LEAMINGTON Primary School assistant headteacher Jo Cundy may seem like any other teacher.
But Jo has what could be described as a ‘secret life’ outside work - as a gold medal-winning tenpin bowler.
Jo is England’s most decorated tenpin bowling player, having won more ranking events than anyone else, and added to her impressive career winnings earlier this month at the 2012 Adult Triple Crown competition in Dublin.
Jo picked up gold medals in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, the women’s team and the women’s all events, plus a bronze in the women’s trio.
“It was my last international tournament,” said Jo.
“I have been bowling for 33 years. I bowled my first ball when I was three and have been bowling for England since I was 13. The social side is really good - you get to meet lots of different kinds of people and you get to travel. I have been to Malaysia, America, South Africa and Hong Kong.”
During her career, Jo has been a world and European champion and the number one ranked player in England.
But while she is ‘quite well known’ in the bowling world, few people outside the sport are aware of her achievements.
“At work I try and play it down a little bit,” said Jo, who is originally from Sutton in Surrey and still bowls for her county, as well as in a league in Ilkeston.
“The children were really excited - my class were desperate to see my medals!”
Jo practises when she can, but said it is difficult to fit in with work, which is why she is retiring from the England team.
“I would like to thank the school for letting me have the days off school to compete. They are really supportive which is really nice,” she said.
Headteacher Peter Hardern said: “We are really proud of her. It’s been the highlight of a fantastic summer of sport and we are going to paint her door gold in her honour.”
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