With the 2016 Weber Cup set to get underway this evening at 18.30 organizer Matchroom Sport has announced that former European Championship bowler, Nicki Ainge, will be the referee in charge of the action at EventCity in Manchester, England.

Ainge (pictured right), 28 and from Leeds has competed Junior, U24 and Adult level for both Yorkshire and Team England and has won numerous medals throughout the years at Triple Crown and European Championships as well as the Bowling Commonwealth Championships.

A former European No. 1 in 2009 by virtue of winning the European Bowling Tour Women's Ranking, she was a Columbia 300 and Ebonite sponsored bowler for seven years.

"I'm so excited and really looking forward to being part of the Weber Cup. I've watched this event since it started and to change from being part of the crowd to being involved on such a level is something I feel both very lucky and excited to do," said Ainge.

"It's a great sporting event with some amazingly talented bowlers which really highlights the sport to the public.

"Bowling has and always will be a massive part of my life, I've travelled to some amazing places, I've met a lot of people and even more so great friends and managed to compete at something I loved and worked hard for.

"Although I am no longer competing I am happy I can continue my love for the sport via the Weber Cup event.

The Weber Cup is the tenpin bowling version of golf's Ryder Cup as two four-man teams from Europe and the USA compete over three days in a series of singles, doubles and baker format matches.

The Weber Cup will be staged over five sessions - 6.30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, and 12.30 and 6 p.m. British Summer Time (BST) on Saturday, Aug. 6, and Sunday, Aug. 7. The tournament will be produced by Matchroom Sport television and broadcast live on Sky Sports as well as other channels around the world.