Phillis Nolan offers a human backdrop to the impending collision of two associations, the Ladies Bowling League of Ireland (LBLI) and the Irish Women's Bowling Association (IWBA).

The Republic of Ireland's most successful woman bowler supports the LBLI in their current dispute, having been a vociferous critic of the manner in which the IWBA was and still is run.

Her observations have drawn sanctions from Irish women's bowls governing body, but she refuses to be cowed, even though, depending on the outcome of a series of meetings this week, she could find herself de-selected from the World Championships in Australia in March.

The Blackrock, Co Dublin, bowler is a three-time and reigning World Pairs champion - in company with Margaret Johnston - and after the last triumph in Lemmington Spa (1996) was reselected for the 2000 Championships in Sydney.

Yet even though they have won three world titles, Nolan and Johnston were not retained as a pair. Nolan was instead paired with Barbara Cameron for Australia, moving from lead to skip . . . at least initially.

She was also chosen to skip (anchor) the rinks at the 2000 World Championships, but following another verbal brush with the IWBA in the latter part of last year was demoted to lead and number three.

If the LBLI refuse to apologise satisfactorily to the IWBA, then the latter has stated that it will ban all LBLI bowlers from international and domestic competition for one year. The most immediate target would be Nolan and her probable removal from the Ireland team for Australia.

She would not be the only Southern bowler affected. Quite apart from the 11 LBLI women who made the international team last season - an unprecedented representation from the South (24 on a team) - there are also the current Irish National Triples (skipped by Pauline Day) and Fours (skipped by Maeve Hoey) champions, all seven members of the LBLI.

Unlike the men's equivalent, the depth of quality of women's bowling in the Republic of Ireland compares favourably with their Northern counterparts. Blackrock dominated the recently disbanded All Ireland Club championship for more than a decade, appreciably the most successful women's club team in the country.

The growing disenchantment in terms of the selection process and representation is manifest in the current dispute.

Factfile

World Bowls: Gold medal, Pairs 1988, '92, '96.

Atlantic Rim: Gold medal, Pairs 1993; Silver medal, 1997.

British Isles: Singles ('92,'93); Fours ('95,'96).

Irish Championships: Singles ('89,'91,'92,'97); Pairs ('83,'92,'96), Triples ('86), Fours ('79,'81,'82,'94,'95).

Irish Indoor: Singles (1997).

IWBA Bowler of the Year: 1982,'89,'92.

LBLI (Republic of Ireland championships): 29 titles in singles, pairs, triples and fours.