Kembla Heights will host their own version of the Bowls Premier League as part of a fundraiser for the club and next month’s Illawarra convoy.
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The team format involves power plays and super subs to create a fast-paced contest, considered the bowls version of Twenty20 cricket.
“It really is for everyone in the community,” event host and Bowls Australia official James Berriman said.
“You don’t need to be a bowling member. You don’t need to know how to bowls. You don’t even need equipment. You just need to know how to have fun and the club will organise the rest.”
As more bowling clubs around Australia fall under financial stress, clubs need to reinvent themselves.
Kembla Heights – the only club withour poker machines in the region – have been working on this ever since they met with Bowls Australia in February.
Teams of three will compete on Sunday – more when including substitute players – with no bowls experience necessary.
There is a $30 entry fee for each team, payable on the day by the 10am registration call, with prizes on offer.
The fundraiser is one of a number of events for Mt Kembla’s ‘lead bike’ efforts in the Illawarra convoy, led by Kembla Heights Bowling Club and the Wollongong Motorcycle Club.
Wiso wonders
Wiseman Park-Wollongong City celebrated a champion of champions double at the weekend. Dylan Skinner claimed the singles crown with a dominant 31-8 victory over Woonona’s Jim Tully in the final on Saturday at Kiama Bowling Club.
Shane Garvey and Luke Cocksedge then ensured all the silverware would return to the Wollongong club, with a 26-16 victory over Oak Flats duo Lupco Brglevski and Paul Woods.
Skinner had advanced to the final last month after beating Collies-Orb bowler Glen Beveridge in the semi’s, while Tully qualified with a win over Kiama’s Russell Campbell.
Cocksedge and Garvey defeated Kiama’s Danny Keenan and Geoff McIntyre on their way to the title.
Up for the challenge
After hosting the Zone 16 club championship finals, Kiama will be the venue for the gold division of the men’s state challenge titles next week. Kiama, Dapto Citizens, Towradgi Park and Warilla will compete in Section Eight of the Bowls NSW Club Challenge tournament on October 14.
The winner will move through to take on the successful team from the Bomaderry, Merimbula-Imlay and Towradgi Park No.2 section. The tournament format includes singles pairs and triples, with the winners to play at Bomaderry on October 15.
Figgy Bowlo will host the NSW State Challenge women’s gold division, after the draw was released this season.
Corrimal, Warilla, Taren Point and Engadine will compete for a place in next month’s finals when they meet on October 14.
Windang Bowling Club is the venue for the second-tier pink division, with Oak Flats, Warilla and Engadine competing in Section Seven, for a place in the finals.
Albion Park and Windang will host the mixed gold event. The event has been created as an additional representative opportunity to the pennants competition and there are also men’s silver and blue divisions for the lower graded club teams.
Zone 16
Upcoming events
Sunday: Kiama open pairs, Dapto Huntley rotating triples. October 16: Fairy Meadow coal miners day triples.
October 29: Figgy Bowlo Greg Thurling memorial one-day spectacular.
October 30: Wiseman Park Wollongong City women’s pairs.
