Due to the ongoing health and safety concerns regarding Covid-19, and the speed at which developments are occurring, Auckland Bowls has today reached the decision to suspend all bowling activity. This means all club events and tournaments, all school programmes and all social/corporate bowls events for the remainder of the 2019/2020 season are either cancelled or postponed (postponement date TBC).

This decision follows Bowls New Zealand’s update which provided the recommendation:

As of Friday 20^th March, Bowls New Zealand strongly recommends that (until further notice) all bowling clubs throughout the country be closed for all organised bowls events and activities. https://bowlsnewzealand.co.nz/featured/coronavirus-covid-19-update-18-03-20/

Please note – the following is effective immediately:

• • • 1-5 Year Fours – 28^th/29^th March – postponed
    • Champ of Champ Singles – 28^th/29^th March – postponed
    • Auckland Finals Day – 4^th/5^th April – postponed
    • Auckland Social Bowls Final – 5^th April – postponed
    • Champ of Champ Pairs – 9^th/10^th May – postponed
    • 1-5 Year Singles – 9^th/10^th May – postponed
    • Champ of Champ Triples – 16^th/17^th May – postponed
    • 1-5 Year Pairs – 16^th/17^th May – postponed
    • Champ of Champ Fours – 23^rd /24^th May – postponed
    • 1-5 Year Triples – 23^rd /24^th May – postponed
    • ALL Club Events and tournaments – cancelled /postponed
    • All social roll ups – cancelled
    • Auckland Bowls Awards Function – 21^st June cancelled /postponed

The health and safety of our bowls community is our top priority and, while the above restrictions do not prevent clubs from operating on their facilities, Auckland Bowls strongly recommends all clubs to adhere to current Ministry of Health regulations in this regard.

This is a challenging time for all. If you have questions or need any assistance at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please also consider the following contacts for you and your members, should they be required.

National helplines

• • • Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counselor
    • If you are in self-isolation, call Healthline first (0800 611 116). 
    • Lifeline– 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
    • Suicide Crisis Helpline– 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
    • Healthline– 0800 611 116
    • Samaritans– 0800 726 666
    • Your GP is a good starting point. For support with grief, anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing.
    • If you have been overseas within the last 14 days and develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath, phone Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number 0800 358 5453or contact your GP, including phoning ahead of your visit.
    • For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS

Stay safe and look after yourselves.