Ballina bowlers qualify for state titles on home soil

BALLINA lawn bowlers will have the chance to compete on home soil when the club hosts the state championships in March.

In a major coup for the region, Cherry Street Sports Ballina, Club Lennox and Plateau Sports Alstonville will host about 800 bowlers over two weeks of competition.

It will be just the second time the event has been held outside of Sydney after it was held at Dubbo this year.

Gary Devlin, Stuart Jamieson, Phil Power and Indi Conlan from Cherry Street Sports will compete in the fours after winning the regional qualifier against Byron Bay.

They will be joined by Ballina’s Maree Grant and John Harley in the mixed pairs with the club hopeful of having a senior men’s team qualify.

Bowls NSW CEO Tim Rowe said the event will bring a $1.5 million economic boost to the community.

“It is important that we look to support regional Australia by moving these events to areas that will benefit significantly from them,” he said.

“These locations have so much to offer, and I am certain that the Northern Rivers region is an ideal location given the weather and holiday destination that this area is known to be.

“I should also note the incredible state of the greens in this region and the facilities that the clubs here offer.”

Cherry Street Sports will be the main host venue, with Bowls NSW deciding to bring the state titles to the region again in 2027.

“This recognition allows us to represent our region and showcase our top-notch facilities to the entire state,” Cherry Street Sports CEO Tere Sheehan said.

“Our profit-for-purpose business model is centred on giving back to our community and by hosting this prestigious event, we continue to support the foundational values of our club.”

Cherry Street Sports is also gearing up for a major event when it hosts the Summerland Series between Christmas and New Year.

Some of the best competitors in the country will be part of the Bowlers Paradise Pairs from December 27–29 and the Taylors Bowls Singles from January 3–5.

Former event champions and Australian Jackaroos members Ben Twist and Corey Wedlock will be among the field competing for a prize pool worth $26,500.