Who is Paul Foster? Multiple world bowls champion with an MBE
FIVE times World Indoor Bowls champ Paul Foster is aiming to add to his title haul in 2025.
Classed as the second most prolific winner of the World Indoor Championship singles title, the Scottish bowls star is aiming to keep his streak.
Born on March 13, 1973, Foster has played in four Commonwealth Games, scooping up four gold medals in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 and and one silver medal in 2002.
Paul’s fame goes even further, as he’s listed as third on the all-time list of Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games athletes, right behind fellow bowler and friend Alex Marshall and sprinter Allan Wells.
Foster and Marshall have been intertwined as rivals and as teammates, showcasing a strong partnership in pairs events but a healthy competitive rivalry in singles matches.
During the 2024 World Indoor Bowls Championship, they faced each other in the World Indoor Open Singles.
However, the dynamic duo faced an unexpected upset in the 2025 World Indoor Bowls tournament as Matthew Crawford and Mark Foster pulled off a close 2-1 victory against them.
At the 2025 Championships, Paul and his partner Katherine Rednall will take on Julie Forrest & Nick Brett in the mixed pairs quarter-final.
Hall of fame
Paul has been dabbling in the sport since the dawn of his childhood, having started to play at just aged twelve years old through his father.
One of his earliest memories and achievements in the sport was winning his first World Indoor Singles title at the age of 24.
Rising up the ranks quickly, Paul began smashing the scenes at the World Indoor Bowls Championships.
Holding a golden CV, Foster is currently ranked number two on the World Bowls Tour’s Top 16 as of January 2024.
Paul has earned over twenty titles in a variety of formats across world, national, and international competitions in singles, pairs, and even fours events.
His most notable achievements so far have been winning five indoor singles titles (1998, 2001, 2005, 2011 and 2017) and five indoor pair titles (2002, 2011, 2012 2013, and 2019) at the World Bowls Championships.
Intrigued about his success, when asked about his choice of ball, Paul stated that he uses the Tiger 4H Mega Grip, iterating the stability and confidence it gives him on all types of surfaces.
With bowls comes even bigger goals
Besides being awash with gold and silver medals, Paul was also appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
This is a prestigious award to individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields, ranging from sciences and arts to even public services.
In the case of Paul Foster, his remarkable achievements as a lawn bowls player were acknowledged during the 2014 New Year Honours, where he received an MBE for services to bowls.
Personal life
Paul is happily married to Pamela and they have four children.
Working as a taxi proprietor, Paul always expressed an interest in football.
The lawn bowls champ even suggested that his dream job would’ve been becoming a football manager.