Timaru Association were all set to host the Island Championships back in 2020, until of course, the world was met with a pandemic and New Zealand was placed into lockdown. Instead, Timaru were offered to host the 2023 Island Championships, and here we are, counting down the days until King’s Birthday Weekend.
The event has attracted 80 pairs teams, 40 fours, and 50 triples, with bowlers travelling from all over the South Island, and a handful floating down from the North. Gary and Graham Low have returned to defend all three titles, with trusty teammates Warwick Gray and Jan Low in tow to help them. The pairs section in particular will test the form of the father-son duo, with Ashley Diamond/Brandon Fuge and Michael Lawson/Stephen Preddy making up two of their opposition sides.
An exciting fours section to watch will include the new combination of Daniel French, Nathan Trowell, Matthew Foster and Keri Te Tamaki; up against Ashley Diamond, Brandon Fuge, Sheree Holmes and Bev Diamond. Local favourites and current NZ Mixed Pairs Champions, John Whiting and Jenelle Lockyer, combine with David and Mary Mealings and will be another competitive side in the mix.
Section One of the Triples is steady all ‘round, with one team skipped by the vastly experienced Simon Thomas, and another skipped by the valued Mat Black reserve, Kylie Gould. The quality of the field is evident as you glance across the rest of the sections, and the trio of South Island representatives - Hayden Warnes, Grant Wilson, and Robert Wilson - are one of the many teams who stand out.
Wishing all competitors the best of luck and a terrific three days of indoor bowls.