ALAN Turvey is in line to become the figurehead of indoor bowls in England.

In the year in which Oakley's Kay Kerley heads the English women's outdoor game, Turvey has become junior deputy president of the English Indoor Bowling Association, whose headquarters are in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

The 70-year-old, who lives in Old Basing, is a keen bowler having played the game for the past 16 years.

A member at Old Basing and Basingstoke's Loddon Vale Indoor Bowling Club, where he is chairman, in 2000 Turvey was also the Hampshire indoor president.

For the past two years he has been county indoor bowling secretary - but this latest position of national status is the one he's proudest to hold.

He said: "It's a tremendous honour and I am thrilled to bits, for I enjoy bowling very much, as does my wife Margaret. She's been a big support to me.

"About a year ago, I got elected to the executive committee of the association, and, at this year's AGM, got voted junior deputy president.

"I will hold this position for a year and then become senior deputy president in 2005, before full president in 2006."

Turvey was voted to the role after the executive committee put his name forward for junior deputy president.

The proposal was seconded by Loddon Vale, along with a glowing recommendation.

Turvey said: "My duties will be to support the president, represent the association and attend all the relevant meetings, including the finance and personnel committees, of which I'm part. So I will be busy!

"I'll also be playing for the association's representative team at clubs around the country, which I'm looking forward to doing.

"There are over 350 clubs affiliated to the association, so it's a very big position. I think it's nice for me and Loddon Vale to be involved like this."

Turvey is an active man in sports administration.

Additionally, he is chairman of the Isthmian League and a leading figure in the Football Association.

On his FA role, he said: "It's quite a big involvement, as I attend main board meetings and am on the national game disciplinary committee board."

But it is his new position he is looking forward to most.

"I already play twice a week, both indoors and outdoors, when it's the summer season, so that will increase.

"There will be a fair bit of travelling around, but I prefer to keep busy and bowling keeps us both active in a very enjoyable sport."