One-On-One with Verity Crawley: Two Time PWBA Champion
Verity Crawley is a two time PWBA Champion and is one of the top professional bowlers on the PWBA tour and International tour today. She is an inspiration to the sport of bowling world wide.
In June this year, Verity defeated Germany’s Birgit Noreiks 258-189 in the 2023 Grand Rapids Classic (Wyoming, MI) championship match to win her second PWBA title. She also qualified for the 2023 PBA LBC National Championships and will battle for ‘The Duke’ trophy. The event will be aired this Sunday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. ET on FS1.
I had the opportunity to catch up with Verity during her busy schedule and I asked her about her journey and life in bowling.
You’ve had a strong family support system surrounding your bowling career. You’ve said before that when you and your brother were bowling in the Youth Bowling Club at a young age, you wanted to be every bit as good as he was and that drove you to improve and ultimately lead you on the path to success. It sounds like competitiveness is a family trait. How has your family supported you in your bowling career from early on to now?
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to constantly have my family’s unwavering support in all my endeavors. They’ve consistently motivated me to strive for improvement. As a young girl, they accompanied me to every bowling event, witnessing every single shot. It’s undeniable that they often felt more pressure than I did and their desire for my success exceeded my own. I am profoundly thankful for their boundless encouragement.”
“The decision to move to the US for university wasn’t an easy one, and I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for them to see their little girl move 4000 miles away.”
Since joining the PWBA tour in 2017, you’ve won two titles; the 2021 Greater Nashville Open (Smyrna, TN) and this year the 2023 Grand Rapids Classic (Wyoming, MI). While winning these titles is an incredible accomplishment, it doesn’t fully represent all the successes that you’ve had before, in-between and after those titles. You’re a six-time runner up and frequently knocking on the door to the stepladder finals. The competition knows that Verity Crawly is going to be in their path at some point along the way to the top. Talk about your appreciation and sense of accomplishment with these two titles and how you can’t take a single title for granted on tour. Also, the amount of perseverance it takes to keep going, after coming up short in any event.
“Achieving victory is undoubtedly challenging, and coming close to winning but falling short is equally tough. I am genuinely grateful for all the instances where I fell short because they have molded me into a better bowler. At the time, I might not have realized it, but now I can honestly say that I wasn’t prepared to win back then. I lacked the self-confidence and the necessary knowledge required for victory. I firmly believe that everything unfolds for a reason, and this journey I’m on will only enhance my skills as a bowler and as a person. It has taken me a few years to reach this point. If you had asked me between 2017 and 2020, I would have lamented about how ‘losing’ felt terrible, how I just wanted to win, and how I was growing impatient. But now, I don’t even view it as losing. I wholeheartedly embrace every opportunity I’m given and approach each event with the determination to give myself a chance to win.”
Now that the 2023 season is over, are you able to take some time off? Professional bowling is a full time, year-round commitment in so many ways.
“I’m fully embracing the life of a professional bowler, engaging in international competitions while also contributing to the sport’s growth. I’m dedicated to demonstrating that bowling is indeed a legitimate sport. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to spend quality time in England with my family.”
With 2024 just around the corner, talk about your excitement and expectations for the upcoming PWBA season.
“The 2024 season may seem distant, but it’ll be here before I know it. I’m in the midst of ongoing preparations, which include a meticulous review of my 2023 season to identify areas for improvement. I’m actively addressing both my strengths and weaknesses through dedicated time on the lanes, in the gym, and mental training. Balancing these commitments can be a challenge, especially with frequent travel at the moment. Nonetheless, I derived immense joy from bowling on tour this year, and I’m determined to harness that feeling in preparation for next year. While winning is always the ultimate goal, I prefer to focus on the process and establish smaller, attainable goals that will pave the way to success.”
You’re very active on social media connecting and interacting with fans all over the world. You regularly share positive words of encouragement, tournament news and updates, videos of practice sessions and you also offer coaching services to help bowlers improve their game. Talk about your efforts and the importance of connecting with the bowling community around the world and what it means to you.
My aim is to showcase how far one can excel in this sport and more importantly, to inspire individuals to pursue their passions relentlessly, especially during challenging times.
-Verity Crawley
“Bowling has always held a special place in my heart, even though I often found myself in debates as a young girl, defending its status as a legitimate sport. It’s a topic that frequently comes up, with people saying, ‘Oh, you’re a bowler? I didn’t realize that was a thing.’ My aim is to showcase how far one can excel in this sport and more importantly, to inspire individuals to pursue their passions relentlessly, especially during challenging times.”
“Social media has proven to be a powerful tool for connecting with people, despite its occasional toxicity. It’s heartwarming to know that a post I’ve shared has motivated someone to pick up a bowling ball. In 2020, I established my online community through Patreon as a means to share my knowledge and passion for the sport. It has evolved into a cherished platform with an incredible group of individuals, and I’m profoundly grateful for their support.”
World wide, bowling is as active and popular as it has been in years, both recreationally and competitively at all levels and ages. What words of encouragement would you give to all the bowlers out there who are looking to improve their game?
“You’ve got this! In this journey, expect more challenges than triumphs, but savour the rollercoaster ride. Embrace the lows as opportunities for growth, and don’t hesitate to bounce back. You’ll emerge stronger from those experiences. If you don’t have a coach, I strongly recommend finding a trusted mentor to assist you in refining your game. This sport is demanding, filled with uncertainties, but it’s precisely that unpredictability that makes it so captivating.”
I realize there is not likely much time left on your schedule, but if or when there was, what other interests do you have?
“Lately, I’ve been asked about my hobbies, and to be honest, I’m still figuring them out. I find joy in walking and spending time outdoors. If I could, I’d lay by the pool every day. However, I haven’t pinpointed that one standout hobby I absolutely love. Can we count watching Netflix?”
Yes, we can. Verity, thank you so much for taking the time to share some of your bowling journey with us. You continue to inspire so many people with your passion, dedication, and love for the game. Your talents and abilities are formidable and you’re exciting to watch compete. The PWBA is full of competitive professional bowlers and incredible personalities. The future looks very bright. Best of luck in all your upcoming events and on the 2024 PWBA tour. We will be watching!
“I want to express my gratitude for sharing this love for bowling with me! If you’ve made it to the end of this interview, I truly value your time and interest.”
*Images courtesy of Verity Crawley, USBC and PWBA
PWBA Career Titles
- 2021 Greater Nashville Open (Smyra, TN)
- 2023 Grand Rapids Classic (Wyoming, MI)
Achievements
- Six-time runner up on PWBA
- 2022 BTBA bowler of the year
- Won NAIA in 2019 as a coach with SCAD
- Joined PWBA in 2017
- First-team All American in the 2015-16 season by both the NAIA and NCBCA
- Webber International University: Won the NAIA National Championship in 2013 and 2014, and the Intercollegiate Team Championship in 2016
- European Youth Championships: 2012, Won singles gold medal and a bronze all-events medal.
- Named 2012 Junior Bowler of the Year by the British Tenpin Bowling Association
- Junior Team England: Won two gold medals (singles and team) and two bronze medals (trios and Masters) at the 2011 Junior Triple Crown event.
