The Young ones are catching on fast

Manukau City Indoor Bowling Association Inc

Indoor bowling was once viewed as a sedate game played by retirees in members-only clubs, but according to Philip Montgomery, treasurer and longtime member of the Manukau City Indoor Bowling Association, times have changed. “Indoor bowling is not an old person's sport anymore,” he says. “Increasingly young people are trying their hand at it and discovering the game’s many advantages.”

There is certainly some merit in their view. Currently, more than 300 students are set to participate in the indoor bowls competition for all schools at the AIMS Games to be held in Mount Maunganui from September 10-14, 2018. This will give 11, 12 and 13 year olds an opportunity to compete as an individual or in a team against the best of their age.

Philip, whose parents started indoor bowling at the Holy Cross School more than 55 years ago, is excited by the rising interest in the sport among young people. “This is one of the very few sports the entire family or a group of friends can play together,” he says. “It is therefore very community orientated.”

According to Roberta, it’s not a very strenuous sport but you have to be fit to play. “It’s a physical game that involves a lot of strategy and thinking,” she says.

It’s also very affordable. All equipment is provided at the club and you can show up in flat soled shoes or sneakers. Play starts at 7.30pm in participating clubs and you can choose from several clubs that are convenient. Club membership costs practically nothing and is less than the price of lunch for two people.

The outlook for the sport looks good. There are numerous championships played between local clubs plus Auckland Championships, Representative Games and National Championships are held throughout New Zealand. Players from Holy Cross and St Annes spent Queens Birthday weekend in Christchurch participating at the Catholic Nationals. Players from other local Clubs played at the North Island Championships at Rotorua.

Visit or call our local clubs below:

Howick IBC
Where: Owairoa School, 85 Nelson St
When: Monday
Contact: Neville Spiers (09) 537 1726

Holy Cross IBC
Where: Holy Cross Church Hall, Carruth Road, Papatoetoe
When: Tuesday
Contact: Philip Montgomery 021 250 6979

Howick Club 107 Botany Road, Botany Wednesday
Contact: Gordon Platt (09) 274 8085

Mangere Bridge Plunket IBC
Where: Mangere Memorial Hall, 23 Domain Road, Mangere Bridge
When: Wednesday
Contact: Susan Redfern (09) 636 1296 Waterlea IBC

Waterlea IBC
Where: Mangere Central Hall, 241 Kirkbridge Road, Mangere
When: Wednesday
Contact: Mary Wakefield (09) 535 5107

Papatoetoe Cosmopolitan Club
Where: 53 Rangitoto Road, Papatoetoe
When: Wednesday
Contact: June McCormack 09 267 9607

Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club
Where: 6/10 Alfriston Road, Manurewa
When: Wednesday
Contact: Myrtle Wilson (09) 266 7308

St Anne’s IBC
Where: St Anne’s Church Hall, 126 Russell Road, Manurewa
When: Wednesday
Contact: Brian Fahey (09) 296 0970

Pakuranga IBC
Where: Pakuranga Hall, 346 Pakuranga Road, Pakuranga
When: Thursday
Contact: Graeme Wilson (09) 576 3465

Mangere Central IBC
Where: Mangere Central Hall, 241 Kirkbridge Road, Mangere
When: Thursday
Contact: Mary Wakefield (09) 535 5107 Find out more!