Young guns ready for U26 showdown

The inaugural National Under 26 Pairs event is here! With 14 strong pairings, a mix of rising stars and seasoned young talent, this tournament promises thrilling competition at Mt Eden Bowling Club.

Key contenders include a mix of Auckland reps Adam Blucher & Liam Hill, alongside the formidable Ashleigh Jeffcoat, Henrietta Scott, Caitlin Thomson, and Hannah Dawson. Keep an eye on the teams, with fresh talent making an impact. Don’t miss the chance to support the next generation of bowls stars! 

👉 Full preview here
📺 Catch Sunday's action live - the semi-final & final will be streamed!

Men’s Singles & Women’s Triples – semifinals set!

The stage is set for an interesting Finals Weekend, after intense battles in the Men’s Singles and Women’s Triples.

The Men’s Singles saw 128 entrants whittled down to four standout semifinalists, including National Singles champion Matt Berry and returning talent Cameron Higgins.

Meanwhile, the Women’s Triples field of 32 has been reduced to four formidable teams featuring a mix of seasoned and emerging stars.

Who will claim the titles? Find out as the Centre Finals Weekend unfolds at Mt Eden Bowling Club on 26 & 27 April.

👉Read the full recap here
📸View full photo album

Super Bowl II delivers big on & off the green!

Sunshine, personalities, bowls, and a stacked lineup—Super Bowl 2025 did not disappoint!

Hosted by The Alternative Commentary Collective (ACC) and Bowls Auckland, this year’s event brought together media and sports personalities from Radio Hauraki, NZ Herald, ACC, and Movember, all competing for glory while supporting men’s health. 

Radio Hauraki reigned supreme for the second year in a row, proving their skills (or maybe just their luck!) on the greens!

But the biggest win? Lawn bowls—reaching new audiences! With the ACC’s huge social media presence, Tuesday’s event had bowls front and centre, showing the sport in a whole new light.

🔗 Check out the event wrap-up

Burgers and Bowls a whole lot of fun at Howick!

-- Kashmira Umrigar

Over six action-packed weeks, 18 teams from local businesses and social groups took to the greens at Howick Bowling Club for the ever-popular Burger & Bowls Twilight Series. With each passing week, you could see the standard of play improving as participants honed their skills and embraced the fun, social side of the sport.

Many players took up the free coaching sessions offered on Saturday mornings, getting expert tips on technique—a great way to get properly introduced to bowls!

After weeks of friendly competition, the Smooth Rollers were crowned Howick Twilight Champs for 2025, with Dark Horses taking second place and Lawn Stars rounding out the podium in third.

A huge thanks to the sponsors and volunteers who made the series such a success. Bring on next year!

Check out page 62 of the Eastern Times for a great feature on our Twilight Series!
 

Become a Bowls Coach: Sharing the path to success

Bowls Coaching is a rewarding way to give back to the sport while helping others (and yourself) develop skills and passion for the game.

Whether you're an experienced player or someone eager to support new bowlers, Bowls Auckland, with the direction of Bowls New Zealand offers structured coaching courses to suit different levels of experience.

Upcoming course details
📅 Foundation Course – Saturday, 3 May 2025
📅 Development Course – Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 May 2025
📅 Reaccreditation Course – Sunday, 4 May 2025
🕘 Time: 9 am - 4 pm each day
📍 Location: Bowls Auckland office

Becoming a coach means more than just teaching the game—it’s about fostering a love for bowls, building confidence, and supporting players on their journey. Ready to take the next step? For more info see Become a Coach flyer

👉Taking applications - sign up today!

ABC's Junior Champ of Champ Singles

-- Paul Neazor

The time is drawing nearer for the Auckland Bowling Club Junior Champ of Champ Singles for 2025.

This year it will held on King’s Birthday weekend, Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June. And the format, which was a straight knock-out in 2024, has been altered to include section play on Saturday and, if necessary, one knockout round that day so we have 16 players left battling it out at Auckland BC on Sunday. Every player will have a minimum of three games.

To be honest, the out-of-town interest caught us by surprise a year ago, so the changes outlined above are in response to feedback received and to encourage participation by as many players as possible. The tournament remains open to any qualified player in New Zealand, and the entry fee is $20 per person which will be collected at the venues. As well as the Greame Scott Shield for the winner, there will be a prize pool with values yet to be determined.

Qualification will remain the same:

• If your club runs one Year 1-5 Singles tournament in 2024-25, the winner qualifies.
• If your club runs separate Year 1-5 tournaments for men and women in 2024-25, both winners qualify.
• If your club runs a Year 1-8 Singles in 2024-25, and the winner is a Year 1-5 player, that winner qualifies.

Let’s hope the clubs hold their in-house tournaments in sufficient time for the winners to attend if they wish.

More information will be posted as the tournament comes together. For now, if you have any questions, or wish to put in your entry, please feel free to contact:
Paul Neazor, call 027 490 6214 or email paul_neazor@hotmail.com