The Centre opening was held at Kamo Bowling Club last Saturday.
Approximately 60 members from 12 clubs attended. All five life members and patron and patroness of the Centre were present and welcomed by president Jeanette.
Also present were John Williamson representing the mayor, Ann Muir as Bowls New Zealand president, Dion Davis, president of the Far North Centre, and representatives of the Northland umpires and coaching associations.
The Centre board members were also in attendance and were welcomed and introduced to the bowlers present.
The first jack of the season was rolled by Goldie Wardell, life member, and the first bowl of the season was played by Ann Muir.
Centre handbooks are now available from your clubs. With changes to the Centre programme and conditions of play for this season it is important that all players obtain a copy.
Entries for Centre events will once again be received via the Centre website, by email, or entry form in the centre handbook.
Events
The first official event of the season will be the Regional Representative 1-5 Year and 1-8 Year competitions between Far North, North Harbour, Auckland and Northland to be played at the Waipu (1-5) and Mangawhai (1-8) on Saturday, October 4.
This tournament will be for men and women and will include 12 players (1-5) and seven players (1-8).
Regional events will see the Auckland women's premier singles and the North Harbour Ivan Kostanich Memorial Men's Singles being played on September 26-27. Entries have closed for these events and several Northland players will be taking part.
The Northland Umpires Association have an open any-combination fours tournament being played at the Kamo greens on Saturday, September 19. They currently have a full field entered. As the season has officially opened, playing attire will be whites. Morning tea will be at 9am, with play starting at 9.30am. September 12-13 sees Mangawhai Club open their season with a men's 2x4x2 pairs and on Saturday Dargaville Club will do the same with an open mixed triples event.
September 15 will see Onerahi play AC Triples and Maungakaramea will have AC Triples on September 16.