Island Championships History

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The Federation executive recognised that the high cost of travel to the National Championships affected entries and they took steps in 1958 to officially recognise a tournament in the Island not holding the National Championships.
This practice has continued and expanded into an Island Championship with winners receiving badges from the Federation. A district runs this championship to rules and conditions laid down by the Federation and is held in the Island not hosting the National Championships for that year.
The Island Championships are held on Queen's Birthday weekend prior to the National Championships and are generally held two years in the South Island and then one year in the North Island. Initially only pairs and fours were played but triples were introduced in 1997. The only Gold Star holder for five South Island Championships titles is Leon McLennan from Canterbury who achieved this distinction in 1992.