Bowls Canada Boulingrin Celebrates Rhys Warren’s International Technical Official Accreditation
Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) is proud to celebrate an exciting milestone as Rhys Warren (Ontario) has officially earned International Technical Official (ITO) accreditation through World Bowls.
This remarkable achievement marks a significant moment for the sport in Canada. Warren is the first Canadian in many years to receive this distinguished accreditation and is currently the only Canadian listed among World Bowls’ Accredited International Technical Officials.
ITOs play a critical role in the global bowls community. Accredited by World Bowls, ITOs are selected to officiate at the sport’s most prestigious international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Their expertise ensures that events are conducted to the highest standards of fairness, precision, and professionalism.
“On behalf of all the National Officiating Committee members we offer our warmest congratulations to Rhys. His dedication, hard work and determination to be a highly respected umpire for his province and for BCB has certainly paid off. To become Canada’s only ITO in such a short umpire career speaks volumes, and we wish him all the best for the future. There is no doubt he will one day be Chief Umpire for Canada” said George Cubiss, Chair of BCB’s National Officiating Committee.
Warren’s accreditation is both a personal milestone and a major step forward for Canada’s presence in the international officiating community. It reflects the depth of knowledge and capability within the bowls community in Canada and emphasizes the country’s continued contribution to the sport on the world stage.
“Rhys’ achievement is a proud moment not only for him, but for the entire bowls community in Canada,” said Britany Gordon, BCB CEO. “His success represents a bright future for officiating in our country and highlights the opportunities available for Canadians to contribute to the sport both nationally and on the international stage.”
“The Ontario Lawn Bowls Association (OLBA) joins BCB in congratulating Rhys on this significant achievement. Ontario has benefitted from Rhys’ skills and knowledge as an umpire for some time and look forward to seeing his enhanced knowledge in action”, said Karen Atkin, President of the Ontario Lawn Bowls Association.
Warren’s accomplishment marks an important step forward for the sport of bowls in Canada, creating new opportunities for international engagement and strengthening Canada’s presence in top-tier global competitions.
Get Involved
Interested in being part of the game? Bowls Canada Boulingrin encourages Canadians to explore officiating opportunities and consider the pathway to becoming an International Technical Official. Officiating is a rewarding way to stay involved in the sport, develop leadership skills, and contribute to competitions at all levels, from local to national and international.
Start by visiting the BCB officiating page Officiating – Bowls Canada Boulingrin to learn more about officiating programs, training, and how to get involved in your province. From there, officials can progress through the national pathway, gaining the experience and certification required to officiate at higher levels across Canada.
For those looking to reach the highest level of officiating, the International Technical Official (ITO) pathway through World Bowls represents the pinnacle of achievement. Learn more about ITO accreditation here: International Technical Officials – World Bowls
