10 questions with Jordan Kos, U of R student and national champion lawn bowler

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Jordan Kos and I was born and raised in Regina – I’m a true prairie girl and proud to call Saskatchewan my home.  I am enrolled at the University of Regina in a concurrent program: Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts (History) and this is my fourth year studying to become a teacher.

What made you want to become a teacher?

My interest in education actually started with lawn bowling. My first taste of bowling was through the youth program at the Regina Lawn Bowling Club. I participated in the Wednesday Night Youth Program and eventually transitioned to become a full member at the club.

When the position of Youth Coordinator became available at the club, I took the position for two years and was able to give back to the youth the way I had been influenced when I first joined.

I loved coaching and working with kids as they learned how to improve their bowling skills. I have always believed that teaching and working with youth is my calling and I look forward to it being my vocation.

I will complete my degree by Christmas and I hope to secure a position in a classroom where I can be a positive influence for my students, make valuable contributions to support the staff, and immerse myself in school activities.  Jordan Kos, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts student

How did you get started with lawn bowling?

When I was seven years old, my mom saw an advertisement for lawn bowling in my elementary school newsletter. Like most do, she assumed that lawn bowling was a sport only meant for seniors, so she contacted the coordinator listed on the advertisement to inform the Regina Lawn Bowling Club (RLBC) that they had mistakenly advertised a seniors sport in an elementary school newsletter.

The RLBC member informed my mom that the advertisement was intentional as they were looking to expand their youth program. Still skeptical, my mom agreed to take my two cousins and me to try the sport and I was hooked after I rolled my first bowl.

What do you love most about lawn bowling?

Lawn bowling allows me to play competitively with, and against, other high-calibre players and the sport allows me to travel, which is a passion of mine. I have been fortunate to compete in high-level and intense tournaments in many different countries including China, Wales, Australia, United States, and most recently, England. The best way to gain experience and improve my bowling skills is by competing against bowlers who have an impressive resume.

What tournaments have you competed in so far?

I have been very fortunate to represent Canada in many international tournaments. When I was 14, I competed in the Tiger Bowls Tournament in Shenzhen, China where my women’s fours team brought home a silver medal.

In 2019, our Team Canada women’s triples team won a bronze medal at the Asia Pacific’s championships in Broadbeach, Australia. I have also represented Canada at an 8 Nations tournament and a Multi-Nations tournament hosted in Australia and a Multi-Nations tournament hosted in Wales.

This summer, I achieved my dream of being selected to the team representing Canada at the Commonwealth Games, which took place in Birmingham, England this past July. I have won two gold medals at the Under 18’s National Singles and a Gold Medal in the Women’s Fours Nationals. In 2019, I played singles, pairs, and fours at the US Open in Arizona and won silver in each category and was named Female Athlete of the Tournament.

I just returned from Burlington in August where I won a gold medal in Women’s Singles. I will be representing Canada at the World Singles Champion of Champions tournament taking place in New Zealand in 2023.

What has been your proudest moment in lawn bowling so far?

My proudest accomplishment was in 2019 when I won a bronze medal at the Asia Pacific’s tournament in Australia, which is one of the three major international competitions that every competitive bowler aspires to play in.

Being chosen to represent my country at this tournament was an honorable and proud moment and securing a medal sweetened the overall experience. I have to mention that being selected to the Commonwealth Games team this year was also a very proud moment.

What’s your biggest goal for your lawn bowling career?

The most prestigious tournament in bowls is World Bowls. My biggest goal in my lawn bowling career is to be chosen to represent Canada at the World Bowls tournament and hopefully win a medal for Canada.

Of the top three most valued international tournaments in our sport, World Bowls is the only tournament that I have yet to be a participant.  I was selected to the World Bowls Team in 2020, but the tournament was cancelled. World Bowls will take place next summer.

What’s your biggest goal for your career in education?

I will complete my degree by Christmas and I hope to secure a position in a classroom where I can be a positive influence for my students, make valuable contributions to support the staff, and immerse myself in school activities.

I’m full of ideas and would love to share and promote them. I am also looking at continuing my education and will be looking at the master’s program at the U of R. My ultimate goal is to teach at the university level.

How do you balance your academics with your lawn bowling schedule?

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive group of people.  My parents have always been supportive and understanding of balancing my academics and my lawn bowling. I certainly am not completing my degrees the conventional way, but I do my best to commit my time where it is needed.

I take a full load of classes in semesters where I know I won’t be travelling to compete in bowls and three to four classes when I know my time needs to be dedicated to the sport. The U of R offers spring and summer classes, which have helped me stay on track.

The Faculty of Education has carefully crafted a purposeful and inclusive program. I have felt comfortable and eager to learn in every class I have taken and I appreciate how the University has prepared me for beginning my career as an educator.

Is there anyone that has helped you out with your lawn bowling and academic success?

I am very appreciative of the people who have helped me throughout my lawn bowling and education journey.

Every U of R professor that I have worked with has been accommodating to my individual needs. My friends and family have been understanding of my chaotic schedule. I work part time for a financial advisor at Ripplinger Financial and have two great employers who accommodate my university and lawn bowls schedules, so I am very lucky.

Thanks Jordan – congratulations on your achievements so far and best of luck!

Banner image: Jordan Kos