Kicking off 2025 with a bang!

🌟 Welcome to the first issue of Friday Flash for 2025… and what a sensational start it’s been for our bowls community! 

It's only January and we’ve already racked up an impressive four national championship titles, three national silvers, and three bronzes. To top it off, our Auckland Women’s Premier and Development squads brought home a stellar representative win last Sunday! 

If this is how 2025 begins, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store. 
Stay tuned as Friday Flash brings you the latest news, updates, and highlights from across the Auckland bowls scene. Happy reading! 😊

Auckland glory at the Nationals

Aucklanders celebrated glory at the recent Nationals bringing home four national titles and etching their names into the history books! With incredible performances across the Singles and Pairs, Auckland bowlers have set the tone for an exciting year ahead.

Championship wins:
•    Men’s Pairs: Jamie Hill & Lance Pascoe
•    Women’s Pairs: Lisa Prideaux & Olivia Bloomfield
•    Open Disability Singles: Adam Baillie
•    Men’s Singles: Matt Berry

Our bowlers have thrilled us with their achievements, it’s been a championship run to remember.

👉 Read more here: Auckland Shines at the Nationals

Auckland squads deliver at quadrangular fixture!

The Bowls Auckland Women’s rep teams delivered a stellar performance at the Northern Quadrangular on Sunday, 19 January. Competing against Counties Manukau, Northland, and Far North, both the Premier and Development squads claimed overall victory! 

Out of 18 games played, Auckland dropped only three matches—all by the narrowest of margins, demonstrating our player's resilience, and determination.

Head Selector Alison Rennie commended the teams, stating, “Everyone had to contend with extremely windy conditions, which helped keep the rain away but made for some interesting bowling. We’re pleased with how the ladies performed in such testing conditions against strong regional opposition.” 

Thank you to the players for their dedication and to Bev Crowe, Helen Blick, and Les Eagleton for their support throughout the day—a shout-out to the host club, Mangawhai Bowling Club for taking such good care of everyone. 

Congratulations to our squads on an outstanding start to 2025!  

Good luck, Auckland bowlers!

It’s crunch time at the 120th Midlands Funds Management Taranaki Men’s Open Fours, with 45 teams securing their spot in Friday’s post-section rounds. 

Among these, 10 talented teams represent Auckland, ready to battle it out in the knock-out stages! Now’s the time they step up and continue to use their skills to progress to the next round. 

Congrats to all. Kia kaha and good luck to all our bowlers as you aim for glory. 

👉 You can view the draw & keep track of their journey here 

A celebration of partnership and community

-- Analiese Rands

Last weekend, Saturday, 18 January, Auckland Bowling Club was buzzing with energy as we hosted the inaugural Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whānau Bowls event. This special event marked a collaboration with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, who put the call out for 28 teams of triples for a day filled with fun, connection, and friendly competition. From the first bowl to the final cheer, the atmosphere was one of whanaungatanga (kinship), as families and friends came together to share laughs and display their skills on the green.

This tournament wasn’t just about bowls—it was about celebrating the partnership between the Auckland Bowling Club and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. It highlighted the importance of fostering connections within our community and provided a fantastic platform to build on this relationship for the future.

We’re excited to see how this collaboration will grow and can’t wait for the next opportunity to come together and strengthen the ties between our whānau and theirs.

ABC members finished on the podium. Congrats to winners; Hana Netana, Yolande Garrick, and Lisa Prideaux, and a shout-out to the runners-up, Graeme Scott, Viliami Fifita, and Ariki Gell.

Rocky Nook's Len Davidson Memorial Pairs

-- Steve King

For the first time since its inaugural event in 2020, a full house of 32 teams from across Auckland gathered at Rocky Nook Bowls in Mt Albert on Sunday, 19 January, to compete in the Len Davidson Memorial Open Pairs.

The tournament celebrates the life of the club's late Life Member and President, Len Davidson. Starting as a Bowls3Five club tournament with a dozen teams, it transitioned to an Open Pairs format last year, attracting 16 teams. The popularity of the new format has cemented its place as a highlight on the local bowls calendar.

Teams from clubs spanning Howick to Henderson and Kohimarama to Clarks Beach were in attendance, including the 2025 National Men's Singles Champion!  The competition was fierce, with four teams finishing on three wins and a draw, while two teams managed an impressive four wins. Local duo Sean Carroll and Colin Marychurch of Rocky Nook claimed victory, edging out Wade and Graham from Howick by just two ends.

A big ngā mihi nui to the Match Committee and Match Director, Chris Dewar, for delivering a well-organised and enjoyable event, and to greenkeeper Jamie Hill for his excellent preparation of the greens. A special thanks also to Murray Davidson (Len’s son) and the Davidson family for providing the trophy and their ongoing support of this wonderful tournament.

We're already looking forward to the next Len Davidson Memorial Open Pairs in January 2026—see you there!

Pat Walsh Memorial 2025: A legendary cause

-- Phil Taylor

Mark your calendars! The Pat Walsh Memorial Tournament returns to Bridge Park on Sunday, 16 March 2025. This event raises funds for Māori Youth Sports Scholarships, with the previous edition awarding approximately $4,000 in scholarships to deserving young athletes. 

Supported wholeheartedly by the Walsh family, the day promises great competition, camaraderie, and delicious food—starting early morning and leading up to a sumptuous lunch. Raffles will run throughout the day, adding to the excitement and supporting the cause.

The tournament welcomes serious bowlers, former All Blacks, Kittyhawks, and social bowlers, split into two categories. Entry is $90 per team, with play kicking off at 9:30am. To secure your spot, contact Hawkeye on 027 496 3533 or Paul Neazor
on 027 490 6214. 

Pictured: 2024 scholarship recipient Ryan Hill with Mrs Noeline Walsh.