Taylor 8s & 6s - Who's making their mark!

Week one of the Taylor Interclub Eights and Sixes is in the books, and what a start it’s been! Across Auckland, interclub teams hit the greens in fine form, showing plenty of early-season energy and interclub spirit.

Last year’s Men’s Premier champions Mt Albert have work to do after a slower start, sitting just outside the top three. For now, it’s the Howick Hammerheads making the early statement, topping the ladder with a healthy 18 points. Over in Division 2, their clubmates the Howick Sharks are also making waves, leading the charge in their section.

In the Women’s Premier draw, Onehunga & Districts have come out firing, collecting 14 points from the opening three rounds. St Heliers and Royal Oak are hot on their heels, just two points behind and well in contention.

Teams in the AC division showed their resilience on Saturday, after three rounds Mt Wellington are working well together, climbing their way to 16 points and plenty of confidence heading into week two.

It’s neck and neck in the Half Day 6s, with just half a point separating the top three teams. For now, Pakuranga have edged ahead — but with so little between them, anything can happen in week two!

Saturday saw the spirit of the game front and centre across all greens. It was fantastic to see so many players proudly wearing their club colours, with a special mention to the New Lynn wāhine, who stood out in both spirit and style.

To our many wonderful host clubs; from those who prep the greens to those who ensure the clubrooms are open, roll out the welcome mat, and record the scores — hats off to you all. Your efforts make this event possible. We can’t wait to see what this Saturday brings. Good luck and good bowls, everyone!

👉 Follow the results and ladders here

-- Les Eagleton

Kevin Hooper has always had a strong sporting background. In his early years in England, he played soccer to a high level and even coached a men’s team.

Kevin first took up bowls at the age of 12, learning the game from his dad in Cornwall. He went on to play club bowls for 15 years before taking a 25-year break. His return to the sport came when his wife, Lea, decided to give bowls a go — and Kevin quickly realised how much he’d missed it. The pair joined the Howick Bowling Club, and since then, bowls has once again become a major part of his life. “I’ve had to give up golf,” Kevin laughs, “bowls now takes up all my spare time!”

Kevin’s coaching journey began when he volunteered to assist with the South East Zone winter coaching programme. His enthusiasm and passion for the game were immediately apparent, and he was soon encouraged to complete the Bowls New Zealand Foundation and Development coaching courses run by Bowls Auckland.

Now a familiar face at Howick Bowling Club, Kevin regularly coaches groups and continues to share his knowledge and energy with new and developing players. At the launch of the EPAC programme in October, Kevin successfully completed his final assessment — officially qualifying as a Bowls New Zealand Development Coach.

Congratulations, Kevin! We wish you all the best as you continue to inspire and develop bowlers across Auckland.

Oratia Bowling Festival

-- Natalie Stone

On Monday 3 November, Oratia Bowling Club hosted its inaugural Oratia Bowling Festival, a day dedicated to celebrating Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.

Under clear blue skies, participants enjoyed a wonderful day of bowling, laughter, fun, and great food. A big thank you goes out to our participants and supporters from Spectrum Care and Oratia Primary School for making the event so special.

We extend our gratitude to Emma Lenehan and Gopal Krishnan from Spectrum Care for their invaluable help in bringing the day together. Thank you also to our sponsors — Spectrum Care for the T-shirts, West Wave for the fantastic goodie bags, and Coca-Cola Ltd for the giveaways.

Special thanks to Sport Waitākere and Bowls Auckland for attending and providing ongoing support to our mahi. We also want to acknowledge the huge effort from our OBC volunteers in the kitchen and on the green — we couldn’t do it without you!

Finally, we are grateful for the support of Waitākere Ranges Local Board members Hannah Slade and Michele Hutton, and Sharon Davies JP, for joining us and supporting our kaupapa.

The Oratia Bowling Festival truly captured the spirit of community, connection, and belonging — we can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Calm achiever shines as November's Extra End Hero

Every club has that person who makes everything run smoothly – often without anyone noticing. At Epsom Bowls, that person is John Boddy, and this month he’s being recognised as our Extra End Hero for November.

John is often first to arrive, switching on the lights, putting on the kettle, preparing the greens, and setting up the roll-up draw each week. As Epsom’s Chair, he also provides sound governance guidance, ensuring the club stays in great shape for the future.

Whether slipping behind the bar to lend a hand, rolling up his sleeves during clean-ups, or offering a calming word to settle a dispute, John’s steady hand and selfless attitude make a world of difference. He quietly pitches in wherever needed, in any aspect of club operations, always with a smile and without expectation of recognition. Members often rely on his calm guidance, knowing he will step in without fuss. His approach touches every corner of the club.

“John never seeks recognition – he just quietly gets on with it,” says nominator Shona Hewitt. “We’re so lucky to have someone who gives so much time and energy to our club with such calm dedication.”

Congratulations, John — our well-deserved Extra End Hero!

Sunshine, Smiles & New Faces at St Heliers

-- Allan Smith

Over three sun-soaked Sunday afternoons, the greens at St Heliers came alive with fun, laughter, and learning. Our Spring New Member Event was an outstanding success, with 48 enthusiastic participants taking to the greens to try their hand at lawn bowls.

For many, it was their first time picking up a bowl — but with the gentle guidance of our friendly club members, they quickly found their rhythm. From mastering the basics to playing a few competitive ends, the atmosphere captured everything we value about a strong, connected community.

Our Let’s Play Bowls sessions were about more than just learning the game — they were about bringing people together. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with several attendees already expressing interest in joining and continuing to play the sport we all love.

Looking ahead, the club is excited to build on this momentum — encouraging more people to discover bowls, forge new connections, and enjoy the simple pleasure of time well spent on the greens.

Here’s to new beginnings, great company, and a bright future for bowling at St Heliers.