Break out the bowls
Christchurch will come alive with lawn bowlers from 20-27 February when competitors contest the Summerset Bowls New Zealand Fours and Mixed Pairs on 17 local greens. Head along, see what it’s all about, and you may be tempted to give it a go and to join a local club.
The headquarters for the Fours competition is the Burnside Bowling Club, and for the Mixed Pairs the Fendalton Bowling Club.
Top New Zealand bowlers including Christchurch’s Tayla Bruce, Jo Edwards, Val Smith, and Shannon McIlroy, will all be on a grassy roll trying to win yet another New Zealand title. In both disciplines, the playing numbers have exceeded other recent similar events.
To watch top class players from throughout New Zealand, visit the Bowls New Zealand website (bowlsnewzealand.co.nz) for the draws.
CELEBRATING WINNERS
Bowls Canterbury celebrates its best players in two annual competitions. The first finals day is Sunday 2 March at Bowls Papanui, Condell Avenue. Winners will be decided for the Canterbury Open Championships in singles, pairs, triples, fours, and mixed pairs categories, among others. This is a festive day for club members, their families, and interested public.
Visit www.bowlscanterbury.co.nz
Roll up, roll up might well be catchcry for lawn bowls, with increasing numbers of all ages taking up the game.
Throughout Canterbury, there are 55 active clubs, all keenly encouraging more participation at competitive and casual levels.Casual players, especially young people, are among the largest increase in participants.
A 2023 report by Bowls NZ found that clubs needed to embrace change and provide a product and service that reflects the expectations of its surrounding communities. Since then, many clubs have diversified to provide good quality off-green facilities, catering for lawn bowlers, as well as for other sports and community activities/groups. Casual participation numbers have grown from 53,352 in 2010 to 101,279 in 2020 before the impact of Covid-19. People are returning to the game. In 2023, casual playing numbers were at 95,046, and by the end of 2024 they had risen to 124,000.
Additionally, there has been an increase in the number and variety of community and sporting groups adopting their local bowling club as their new home.
Darts, pool, croquet, snooker, fishing, pétanque, RSA clubs, dance groups, film, book and other hobby and enthusiast clubs have all come on board in many regions throughout the country, including Christchurch city.
More relaxed vibe
Rules have relaxed, so the majority of the time the clothing code while playing is mufti, relaxed and comfortable, although competitions and club tournaments mostly require uniforms to be worn. Footwear is important to avoid damage on greens that have either natural or artificial surfaces. The key thing with shoes is that they should not have a defined heel. Flat or ridged soles are fine, any colour is in fashion on the greens.
Social scene
Licensed premises, cafés, restaurants, and conference facilities are also often available at local clubs so why not bowl up, check them out, and be on a roll.
Centenary celebrations
Christchurch’s Club Redcliffs, celebrated its centenary in January 2025, with 100 members and guests attending a gala dinner. Jim Keegan, club board chairman says during its 100 years, it has survived a world war, tough economic times, earthquakes and amalgamations, coming out stronger than ever. Another feature of the weekend was members dressing up in costumes from a bygone era, pictured above.
