Canadian Bowls Team Named for 2026 Commonwealth Games
OTTAWA – (2026-02-24) – Four athletes chosen to represent Canada. Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) and Bowls Canada are proud to announce the athletes who will represent Team Canada in bowls at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, taking place July 23 to August 2, 2026.
“We are thrilled to see such a talented group of athletes representing Canada on the international stage,” said Kelly Laframboise, Director, Team Canada 2026. “Their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to excellence embody the values of Team Canada and the Commonwealth spirit.”
This year’s team brings together world champions, proven international medalists and rising stars, positioning Canada as a strong contender in Glasgow. “The Commonwealth Games are the premier multi-sport event on the international lawn bowls calendar,” said Britany Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Bowls Canada Boulingrin. “The 2023 World Championships demonstrated that Canada can compete with and defeat the very best in the world. With multiple podium performances across both the men’s and women’s events, our athletes proved they belong at the top level of international competition. We are carrying that confidence and momentum with us as we head into Glasgow, with the belief that this team can deliver on the Commonwealth stage.”
Canada’s bowls team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is anchored by two of the sport’s most accomplished competitors in Ryan Bester and Kelly McKerihen, whose experience and world-class results set the tone for the squad. Bester enters the Games as the reigning Men’s Singles World Champion and one of Canada’s most decorated lawn bowlers. He captured silver in men’s singles at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and, alongside John Bezear, earned bronze in men’s pairs at the most recent World Championships.
McKerihen, a former World No. 1, continues to rank among the sport’s elite. She claimed silver in women’s singles at the latest World Championships and remains one of Canada’s most consistent international podium contenders. A proven championship skip and steady presence in high-pressure moments, McKerihen’s leadership and tactical acumen provide a strong foundation for the women’s side in Glasgow. Together, Bester and McKerihen bring proven championship pedigree and valuable Commonwealth Games experience to the team.
Bezear adds steady, composed play and a well-established partnership with Bester, highlighted by their World Championship bronze medal performance in men’s pairs. His consistency at the highest level strengthens Canada’s medal prospects in Glasgow.
Emma Boyd enters the Games following a standout 2023–2024 campaign and will make her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow. In 2024, she and McKerihen won the Australian Open Women’s Fours, with McKerihen skipping the championship side, and captured the title at the prestigious Hong Kong Classic. Boyd also earned bronze as part of the Canadian women’s triples at the 2023 World Bowls Championships and bronze at the 2024 World U25 singles, adding to earlier titles including gold at the 2017 World U25 mixed triples and the 2019 U25 Canadian National Singles Championship.
Canada has earned 12 Commonwealth Games medals in bowls history, with the most recent coming when Bester captured silver in men’s singles at the 2018 Games. This accomplished group now aims to build on that legacy and return Canada to the podium in Glasgow.
“It’s an incredible honour to represent Canada,” said Ryan Bester. “Our focus is on executing at a high level and delivering the kind of bowls we know we’re capable of. We’re ready to compete and make our country proud in Glasgow.”
The bowls competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place at The SEC Centre in Glasgow from July 24 – August 2, featuring 2 events.
Glasgow 2026 will include 10 sports, including six Para sports. The Commonwealth Games are the only multi-sport event that feature equal standing for sport and para-sport events. Up to 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories from across the Commonwealth will compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games over 11 days of competition across the city of Glasgow.
The bowls team which will represent Canada at the Glasgow 2026 Games includes:
Athletes:
| First | Last | Hometown | Event | Previous Commonwealth Games |
| Ryan | Bester | Hanover, ON | Pairs | 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 |
| John | Bezear | Kitchener, ON | Pairs | 2022 |
| Emma | Boyd | Tsawwassen, BC | Pairs | |
| Kelly | McKerihen | Toronto, ON | Pairs | 2014, 2018, 2022 |
Coaches:
| Position | First | Last | Hometown |
| Coach | Derek | Dillon | Calgary, AB |
ABOUT TEAM CANADA 2026
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in a celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 153 athletes, including one guide, 82 team officials and 19 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
About Bowls Canada Boulingrin
Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) is the governing body responsible for lawn bowls in Canada. The BCB mission is to advance the sport of bowls in Canada. BCB is funded through Sport Canada and would like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada for its support of lawn bowling in Canada. For more details on Bowls Canada Boulingrin and the sport of lawn bowls, visit www.bowlscanada.com.
Bowls Canada Boulingrin acknowledges that its office in Ottawa is located upon the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People. The Algonquin People have inhabited and cared for these lands long before today. BCB honours and thanks all the generations of Anishinàbe Algonquin people who have and continue to take care of this land that we all share. We pledge to continue exploring and making meaningful contributions to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, especially as they relate to Sport and Reconciliation (items 87 to 91).
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SPORT CANADA
Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC supports Canada’s athletes to achieve excellence at Olympic and Paralympic Games and world championships and enriches the lives of youth across the Commonwealth and hosts the Commonwealth Games. For additional information go to: www.commonwealthsport.ca .
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Kenny
Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2022
Email: [email protected]
613-724-7160
Britany Gordon
CEO – Bowls Canada Boulingrin
Email: [email protected]
613-244-0021
