Standout performance secures championship title

Sometimes the best things happen by accident, and that’s exactly how Jessie Macaw discovered lawn bowls.

What started as a spur-of-the-moment decision led to her recent triumph at the Molecheck Women’s Open Singles. Jessie, who came into the competition with modest expectations, delivered a standout performance that secured her the championship title.

In this following article, we’ll explore how Jessie’s journey began, her thoughts on the event, and the mindset that helped her rise to the top!

Friendships & high stakes at the Women’s Open Singles

The Women's Open Singles kicked off the bowls season in style, with a record-breaking 96 players from across the country vying for top honours.

This year’s event brought heightened excitement, featuring a doubled prize pool, a stylish High Tea, and a new partnership with Molecheck. The action on the green was intense, with top talent from New Zealand’s bowling scene, rubbing shoulders across six venues.

From nail-biting knockouts to thrilling post-section match-ups - this competition delivered unforgettable moments, crowning Jessie Macaw as the well-deserved champion.

Read on to discover all the highlights from the weekend!

High Tea & Bowls: a Royal Day Out!

Bowls, bubbles, and a brilliant atmosphere! On Sunday, 22 September, Royal Oak Bowls transformed into the ultimate venue for the Molecheck Women’s Open Singles and the debut of the High Tea.

Nearly 70 guests gathered to celebrate wāhine bowlers and enjoy an afternoon filled with treats, prizes, and a special appearance by double Olympic gold medallist Alicia Hoskin. Her inspiring stories paired perfectly with High Tea treats fit for royalty, making it a day to remember.

As the bowls Finals ramped up, so did the excitement – read on for all the highlights for this special occasion!

Community is...what we create together

This year's theme for Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is all about community—what we create together. Community takes many forms and looks different for everyone, and that’s what makes it special. It’s about connecting, coming together, and celebrating the relationships that bring us closer.

MHAW, run annually by the Mental Health Foundation since 1993, encourages everyone across Aotearoa to reflect on how we can build and nurture our communities. Though this important week is marked each year, it’s also a reminder to prioritise our mental health and support those around us throughout the year.

By connecting, supporting (tautoko), and continuing the conversation (kōrero) around mental well-being, we can strengthen our communities and our mental health every day. Find out more here.

Game On: Auckland Reps Set for Action!

This weekend, we send our best wishes to the Auckland Premier, Development, and 1-5 Year representatives as they kick off the season in a Quad Series against Bay of Plenty, Northland, and North Harbour. With matches set to take place across multiple venues, the competition promises to be action-packed from start to finish.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS
Saturday, 28 September:
1-5 Year Women at Royal Oak
1-5 Year Men at New Lynn

Sunday, 29 September:
Development Women at Remuera
Development Men at New Lynn
Premier Women at Royal Oak
Premier Men at Orewa

Matches start at 9:30 am each day. We hope you can come along and cheer for our talented bowlers. Stay updated on results here

Umpires continue to support bowls!

At last week’s Auckland Umpire Meeting, Phil Bowden and Amy Cheng proudly received their reaccreditation certificates from Margaret Eames, from Bowls New Zealand's Umpire Committee. Under Margaret’s expert guidance, both umpires completed the required exercises over the winter months to secure their reaccreditation.

Janine Young was also recognised for earning her full Level 2 certification after completing her exam.

Auckland Bowls Umpires’ Association President, Les Smith, expressed his delight, saying, "It’s great to see our umpires taking steps toward reaccreditation." He added, "Janine set a higher goal, and we’re so happy she’s achieved her full Level 2 status. Congratulations to all!"

Entries for these three events lose this Sunday,
so make sure, you don't miss out!