In recent years the annual event has featured the Zone 16 Open team taking on the Senior (over 60s) representative team, but a washout in February left officials to tinker with the format.

With the Illawarra Seniors having finished their commitments for 2018 at the NSW Senior Inter-Zone Championships in May, the Shield will now be played between a Zone 16 Probables squad versus Possibles team over five rinks.

With so many club tournaments filling the Zone 16 calendar it hasn’t been easy to find a suitable date for the Shield but the Possibles vs Probables match-up gives more players a chance to show their talent at rep level.

Eleven Illawarra clubs have a representative in Sunday’s match, led by Dapto Citizens with eight players in the two squads. 

Grade two pennant bowlers Brad Whitford (Dapto) and David Tyrrell (Windang) are part of the Probables squad.

The day will feature some of Illawarra’s top Senior bowlers including Brian Suckley and Bob Wilson who played well at the NSW Senior Inter-Zone Championships. 

The pair have been included in a NSW Over 60s squad which later this month will hold a trial before the NSW team is named for the Australian Senior Championships.

The skippers for the Phil Bushby Shield are: Possibles – Michael Stead (Dapto Citizens); Dylan Skinner (Dapto Citz); Harley McDonald (Warilla); John Hills (Figgy Bowlo); Dean Aitken (Kiama).

 Probables skips: Shane Pascoe (Wiseman Park); Brad Whitford (Dapto; Mick Weir (Kiama); Guy Vozza;   Bob Wilson (Figgy Bowlo).

The match begins at 9.30am with all bowls fans welcome.