Sport has played an enormously important role in Mary Wilson’s life. At 61 years old, the Scottish para bowls player is as active as ever and is currently working towards her dream of representing Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games next year.
From joining the army in her 20s and competing in both the Invictus and Warrior Games to gaining 55 caps for Scotland in para badminton, Mary’s story is one of grit, determination and a relentless passion for sport.
We sat down with the Scottish athlete to find out more about her remarkable journey and the role that sport has played throughout her life.
"Without sport, I honestly don't really think I'd enjoy my life,” she expressed.
“I'd have to find something else, but I don't think there's anything quite like sport.”
In her day-to-day life, Mary spends her time juggling her job as a mental health specialist with her commitment to both participating in and coaching bowls.
The early years
Mary's introduction to bowls came at a young age, thanks to her father.
“My first memories of bowls were going along to the club with my dad when I was about seven or eight,” she shared.
“At the time, however, I wasn’t particularly interested in the sport.”
As a youngster, Mary’s sporting interests lay elsewhere, competing for Edinburgh in both swimming and tennis and trying her hand at various other sports.
At 29, Mary’s life changed significantly when she took the leap to join the army after gaining qualification as a psychiatric nurse.
“At that stage of my life, I was really looking to do something for me,” she told us.
“I think my background in sport really helped my recruitment as well. That’s a big tick in the military.”
Although she initially faced physical and mental challenges during basic training, Mary persevered.
“I’ll never forget some of the drills we had to do and the feeling of accomplishment once you’d completed them.
“Now, whenever things get tough, I just think back to those days and ask myself, is it as bad as that? And the answer is always no."
A whole new world
After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004, Mary was medically discharged from the army in 2012.
“At that stage of my life, I was honestly very lost.
“Leaving the army and all my colleagues after 20 years of service was pretty tough to say the least.”
An email invitation to compete at the 2013 Warrior Games couldn’t have come at a better time for Mary, who went on to compete at both the Warrior Games and Invictus Games in 2015, where she won a gold and 3 bronze medals.
“Those experiences were just amazing and so inspiring, and I think gave me a whole new perspective on the power of sport."
Representing the nation
Around the same time, Mary had also rediscovered her love for badminton, a sport she played at a high level in her youth.
“When I was fresh out of the army, I was looking for things to turn my focus and energy to.
“I was told about a para badminton group I could go along to and within a month, found myself in the Scotland team.”
Over the years, Mary earned 55 caps and picked up silverware internationally for Scotland.
“Badminton took me to some amazing places where I was lucky to meet some of the most beautiful people,” she expressed.
Unfortunately, a shoulder injury led to Mary’s retirement from the sport last year.
“My body couldn’t have put up with any more training, but I retired happily and satisfied with the mark I made on the sport.”
Rediscovering Bowls
After years of multisport adventures, Mary now finds herself solely focused on bowls.
Back in 2014, she returned to the sport, taking her elderly father to the green and found herself joining in.
“The moment I showed an interest, my dad bought me a membership, so this is really all down to him,” she shared.
“After he passed away in 2016, I started playing properly, and I guess the rest is history.”
Alongside her Scotland commitments, Mary is a proud member of Dudley Bowling Club, where she is both a player and a coach.
“Before I joined the club, Dudley had never actually had a women’s coach, so it’s been incredibly rewarding to give back and see how much they have come on.
“The people I play with and coach really are proof that age is just a number.
“It doesn't matter what age you are if you are willing to work hard; it's all about what's inside you.”
To the future
With Glasgow 2026 looming, Mary is focused on Team Scotland selection and having the opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd.
"Everything counts this year, so it all feels very exciting,” she expressed.
“This year I’m playing the European Championships with Pauline, who won gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“If I got selected for the Glasgow 2026 team, I’d be playing with her, so I really don’t want to let her down!”
Reflecting on her love for bowls, Mary shares that watching her dad play in his later years and witnessing how much it helped him both physically and mentally inspired her to give the sport all she has.
“I am sure he is looking down on me with a big smile, cheering me on and saying, ‘that's my daughter, don't you know!’”
