The South-East winter coaching programme, which kicked off on 22 June, has wrapped up in style, reaching a thrilling finish with the Canoe, Campi and ABCA events. Over seven weeks, more than 50 keen bowlers from East Tāmaki, Maraetai, Pakuranga, Royal Oak, Carlton, Kohimarama, and a strong Howick crew gathered every week for some top-notch training.
This season has been a huge success, with the Canoe and ABCA trophies now proudly displayed in our cabinet, thanks to some strong performances in the Campi Cup as well.
A massive shout-out goes to our dedicated coaches: Bob Loudon, Richard Ludbrook, Tony Mitcheson, Harry Williams, Gary Finnemore, Diane Harris, Linda Fenton, and Kevin Hooper. Their unwavering commitment to the players every Saturday has paid off with the outstanding results we’ve seen this year.
Canoe Cup
We entered eight teams in the Canoe Cup, with three of them advancing to post-section play. A special congratulations to Steve Campbell, Simon Gao, Frans Bos, and Colin Ayris-Webster for their unbeaten run to claim the Cup. It’s a shout-out to Craig Rush, James Drake, Wes Ward, and John Aisher for securing third place, while Steve Waltham, Hamish Nicholls, Dave Cowley, and Guy Orr finished a commendable sixth.
Campi Cup
The South-East put forward five teams in the Campi event, a fierce round-robin event held over two days. Three of our teams finished in the top eight, with Lana Dowdell, Hannah Dawson, and Dana Taylor taking home third place overall. Bravo!
ABCA Cup
With a large pool of eager players, we entered 10 teams in the ABCA Cup. Despite the adverse weather cutting the event short to just three rounds, three of our teams went undefeated. The ultimate winners were Steve Campbell, Sarah Childs, Simon Gao, and Sue Carroll, who emerged as the 2024 ABCA Cup champions. Outstanding effort!
Throughout the winter programme, the level of competition was exceptional, highlighting the growth of our players over the coaching programme. The results speak volumes about the dedication and hard work put in by our players and coaches. The players demonstrated technical skills and adaptability to the varying conditions and opponents, from calm winds to near-ideal weather – the unpredictable conditions of last Saturday.
Congratulations to all our players! Regardless of individual results, they’ve shown tremendous commitment to improving their game and supporting one another. We wish them the best of luck in the upcoming season, especially those 5-year players who now graduate to the major ranks.
A big thank you goes out to all the club members who helped set up the greens each week and supported our players throughout the events. Your efforts and encouragement were key to our success. A special mention to those who provided hospitality and support during the ABCA Cup at Howick Club. Despite the rain, the camaraderie and spirit of our club truly shone through.
It has been an absolute pleasure to be involved, and I’m incredibly proud to represent the Howick Club and the Southeast region in this role.
