ATHERLEY bowls club are 100 years old - now they are about to move into the 21st century - according to their president.

Marion Collins will become the first woman president in Atherley's history next year.

She takes over from Roger Stonham, who said: "I thought it was about time we had a lady president and moved into the 21st century. I had a lot of discussion with a lot of people.

"Marion was an obvious choice - she is highly respected at the club and will do a first-class job."

Collins said: "I was quite surprised to be asked because I thought it would be a few more years before there was a lady president at Atherley. I was elected unopposed at the annual meeting as junior vice-president last year and have now moved up to senior vice-president and I am really looking forward to taking over from Roger."

She has established herself as a top bowler since taking up the sport in 1989 at Atherley. Outdoors she teamed up with Pat Sutton, Marlene Kemp and Maggie Playle to win the national fours in 1998 at Leamington Spa and a year later the rink were runner-up in the British Isles Championships.

Her appointment is conclusive proof that the club are now fully unified.

A lady president is not the only innovation at Atherley. For the first time the club are wearing coloured shirts which have been sponsored by two local businesses.

The shirts have a white body and green sleeves with red trim and red collar and will be worn by Atherley teams for outdoor and indoor matches.

Atherley sported the new look on their tour to California earlier this month led by president Stonham and the shirts made their UK debut in a friendly against Bournemouth at Meyrick Park last weekend.

The Southampton club lost that game but hope for better luck in a return Top Club-style friendly against the same opposition today.

Atherley are always keen to encourage new bowlers and run open days in September. New members are most welcome and anyone thinking of taking up the sport is invited to call at the club and see for themselves the facilities available.

The club now have a good number of keen youngsters proving that bowls is a sport for all ages - not just the retired.