Comm games set to roll up

THE best lawn bowlers in the world will converge on Bendigo at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Last week, Bendigo Bowls Club was announced as the host location for the lawn bowls event.

The club joins Bendigo Stadium, which will host netball, as the second local site to host competition.

Minister for Commonwealth Games delivery and member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan, said there will be plenty of positives when the games come to town in four years time.

“The Commonwealth Games will deliver major benefits to the regions, and it is fantastic to see local clubs including Bendigo Bowls Club and Bendigo Stadium will soon become the home of some of the world’s best athletes,” she said.

Bendigo Bowls Club, established in 1872, has developed its fair share of top talent, including 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gold medallist Aaron Wilson.

At the Gold Coast games, 250 athletes from 28 nations competed in the event.

The Victorian 2026 games will be held between 17 and 29 March, with the opening ceremony at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Bendigo is a regional hub, along with Ballarat, Geelong and Gippsland, and it is hoped the games will create additional housing, better sports facilities and more jobs.

“Not only will the Games provide a boost to jobs, hospitality and our local economy, but it will also allow use to share our incredible regional communities with the rest of the world,” Ms Allan said.