History of the Junior Inter-Zone Championships McLachlan Junior Challenge Trophy

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This trophy was donated and presented by Mr Cliff McLachlan, President of New Zealand Indoor Bowls 1978 -1979, at the inaugural North versus South match at Christchurch in 1995.
The event was introduced to provide further competition following the Junior Singles Tournament each year. It is a prestigious event for the junior players and selection for the teams is keenly sought.
The executive accepted that this event had much potential and should be encouraged. Mr McLachlan in presenting the trophy emphasised the importance of junior players, which are vital for the survival of the game.
The Canterbury/Westland Sports Trust provided a Fair Play Charter which was framed and hung in the Canterbury Indoor Bowls Association Hall, Kearneys Road, Christchurch in recognition of the inaugural event.
Initially nine players consisting of a four, triple and pair who each played one game represented each Island.
In 1996 it was lengthened to include two games each of fours, triples and pairs.
In 1999 in an effort to balance the zones more equally the districts of Wellington, North Wellington, Hutt Valley and Upper Hutt Valley were added to the Southern zone for the selection of team members. (In 2001 the Wellington district went into recess).