Friday Flash 2 December 2022

Hello summer!

A massive thank you to all greenkeepers and volunteers for all your mahi over the past month. The November weather has been unfairly cruel on bowls, and we thank you all for sticking it out, playing when you could, and we look forward to sunnier times.

In between the rain, there has been plenty of action within the bowling community with centre events, club tournaments, and the Christmas function season in full swing! December is going to deliver some exciting events including (but not limited to) the Battle of the Bridge, Auckland Men’s and Women’s Fours, and the Auckland Open 2-4-2 Mixed Pairs. We cannot wait!

Thank you to all host clubs, umpires, markers, the Operations Committee and Bowls Auckland team as we all look to work together to bring you memorable bowling experiences as we close out 2022 in style.

Dean Bartlett - CEO Bowls Auckland

On top of the world!

Last week Tayla Bruce was crowned 2022 World Singles Champion of Champions after beating Australian Carla Krizanic in a thrilling 8-6, 10-9 final.

Congratulations, it has been a terrific year for Tayla. She adds her new Singles Championship medal to the two bronze medals she won at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in August.

Pictured: World Singles Champions; Tayla Bruce (NZ) and Sam Tolchard (England).
Image source World Bowls

Auckland Men's & Women's Pairs

We say a big thank you to all players for putting up with the weather interruptions on Sunday. Sometimes the best-laid plans can come unstuck! We managed to get the 'bye' round out of the way - which will be a big help for the Finals.

The plan is to recommence the tournament. Both Men and Women will play four rounds, including the Finals. Women will play on Saturday, 1 April and the Men will play on Sunday, 2 April.

Check here for the current results

Battle of the Bridge

This Sunday is the annual Battle of the Bridge challenge - Auckland vs. North Harbour.

"We are looking forward to the battle," says Auckland team manager John Ross. "There are some new promising players on both sides, so I’m interested to see how they compete.”

“Our friends across the bridge are formidable opponents. No doubt they will want to give our Men's National Intercentre titleholders a run for their money!”

Good luck everyone. If you would like to get along to watch and support the teams, the host venues are:

Men's & Women's Premier 1 - Browns Bay
Men's Premier 2 - Takapuna
Women's Premier 2 - Mairangi Bay
1-5 Year - Blockhouse Bay

Fun facts...

Here is a little info you may be interested in!

To date, the ladies representing the Auckland Premier 1 squad between them hold 46 Auckland titles,27 National titles, and 1 World title. A very impressive group of players!

We have an exciting summer ahead, with opportunities through centre events to raise awareness for your company and support bowls in Auckland.

These events include the Auckland Open 2-4-2 Mixed Pairs, Champ of Champs, and many more. The benefits to your company range from branding across our online channels to naming rights and even an article in Friday Flash!

If you are interested in partnering with Bowls Auckland and supporting an upcoming event - please email dean@bowlsauckland.co.nz

Tournament Convenor

For the past two years' Gerard Hulst has been Bowls Auckland Tournament Convenor.

During his time, Gerard's list of 'to dos' is as tall as he is! He has facilitated and managed numerous tournaments - from generating qualifying & post sections draws, personalising scorecards, arranging umpires, answering rule book questions, and collating results, to working countless hours behind the scenes... and so much more in between.

It's often a thankless role that requires a high level of numeracy, a passion for bowls, and a bucket load of patience to deliver events our bowling community loves to play.

Gerard wants to play more bowls, and to do so, he will be stepping down from the role in late December. On behalf of the bowling community, we want to thank and acknowledge Gerard for his excellent contribution over the last couple of years! We also look forward to seeing Gerard on the greens more in a playing capacity.

If you or anyone you know is interested in the role (starting in January), please email dean@bowlsauckland.co.nz for more information.

Royal Oak’s covered green progressing well

The construction of Royal Oak Bowls covered A Green is moving at pace and is going to be a great asset for bowls at the club and for Auckland, transforming the club into a year-round venue with opportunities to bowl into the evening.

The cover is being installed by Shade Systems and the artificial green will be installed by Field Turf NZ.

‘We’ve decided we’re going to do this development properly’ said Club President Gale Ward. We could have kept the old concrete surrounds, but they’d have looked second-rate next to the new concrete. So, we’ve ripped it all out and replaced everything including the green surround that was at least 80 years old.’ The new green is bigger than its predecessor. ‘We’re carrying on the integration of the new with the old up on B Green as well,’ said Gale. ‘We’re adding wide access ramps for wheelchairs – and to make wheeling bowls bags easy along with new shade covers and opening up a fantastic new BBQ area at one end of that green’.

Adding to Royal Oak’s existing impressive indoor facilities, the club is aiming high to future-proof bowls for the current and future generations.

Contributed by Alastair McKenzie

Triples champs at Glen Eden

During November Glen Eden has been busy playing out who will be crowned this season's Triples champions.

Of course, the weather was making its mark, disrupting plans but we got there in the end! Congratulations to our winners. Click here to read how the matches unfolded.

Top: Women's Triples - Judy Raill, Jenny Tough, Lyn Lopez
Below: Men's Triples - Ephraima Teiva, Lee Merrett & Mahe Tausinga

Contributed by Darren Schroeder

Burger n Bowls

Crossing those fingers and toes paid off!! Pakuranga Bowls had a great turnout for our Burger n Bowls on Wednesday night, which we are very thankful for.

We really appreciate everyone for making the effort to come along.

Contributed by Michelle Brown