Friday Flash 29 November 2024

A rivalry like no other!

This Sunday, the much-awaited Battle of the Bridge returns, bringing Auckland and North Harbour face-to-face in a clash of bowls brilliance!

This season, all three squads—Premier, Development, and 1-5 Year—will gather at Howick Bowling Club, creating a festival-like atmosphere that’s sure to elevate the competition. With a Ryder Cup-style format across Fours, Pairs, and Singles, the day promises to be full of bowls action.

Stay tuned for updates, and let’s get ready to cheer on Team Auckland!

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Former winners still in hunt for history at Champion of Champions Singles

American Anne Nunes and Australian Lee Schraner kept their hopes alive of creating history after the third day of the World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles in Auckland.

Over 50 champion bowlers from 30 nations have descended on New Zealand for the 22nd World Bowls Champion of Champions Singles at the Browns Bay Bowling Club in North Harbour this week.

Nunes remains unbeaten after five rounds in the women’s competition, aiming to become the first player to successfully defend their title at the World Bowls Champion of Champions.

👉 Read World Bowls full story
👉 Today's broadcast
👉 Follow the results

One News covers World Champ of Champ Singles

Auckland “Blest” with Barrie's Clinics

This week, Auckland bowlers had the privilege of learning from one of the best in the game—Australian bowls legend Barrie Lester. Barrie brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to his coaching clinics.

From guest speaking at the Bowls New Zealand Coaches Conference to leading clinics for Bowls Auckland and Bowls North Harbour, Barrie’s visit has been inspirational.

Participants at the clinics were treated to expert coaching that blended advanced techniques, practical training, and a genuine passion for the sport:

Barrie’s clinics have shown that with the right guidance, every bowler can take their game to the next level. His unique blend of expertise and infectious enthusiasm has left Auckland bowlers inspired and ready to elevate their performance.

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Bowls brilliance at the Oceania Challenge 2024!

What a week it was for the national teams competing in the 2024 Oceania Challenge! Amidst quality competition and vibrant camaraderie, the Tāmaki Makaurau bowls community had plenty of reasons to cheer. Several familiar faces proudly represented their heritage on the international stage, including these bringing home gold:

Pale Luka and Peni Panapa – Men’s Pairs for Tokelau
Agnes Motu – Women’s Fours for Aotearoa Māori

Congratulations also, to the Aucklanders who celebrated success with their teammates by securing well-deserved silver and bronze medals.

This remarkable event wouldn’t have been possible without the collective efforts of many. A big shoutout to the international and national sports bodies – World Bowls, Bowls New Zealand, and Bowls Oceania – as well as the fantastic team and event officials. A special mention to the local host venues, Royal Oak and New Lynn, and their incredible volunteers who kept everything running smoothly.

Congratulations on a spectacular showcase of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship to all the players who travelled from across the Pacific. The Oceania Challenge 2024 truly brought the spirit of bowls alive! 🌟

Gold for Tokelau and Norfolk Islands

The Tokelau pair of Pale Luka and Peni Panapa came from behind to snatch the gold medal in the men's pairs at the 2024 Oceania Challenge. Photo: Bowls NZ

The honours were well-spread on the final day of the 2024 Oceania Challenge bowls international in Auckland at the weekend.

The second Oceania Challenge, an official World Bowls event, featured national teams from Cook Islands, Niue, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Tokelau and Tonga, the Australia Performance Pathway team, and two from New Zealand - an Aotearoa Māori team, and a New Zealand Under-26 team.

Missing was Fiji, who did not send any team to the event.

👉RNZ's full story

Australia, Aotearoa Māori win Fours at Oceania bowls

The spoils in the finals of the Fours were split between the Aotearoa Māori and Australia Performance Pathway teams on the penultimate day of competition at the Oceania Challenge bowls international in Auckland.

It is the second Oceania Challenge which features national teams from Cook Islands, Niue, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Tokelau and Tonga, the Australia Performance Pathway team and two from New Zealand – an Aotearoa Māori team, and a New Zealand Under-26 team.

The young Australian combination edged out the Aotearoa Māori men in the Fours final, but that was reversed in the final of the women at Royal Oak Bowling Club.

👉Bowls NZ's full story