Plenty of energy at Junior Secondary Pairs

The Junior Secondary Schools Pairs Day on 18 November drew 26 teams from eight schools to Remuera Bowling Club for a fast-paced day of five-end pairs. Year 9 and 10 players embraced the format, gaining valuable game experience while enjoying time on the greens with teammates and friends.

Auckland Girls’ Grammar School’s Lilly and Briyana, and St Paul’s College’s Christian and Liam, claimed the two section wins after consistent performances across their rounds.

It was great to see so many juniors closing out their school year with bowls and many familiar faces returning from last year’s event.

👉Read full recap here

Jack’s vs Kitty’s Challenge

A mid-week test before the Battle of the Bridge

Our Auckland reps are back under the lights next Wednesday for the inaugural Jack’s vs Kitty’s Challenge – a spirited mid-week hit-out doubling as the final tune-up before the Battle of the Bridge.

Expect energy, rivalry, and a fast-paced 90-minute contest as both squads sharpen combinations and make their final push toward the weekend. New faces, returning talent, and tight selection battles all add extra intrigue to this first-time fixture.

This new challenge also gives selectors one last look at combinations under pressure, with several players eager to cement their case before the weekend. It’s short, sharp, and full of stakes – a perfect precursor to the intensity waiting across the bridge.

👉Catch the full event preview including squad insights and what to watch for!

Centre Fours set to ignite the season

The first Centre Event of 2025–2026 gets underway this weekend, with the Centre Fours kicking off two big weeks of action. With qualifying returning to the three-wins-from-four format, teams will need sharp starts and strong combinations to book their place in Sunday’s post-section.

Last season’s men’s and women’s finalists will look a little different this year, opening the door for fresh contenders and possibly a few surprises. With more than a dozen line-ups capable of a deep run, post-section spots are expected to be tightly fought.

Pt Chevalier will host the business end of the event, continuing its impressive rebuild and offering a $15 buffet lunch for players and spectators.

Prepare for competitive match-ups, shifting weather conditions and plenty of early-season intrigue.

👉 Full preview here

Club Championships 

Our clubs have been busy working through their championship events in recent weeks. Check out this wee snapshot from around our region.

Community Connections at Oratia 

-- Chris Stone

A simple kōrero between a Spectrum Care kaimahi and the Oratia Bowling Club has grown into something special — a vibrant community bowls day bringing together the people Spectrum Care supports, local school students, and a handful of partners who jumped in to help.

Under sunny skies, the green was buzzing with laughter, cheers, and plenty of first-time bowlers giving it a go. West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre came through with goodie bags, the club funded tees that were screen-printed by Makatoa Aspirations, and their Coca-Cola rep chipped in with socks, a Bluetooth speaker, and even a smartwatch for prizes.

It’s a reminder that big things can grow from one small conversation — especially when a community opens its doors and welcomes others in.

Off-Centre & On Point: EPAC Session 2 hits the mark

Our second EPAC development session this week welcome a small yet enthusiastic group of players and two coaches Fiona Matheson and Trevor Kent, both completing their final steps toward Development Coach accreditation.

Building on last month’s focus of drawing to the centre line, this session shifted attention to off-centre drawing. Participants worked through targeted skill drills before diving into two competitive TGFU games. Bowls Darts challenged players to reach a score of 101, with a precious single point earned by drawing a toucher to an off-centre jack. Battleships upped the strategy, requiring players to “sink” their ships by drawing within a mat of, or touching, four off-centre bowls. The big lesson of the night: trust your process, even when the pressure is on.

The feedback said it all. Jo McCarthy shared, “EPAC coaching was a lot of fun…the skills were both relevant and valuable, and I look forward to applying them in my next game.”

John Mulka added, “The session was well organised. The drills and competition challenged both shot selection and strategy.”

A huge thank you to Aggie Motu and New Lynn for hosting. We look forward to Session 3 at Royal Oak Bowling Club on Tuesday, 9 December.