Bowls centre nears 50

Press, 10 December 1982, Page 19

Bowls centre nears 50

This summer is a big one for the Christchurch Womens Bowling Centre. Not only will the centre host the national championships in February, but it .is also celebrating its fiftieth jubilee. The centre was formed in February. 1933. when the four clubs operating at that time — Beckenham. Sydenham. Spreydon and Linwood — held a meeting. The main aim at that time was the establishment of an interclub competition. Today there are 61 clubs affiliated to the centre and they cater for about 2500

bowlers. There are large numbers in some of the North Island centres, but none can boast as many clubs as there are under the wing of the Christchurch centre. In the early days, the women's centre received assistance from the men's centre, but it was soon in a position to 1 manage its own affairs and many of the tournaments and championships which exist today were started in the first five or six years. In 1936, the Christchurch centre joined forces with the Dunedin centre in forming a

South Island .council, which eventually led the South Island becoming part of the national association and the start, in 1951. of an annual Dominion tournament. By the time of the centre's twenty-first birthday in 1954. the number of clubs had grown to 32 with a total membership of nearly 600. The jubilee will be celebrated with a luncheon at the Town Hall on April 8. The occasion is also being marked by the presentation of specially-designed certificates to all centre title winners this season.