Four-tunately Brilliant!

The Shade Systems Champ of Champs Fours served up a cracking weekend of bowls, and enough competitiveness to keep spectators glued to the action. As always, the fours format proved it’s not just about skill. It’s about teamwork, timing, and occasionally surviving a few nervous last ends with your heart rate intact!

In the women’s draw, there were twists early on as Howick’s Hannah Dawson-skipped side exited in round two, while Carlton Cornwall enjoyed a strong run before being halted by defending champions Auckland Bowling Club. Blockhouse Bay then produced one of the standout campaigns of the weekend, battling through to the final after an impressive semi-final win over ABC, only to fall agonisingly short by a single point.

Royal Oak, however, showed the composure like seasoned campaigners throughout the weekend, stringing together wins over St Heliers, Glen Eden, and Bridge Park before sealing the title in style.

In the men’s event Te Atatū’s Adam Blucher suffered an early upset at the hands of a determined St Heliers side, while Mt Albert’s Tony Balogh skipped team knocked out Royal Oak in a strong showing. One of the stories of the weekend came from Mt Wellington, where Sam Brack’s 1-5 side punched well above their weight and came within a shot of the semi-finals.

A huge thanks goes out to the host clubs, volunteers, umpires, markers and convenors who as always help make the weekend run smoother than a perfectly weighted draw shot.

Now the focus rolls on to the Shade Systems Champ of Champs Pairs, where teamwork gets even more crucial, and there’s nowhere to hide when your partner reminds you about that missed bowl three ends ago!

👉 Read full recap

Dynamic Duos Ready!

It’s Shade Systems Champion of Champions Pairs weekend – the format where trust is everything, momentum can turn in a heartbeat, and skips continue the belief they’re the real masterminds while leads quietly do all the hard work!

The women’s draw is packed with talent, led by the in-form combination of Dana Taylor and rising star Hannah Dawson, while Royal Oak youngsters Henrietta Scott and Rebecca Brosnan look more than capable of causing a few headaches. There’s also plenty of experience and composure through pairings like Maroi Pereeti and Jo Cheng, Wendy Jensen and Jeni Hart, plus Carlton Cornwall’s Estelle Hickey and Helen Blick.

Over in the men’s section, New Lynn hosts some absolute crackers first up. Mike Galloway and Steve Fisher take on the Haysham brothers, while Te Atatū’s Adam and Peter Blucher renew acquaintances with Epsom duo Peadar MacElvanna and “John-Boy” Geboers in a clash that should have plenty of spice. Defending champs Tony Grantham and Randell Watkins won’t have it easy either, drawn against Mt Eden’s Chris Lowe and Peter Thorne.

With club pride, Champ of Champs glory, and national pathway all up for grabs, expect bold calls, clutch conversions, and plenty of pressure-packed finishes across the weekend.

👉Read full preview
👉Follow results here

Bowls & Family Vibes!

While the Auckland’s best club bowlers battle it out on the green for the Shade Systems Champ of Champs Triples and Mixed Pairs… there’s plenty happening off them too!

We’re inviting the local communities to come along to our FREE Family Day Roll Ups, running alongside:

• COC Triples at Royal Oak Bowls on Saturday 6 June.
• COC Mixed Pairs at New Lynn on Saturday 13 June.

Never tried bowls before? Perfect. Haven’t played in years? Even better. Grab the kids, bring your mates, and come have a roll.

Expect: Fun games + giveaways + face painting + sausage sizzle + good vibes

It’s free, family-friendly, and a great chance to experience bowls in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere while some of Auckland’s top players go head-to-head.

Come for the fun. Stay for the champions.

👉More details here

Shelter for Generations

👉Visit Shade Systems website for more info

Twilight Final Hits Mt Eden

While Royal Oak Bowls was busy hosting the Shade Systems Champ of Champs Fours post section on Sunday, just a stone’s throw away Mt Eden Bowls was serving up a different kind of champ of champs atmosphere – the 2026 Auckland Twilight Final.

Sure, the polish and precision may have looked a little different, but the competitiveness, banter and excitement were right up there.

After April’s cyclone forced a postponement, Sunday’s rescheduled finals arrived with autumn sunshine, good vibes and plenty of enthusiasm. DJ Dice kept the tunes rolling while teams embraced the quick-fire five-end, two-bowl triples format… perhaps a little too enthusiastically. No sooner had one round finished than players were already asking, “Who’s next?”

Three qualifying rounds flew by before players paused for a classic Kiwi sausage sizzle lunch. Although judging by the mood, many were quite happy to skip the break and keep the game rolling!

Win or lose, the teams stuck around to cheer on the semis and the final in true community spirit.

In the end, it was The Grogsters from Auckland Bowling Club who claimed bragging rights after an awesome final against The Newbies from Royal Oak.

And here’s the best part. The Grogsters first discovered bowls at a corporate event at Auckland BC, became social members, joined the club’s twilight league… and now they’re Auckland Twilight Final champions. Add in the winning prize of a set of bowls for each player, plus one winning a one-year full membership spot prize, and you could say they’re now well and truly hooked on bowls.

Thanks to all the teams who participated, and to Mt Eden Bowls for hosting a fantastic day.

Youth Week: Bowls is Buzzing

By Hannah Neville

Youth Week is shining a spotlight on rangatahi across Aotearoa, and Bowls Auckland has plenty to celebrate as more young people continue rolling into the sport.

A huge shout out goes to Ellerslie Bowling Club, who generously donated indoor bowls sets and mats to 12 Auckland schools. The kits are already making a difference, helping students stay active during winter and making bowls more accessible for young players. At Central Auckland Specialist School, teachers have seen students become deeply focused and engaged through the programme.

Meanwhile, nearly 250 tamariki from Piha, Golden Grove School and Bucklands Beach Primary have recently taken part in Tamariki Roll Up sessions. Bucklands Beach Bowling Club also hosted Year 4 and 5 students for a fantastic intergenerational experience, with club members sharing tips, encouragement, and plenty of smiles along the way.

Bowls Auckland is also preparing youth focus groups to help ensure young voices continue shaping the future of the Rangatahi Roll Up programme.

👉Find out more

The celebration of our bowls community is just around the corner, with ticket sales now officially open for the 2026 Bowls Auckland Annual Awards Luncheon.

Join us as we recognise the amazing people and clubs whose passion, dedication, and contribution help make our sport so special. From outstanding performances on the green to the volunteers and club initiatives working tirelessly behind the scenes, this is an opportunity to celebrate the very best of bowls across Auckland.

📅 Date: Sunday, 5 July 2026
📍 Venue: Royal Oak Bowls,146 Selwyn Street, Onehunga

UK Calling with PBA

If your winter bowls calendar is looking a little empty, the 2026 PBA Auckland series might be the perfect cure. Fast-paced, fiercely competitive and now more accessible than ever, the PBA is back with four Auckland events across June.

The biggest change this year? No PBA membership required. Events are now fully pay-to-play, with entry set at $50 per event through Bowlshub, making it easier for more players to throw their hat in the ring.

Known for its straight knockout format, the PBA delivers pressure bowls from the very first end. Every shot matters, every mistake hurts, and every win keeps the dream alive. For players chasing high-quality winter competition, testing themselves against top opposition, or eyeing a pathway to the UK finals, this is the event series to watch.

Better still, the national finals are being held right here in Auckland, giving local qualifiers a home advantage on the big stage.

Auckland Event Schedule:

• Scottish Singles – Papatoetoe, Saturday 20 June
• UK Pairs – Papatoetoe, Sunday 21 June
• World Singles – Orewa, Saturday 27 June
• World Pairs – Orewa, Sunday 28 June

And with no restrictions on entering across multiple branches, keen players have more chances than ever to compete.

👉Find out more & to enter