Grovers ready to roll in VBL2

OCEAN Grove Bowling Club (OGBC) athletes will get the chance to compete against the state’s best lawn bowlers with the club announced as one of the Victorian Bowls League’s (VBL) newest franchises.

Club CEO Nathan O’Neill says OGBC is one of eight new clubs to join the VBL for Season 2 (VBL2).

“We aim to optimise our bowls pathways from grassroots to elite at Ocean Grove Bowling Club and being involved in VBL2 is an integral step forward to provide a greater pathway for our athletes,” Mr O’Neill said.

“We’ve just completed drafting up our strategic five-year plan and this lines up with that extremely well.”

OGBC joins the VBL following the success of the league’s inaugural 2022 season.

All eight franchises from the inaugural VBL season will return for VBL2 alongside the eight new franchises, beginning play from July 29.

Other clubs competing in Season 2 include Dandenong, Sunbury, Moama, Deer Park, and Warrnambool.

“We continually challenge our members to reach new heights, this will be another opportunity to benchmark ourselves against some of the best,” general manager of bowls development Matt Flapper said.

“After a highly successful season, including being crowned State Champions, the Grovers are up for the challenge, our best is good enough and we look forward to being part of VBL2.”

The club plans to undergo a redevelopment beginning this year building a world-class undercover 16-rink bowling complex.

Mr O’Neill says the committee is looking forward to seeing the redevelopment come to fruition over the next 12-18 months.

“The completion of our future redevelopment will further advance us in having a local and national prominence,” he said.

“The redevelopment will lure major events to the community to increase tourism and deliver positive economic growth.”

With VBL2 commencing in just over a month, the remaining franchises will be announced in the coming weeks.

The full VBL2 schedule can be found at www.bowlsvic.org.au/bv-events/victorian-bowls-league/