Ettalong confirmed for national bowls championships

Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club has been confirmed as the venue for the 2019 Australian Sides Bowls Championships.

The Championships, which are sponsored by Central Coast Council, will see 192 of the sport's premier players from across all states and territories compete for the men's coveted Alley Shield, women's acclaimed Marj Morris Trophy, and the revered Overall Champions Trophy, from April 11 to 14.

The event, which boasts a history dating back 60 years, sees each state and territory field three rinks of four men, and three rinks of four women, and was last staged in NSW in 2011 at Nelson Bay.

Ettalong is among only a handful of NSW clubs that boast the four grass greens required to stage the national titles.

Mayor Cr Jane Smith welcomed the announcement and said the event would be a coup for the Peninsula.

"We're very pleased to welcome Australia's premier bowls players to the Central Coast," Cr Smith said.

"The Central Coast has a very active bowls community with many great bowls venues.

"Bowls Australia's decision to hold the national titles here is a nod to the contribution our local players make to this popular sport.

"I'm proud Council's Grants and Sponsorship Program has been able to support this event," she said.

Bowls Australia chief executive Mr Neil Dalrymple said the club and region were a perfect fit to hold the national title.

"Ettalong and the Central Coast region are particularly well placed to host the coveted Australian Sides Championships, coming up in a few short months, which is a fantastic showcase of the sport of bowls," Mr Dalrymple said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 6 Feb 2019

Aidan Davis, Bowls Australia