THE first female president in the 165-year history of Dunfermline Bowling Club hopes her appointment can help change people’s perceptions of the sport.

Kaye Cullinan was elected by club members to take on the role and wants to show that the sport is not just “an old man’s game” but is one that is inclusive to all – including women.

Gender equality in sport was brought back into focus recently when Muirfield Golf Club – roundly criticised last year when members voted not to admit female members – overturned that policy following another ballot of its membership.

Despite the decision, champion golfer Rory McIlroy said that it was “obscene” and “horrendous” that the East Lothian club needed two votes to accept women and Kaye, 53, is eager to prove that bowls is equally welcoming to both sexes.

Referring to the Muirfield vote, she said: “I saw that on TV and I thought, ‘What is going on in sport?’ Surely it’s about coming together; if there’s separation, it’s ridiculous that it is still going on.

“Hopefully, we can change the perceptions people have of our sport, but it does take time. This is a big step forward; we changed our constitution where we could get to a point of having a lady president, which is still quite unusual in bowls. In the past, it tended to be a gents’ game so it has taken women a long time to get to this position.

“I work with Bowls Scotland and they have appointed their first female chairperson as well so it is nice to see that starting to come through. The majority of clubs tended to have a ladies’ section of varying sizes but I’d say the majority of clubs now are mixed.

“We desperately need to open up membership and the more we change the perception, and that it is open to everyone of all ages and abilities, will help.”

Introducing new people to the sport – including younger generations – is one of Kaye’s key aims in her new role, which she said was an “honour” and highlights the progressive nature of the Priory Lane club.

She continued: “We have around 55-60 members, which is down from where we have been, and we are working really hard on building up the younger element. I’ve been playing now for 30 years and started because my parents and grandparents played but we seem to have lost a generation. There’s a big gap in the 30-50 year age group and it’s become quite critical (in relation to membership numbers).

“It’s one of the key things we’ll work on. Membership is key for clubs and, over the last couple of years, we’ve been running specific days to encourage people to come and have a go. We’re trying different things to encourage people to visit the club and we want to get across to everyone, particularly girls and women, that there is an option in this sport.

“We have our national finals in Ayr each year; there used to be finals for ladies and gents but now it’s all mixed. The juniors come along and play too and we’ve linked in with bowlers with a disability so everyone can come together. It’s about breaking down separation.

“On the green it’s not about gender, it’s about playing bowls and that’s what it should be about. Everyone is committed on the equality side and just to be seen to have a modern outlook is important.

“There’s a lot of work involved but I’ve got a good team of like-minded people working together. I’m looking forward to it.”