Premier Men take silver at National Intercentre

Auckland’s Premier squad did us proud at the National Intercentre, both making it through to post-section play! The Men’s team had an exceptional run, battling their way to the final in a hard-fought campaign, to be awarded silver.

What made this performance even more special was the inclusion of new players, a strategic move with the future in mind. Their elevation to this level of competition signals exciting times ahead for Bowls Auckland.

A huge congratulations and thank you to all players and team officials for their dedication and efforts throughout the season.

Alison Rennie Head Selector remarked, "Reaching the final was a fantastic achievement, and seeing new players step up at this level gives us real confidence for the future." 

1-5s conquer the Octagonal!

Auckland’s 1-5 squad stamped their authority on the inaugural Octagonal Challenge last weekend, delivering a dominant performance to claim top honours.

Both teams notched up impressive wins across two days of intense competition, finishing well ahead of their rivals. The Women’s squad went unbeaten on Day One, while the Men overcame a mid-round hurdle to remain in control. A strong final day sealed Auckland’s spot at the summit, with Bay of Plenty finishing second.

A heartfelt farewell was given to Stephen Campbell, Liam Cleal, Brett Christie, and Henrietta Scott, who played their last fixtures as 1-5s.

Final Standings: Auckland, 39 pts | Bay of Plenty, 27 pts | North Harbour, 25.5 pts

🔗 Read the full article here 
📸 View our full photo album here 

Players reflect on Octagonal success

While the inaugural Octagonal Challenge was a performance high, for reps such as Dana Taylor, Stephen Campbell, and Henrietta Scott, the weekend was about more than just results.

Dana, stepping in as a reserve, overcame early struggles to find her form, thanks to a supportive team—and a last-minute bowl swap! 

Stephen, in his final 1-5 event, relished the intense competition and was proud to finish on a high. Meanwhile, Henrietta embraced her role as lead, discovering just how game-changing her bowls could be (and earning the nickname “Bob” along the way!).

With strong performances and plenty of laughs, the weekend was one to remember.

🔗 Read what Dana, Steve & Henrietta had to say! 

Bowls+ is here—what you need to know

Bowls New Zealand has launched Bowls+, a new ranking system that tracks player performance using Bowlshub results.

With three seasons of Bowlshub data already in play, Auckland bowlers are well-placed to take advantage of this system. Keen to earn ranking points? Make sure your club is recording results in Bowlshub!

Bowls Auckland can assist clubs with:
✅ Setting up club championships online
✅ Quick results entry training

👉Find out how Bowls+ could impact your club and how we can help!
 

Entries are now open for the Shade Systems Champion of Champion Series!

We are opening all events at once! This pathway event brings together the best club champions from across Auckland to compete for ultimate bragging rights and a chance to advance to the national finals.

Each club is invited to enter their respective champions in Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours and Mixed Pairs. This is a fantastic opportunity to test your skills against Auckland’s top players and proudly represent your club.

👉Find out more event details here

Bowls, legends & scholarships at Pat Walsh Memorial 

The Pat Walsh Memorial Tournament was back at Bridge Park on Sunday, 16 March 2025! This much-anticipated event isn’t just about bowls—it’s about supporting future Māori sports stars. 

The tournament welcomes a mix of serious bowlers, former All Blacks, Kittyhawks, and social players, ensuring an exciting and competitive atmosphere.

A highlight of the event is the annual Pat Walsh Memorial Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding junior athlete. This year, the honour goes to Lilly Wesche, a rising star from Howick Bowling Club. Lilly continues the proud legacy of past recipients, including Auckland standouts Ryan Hill and David Motu. Congratulations Lilly.

Twilight Wraps Up at Bridge Park

  -- Victoria Piggott

Bridge Park wrapped up another fantastic season of Twilight Bowls, bringing the Māngere Bridge community together for fun-filled evenings of bowls, banter, and connection. While the kids ran free, the adults embraced the thrill of friendly competition, with plenty of light-hearted rivalry on the green.

With delicious food, cold drinks flowing, and a few cheeky raffles, players and supporters made the most of those warm summer nights. This season saw 18 teams battle it out, but it was Bowllocks who stole the show, delivering a dominant performance in Friday night’s final to claim the coveted first-place title! 

A massive thank you to everyone who took part—see you next season for more bowls, banter, and good times! 

Kohi's Charity Day bowls over with success

-- Cynthia Morris

Kohimarama Bowling Club’s annual Charity Day on Saturday, 8 March, was a fantastic success, raising funds for this year’s chosen charity, Kidney Society – ADKS. Organised by the club’s President and Past Presidents, the day brought together members and supporters for a fun-filled event, all in the name of a great cause.

The greens were buzzing with action during the 2-4-2 and corner-to-corner competitions, with an impressive 19 rink sponsorships sold! Spot fines and wrong-bias penalties added to the fundraising total, proving that even mistakes can do some good.

A special guest, Kidney Society CEO Kath Eastwood, joined in for tea and shared insights about the charity’s incredible work. We were also privileged to welcome back past president Margie Sorensen, who gave a heartfelt account of her family’s experience with kidney disease and the invaluable support provided by the Kidney Society.

In a delightful twist, a surprise 60th birthday celebration took place – and in what was not a rigged outcome, the birthday girl walked away with the corner-to-corner win! Some days, luck is just on your side.

Keep the support rolling!
Wrong-bias bowlers have been making gold coin donations to the Kidney Society all season, and there’s still time to contribute! Throughout March – International Kidney Health Month, you can easily donate $3 by texting KIDNEY to 3493.

📸 Check out more photos from the day here