New Brighton Bowling Club

Nau mai, haere mai.

Welcome to the 2025-2026 season of Bowls. Welcome to new and returning members to the Club. We look forward to some great competition. To those members who have left, we wish them the very best in their bowling endeavours.

Programme booklets are available to full playing members. If you haven't got a copy and would like one, please liaise with the President.

The Club is open on Thursday and Friday and throughout the bowling season on Saturday and Sunday depending on the number of members and guests who turn up for a roll up and just to mingle with others.

Our Opening Day is on Saturday 13 September was well attended. As usual, the weather was a bit unpredicable but we could enough sunshine to have our Patron roll the first bowl and have our group photograph taken.

A light supper followed this and members seemed to have a good afternoon catching up with each other.

If you haven't entered any of the club and interclub competitions but would like to, please liaise with Neil Clark, Roy Taylor or Jude Taylor.

Bowls Canterbury Annual Awards 2025

GREENKEEPER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025

Awarded to Grant Hasson

In the serene expanse of the bowling green, there exists a guardian of the turf, a steward ofthe landscape so to speak – Grant, our greenkeeper. This individual, often working before dawn and long after dusk, is the unsung hero who ensures that the green remains in pristine condition, ready to challenge and delight lawn bowlers of all levels.

Grant Hasson has served as the Club's official greenkeeper for the past three seasons. He is fully committed to maintaining the green in excellent condition at all times.

As someone recently said, we have “a hidden gem in New Brighton”. They were of course talking about the green. But this would not be the case if Grant wasn’t dedicated to achieving a high quality of work. Grant takes his work very seriously and spends lots of hours at the club, working on the green – mowing, rolling, marking, painting the surrounds, etc. If he’s not working on the green, he’s in the workshop maintaining the green equipment and working on ways to improve the green and its surrounds.The positive comments about our green and the work Grant puts into it is encouraging and gratifying knowing that his hard work is well worth it. He is very knowledgeable in the use of chemicals, having achieved his Hazardous Chemicals Certificate and has a planned approach to sustainable maintenance – when things should be done and how. Grant is in contact with a green advisor when he is not sure about anything to do with the green. He is meticulous. Grant also lends a helping hand to some of the greenkeepers from different clubs with either mowing or rolling their green when they are not available.Over the years, he has attended the South Island Greenkeepers conferences and lots of workshops since becoming the Club’s greenkeeper.This year he was approached to see if he would be willing to stand as an executive member on the Greenkeepers Association board. This would be an excellent opportunity to network with greenkeepers from other clubs and gain more experience to achieving a top-rate bowling green.Having Grant’s knowledge and expertise is invaluable to the Club and has saved the Club a ton of money. He is not only the Greenkeeper but the Bar Manager, Cleaner and Maintenance person.The New Brighton Bowling Club is very fortunate to have someone like Grant taking care ofour Green.

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Bowls Canterbury Annual Awards 2025

CLUB OF THE YEAR AWARD 2025

This year, the New Brighton Bowling Club celebrates 111 years. Over time, the club has strived to achieve a high standard of professionalism and business acumen.We have an executive committee that is transparent in all our dealings to becoming a well-run club and is committed to ensuring that our members are always welcome to approach us with any issues they may have. We now have a Level 1 Umpire, two Measuring Umpires and currently are in the process of getting a coach for the club. Something this club has not been able to achieve in the past. A nestled gem in the heart of New Brighton, the Club stands as a testament tocommunity spirit and camaraderie.

The club has a well-maintained bowling green for optimal play that is meticulously maintained by our dedicated and hard-workingGreenkeeper. We have hosted Bowls New Zealand National tournaments and Bowls Canterbury women’s champion of champion fours tournament along with interclub games, business house tournaments and end of year gatherings.The spacious clubhouse offering members a comfortable environment to relax and socialise after a game and modern amenities such as a fully stocked bar, dining area, and event spaces make it an ideal venue for hosting community events, private functions, andcompetitions.The New Brighton Bowling Club prides itself on its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. After their club was destroyed in the 2010 Canterbury earthquakes, we welcomed the New Brighton RSA to share our facilities. Membership is open to individuals of all ages and skill levels, fostering a sense of belongingand encouraging participation from the wider community. The club regularly organises socialevents, tournaments, and coaching sessions to promote the sport and to strengthencommunity ties.Throughout the year, the club hosts a variety of events that draw participants from near andfar. From friendly matches to competitive tournaments, there is always something happeningat the New Brighton Bowling Club. These events not only showcase the talent anddedication of its members but also serve as a platform for fostering new friendships andcollaborations within the community.Future Prospects - as the New Brighton Bowling Club looks to the future, it remainscommitted to preserving its heritage while embracing change. Plans for further developmentand community outreach are on the horizon, ensuring that the club continues to thrive and toserve as a cornerstone of New Brighton's social fabric.Despite the decline in our membership over recent years, we are confident and anticipatethat the influx of residents into New Brighton will provide an opportunity to attract newmembers to the bowling club.In conclusion, the New Brighton Bowling Club is more than just a sports facility - it is avibrant community institution where tradition meets modernity. Whether you are a seasonedbowler or a curious newcomer, the club offers a warm welcome and an opportunity to be partof something truly special.

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Thank you to all those who attended our Awards Dinner on Saturday evening and congratulations to all the winners. An enjoyable evening had by all.

2025 Club Champions and Awards

Congratulations to:

Men's Single - Chris Astle

Men's Pairs - Chris Astle & Jerry O'Donnell

Men's Triples - Chris Astle, Raymond Dalkie & Nick Sikma

Men's Fours - Roy Taylor, Bruce Pye, Neil Clark and Mike Baker

Men's Juniors - Richard Steinberg

Men's Colts - Darryl Lovell

Women's Singles - Wiki Martin

Women's Triples - Pauline Penrose, Lynley Barker & Noeline Speirs