By Tony Hudd

When Sandy Hazell settled in front of her television to watch the march past of competitors at previous opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games, she dreamed that one day she would be a part of it.

At noon on Wednesday, that dream was fulfilled when her selection to the 12-strong England Lawn Bowls team for the October 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi was confirmed.

"I was overjoyed, I’m so happy that I can’t put my feelings into words," said 43-year-old Hazell, pictured, who lives in Maidstone and plays for Milton Regis, near Sittingbourne.

"I remember watching so many march pasts and could only dream of what it must be like to be a part of it all. Now I’m going to find out for myself."

She added: "The selection is the culmination of weeks of assessments and training. Now follows a programme of world-wide events and
more intensive squad training in preparation for Delhi."

And in an insight into how the sport has changed in the last two years, Hazell said: "What many people once regarded as a bit of hobby is now taken very seriously because of all the money Sport England have pumped in."

No stranger to success in bowls, which she took up 32 years ago, she was crowned world champion in 1996 and has been a member of the England squad for five years.