Fours delivers impressive milestones

From epic upsets to nail-biting finishes, the 2025 Champion of Champions Fours had it all.

In the men’s final, Auckland Bowling Club held their nerve to edge out a tenacious Onehunga & Districts comeback to win. In the women’s, a bold and gritty Glen Eden battled their way to the women’s final but couldn’t hold off a determined ABC side.

The weekend wasn’t just about the results—it was a display of skill, sportsmanship, and history in the making. Lisa Prideaux etched her name into the record books with five centre titles in a single season. Teammates Aggie Motu and Kimberley Hemingway also adding milestones to their impressive careers!

Add in Des Fisher’s famous scones, a lively crowd, and the still to be claimed Bowl-A-500 prize, and you’ve got one of the most awesome and memorable events of the season.

We'll catch our breath over Matariki, then gear up to do it all again at Royal Oak for the Shade Systems COC Mixed Pairs!

🌟Check out the full Fours recap here

Matariki - honouring the past, celebrating the future

Matariki mā Puanga is the unifying theme for 2025 Matariki celebrations. This year, the focus is on inclusion — embracing diversity and celebrating Matariki together. It’s a time for people of all backgrounds to come together in unity, reflection, and joy.

A powerful reminder that Matariki is for everyone, it invites us to honour shared values, strengthen community connections, and ensure all voices are welcomed and heard. Across the motu, communities are bringing this kaupapa to life through a wide range of inclusive events and activities.

Whether you’re hitting the greens, sharing kai, joining a local celebration, or simply spending time with whānau and friends — ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori. Happy Matariki.

🌟Check out what events are taking place around Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Volunteering Week: Celebrating the heart of our clubs

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our bowls community. From coaching and maintenance to governance, bar service, and cooking up a storm, their time and effort keep our clubs thriving. As we mark Volunteering Week, let’s take a moment to recognise and thank the many hands behind the scenes who make bowls more than just a sport — it’s a community for all, a game for life!

As part of our celebrations, we’re proud to highlight two individuals recognised last season for their exceptional service.

💙🩵To every volunteer out there, thank you. Bowls wouldn’t be the same without you!

Winter Coaching set to heat up the greens

The greens may be chilly, but things are about to heat up with the return of the 2025 Winter Coaching Programme, kicking off on Saturday, 28 June and running across six consecutive Saturdays.

Spread across five zones throughout Auckland, this initiative is tailored for new bowlers and 1–5 Year players, offering a valuable opportunity to build confidence, sharpen technique, and grow game awareness during the off-season.

Led by Bowls Auckland Coaches Committee and supported by an outstanding team of volunteer coaches and senior players, the programme is expected to attract over 250 bowlers. With a strong focus on development, connection, and fun, players can look forward to a structured mix of fundamental skills, tactical play, and peer support — not to mention a warm cuppa to keep the frost at bay!

The six-week programme wraps up with two weeks of competition, giving participants the chance to put their new knowledge and skills into practice in a tournament setting.

We extend our thanks in advance to the host clubs and coaches who make this possible. With such strong support behind the scenes, this year’s programme promises to be a standout success. ❄️ Let’s show that winter is for learning, not hibernating!

👉Check out more info here

Glen Eden’s Great Western delivers showdowns

-- Darren Schroeder

With gloomy skies and wet weather plaguing the days leading up to the big event, some cowpokes feared a washout. But in true Western style, the clouds cleared just in time, and a little drizzle didn’t stop a full green of eager bowlers from throwing down in Glen Eden’s 2025 Great Western Showdown.

Teams rode in from far and wide — Rocky Nook, Royal Oak, Mahurangi, Papakura, Howick, Orewa, Carlton Cornwall, Titirangi, Te Atatū, East Tāmaki, Clark’s Beach and Glen Eden — all ready to enjoy a spirited day of bowls. And if they weren’t mates at the start, they sure were by the end.

Established in 2018 by Sammy Sattler, the Great Western Showdown is a unique event designed specifically for Year 1–3 players, giving them the chance to test their mettle in friendly competition without facing down the seasoned gunslingers of the greens.

The Consolation Prize draw was kindly overseen by Robyn Rule and Sue Allan of Barfoot & Thompson, with the lucky winners being Lennie Lau, Sam Nilson, and Mike Hedges. Sam also claimed top honours for best dressed, showing off some serious Western flair.

👉 View results and more photos here 

Growing the Game: A look at the numbers

Here's the next instalment from Bowls NZ — further key highlights from our bowls community — the progress we’ve made, the wins we’ve celebrated, and the momentum we’re building together! 

ABC triumphs in century-old rivalry revival

— Paul Neazor

Last Sunday, Auckland Bowling Club hosted long-time rivals New Plymouth BC in a friendly but fiercely contested clash on the Stanley Street greens – part of a rivalry that dates back over 100 years.

Both clubs were among the founding members of the NZ Bowling Association in 1886 and the Northern Bowling Association in 1891. In 1912, New Plymouth donated a pounamu-based trophy for an annual match, won three times by them before WWI brought the series to a halt.

Fast forward a century, and the trophy was recently rediscovered in Taranaki. With enthusiasm rekindled, the fixture was revived. This year, 16 players per side took the green in a mix of fours and pairs.

New Plymouth struck early, taking out the men’s four, but tight matches in the mixed and women’s fours saw Auckland pull ahead. A nail-biting finish in both matches saw the locals grab two wins and a draw, securing a 3-1 series victory – their first-ever win for the historic trophy.

The day was competitive yet full of camaraderie. Great bowls, great food (thanks, Nenad!), and a shared sense of history made it one to remember. ABC now holds the silverware… until the next challenge!