Newsletter

Wilton Bowling News 

Introduction

The winter solstice has passed and the days are lengthening. We can look forward to Spring and the new summer bowling season starting in September. To keep all members whether full playing, associate or social, informed about what is happening at the Wilton Bowling Club, this Newsletter will be sent out from time to time. It is an adjunct to the information available on the website.

Barbara Leach

The first item of news is from Barbara Leach and her son Jonathan. Due to mobility issues Barbara is not renewing her membership this year. Jonathan wrote on her behalf to pass on

“her sincere appreciation for all the happy years she had playing bowls and socialising with all the members. She so thoroughly enjoyed it and misses it terribly.”

Well Barbara, we will miss you too, especially your lively chat, and your ability as lead to deliver winning bowls to a short jack!

Winter Activities

Sunny windless days have made roll ups on the Thorndon green enjoyable this winter, although later in the afternoon as shadows fall it can be very chilly. It’s great to have the company of Karori bowlers both on the green and at the bar afterwards. We will look forward to seeing more of them this summer season while their green is being renovated.

We have two teams in the winter competition at Naenae - 40m rink is challenging!

Two coaching sessions at Upper Hutt Bowling Club in July have revealed the secrets of better bowling – just need to translate these into reality on the green.

Interesting takeaways learnt:

●      Mental preparation and calmness are vital to success.

●      Bowls entering an adjacent rink and risking collision should be stopped and returned with the option to re-bowl.  Lifting bowls is out!

●      Training drills, coding, video recording and analysis can all be used to self-assess and improve performance.

●      In Australia, competitive games involve fist pumping, high fives and sledging!

●      Team dynamics improve with pre and post-match discussions about the game (car-pooling helpful)

●      High Performance coaches from Bowls Wellington are available to help Clubs.

Bowling Arm

Declining mobility is unfortunately for many of us, a natural consequence of getting older. An aim of the Club is to keep everyone bowling as long as possible. The exercise and social contact enhance wellbeing at any age. Using a bowling arm can compensate for limited flexibility and ability to bend down during the delivery.

 The proprietor of Bowls Specialists in Pretoria St, Lower Hutt explained that bowling arms are popular and many of his customers have improved their game with use of this accessory. Our club has a bowling arm, hanging behind the door of the clubhouse office, available for use by any of our bowling members. It provides an opportunity to try one out, before committing to buying.

Steps have been installed on two corners of each green to facilitate movement from the surrounding bank to the green. This has however resulted in difficulties with green keeping, which means modifications will be required. Options such as using moveable steps are being investigated as a possible solution.

Ready to Roll 5th October 2025

New Members are welcome to join the Club and at the beginning of the summer season an introductory day for new bowlers is planned. As part of an initiative from Bowls Wellington called Ready to Roll 2025, this event is scheduled for 1pm on Sunday 5th October at participating Clubs throughout Wellington, including our   Wilton Bowling Club.

Please let any friends or family know that this will be a chance to try out bowling in a novice friendly environment with club bowls and guidance on their use available. Social members who wish to become more involved with bowling will be welcome as well.

75th Anniversary of Wilton Bowling Club

The first bowling green in Wilton was opened for play on 17th February 1951, making February 2026 the 75th anniversary of this event. To celebrate the occasion a special tournament is planned for Friday and Saturday 6th and 7th February 2026, with a dinner on Friday night, and including commemorations of the clubs past activities.

It is proposed that the Wilton Jubilee Triples Tournament will feature significant prize money, attracting bowlers from across Wellington, from other areas of New Zealand, and even from Australia. Additional festivities will appeal to social members and the public. As well as celebrating 75 years it is hoped to boost member engagement, expand the club’s reach, generate revenue, and enhance the reputation of Wilton Bowling Club as a leading community sports venue.

Please note the dates 6th and 7th February, because whatever the format decided, this will not be an occasion to miss!