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Scoop
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland Bowling Club Named Club Of The Year At Bowls Awards
Press Release – Auckland Bowling Club In an event that blended history with high performance, Auckland Bowling Club, founded in 1861 and recognised as the oldest bowling club in the Southern Hemisphere,has been crowned Club of the Year at the 2025 Bowls Auckland Awards. The win marks a triumphant chapter in the storied legacy of the Stanley Street institution, which continues to evolve as a modern, high-achieving hub for competitive and social bowls in New Zealand. 'This honour is both a celebration of our past and a statement about our future,' said Manager Analiese Rands. 'For a club that has stood proudly for over 160 years, this award proves we're not just part of history — we're still setting the standard today.' A Modern Club Built on Heritage Auckland Bowling Club's success this season has been unparalleled, with strong player representation across all levels of competition, innovative community initiatives, and a reinvigorated club culture that blends tradition with innovation. In addition to the top club award, two of the club's brightest stars received the highest individual honours of the night: Lisa Prideaux was named Marlene Castle Women's Bowler of the Year, this season, Lisa made history by winning five Centre titles adding to her total of 13 Centre titles and earning her second Gold Star. She was also a Plate winner in the Women's Premier Singles, a National Pairs competitor, a member of the Auckland Premier Rep team, the Blackjacks Development Squad, and the Aotearoa Māori squad. Lisa also completed her Foundation Coaching Course this season and serves on the Auckland Bowling Club executive — further showcasing her dedication to the sport both on and off the green. Liam Hill was named Men's Bowler of the Year, the teen had a standout season, which included winning the Centre Triples and Molecheck 7s, finishing as runner-up in the National Under-26 Pairs, earning a bronze medal in the National Singles, and helping lead the Auckland Premier side to a runner-up finish at the National Intercentre Championships. Extraordinarily, most nominees for both Bowler of the Year categories came from Auckland Bowling Club along with most of the other incredible awards — a remarkable show of dominance that hasn't gone unnoticed by the wider bowls community. 'This was a blue-wash in every sense,' said Club Manager Nenad Rajic. 'To have mostly all the top nominees come from our club is a massive endorsement of what we're building — strong development pathways, a high-performance mindset, and a culture people want to be part of.' More Than Just a Club While the accolades speak volumes, Auckland Bowling Club's impact goes beyond results. The club has become a central hub in Auckland for both bowls and broader community activity — hosting twilight leagues, charity events, corporate functions, and welcoming new players through inclusive social bowls. Its legacy as the oldest club in the Southern Hemisphere remains a point of pride, but it's the club's ability to stay relevant, progressive and competitive that truly sets it apart in 2025. 'We honour our roots — 1861 is etched into everything we do,' said Rands. 'But this award shows we're not stuck in the past. We're leading the way into the future of bowls.' With planning already underway for the 2025–26 season, including development squads, summer twilight leagues, and expanded public events, Auckland Bowling Club is proving that age is no barrier to innovation — and excellence.
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Auckland Bowling Club Named Club Of The Year At Bowls Awards
In an event that blended history with high performance, Auckland Bowling Club, founded in 1861 and recognised as the oldest bowling club in the Southern Hemisphere, has been crowned Club of the Year at the 2025 Bowls Auckland Awards. The win marks a triumphant chapter in the storied legacy of the Stanley Street institution, which continues to evolve as a modern, high-achieving hub for competitive and social bowls in New Zealand. 'This honour is both a celebration of our past and a statement about our future,' said Manager Analiese Rands. 'For a club that has stood proudly for over 160 years, this award proves we're not just part of history — we're still setting the standard today.' A Modern Club Built on Heritage Auckland Bowling Club's success this season has been unparalleled, with strong player representation across all levels of competition, innovative community initiatives, and a reinvigorated club culture that blends tradition with innovation. In addition to the top club award, two of the club's brightest stars received the highest individual honours of the night: Lisa Prideaux was named Marlene Castle Women's Bowler of the Year, this season, Lisa made history by winning five Centre titles adding to her total of 13 Centre titles and earning her second Gold Star. She was also a Plate winner in the Women's Premier Singles, a National Pairs competitor, a member of the Auckland Premier Rep team, the Blackjacks Development Squad, and the Aotearoa Māori squad. Lisa also completed her Foundation Coaching Course this season and serves on the Auckland Bowling Club executive — further showcasing her dedication to the sport both on and off the green. Liam Hill was named Men's Bowler of the Year, the teen had a standout season, which included winning the Centre Triples and Molecheck 7s, finishing as runner-up in the National Under-26 Pairs, earning a bronze medal in the National Singles, and helping lead the Auckland Premier side to a runner-up finish at the National Intercentre Championships. Extraordinarily, most nominees for both Bowler of the Year categories came from Auckland Bowling Club along with most of the other incredible awards — a remarkable show of dominance that hasn't gone unnoticed by the wider bowls community. 'This was a blue-wash in every sense,' said Club Manager Nenad Rajic. 'To have mostly all the top nominees come from our club is a massive endorsement of what we're building — strong development pathways, a high-performance mindset, and a culture people want to be part of.' More Than Just a Club While the accolades speak volumes, Auckland Bowling Club's impact goes beyond results. The club has become a central hub in Auckland for both bowls and broader community activity — hosting twilight leagues, charity events, corporate functions, and welcoming new players through inclusive social bowls. Its legacy as the oldest club in the Southern Hemisphere remains a point of pride, but it's the club's ability to stay relevant, progressive and competitive that truly sets it apart in 2025. 'We honour our roots — 1861 is etched into everything we do,' said Rands. 'But this award shows we're not stuck in the past. We're leading the way into the future of bowls.' With planning already underway for the 2025–26 season, including development squads, summer twilight leagues, and expanded public events, Auckland Bowling Club is proving that age is no barrier to innovation — and excellence.
