Spring Newsletter 2026
The annual report for the Bowls NZ AGM came into Paulines email this morning. (3rd Sept) I think our centre is being noticed or is it just these poster boys. (Dave Chisholm and Patrick Houlihan - Clyde ) I wonder what the conversation is....
Celebrating Our Achievements
Thankyou everyone for the comments and likes on our Facebook page. Our bowlers certainly gave us some exciting moments at the Champ of Champs. We still have the Wanaka Mixed pairs team of Kim Tilly and Tom Malcolm to play this weekend so good luck to them.
Since our last email we have been excited with more nearly success to qualify as well as our Queenstown womens triples reaching the quarter finals.
Here are the You Tube links to:
Answering the Call: A New Chapter for Roxburgh Bowling Club
At the end of last season, our Board and members recognised that the club's greatest challenge was declining membership numbers. Over recent years, we had seen membership reduce due to people moving away, the loss of valued members and health-related issues. This placed increasing demands on a smaller group of members, many of whom were taking on multiple roles to keep the club operating. While their commitment has been remarkable, it highlighted the need to attract new members and secure the club's long-term future.
To address this challenge, the previous Board issued our AGM notice with an "SOS" call to the Teviot Valley community and an open invitation to attend. Our goal was to grow membership and build a sustainable future for Roxburgh Bowling Club.
In the lead-up to the AGM, many members actively promoted the club and encouraged others to get involved. We wanted to introduce more people to bowls and increase both our full and social membership.
The response exceeded all expectations. More than 13 people joined at the AGM, with additional membership applications received afterward. Most of these new members are either new to bowls or had recently participated in our Friendly Bowls series.
We have welcomed our new members, provided introductory information, and recently submitted an order for club shirts, which are supplied free of charge to all first-year members.
Our Opening Day is scheduled for 13th September and, as always, everyone in the community is welcome to attend. Our focus now is on understanding what our new members would like from the club and ensuring we provide enjoyable opportunities for participation and friendship.
There is already plenty of planning and discussion underway, supported by the enthusiasm of our new members and the experience of our existing members. Together, we have a fantastic opportunity to build an even stronger, more vibrant club for the future.
Since moving here permanently three years ago, I have often said that we live in a piece of paradise. This experience has reinforced that belief. It is not only the stunning scenery that makes this region special, but also the generosity and community spirit of the people who live here. When you ask for help and invite people to be part of your vision, the response can be extraordinary.
On behalf of Roxburgh Bowling Club, thank you to everyone who has joined, supported, encouraged, or taken an interest in our future. The response from the Teviot Valley community has been truly inspiring, and with the enthusiasm of our new members and the continued dedication of our existing members, the future of Roxburgh Bowling Club is looking bright.
Maree Bartrum, President, Roxburgh Bowling Club
Photo was taken in 2025 when she won the Bowls 3 five with Xrissy Te Huia and Clayton Chittock
.jpg)
Bowls NZ Clubs Workshop
These were held on 26 & 27 August. If you missed them they can be viewed on You Tube. If you want to share any comments or thoughts get back to me and I will share back through our next newsletter.
I particularly enjoyed these workshops
"How to make a Covered Green a Reality" Click here for You Tube link
How Bowls Orewa became the first club in NZ with 2 covered greens Click here for You Tube Link
Raising Capital / Funding Options Click here for You Tube Link
The Waihopai Story Click here for You Tube Link
Welcome to our Novice Programme! We are thrilled to invite novice bowlers from all over the region join us. Whether you've discovered bowls through Twilight Bowls, Trade Bowls, school programs, or simply through friends and family, this is the perfect opportunity for you learn and have fun. No club membership or prior experience is required—just bring your enthusiasm and a desire to improve your skills in a friendly and relaxed environment. Join us and connect with fellow new bowlers as you embark on this exciting journey!
Technology: Keeping up with the 21st Century
You can't believe everything you see anymore.
When I started learning the finer points of website design it began with creating pages using code. Since then, everything has changed.
In the past, it was usually the written information that people questioned, depending on where it came from. Now it's the images, the clothing, the alignment etc that are being altered.
I asked AI to change a photo of Pauline Seaton. Can you tell which one is the fake?
Its quite scary what I can do on my little acer laptop. Sadly I cannot count the millions of jobs taken away by AI.
Continuing our Bowling Tips - from team Henselite
Selina Goddard (New Zealand)
Selena highlights the power of focus. Her advice is to concentrate on the shot ahead of you. By staying present and executing what you can control in the moment, you can overcome tough situations and avoid getting overwhelmed by the larger game.
Jamie-Lee Worsnop (New South Wales, Australia)
Believe in yourself. She emphasises that the mental aspect is crucial and that self-belief is the key to playing great bowls and achieving your full potential.
Carl Healey (New South Wales, Australia),
“believe what you see.” This means trusting your instincts and observations on how a bowl is reacting to the surface. By making small, informed corrections based on what you’re seeing, you can adjust your game effectively to different conditions and different heads.
Kristina Van Nierop (Western Australia)
stresses the importance of commitment. Her tip is to commit to the shot you’re playing before you get on the mat. By being certain about your line and weight and visualising the shot, you can execute it with confidence and precision.
Ellen Fife (New South Wales, Australia)
practice makes perfect. Getting out on the green, finding your rhythm, and developing a good, consistent delivery is the foundation for success.
Dawn Hayman (New South Wales, Australia)
Be yourself. This simple yet profound tip involves embracing your authentic style and personality, which can lead to a more confident and natural performance.
What else is new on this website?
For those of you who do not use facebook there is quite a lot of up to date news you will miss out on. Therefore on the news page (click here) there is a Facebook feed. It is a free version and only includes the last 3 posts at any time as a rollaround feed.
There has been a tidy up on the entries and results page. Let me know if there is anything not working or unclear. You can view Bowls Hub results directly on the widget there as well as log in to enter a tournament.
Focus on our Sponsors
We are excited to announce our new sponsors for the season! Each month, we'll spotlight at least one of our sponsors, encouraging you to explore their websites in the box below. We hope you'll take the time to discover their services and support the businesses that support us!
Waipiata Pies has an inspiring journey that showcases the power of passion and perseverance. Owners Mark and Nikki made the bold move from Taranaki to the Maniatoto in 2011, setting the foundation for their dream. In 2016, they began crafting homemade pies in their hotel, and today, they proudly produce thousands of pies each week. You can now savor their delicious creations by ordering online, bringing a taste of Waipiata to your doorstep. Explore their reviews.
Email from Pauline Seaton:
"My family has put their money where their mouth is. I have just picked up our first box of pies from Waipiata Pie Co. We have all chosen a selection of pies to try (12 different kinds). They have gone for a steak and pork selection. I have gone for chicken and seafood."
