February Newsletter 2026
From the Board
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Thanks to clubs and everyone who are all working hard with catering, preparing greens to the more technical issues of smoothly running the tournaments. We have been challenged with large entries this season and our Tournament Secretaries and Bowls Hub geni Ian Clouston, along with our manager Pauline Seaton have had to make last minute changes to venues and the Conditions of Play to accommodate. Ian is a great asset to the Centre and is up for every challenge thrown at him. This year he has mastered printing of the scorecards which has been huge in reducing the workload of Tournament Secretaries.
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Minutes to the last board meeting held on 9th February are now uploaded along with associated reports. Note that the reports remain for only a month in order to keep the website uncluttered.
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We had a good turnout at our general meeting held on 9th February. Please refer to the minutes as there was a lot of discussion about several points and these need to be discussed within your club.
Marking Course
Pauline Seaton is holding a marking seminar at the Wanaka Bowling Club on Wednesday 11th March at 1pm. There is no cost and everyone is welcome. If you are playing competition of any kind this will be helpful.
Results
Tournament results and photos; Latest at the top Click here
Central Otago Teams and photos; latest at the top Click here
Central Otago Teams latest mens reports Peter Dunne and Terry Scott women's reports Carl Street
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Pennant Results to date
Premier Click here
Div 1 Click here
Div 2 Click here
Tuesday Interclub Morning pairs Click here
Tuesday Interclub Afternoon Fours Click here
Maniatoto Subcentre Interclub Click here
Questionairre response
We asked questions in email of 15th February. Thankyou for your responses. Most of you are enjoying reading the newsletter. I will try to take most of your suggestions on board and also remind the Central Otago Board of your replies. There was quite a lot to think about so I will work through your thoughts slowly. Please feel able to continue with your responses.
I have investigated a live page within the website however it is too difficult at this stage. Anyone who has bowls for sale or require swap or to buy I suggest the local Facebook market pages in the wider Central Otago area. I have also used the FB NZ bowls for sale.
Requiring partners I suggest try the notice board in your local club or ask the host club tournament organiser. ​​​​​​​​​
Coaching for learning Coaches
Coach Carl Street is working hard on increasing the number of coaches in Central Otago. Carl held a Foundation Course in Roxburgh in December where several interested members from clubs in both Southland and Central Otago attended. ​ I was very impressed by the effort coach Carl Street put into the content and course delivery. Unfortunately it rained so we were unable to go outside.
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Following up on the questionnaire several have requested bowling tips. I will take my favourites going forward from the vast internet and books available.
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February tip: Follow Through:
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Think of your follow-through as finishing your story. Keep your hand travelling along the intended line and finish with your fingers pointing toward your target. Hold the position until the bowl crosses your aiming point. To build consistency, practise “slow-motion deliveries,” exaggerating a smooth, continuous arm swing from start to finish.
When you review footage of top international players, notice how their arms always extend fully toward the target, that’s no accident. (source internet)
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The Mind
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Taken from "the Inner Game of Tennis "- Gallwey​
The skill of mastering the art of effortless concentration is invaluable in whatever you set your mind to.
The greatest efforts in sports; they come when the mind is as still as a glass lake. Becoming aware of the present will experience a calmness and a degree of ecstasy which you will want to repeat.
"Perfect Bowls" by Peter Belliss not only reveals the simple daily mind-training exercises that create unbeatable self-belief, but also brilliantly analyses the modern techniques and tactics that turn that self-belief into inevitable victory. (Source online book review)
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Promising Future
We have been astounded by the increase in numbers entering tournaments. Tournament Singles for new Bowlers playing for under 5 years was held on Sunday 18 January in Alexandra and Clyde bowling clubs. The men recorded the biggest increase of 34 entries up from 14 entries the previous January. 250%
The men combined with the woman to fit them all on the greens available. The standard of bowls throughout the tournament was high, indicating the quality we have coming through for the future.
With the increase in entries we may have to look at the format, many players winning 3 games and just missing out of the top 4.
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Dehydration
This is quite a problem in summer playing bowls and can occur even when the weather is cool . Keep drinking to avoid headaches and even worse symptoms. Just drinking water won't work. If your body is unbalanced in electrolytes you will just keep peeing water out. Tea, Coffee, Alcohol are all dehydrating and will also increase the problem.
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There are a number of solutions in the supermarket / health stores. Keep trying until you find a flavour you like which masks the electrolyte flavour.
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Leave your drink up one end and every time you are up that end have a few mouthfuls.
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Cute Story
Story from Papanui Bowling Club Greenkeeper: Shared from Super sixes Central Otago. I have searched on line for evidence but failed to find any. This is the way the story went.
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" Papanui has been known for its beautiful greens for many years. Greenkeeping staff used to keep a hutch of hedgehogs which they would let onto the greens every evening, then pen them up in the morning."
Hedgehogs are nocturnal and known to eat all types of insects and crawling life including other mess. Apparently they keep themselves very clean!! At this stage Central Otago greenkeepers haven't proceeded with this attack on their greens, I believe they are keeping to their fertiliser to promote growth. Watch this space.
​I've seen ducks, swallows, rabbits, dogs, cats, bees, wasps, and nude men at bowling clubs. Hedgehogs but unwanted at artificial greens.​​
Bowls Plus
Bowls Hub records results to each players name and after a number of matches have been recorded they receive a New Zealand Rating.
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Recorded at February 2026 top Central Otago bowlers. Congratulations to the following with A1 Ratings:
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Debbie Jackson - Arrowtown - NZ Rank 36
Kelvin Jackson - Arrowtown - NZ Rank 55
Dave Chisholm - Clyde - NZ Rank 56
Shaun Scott - Bannockburn - NZ Rank 63
Patrick Houlahan Clyde NZ Rank 82
Alister Watson - Clyde - NZ Rank 90
Howard O'Donnell - Clyde - NZ Rank 102
Allan Brash - Arrowtown - NZ Rank 106​​​​​
Wifi Playing Up?
Doing online meetings or training? Laptop won't get a good signal? Try your phone.Yes its a thing according to google.
Bowls Mate
A useful piece of equipment. If you are finding it difficult to get down, roll your bowl, and / or keep your balance this might be a good way to keep your accuracy without taking the step towards using a bowling arm. Could be a useful piece of equipment to have in your club for members to trial.
Take a look at this video. Click here.
