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CANTERBURY VS WELLINGTON – REPRESENTATIVE MATCH
Congratulations to the players who have been selected to play in the Canterbury vs Wellington Battle of the Islands match up in Wellington on 28-29 November!
This event is unique with a format set to be similar to Golf’s Ryder Cup format where all players will play Fours, Pairs, and Singles over the two days of play. Christine Buchanan  Tania Woodham
Assist. Coach – Emily Belton


6 – 10 – 26
The Bowls Canterbury Board announces the appointment of a new general manager. After completing a balanced and transparent process, the successful applicant is Michael Coggan. Michael brings with him a wealth of experience in leading regional sports organisations over the last 26 years. These include football, basketball, squash, and recently cricket, as Chief Executive Officer at Otago Cricket for the last 10 years. We believe him to be one of the most qualified candidates in sport in New Zealand presently and are looking forward (like Mike) to the fresh challenges ahead. Mike starts with us on Monday 9 November.Mike’s appointment becomes available through the resignation of our current general manager Lorraine McLeod. Lorraine formally finishes after just over 6 years in this position with us on Friday 30 October. We wish her all the best for her future and trust we will continue to see her on the greens for years to come.
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     Winners at Naenae.
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     Nuptials on the green.   Steve Bowden and Trish Stewart tied the knot.
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General manager Lorraine McLeod is resigning from Bowls Canterbury on 30 October or a little later if her replacement isn’t in place by then.
Lorraine would like to thank everyone for all the support she has received over the years; it has been an honour to serve you, to watch the game develop and to witness many successes during her tenue.
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11 – 8 – 26
Another exciting month for bowls in Aotearoa. We were thrilled to see Teri Blackbourn, Julie O’Connell, Mark Noble and Kurt Smith return from the Commonwealth Games with silver medals, an outstanding result that reflects the dedication, teamwork and commitment of the entire team, both on and off the green.

Looking ahead, there is plenty to be excited about. The Blackjacks will host India in a landmark test series in Auckland this November, while the Oceania Challenge will bring together teams from across the Pacific for a vibrant celebration of competition, culture and connection. With international bowls taking centre stage in New Zealand, there’s plenty for our bowls community to look forward to in the months ahead.

This November, the Blackjacks welcome India to Auckland for a historic international test series celebrating 100 years of connection between New Zealand and India through sport. Across three nights, bowls, culture, and community will come together in a celebration of friendship that has been a century in the making.

Representing New Zealand:     Tayla Bruce     Selina Goddard     Tony Grantham     Finbar McGuigan
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The Oceania Challenge 2026 is heading to Orewa Bowls, Auckland, from 23-29 November, bringing together teams from across the Pacific for an exciting competition, cultural connection, and vibrant bowls action. Don’t miss this unique celebration of the Oceania region both on and off the green.

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.28 – 6 – 26
 EP’s AGM was held today with an attendance of over 80 members. The first time since amalgamation there was a vote for president, Gary Lawson and Ian Rule with Ian Rule getting the nod in a relatively close vote.
MuzzaWeb also asked some long standing Elmwood members who couldn’t recall a vote ever taking place at the former Elmwood Bowling Club.
President:    Ian Rule     
Vice President:     Tim Sandrey
Executive:     Kim Rowlands     Fiona Frew     Michael Stewart     Julian Marsh     Ben Harris
Seconded: Don Baker     Chris Littlewood
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24 – 6 – 26

The draft 2026 – 27 programme has been released.
    Click on the bowl to view the programme and notes. Some changes from last year.
Please see the amended 2026/27 playing programme. We have listened and have reinstated the triples and the under 5 sevens will now be played on a Saturday morning. The Pathway Sevens is aimed at teams wishing to represent their clubs at the National event. The other interclub Saturday competitions will be 2×4 Pennants for men and women (as requested at the March club meeting that the men play 2×4 pennants), there are also two other AC options available on a Saturday which will hopefully cater for smaller clubs – please refer to the programme notes regarding these.
Thank you to all who have given us feedback. We are hoping this new version will provide competitions for all and allow clubs time to have spare time so they can cater for their members.
Lorraine
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Changes afoot! Here are some of them.

Pre-Christmas.
* This season we have introduced the men’s and women’s Pathway Sevens as an interclub competition. This is for teams with aspirations of representing their club in the National Seven’s competition. This will be contested in a round-robin format.
* A suggestion is that each side consist of eight players, with one serving as a marker/spare player/manager each week.
* Please note that both men and women will play 2×4 pennants on Saturday mornings. The was requested at the club meeting in March.
* Any combination 2x4x2 pairs competition has been scheduled on Saturday mornings to accommodate smaller clubs.
This is strictly a supplementary competition designed to assist clubs that do not have sufficient numbers to participate in the 7/8-team competitions or have been unable to combine with another club. It is expected that the majority of clubs will enter the sevens/pennants, but we are offering 2x4x2 as an additional option
* A new Town vs Country representative fixture will be held on Saturday 10 October. The format will be confirmed following consultation between the Town and the Country selectors
* On post section days, all Centre competitions will be played as far through as possible (4 rounds maximum)
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Post-Christmas
* The men’s Watson Shield will return to a seven-week format, reverting to three sections of eight teams. The top team from each section, along with the next best runner-up, will qualify for the playoffs.
* Centre mixed fours will move to a weekend format, with composite teams permitted. Players will compete in their club shirts.
U5 Competitions.
Pre-Christmas.

* Thursday nights – 3 bowl Triples (15 Ends, 2 Hours, 5 Rounds)
* Saturday mornings – Sevens (Singles 21 up, Pairs 18 Ends, Fours 15 Ends, 2-hour 45 minutes time limit, 7 rounds), competition format will be determined on entries received.

Post-Christmas.
* Thursday nights – Fours (15 Ends, 2 Hours, 5 Rounds)
* Saturday mornings – Pairs 2x4x2 (18 Ends, 7 Rounds)


Click here to view the EP submissions.
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17 – 4 – 26                Five in 25’ lawn bowls.
Fast new format aims to lure young players.
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5 in 25′ is a shortened version of the game that hopes to attract new players to give the sport a go. Ben Harris is the man behind the game and there was an event that took place that was designed to appeal to prospective players.
It was an experimental tournament with plenty to learn at Bowls Papanui.
You play 25 minutes with  a total of 17 bowls per player. On three ends you get three bowls and on two ends you get four which you nominate prior to starting. It is a singles format. There is a powerplay, double points if you win that end  If you lose an end but hit the jack that is a point.
Our own Gary Lawson likes the idea. With time becoming more precious shorter versions of the game are popular, witness the success of bowls3five.
If 5 in 25′ becomes successful Ben would like to see it in club and national programmes.