Newsletter December 2025
Expressions of Interest
Central Otago Bowls Inc. is calling for Expressions of Interest from Club Members/Players who are interested in being involved in organising our annual playing programme.
It is envisaged the Committee will be made up of:
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2 x Tournament Secretaries (Men & Women)
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Centre Manager/Umpire Rep
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1 x Board Member
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1 x Club Member/Player
Duties:
1. Compiling the season's competition programme.
2. Reviewing Conditions of Play.
3. Making decisions regarding unexpected and adverse events during the season.
4. Any other decisions relating to Centre Events which may arise.
Email Manager Pauline Seaton: centralotagobowls@gmail.com
General Meeting 9 February
A General Meeting of Central Otago Bowls Inc. affiliated clubs will be held at 6pm on Monday 9 February 2026 at a venue TBD.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss remits/issues which individual clubs would like to submit for voting on at a subsequent meeting.
Can all discussion points be submitted to the Centre Administrator by Monday 26 January. An Agenda, detailing submissions, will be distributed to all clubs by
Sunday 1 February 2026.
Pauline Seaton - Umpiring at the Highest Level
Central Otago Administration Manager, Central Otago Umpires Convenor, Woman President of the Maniatoto Subcentre, International Technical Official (ITO), member of the Bowls NZ (BNZ) Umpires Committee.
The BNZ Umpires committee is made up of 6 senior umpires from throughout New Zealand . They decide national umpire training policies, domestic regulations, oversee all umpiring groups in NZ and liaise with BNZ regarding Conditions of Play for all National Events.
We are very proud that Pauline has recently been elected to this BNZ Umpires Committee for a second two year term by Mark Cameron (CEO of BNZ).
Pauline was chosen as one of three NZ officials to officiate at the Inaugural World Cup held in Malaysia from 4-8 November.- Quote from BNZ "New Zealand has a record of officiating at the top level and we are fortunate to have 16 people who hold the ITO qualification in New Zealand, and it represents a group of Umpires who are at the absolute top of their game."
Pauline and another official Steve Sargent were pictured in the International Bowls magazine which ran a story about the World Bowls Cup.
Pauline bowls out of the Waipiata Bowling Club. (Maniatoto subcentre of Central Otago).
Adventures coming up for coach Carl Street coaching at the highest level.
We are very delighted to announce that our hardworking and admired Central Otago Coach has been appointed as a coach and selector for the NZ Blindjacks helping to get the team ready for the World Championships in 2027. This is an amazing opportunity for both Carl and our centre. Understanding of the coaching principles at the top levels of our sport will help to support our Central Otago team further.
Carl is the Coach of the Open and Development Women’s sides for the Central Otago Centre. Carl also coaches a range of individuals and is a member of the Bowls New Zealand Performance Coaching Academy which is lead by the National Director of Coaching, Graeme Rees.
Carl Bowls out of the Roxburgh Bowling Club.
Well done Carl.
Arvida Country Club 1-5 Pairs 14 December 2025
Congratulations to the winners: Tiri Connell (Alexandra) and Tania Holden (ADC). Runners Up Trish May and Jennie Burt. (Clyde)
12 entries all playing at a high standard in good weather at the ADC Bowling Club. Promising much for the future womens development squad.
Men's Hawkswood Mining Interclub Sevens 6 & 7 December
Winners were Clyde A
Team members as listed on bowls hub: Dave Chisholm, Howard O'Donnell, Alister Watson, Conor Muir, Patrick Houlahan, Leon Van Boxtel, Roger O'Brien
The men`s interclub 7`s received 14 entries playing in 2 sections of 7 playing 7 rounds over the 2 days 5 on Saturday 2 on Sunday morning with post section in the afternoon. (2 fairly big days) Once again the weather followed the same pattern as the singles, fine first day windy the second day. The winners were Clyde A over Bannockburn, a very close fought game with the winner being decided by the last bowl in each of the fours and pairs disciplines. Thanks to Alexandra and ADC clubs for hosting this event also to the markers and others who helped.
Women's Dunedin City Motors Alexandra Pairs 6 & 7 December
The Women’s Pairs was held at Omakau and Clyde with 20 teams entered. Day 1 was hot with no wind. Several games required an extra end at the end of time to find a winner. The day ended with 6 qualifiers .
Day 2 heralded a pleasant temperature but the wind made playing conditions challenging. The final was very exciting with the scores being tied going into the final end with Nikki Milne / Debbie Jackson(Omakau ) defeating Shona Anderson/ Kathryn Lynskey (Alexandra)
Many thanks to the green keepers, clubs and volunteers who work so hard to support these events.
Wanted
"Any Central Otago men and women who are hooked on bowls. We need you. Always on the lookout for new bowlers keen to join our development squad."
Women Contact Carl Street: carlcoaching@reenergize.nz
Men Contact Terry Scott: terry-donna@xtra.co.nz or Peter Dunne: peterdunne81@gmail.com
Womens Triangular 5th December
The Triangular Tournament (Southland & South Otago) at Roxburgh on Friday 5 December 2025. A new strategy was intoduced with having a mixture of seniors with development players. Central Otago recorded the top two places. This fixture was played in very blustery conditions.
Men & Women Representing in Southland on 30 November
This was held in inclement weather although all the teams managed to get through their games without alterations to the conditions of play; we managed to get a photo of the women.
Results:
Open Women - Central Otago 4 wins; Southland 3 wins
Development Women - Southland 4 wins; Central Otago 1 win
Overall Women - Southland 7 wins (21 points) ; Central Otago 5 wins (15 points)
Development Men - Southland 6 wins; Central Otago 2 wins
Open Men - Southland 6 wins and a draw; Central Otago 5 wins and a draw
Overall Men - Southland 12 wins and a draw (37 points) ; Central Otago 7 wins and a draw (22 points)
Flooring Xtra & Rockatipu Stone Mens Singles
S & R Hurley Womens Singles 22 & 23 November
Congratulation the finalists in the Flooring Xtra / Rockatipu Stone Mens Singles Tournament played with 46 entrants on the Clyde and Bannockburn greens. The winner was Tom Malcolm of Wanaka .Runner Up was Bill Clements of Alexandra. The weather was good for the first day, then the wind arrived for the second day making it tricky for the 18 qualifiers, this number of qualifiers five rounds had to be on the second day. Thanks to both Bannockburn and Clyde for the use of their greens.
A big shout out to all the Markers who helped at our Tournament Singles during the weekend. We had a great turnout and without your help we would not have been able to run such a very successful tournament.
Congratulations to our finalists in the S&R Hurley singles played with 22 entrants on the Alexandra greens. . Day 1 had a cool start but turned out to be a very pleasant day. Pleasing to see quite a few juniors participating. Many fine games were played with very close scores.
Day 2. There were 7 qualifiers playing in warm ,sunny conditions.
The final was between two year 6 players with Maria Wallis(Clyde) defeating Bev Mee (Wānaka)
Uniform Requirements
Central Otago Bowls Centre Events: All teams must wear full club uniforms with the regulation colours of pants/shorts/skorts etc.
NZ National Events: It is essential that the National Uniform policy is adhered to which is detailed in the Conditions of Play of the individual events.
Best Wishes
Those of you wanting to read more about the Central Otago teams and happenings at board will find an extensive list on this website under the minutes page.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Good bowling all those who have entered the various club tournaments around the region.
Coming up are the singles and pairs for the Summerset NZ Nationals tournaments in Christchurch from 2nd to 9th January. Good luck to the many people who have entered. Comments on our Central Otago Facebook will be restricted to Quarter Finalists and better.
Christmas and New Year Cheers to you from the CO Board
