latter of which saw him reach the quarter-finals. He was also part of the England Junior team that took part in the home international series in Belfast, the third successive year that he has been involved at junior international level. World Indoor Under-25 singles Championship quarter-finalist. Runner up in the national indoor under-25 singles. With father Martin, finalist in the National Indoor Father & Son competition.		Neil is presented with the 2002 EBA Young Bowler of the Year award.