Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club president Jean Simmons has described her new role as a "great honour and privilege" after being elected at the recent annual meeting.
The 73-year-old, who joined the club in 1986, is a former ladies' captain and was rewarded with life membership two years' ago.
She is also a former ladies' county president and with Maureen Tims won the National Pairs title in 2004.
Her appo
intment is the first time the club, which celebrated its centenary last year, has elected a lady as club president.
Outgoing president Richard Ashley joked that "there will be one or two former presidents turning in their graves".
However, Simmons is hoping her historic appointment will pave the way for more radical changes at the club.
"It's a very great honour and privilege to be appointed," she said. "It is very difficult to follow someone like Richard, who has done such a fantastic job, but hopefully I can uphold the high standards and traditions of the club.
"Maybe my appointment will help to rid bowls of its reputation as an old man's sport as we need to get more youngsters involved."
In his retiring remarks, Ashley also spoke of the urgent need to involve schools and junior players in bowling, saying the club was in danger of falling behind other areas of the country where the game is spreading rapidly among young people.
However, he underlined his pride in the standing of the club within the game and in the community and praised the efforts of all the members for their involvement.
A change in captaincy in both sections saw Dick Allibon taking over from Roger Hampson as men's captain, while for the ladies, Sonia Stranks succeeds Lyn Williams.
A new life member was appointed when, not to be outdone by his wife, Reg Simmons received the honour in recognition of all his work for the club over very many years.
The other principal officers of the club were re-elected, with Peter Higgins as chairman, Brian Wilne as treasurer, and Cynthia Briggs remaining as general secretary.
