Wider Rep Squads are In: The Pathway Continues

The wider squads for the 2026-27 Bowls Auckland representative season have been announced, with players selected across Men’s and Women’s Premier and Development, plus the 1–5 Year programmes.

There’s a strong mix of established players and emerging talent, including several players who have progressed from last season’s 1–5 Year programme into Development.

With training programmes now getting underway, the focus turns to the first rep fixture of the season; the Quad Tournament on 10–11 October.

And there’s still plenty to play for. The wider squads remain open throughout the season, giving players the opportunity to put their hand up through performance and earn selection. Teams for the October Quad Tournament will be announced later this month.

Congratulations to everyone selected and best of luck for the season ahead!

👉Find out who are in the squads

Paul Hickey: Summerset National Awards Greenkeeper of the Year

For more than four decades, Paul Hickey has been a familiar and highly respected figure within New Zealand bowls both on and off the green.

He has been widely acknowledged as one of the best greenkeepers in the Country, and it is fitting that his contribution has been recognised with the Bowls New Zealand Greenkeeper of the Year Award for 2026.

As Head Greenkeeper at Howick Bowling Club, Hickey has played a central role in maintaining the club's reputation as one of Auckland's premier bowls venues.  

👉Read full article

Extra End Hero - Neville Laing

Some people are happy to take the credit. Others simply get on with the job, and that’s Neville Laing.

Neville has been nominated as the latest Extra End Hero by Lu Clark from Bowls Maraetai, where his contribution to the club goes well beyond the green.

As the club's groundsman, Neville arrives around early every morning to make sure the green is spick and span, and looking its best. He’s also the club’s match coordinator, organising roll-ups, putting players into teams, as well as the Match Committee member who organises the club’s competitions.

And he does it all quietly, without fuss or looking for attention. 

Neville is also a registered umpire, adding another string to an already impressive bow.

But perhaps what makes his contribution even more special is the way he continues to be there for his club while caring for his wife, who has dementia. She comes along to the club with him and watches while Neville enjoys a game of bowls with his mates.

Bowls Maraetai has been enjoying a revival recently, with growing membership and a busy programme of club events, and Neville has played a big part in making that happen.

As Lu puts it: “An amazing, unassuming man. We would be totally lost without him.”

Congratulations Neville. Thank you for everything you do to keep your club rolling.

Know an Extra End Hero? We’d love to hear about the people who quietly go the extra mile for their club and our bowling community 

Let's celebrate the Volunteers Who Go the Extra End!
Bowls clubs wouldn’t be the same without dedicated volunteers working behind the scenes. 

Do you know someone who is...
✅ A club hero who goes the extra end, no matter the task
✅ A good sort whose energy and commitment inspire others
✅ A local legend making a real impact on or off the green

👉Here's where you can nominate your Extra End Hero today!

Update your Bowlshub details

With the new season upon us, now’s a good time to check that your Bowlshub contact details are up to date.

Keeping your details current helps ensure you don’t miss important event information including; entry confirmations, draws and event updates.

NZ PBA Finals Weekend heads to Papatoetoe

Papatoetoe Bowling Club will host a big weekend of professional bowls, with the NZ PBA Finals bringing leading players from across the country to Auckland.

Balmoral’s Scott Harrison will contest the World Singles, while Royal Oak’s Jason Wong lines up in the UK Singles after winning the Hastings Branch qualifier.

The weekend begins with the Warm-Up Shanghai Singles from 6.00pm on Friday night. Local wildcards Brendon Walton, Crawford Blair, Chris Hand, Ting Ting Ip, Hannah Dawson and Simon Pomeroy will join the field as they look to make their mark.

All play will be at Papatoetoe, with the finals scheduled for Sunday morning. Get along to support the local players and enjoy a high-quality weekend of bowls.

Ponsonby BC Getting Back in the Game

Ponsonby Bowling Club is building fresh momentum, with 15 keen members recently getting together for a Bowls Auckland coaching session focused on developing their skills and confidence on the green.

There was plenty of energy and enthusiasm, with the group keen to improve their game and discover more of what bowls has to offer beyond their own club.

The session has already sparked interest in getting out and about, with members looking to enter local tournaments and explore more playing opportunities. Their short-term goal is to field a side in the upcoming Half-Day 6s, with the longer-term ambition of bringing tournaments back to Ponsonby.

It’s great to see the club building its numbers and enthusiasm, and we encourage other players to keep an eye out for Ponsonby members, say hello and make them feel welcome as they become more involved in the wider bowls whānau.

With a committed group of bowlers ready to learn, play and get involved, it’s an exciting time for Ponsonby BC.