There is something special about the start of a new bowls season. Every club begins with a clean slate. New members walk through the doors for the first time. Pennant teams are selected. Night Owls returns. Volunteers are back preparing greens, opening clubrooms and ensuring everything is ready for another year. It is a time filled with optimism and opportunity. Across South Australia, that opportunity has never been greater. Our clubs continue to evolve, investing in better facilities, creating new participation programs and finding innovative ways to connect with their communities. Whether you’re from a club with 20 members or a club with hundreds, every club has an important role to play in growing our sport. One of the things I enjoy most about this edition of The Bowler is that it highlights people, not just results. The stories of families representing South Australia together, clubs building strong local rivalries, volunteers transforming their facilities and athletes preparing to compete on the national stage all demonstrate that bowls is about much more than winning games. It is about belonging, opportunity and creating memories that last a lifetime. As a Board, we remain focused on ensuring Bowls SA continues to provide strong leadership for the sport. Our priorities remain clear, supporting clubs, growing participation, strengthening governance, developing facilities and creating opportunities for every South Australian to enjoy bowls in whatever way they choose. Success, however, doesn’t happen from the Bowls SA office alone. It happens because thousands of volunteers choose to give their time each week. Coaches, greenkeepers, committee members, umpires, markers, selectors and countless others are the heartbeat of our clubs. Thank you for everything you do to keep our sport thriving. As we embark on another season, I’d encourage every member to do one simple thing. Invite someone new to experience bowls. Whether it’s a friend, neighbour, work colleague or family member, introducing just one new person to your club could be the start of their lifelong connection to our sport. I wish every club, every volunteer and every bowler a safe, successful and enjoyable season. I look forward to seeing our greens full, our clubrooms busy and our bowls community continuing to grow throughout the year. See you on the greens. Tim Dodds President Bowls SA
TIME TO GET UP FOR THE UNLEY CUP AFTER a highly successful launch in 2025, the Unley Cup is set for its second instalment later this month, as Millswood takes on Sturt for local bragging rights. In what is the perfect way to warm up what’s set to be a sizzling season on the green, the local clubs will do battle for glory in three weeks’ time at Millswood. The Unley Cup is currently in the possession of Sturt, following its win in 2025, and president David McVicar is keen for that to continue again. “It all started last year, and it was an idea that came up from Rod and Shane Entridge who thought it would be a good idea, seeing there is only two bowls clubs in the Unley area, to have a competition,” he said. “We had the first Unley Cup last year, and it was a huge success, and everyone enjoyed it and a lot of people came out to watch, and Sturt managed to win the Cup. “We’re very competitive clubs, but that said it’s not just for the top side players. There’s a real community feel about it. “Plenty of women will play, and there will be people in lower divisions involved, so it is a real mixed bag. It’s designed to be as much fun as it is competitive.” The Unley Cup is the perfect way to build the excitement towards the season, and with good weather in hopes, a healthy crowd is expected. “Everyone is chomping at the bit to get started in the season,
so starting it off this way is ideal because it’s social, but at the same time, you’re trying to get your skills honed before the start of the season,” he said.
you step out on the green there is a competitive edge there, but it’s about getting together and bringing two bowls clubs together.
“There’s a barbeque, and drinks on offer, music is playing, so it’s a great atmosphere and a good fun night out.”
“We’re celebrating what we do, and what we have in common, so it is a friendly, but there is a trophy on the line, and we still like bragging rights across Unley.”
McVicar’s sentiments were echoed by Millswood president Simon Quilley, who said his club is determined to get the Unley Cup “back where it belongs.” “The Unley Cup was a great initiative that Rod at Sturt came up with last year, and we’ve been working closely across the last 12-24 months in some of the planning that we’ve been doing,” he said. “Sturt took the inaugural trophy, so we’re hoping to get it back across this side of Unley Road this time around.” “Being the only two clubs in the Unley Council, we thought it would be a great way to open the season and have a challenge and alternate it between the clubs. “It’s a game of bowls, so when
Millswood, which is set to host the Cup this year, is hoping for a strong turnout, and Quilley said anyone is welcome to join the festivities. “It’s open to come along and enjoy the night, and hopefully it will be warm weather, so it’s good for everyone to come down and get together. “It’s good we’ve got a relationship with Sturt, and we have a common interest in bowls, and that’s one aspect, but community is so important. “I think it’s really important you back in your community, and we’ve seen a lot of bowling clubs close in recent times, so by clubs doing this, it gets it out there and it’s great for the sport’s health long term.”
A Green family affair RARELY in sport do three members of a family all have the opportunity to represent their state in their chosen sport, but that will happen for a trio of members next month in Perth.
Jayden Green is one of three family members heading over to Perth for the Nationals, and will play in the under 18s team.
The Green family houses Adrian in the Open Men, and Katrina in the Open Women, but it will be 13-year-old Jayden, who competes in the under 18 boys’ team who is up first. Katrina said the prestigiousness of the achievement is something that remains strong for her, knowing the family is in a unique situation. “It’s a major achievement, and I don’t know how many other families have had three people go over, and all are in different disciplines,” she said. “It works well with us being able to watch Jayden play in the under 18s, and we’re in two-days on and two days off, so we can give him all the support we can. “This time both of our sons are staying on, and they’ll support us as well which is nice because that’s never really happened when I’ve gone away.” Bowls has been in the Green family for approximately 25 years, with Adrian and Katrina playing since the age of 12.
was about the same, and then I moved to Adelaide and met him, and then played with him until I fell pregnant,” she said. “Once the kids were born, we got back into it all, and the kids have been on the green ever since they were born, and they love it. “It’s great because we can go to a fours tournament together or split off into different rinks if we’re having an argument, so it’s good that you can play a sport that your children can. “The club is only a small one with about 80 members or so, but they’re very supportive, and Jayden played in my pennant rink last year, and then Noah will hopefully get there soon.
Adrian and Katrina have had sons Jayden and Noah involved in the sport since they were born, all applying their trade at the Kapunda Bowling Club.
“When kids start coming in you do wonder a bit, but it’s growing, and we’ve now got a good core group of kids there, and there’s new families coming and playing in the area.
“I started off when I was about 12 years old, and I think Adrian
“We’re up to about 10 kids at the club now, which is really nice,
and amazing for the club going forward.” With the trip to Perth now a little more than a month away, Green is pinching herself, as the messages of support from extended family and friends come flooding in. “It’s just amazing, and you don’t even know what to say to it, and we really never thought it would actually happen,” she said. “Adrian is at his later in life moment of his career, but thought he’d give it another go, and I was sort of not thinking of giving up, but it does cross your mind occasionally. “We said to Noah that while he is bowling well, he is only 10, and Jayden didn’t make it until he was 11, so you still have eight years of juniors to get in the team. “Don’t be disappointed, keep your head up, and keep going, but that is hard to tell someone his age.”
Sister duo looking to make their mark TWO of the brightest bowling talents in the state are all set to head over to Perth together next month as part of the Australian Under 18 Championships. Daisy and Ava Coe, based at the Gladstone Bowling Club are part of coach Cath Greenslade’s five-person team which will make the journey out West. While it will be Daisy’s third trip to the Nationals, Ava will don the South Australian colours for the first time. Daisy, who will lead the team, said it’s a special moment for the family, with plenty of messages of support flooding the pair since the news became
public in July. “We’re pretty pumped… I don’t know how we’ll go playing pairs together and sharing a room, but it should be a good time and hopefully we come home with a medal,” she said.
club, and we’ve been doing that for a couple of seasons which is great. “Mum and Dad are really looking forward to it all as well, and the extended family have really congratulated us and heard all about it.”
“Ava is really keen, and she’s wanted to be picked for quite a while so she’s definitely excited about it.
Meanwhile, Greenslade said she is excited to be part of the team, with key values already being upheld.
“I’ve played in three now, so I know how it goes, and how she’s probably going to be feeling, so I can probably help her out with the nerves she might have.
“I am excited to be a part of this team and look forward to the journey beginning for our future stars. If the attention to team culture, respect, commitment, and enthusiasm are anything to go by, this team will be rewarded by a successful campaign.”
“It’s good for the family, with four of us all playing together at the same
Hicks brothers to be under watchful eye BEING a selector of any sporting team is always a challenge for those who put their hands up for the role, often having to ignore bright talent. But when two of your sons are involved in the team, it can become even more difficult, and that’s what faced Open Men’s selector Tim Hicks when sons Corey and Charlie tried out for the side. Tim said it is an awesome feeling to have his sons in the side, with all three calling the Adelaide Bowling Club home. “I played for 30
years, and then the boys started a little over 10 years ago, and watching Dad bowl I think got them excited about it, and they both work in the industry now,” he said. “I play with both of my boys on Saturday’s now, and that’s what keeps me interested in the game now. “There’s plenty of banter being slung between us all, and I used to have the claim of being the best bowler in the family, but I’ve lost that now.” Tim said he judges his sons even harsher than other players, accepting
the role as team manager. “It puts me in an awkward position, but fortunately for me, what they’ve done in bowls has proven that they should be there,” he said. “You do wonder whether it is a conflict of interest… but I’m definitely harder on them two than I am anyone else. “It’s good to see that there is a lot of young kids playing bowls these days, and even though they’re probably introduced through family, it’s great to just see them out there.”
Corey Hicks is one of two brothers selected in the Bowls SA Open Men’s Team.
Bowls clubs shine among South Australia’s best Bowls SA is proud to congratulate our member clubs that have been named finalists in the prestigious 2026 Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards.
Millswood Bowling Club
Recognised as a finalist in the Best Bowls Club category, Millswood Bowling Club continues to build a strong The annual awards recognise reputation through its commitment to participation, excellence across South Australia’s club sector, celebrating member experience and the promotion of bowls within its organisations that demonlocal community.
strate outstanding leadership, governance, community engagement, innovation, hospitality and volunteerism. This year’s finalists showcase the strength, diversity and impact of bowls clubs and the important role they play in creating connected, inclusive and vibrant communities.
Being named a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication of club committees, volunteers, staff and members who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure their clubs continue to thrive. Best Bowls Club Finalists Adelaide Bowling Club A finalist in the Best Bowls Club category, and recognised in the Unity in Community and Best Function/Event Venue categories, Adelaide Bowling Club continues to demonstrate excellence both on and off the green.
Playford Bowling Club Playford Bowling Club has been recognised in multiple categories, including Best Bowls Club, Heart of the Community, and Club of the Year – Medium. These nominations reflect the club’s commitment to community engagement, strong governance and creating opportunities for members of all ages.
Stansbury Bowling Club As a finalist in the Best Bowls Club category, Stansbury Bowling Club continues to showcase the strength of regional bowls, providing quality facilities, welcoming hospitality and a vibrant club culture. “The crew we’ve got together have been magnificent, and everyone is on the same page which is fantastic. “What the club has done in the last 10 years has been
amazing,” Stansbury president Rob Natt said. Semaphore Bowling Club Semaphore Bowling Club has been recognised as a finalist in the Heart of the Community category, acknowledging the club›s outstanding contribution to its local community through partnerships, volunteerism and community support.
More Than Just Bowls The recognition of our clubs extends well beyond competition. These awards celebrate clubs that are investing in their communities, creating welcoming environments, supporting volunteers, delivering quality facilities and ensuring bowls remains accessible to people of all ages and abilities. It is pleasing to see bowls clubs recognised alongside many of South Australia’s leading sporting and community organisations, highlighting the significant contribution our clubs make across the state.
Celebrating Excellence The winners will be announced at the 2026 Clubs SA Clubs & Community Awards Gala on Saturday 14 November 2026 at Adelaide Oval. Purchase Tickets here.
Photos from the Open Pairs sectionals
Results from the Open Pairs sectionals can be found here.
Photos from the Open Pairs sectionals
Special opportunity brings Moffatt’s closer FOR many athletes, representative selection is a proud individual achievement, but for one South Australian bowls family, the opportunity has become something they can share together.
although it took several decades before bowls became a regular part of his life.
With his wife and sister also involved, the chance to be part of the high-performance environment for Anthony Moffatt has added another layer of significance to an already special experience.
“I played with Dad a bit, as well as Garry Thompson in the Riverland, too.”
“It’s really exciting to have the wife, sister, and myself there and see what we can achieve,” he said. His own journey in the sport stretches back to childhood,
“I started at nine years old playing for Morgan but I didn’t play again until I left the navy when I was 37.
That family connection has continued into the next generation, with his daughter now beginning to enjoy the sport alongside him. “I bring my 10-year-old daughter out, and we play teams together, and then the whole family can get on the green too.”
With his wife already supporting the Para Teams, this year will also provide an opportunity for the pair to experience the representative environment together and support each other across different teams. “My wife has already been supportive of the Para Teams, and this year I’ll be able to stick around and watch the Open Team play, so we’ll be able to lean on each other,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting, because not that many family members get the opportunity to be in a high-performance program and have different opportunities to be together.”
New Techniques for Levelling Bowling Greens By Stewart Jones A quiet revolution is reshaping how we manage and level bowling greens. For decades, greenkeepers and committees have grappled with the limitations of traditional levelling equipment. Today, new techniques specifically engineered for the ultra-fine tolerances of lawn bowls are being developed and tested here in South Australia, promising to deliver practically perfect playing surfaces without interrupting the club's bowling season. Turf Levelling Australia has developed a new approach to levelling. Modern bowling greens require proactive management of levels, not reactive responses when problems arise. This breakthrough approach—known as Automated Laser Profiling (ALP)—utilises a precise three-step methodology to keep an entire green mostly within a 5mm tolerance, while dramatically cutting down-time to only 2-4 weeks: Step 1: Baseline Survey – Every project must begin with an intensive digital survey. Mapping the green ensures that the committee understands exactly where the deviations and rises are, guaranteeing club funds are spent precisely where needed. Step 2: Bulk Levelling – Various techniques can be employed to remove the major undulations over a 2-3 year period. These include traditional laser levelling, Laser Topdressing (topdressing only the low areas) and Laser Scarifying (scarifying down the high areas). Step 3: Maintaining and Perfecting Levels – Now the major problem areas are eliminated, Laser Scarifying is used to scarify and level the entire green in one operation. The full green can then be topdressed to maximise smoothness, flatness and health. Step 3 has only recently become possible with the invention of Laser Scarifying. Little-and-often levelling techniques have the potential for much better results than laser levelling as recovery times are significantly less. This allows levelling to be conducted as part of routine maintenance.We are currently standing at a crossroads in the bowls community. For a long time, elite, ultra-consistent greens were a luxury reserved for a small number of metropolitan clubs with healthy budgets. The technology is now available to every club in South Australia. Over the next five years, my focus at Turf Levelling Australia is to standardise this technology so that every local club can access a world-class surface. For the vast majority of clubs, the capital is already there; committees just need a smarter, less invasive technique to successfully convert their maintenance funds into on-green perfection. To learn more about the technology or to book a baseline survey for your club, contact Stewart Jones on 0418 814 274 or visit www.turflevellingaustralia.com.au.
Example Automated Laser Profiling (ALP) survey map showing level variations across a bowling green.
Jenny helps prepare SA for success EXPERIENCED sports psychologist Jenny Williams is confident the South Australian representative sides have what it takes to succeed at this year’s Nationals in Perth, following a recent session conducted. Williams recently spoke to the squads at the Bowls SA media day and said she was thoroughly impressed by everyone involved in her two-hour session. A former PE teacher, the talk spanned several topics and was aimed at helping give the South Australian bowlers a competitive edge for their time in the west. “I loved it, and it was not only fun meeting a whole heap of new people, right from the over 60s through to the under 18s,” she said. “I’ve been a teacher, so I know what it’s like to sit through things that are boring, or when you don’t learn, so I try and make it so there’s parts that appeal to different areas. “With the young ones, they learn that non-grumpy older people are the ones who fast track them to being better bowlers, and that’s such an important thing.”
won the tournament back then, but I was driving back when it was a new thing,” she said. “I did a bit of social bowling as well, but straight after that speech I went to a friend’s 70th birthday, and we ended up going lawn bowling all afternoon. “As a PE teacher, it was always a good idea to have some sort of knowledge around what you’re talking about, but at the end of the day, lawn bowls is a target sport. “The biggest thing with psychology is that most people have never learned what makes good psychology, so it doesn’t matter what sport it is, people think the way they think is how everyone else thinks. “But it’s only when you introduce new concepts, and there’s open and honest feedback you see a real change.” Williams has released a book titled ‘Think Prepare Play Like A Champion’, and her speech covered several aspects. The reason behind the book was her belief that many athletes are ill-informed when it comes to how champions do think.
Williams has played bowls herself, and 37 years ago, she was part of the first women’s team to ever wear colours.
“I left a whole lot of books for people to take, and I gave out resources including a fridge magnet for people to remember what they were talking about,” she said.
While having a bowls background did assist Williams when speaking to the South Australian teams, she said there were other factors her speech centred around.
“Knowledge is something that is power and understanding that just because you’ve always been doing something one way, doesn’t necessarily make it right.
“I started at Beaumont, and we
“Learning new things and then
Jenny Williams spoke to the Bowls SA state sides at last month’s media day.
being able to work with people to make them great is so important. “At elite level AFL, most people are unsure how to embrace things, and that’s why Ted Lasso is something I use because it teaches younger and older people how to interact. “Rather than just psychology, my talk is about putting the physical with the psychological and understanding how good you can possibly be. “In the two hours I just tried to give people the resources I could and help them out as much as possible. “It’s such a varied group there, so people will take different things away, and hopefully practice some of the things.”
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Breast Cancer Network Australia
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Every breast cancer. Every woman.
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WHAT IS A BUCK A BOWLER?
A Buck a Bowler is an easy way for
bowling clubs and members to fundraise for Breast Cancer
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WEEK 2 TO 7
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2026 National Development Series: Day 3 wrap After a mighty scare in the final session of the 2026 National Development Series, it would be the James Reynolds coached Team Yellow who took the overall honours for the second time in the event’s short history. On an exciting day at
Deer Park, Yellow’s Tyson Cromie, Jacob Nelson, Jacob Aitken, Lisa Phillips, Sheridon Bodnar, Jodie Nikolic and Cooper Whitestyles clinched the overall honours after a strong test from Team Red, who won more rinks on the day to give themselves an almighty chance at the
gold medal.
Team Green in fourth.
Red needed to win eight rinks on the final day and would be able to claim seven, with many going right down to the wire on a thrilling Thursday in Melbourne’s west.
Para Jackaroo and Team Red’s Kaytlyn Smith would end the competition as the event’s best player with eight wins and one loss across her nine matchups.
Team Blue would finish in third place ahead of
- Val Febbo, Bowls Australia
2026 Australian Indoor Championships: Finals wrap Australian Jackaroos Ben Twist and Kelsey Cottrell have been crowned 2026 Australian Indoor champions after two exhilarating finals that came down to the final bowl at Club Tweed.
Moran, the Bowls Australia Under-18 Male Bowler of the Year, started the second set on fire to take a 5-2 lead after four ends, but Twist rallied to level scores going into the final end.
Men’s singles
With a title on the line and his father Jeff Twist watching on, Ben brought the mat right up and rolled the jack to the tee before driving the jack into the pit.
Facing St Johns Park Bowling Club teammate Travis Moran in the final, Twist capped off a sublime Indoors campaign by claiming the gold medal without dropping a set throughout the entire week. Twist was able to gain an early lead over Moran in the first set after securing a three on the third end, but was never able to take full control of the match, with the rising star showing why he is a name to watch out for in the future. With Twist scoring a four on end six, it looked like the Jackaroo would run away with the first set, but Moran won the next three ends, which included a sensational draw to the ditch, to tie the set.
Still with some room to draw, Twist was able to hold on and claim his much-deserved maiden Australian Indoors title. Earlier in the day, Moran overcame a challenge from Pialba’s Mark Armstrong in the semi-final to reach the decider. Women’s singles Kelsey Cottrell claimed her fourth Australian Indoors Championship after a last bowl thriller against Club Merrylands’ Samantha Noronha. Getting off to a fast start, Cottrell
stormed to a 9-3 first set victory, before Noronha found her range in the second set to win six of the nine ends and send the game to a tiebreak. The two players couldn’t be separated throughout the tiebreak, with the Club Helensvale product taking the first end and the Merrylands product claiming the first set. The final end brought plenty of drama, with Noronha playing brilliantly to hold shot before the last bowl. However, it was some Cottrell magic with her final bowl that sealed her third title in a row, and her fourth in five years, putting her in an exclusive club. Cottrell now moves past Jeremy Henry (three) in the number of Indoors titles won, with only the great Steve Glasson OAM (nine) and Karen Murphy AM (six) having won more. - Connor Munnings, Bowls Australia
CLUB IN FOCUS - Kensington-Marryatville FOLLOWING a highly successful 2025/26 Night Owls season, which saw it win Night Owls Club of the Year at the recent Bowls SA awards night, Kensington-Marryatville is hoping for more success under lights again this season. Kensington-Marryatville was recognised for its thriving social competition program, strong participation, and welcoming community atmosphere built around inclusion and growth. The Night Owls program was how current club president Patrick Lee was introduced to the sport more than 10 years ago, and he’s never looked back. “It was both an honour and privilege to accept the award on behalf of the club,” he said. “I have been with the club for over 10 years after walking in one night to play Night Owls and have loved every minute of it. “Being able to have the club in the spotlight that night and promote to the wider community was a great place it is to be a part of. “It was a wonderful experience and one we intend to promote and utilise for the remainder of the year.” Situated at Kensington Gardens, the club has recently undergone significant renovations to its facilities and is now a welcoming place for even more bowlers. As the upcoming Night Owls season draws even closer, Lee said the club formed a facilities improvement sub-committee to have full focus on bettering the club as
much as possible.
Greens.”
“Prior to last year the clubhouse looked like it hadn’t been renovated since the 1980s,” he said.
After he was introduced to bowls through Night Owls, Lee believes it is one of the most important aspects of the season to ensure clubs stay afloat.
“To plan and secure improvement a few years ago the club formed a Facilities Improvement sub-committee, developing a 10-point plan to make several improvements to the club and surrounds. “Work began with replacing the artificial greens which disappointingly hadn’t lasted or performed as well as assured. This work included the watering system. “Successful completion was followed up with a permanent shelter replacing the older style shade cloths between our A and B Greens. “Once we had a playing surface and surrounds, we could be proud of, we turned our focus to inside the clubhouse. “With assistance from a government grant, and support from the Marryatville Trust and the Kensington Gardens Tennis and Bowls Club Board (KGTBC), we replaced and upgraded the toilets/changeroom areas, air conditioning, office, audio/visual system including the outdoor speakers, and the bowls/ equipment storage area. “The work has resulted in a much more user-friendly area of the club for members and the wider community plus meeting current regulatory standards. “The next stages of improvements include replacing the shade cloth with a permanent shelter for the northern ends of B Green and C
By bringing in new members, one of Lee’s key goals is to continue developing the strong values the club have fostered for many years. “Night Owls is extremely important to the continuing viability of the club and for the sport,” he said. “Night Owls introduces the sport in a relaxed, friendly, social environment where people from all walks of life can mix and socialise, learning the basics of the game and then choose whether they want to continue in a more competitive environment. “Bowls is a unique sport where inclusivity is embraced; age, gender or diversity are irrelevant. “The passion and excitement the members bring with them every week, the genuine care and friendships people have, we see people helping people. “We all bring something to the club for the betterment of each other and the club. “As the newly elected President my intention is to continue developing and growing the camaraderie, belief, sense of belonging those before have fostered.” Lee said there are many members of the Kensington Marryatville Bowling Club going under the radar by the wider public who deserve recognition.
CLUB IN FOCUS - Kensington-Marryatville He believes the drivers of success at the club are the volunteers who make programs such as the Night Owls competition continually viable for the future. “Recently, we’ve had a solid and stable leadership in the Bowls committee, driven by Marg Lambert, who has overseen the improvements mentioned earlier,” he said. “The real drivers behind the success of the club and the Night Owls program are the volunteers who just get in and do the things that encourage people to keep coming back week after week. The Night Owlers themselves the critical participants. “They see what is happening and want to contribute to make it better, so it just keeps on growing. “No fanfare, whatever needs doing, gets done. A special shout out to Ulli Kruse and his Greens maintenance team who make sure everything is tiptop. “Without great greens, you don’t have a club. “First impressions count. A person walks into an unfamiliar environment, it’s very important they’re put at ease very quickly, made to feel comfortable and welcomed. “Reputations are hard-earned, and as we’ve seen in other sports recently, it only takes one negative experience, review, or comment, and the lost opportunities are immeasurable.
Kensington-Marryatville Bowling Club was crowned Night Owls Club of the Year.
growth of the club, the behaviour of members, and the success. “The president (and committee) will always be accountable, but they should only be providing the guidance and direction of which the club is going. If the members are on-board and happy with the direction, they will drive it. “It is important to respect and honour our heritage and legacy of past members while innovating and building our future.” Relationships of local sporting clubs and their councils are imperative for long-term success, and Kensington-Marryatville is no different.
“While I’ve only just started in the role, my aim is to have all members take ownership of the club.
Lee is particularly thankful of local Ward member Jo Harvey, who is often on hand at the club on major event nights.
“They become responsible for the
Overall, he remains steadfast in the
fact his club is on the right path. “We have a solid and respectful relationship with our local council, and Jo Harvey has been involved with the club for several years now, attending functions and presenting awards as a special guest,” he said. “It is critical for our survival to have great support, and be supportive, of our sponsors. “Our sponsorship manager, Neville Yeates, has grown our portfolio to over 30 sponsors and $50 000/year in cash and services, without which we wouldn’t be able to provide anywhere near what we would hope to give back to our members and community. “With the support and belief in our club from our sponsors and community, Kensington-Marryatville BC is a club heading in the right direction.”
Every Interaction Matters For a junior player, a simple word of encouragement can build confidence. Equally, inappropriate comments, aggressive behaviour, online abuse or poor sportsmanship can have a lasting impact. Creating a positive environment isn't just about following policies—it's about ensuring every young person wants to come back next week, next season and for many years to come. A welcoming club culture is everyone's responsibility. If You See Something, Say Something If behaviour falls short of the standards expected, don't ignore it. Supporting a safe sport means speaking up when something isn't right and reporting concerns through the appropriate club or Bowls SA processes. Whether the behaviour occurs on the green, at the club, on the sidelines or online, early intervention helps protect participants and maintain the positive culture we all want to see. Together We Can Grow the Future of Bowls The future of our sport depends on attracting and retaining the next generation of bowlers. Every smile, every word of encouragement, every respectful online interaction and every act of good sportsmanship helps create a positive experience for young people stepping onto the green. Let's continue to make our clubs places where every junior feels safe, valued and excited to be part of the bowls community. Because every great bowler starts somewhere—and every young player deserves a safe place to belong, both on and off the green. s.
This material represents general advice only and is made available on the understanding that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. Before relying on the material in any important matter, users should carefully evaluate the accuracy, completeness and relevance of the information, and should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstance
ASK THE UMPIRE Q: What happens if the jack is damaged during play?
- The umpire after an appeal has been made by the players.
A: If the jack is damaged during the course of play, the umpire must decide if a replacement jack is needed. Law 30.1. If a replacement jack is needed, the end will be declared dead. Law 30.2 and Law 20 will apply. Law 20: A dead end is not counted as a completed end even if all the bowls required to be played have been played. A dead end must be played in the same direction unless the skips agree to play it in the complete opposite direction. If the end is declared dead, the first to play in that end must also play first when the end is replayed,
- Agreement between the players when an umpire or a representative of the Controlling Body is not present. Law 33.1.
Q: Who can make a call to enforce stoppage of play? A: A game can be stopped because of darkness, weather conditions or any other valid reason by: - The Controlling Body or an authorised person in the absence of the Controlling Body.
Q: One of the third players accidentally displaces the bowl when marking it as a toucher. What action must be taken? A: If a bowl is displaced by a player when marking it as a toucher, or by equipment being used by a player during measuring, or an opponent must put it back to its former position. Law 37.4.1. Q: A bowl in its origional course is displaced by a team member of the team who delivered the bowl and does not disturb the head. What should happen? A: The opposing Skip must declare the bowl dead. Law 37.1.1.1. Q: In Sets Play who plays in the second set?
A: The winner of the first set must place the mat and deliver the jack and first bowl. If the set is drawn, the winner of the last scoring end in that set must place the mat and then deliver the jack and first bowl. Law 56.4.2. Q: If a player leaves the green due to illness, how long can the player delay play before he must return? A: No player must delay play by leaving the rink of pay or their team unless their opponent agrees, and then only for no more than 10 minutes. Q: Is it legal for a player to place his foot between the jack and the bowl to measure the distance during an end? A: No measuring will be allowed before the process of deciding the number of shots scored starts. If a player measures before the process of deciding the number of shots scored starts, the defaulting team will deliver their remaining bowls to complete the end. Law 23.3. Placing a foot, or any other item, on the ground, between the jack and bowl is a form of measurring.
Do you have a Laws of the Sport Question for the Officiating Committee? Send it through to reception@bowlssa.com.au
Dear Club, Members and Friends, We’re pleased to share the latest updates on the Sports Vouchers Plus program. Below you’ll find important information on upcoming changes and system improvements to support a smooth and efficient claims process. Thank you for your continued support and for the important role you play in delivering the program across South Australia. MALINAUSKAS LABOR GOVERNMENT’S ELECTION COMMITMENT The Sports Vouchers Plus program is being further expanded to include children 16 to 18 years old. This means from 1 January 2027, all children aged 5 to 18 years old
(inclusive) will be eligible to use 2 x $100 vouchers towards the costs of sport, active recreation or music fees.
rently anticipated in 2028. We look forward to sharing further updates and engaging with providers as development progresses.
SYSTEM CHANGES We are continuing to explore ways to make the voucher claim process simpler and more efficient for providers. One of the key initiatives being considered is the introduction of a Parent Portal. Through this portal, parents would register and manage their own details, including child Medicare information, date of birth and demographic details, and receive voucher codes for the calendar year. Providers would then use these voucher codes when submitting claims. This project is still in the early planning stages, with rollout cur-
REMINDER: 2026 CLAIM CUT-OFF IS 31 JANUARY 2027 Please note that for all 2026 voucher claims, extensions beyond the cut-off date of 31 January 2027 will not be granted. To support timely processing and minimise delays, we encourage providers to submit voucher claims during the 2026 calendar year wherever possible. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 714 990 or via email at sportsvouchers@sa.gov.au.
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES We are offering the opportunity to place an advertisement in the newly refurbished Bowls SA ‘The Bowler’ Newsletter. The newsletter is published to our wide demographic through our channels of email, website and social media utilising the ISSUU platform once a month. With 213 clubs and over 40,000 members we have an all inclusive audience of all ages and backgrounds that reaches every corner of South Australia. During the peak bowls periods our Facebook obtains a reach of over 74,000 thousand and 556,000 views.
$600 One A4 full colour page ad, position at the digression of the business minus, the front and back cover
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One A4 full colour page ad
One half A4 full colour page ad
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CONTACT BOWLS SA TO DISCUSS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND ORGANISE AN ADVERTISEMENT TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS! Lachlan Dand Brand and Commercial Officer
0497 338 405 08 8234 7544
marketing.media@bowlssa.com.au reception@bowlssa.com.au
www.bowlssa.com.au