Octagonal Challenges – Regional rivalry at it's best

The Octagonal Challenge is back this weekend, bringing together eight regions for two action-packed days of bowls!

• Development Octagonal at Howick: Can National Singles champ Matt Berry make an impact in his Auckland debut? Will Bay of Plenty defend their title, and make a statement?
• Premier Octagonal at Browns Bay: The Pacifica Barbarians make their debut, bringing flair and passion to the event! Keep an eye on their highly anticipated clashes—or will we see a bolter region shine through this weekend?

Don’t miss the drama, skill, and rivalries! Follow the action and get the full preview here. Follow this link to view the draws and results.

Introducing the Pacifica Barbarians! 

We’re thrilled to announce the formation of the Pacifica Barbarians, a brand-new bowls team proudly representing the vibrant Pacifica community in Tāmaki Makaurau!

This exciting new team has been created to fill a vacant spot in the upcoming Octagonal Premier Competition, taking place this weekend. Competing in Singles, Pairs, and Fours, the Barbarians will bring their unique flair, skill, and cultural pride to the green.

Congratulations to all the players selected. Stay tuned for results! 🌺 

Club Leaders February workshop

Our latest Club Leaders Workshop on Tuesday, 11 February, brought together 18 members from 13 clubs to dive into the focus topic of sponsorship.

Sponsorship isn’t just about the dollars—a great sponsor can amplify our sport’s reach, becoming a key advertiser and driving brand exposure that over time, may be more valuable than the initial financial support.

Building a strong, mutually beneficial sponsorship takes commitment and investment from both sides. Sponsors provide funding, time, and promotional backing, while clubs deliver value through structured engagement and support.

The session featured valuable insights from Sue Wood, GM of Molecheck, who shared her perspective on Molecheck’s partnership with Bowls Auckland. This was followed by a Club Case Study from Steve Briant and Andy Dorrance of Manly Bowling Club, who took attendees through their club’s journey in securing sponsorship, sharing key learnings and best practices for building lasting partnerships.

A huge thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to this important discussion! Stay tuned for more workshops in our Club Leaders Programme.

Rolls and Bowls at Pakuranga BC

-- Michelle Brown

It’s been an epic start to the 2025 Rolls and Bowls series at Pakuranga Bowling Club! Over the past two weeks, we’ve welcomed plenty of new faces, alongside our dedicated faithful regulars, making for a fantastic turnout.

What’s even better? We’re spotting future bowlers in the making! Seeing the next generation embrace bowls with such enthusiasm has been a highlight.

With four more weeks to go, there’s still plenty of time to get involved! Whether you’re a seasoned player or a first-timer keen to give it a go, we’d love to see you on Wednesdays.

A huge thank you to everyone who has joined us so far! 

👉 Where to find Pakuranga Bowling Club

Roll Up, Sun & Pizza at Kohi 

-- Cynthia Morris

Kohimarama Bowling Club was buzzing on Sunday, 9 February, as we rolled out another fantastic Roll Up session! With plenty of water, sunscreen, and Bowls Auckland Roll Up bucket hats on hand, our newcomers were ready to deliver some cracking shots!

Adding to the fun, our Roll Up coincided with International Pizza Day, so thanks to our mates at Sal’s Authentic NY Pizza Mission Bay, lucky participants scored some delicious spot prizes! 

Missed out? No worries! Join us for Barefoot Bowls this Sunday afternoon or our weekly Wednesday fun roll up—the fun never stops at Kohi! 

👉 Where to find Kohimarama Bowls