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Nov-10, 2024: Round up, and Pairs report
An exciting pairs event concluded the New Zealand Blind Bowling Association (NZBLA) national championships at Burnside on Friday.
Players with a lower level of vision (B1 or B2) were partnered with a player with slightly more vision (B3 or B4). The teams battled away in a five round competition.
Going into the last round five teams had a chance to achieve a podium finish. When the dust settled, Joseph Kim (Ngaire Ball director) and new bowler Robbie Austin (Bruce Varnham director) finished in fourth place with three wins and a minus four differential. The bronze medal with three wins and a plus two differential went to Gerald Brouwers (Margaret Davies director) and his partner, the singles champion, George Nevill (Christine Foster director).
The silver medal with three wins and a draw was the singles bronze medallist, Glenn Hanneman (Graham Ball director) and local B4 player Don Stephens who played without a director.
Unbeaten over the five rounds and winning the gold medal was a new B1 (totally blind) player who has only been playing for a few months, Chris Orr (John Van Duyvenbode director) who teamed up with current Blackjack, Kerrin Wheeler (Colin Wheeler director). Congratulations to all on a fine and fun competition.
A new special prize was also awarded this year. It was a trophy for the Spirit of the Tournament award. It was awarded to the person(s) who displayed the best attitude, sportsmanship, and community spirit throughout the event. The Tekoteko trophy was jointly awarded to the B1 player Christine Litchfield and her director Margaret Stannard. Congratulations Christine and Margaret. Photo
All participants have been invited to provide feedback about the event. Within 24 hours of the championships concluding, two new B1 players (Arun Kasim and Glen Putz) who have both only been playing for a few months have asked for assistance in finding a pairs partner so that they can play in the Bowls New Zealand Summerset Open Disability Nationals in Auckland in January. They had such a good time they can’t wait for the next event. Was the NZBLBA Nationals a success ? The response of Arun and Glen certainly suggests it was.
Nov-8, 2024: Day three, the last day of play Singles report
A temperature high of 27 degrees added unwanted extrra heat to the participants in the NZBLBA Nationals at Burnside on Thursday.
The singles championship was a five round event across the whole field of 17 players with different levels of vision challenges. Players were given adjusted handicaps to attempt to find some sort of level playing field amongst the competitors. The players and directors bought into this concept and many exciting games ensued. The system worked well with around 75% of games finishing 21-16 or closer.
Going into the last round, nine players had a chance to medal in the first three places. In the end, six players had four wins out of five games.
In 6th place was a brand new lawn bowler, Robbie Austin (director Bruce Varnham) with four wins +4 differential.
In 5th place was recent Blackjack Kerrin Wheeler (director Colin Wheeler) with four win +8.
In 4th place was Don Stephens with four wins +11. He played without a director.
The bronze medal went to the B1 player Glenn Hanneman (director Graham Ball) with four wins +31.
The gold and silver placings came down to a differential countback between the only two players with five wins. In the finish, Deane Robertson (director Chris Iggo) won the silver medal with his five wins +27. The new champion that emerged was the Waikato player, George Nevill (director Christine Foster) with five wins +29. Congratulations to all participants on an excellent competition played in a wonderful spirit.
Two rounds of the pairs event were also completed in the hot, sunny conditions. Three rounds will complete the event today. Again, this is a very close event with two teams having won their first two games - new player Chris Orr with Kerrin Wheeler and Joseph Kim with Robbie Austin.
Please see Photo Gallery for more pics.
An exciting final day is expected at Burnside with play starting at 9am. Photos to follow.
Nov-7, 2024: Day two already
Great fun was the order of the day at the NZBLBA Nationals at Bowls Papanui on Wednesday. Three rounds of singles were played with only three players unbeaten at this stage - Sue Curran, Deane Robertson and George Nevill. Two more rounds will complete the event today before two rounds of pairs will be played. Play on Thursday and Friday will be at Burnside.A new player, Robbie Austin ( in the black shirt) is pictured below with his mate and director, Bruce Varnham and Blackjack Steve Delaney capturing the spirit of the championship.
Click here to see Robbie's photo.
Nov-6, 2024: A great first day!
Vice President and former Blackjack Sue Curran was awarded Life Membership of the Association. Sue received this award after many years of outstanding leadership and playing representation on behalf of the Association.Sue is pictured here with NZBLBA President Gordon Oldfield. Congratulations Sue on receiving this very well deserved award.
Click here to see Sue's photo
Nov-4, 2024: An Exciting few days are coming up in Christchurch later this week (Vovember 6-8).
YES, it's time for the 2024 NZ Blind Lawn Bowls National Championships!
Eighteen players and their directors from all around the country will gather to see who will be this year’s singles and pairschampions.
The singles event will be played on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
The pairs event will be played on Thursday afternoon and Friday.
On Wednesday, the event will be hosted and played at Bowls Papanui.
On Thursday and Friday, the event will be hosted and played at Bowls Burnside.
The morning sessions run from 9am to 12:30pm each dday.
The afternoon sessions run from 1:30pm to 4:30pm each day.
Supporters and visitors very welcome!
Results will be posted on this website here and Bowls New Zealand Facebook page each night.
Good luck to all participants.!
Have fun!
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