MEMBERS of the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region have taken out the men\u2019s and women\u2019s top spots in this year\u2019s Provincial Championships.<\/p>\n
Held every year since at least the 1980s, the event saw BHBR members compete against players from the Geelong Bowls Region, and Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region at Sebastopol Bowling Club last Sunday.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s win was an inaugural one, with the event marking the inclusion of a female division into the championships for the first time.<\/p>\n
BHBR secretary and men\u2019s team manager Wayne Morgan said the dual victories are a massive win for the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeelong and Bendigo have traditionally been very strong, and we\u2019ve performed well in other years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this is a big one for the women, and for the men it\u2019s the first time they\u2019ve won since 2013.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s over three rounds and both teams were behind coming into the last round with the men five points behind Bendigo and the women about the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat came up over the last round in both divisions to take home the trophies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Six rinks of three games were played between the men, while four rinks of three games were held for the women.<\/p>\n
More than 70 men and almost 50 women took part in the championships, with 24 male and 16 female players representing BHBR which is made up of 35 clubs.<\/p>\n
Mr Morgan said the women\u2019s win, as well as the introduction of a female shield, showcased a strong diversity of participation in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have some very strong female bowlers in the region. You look at the Saturday pennant teams and you\u2019ll see women scattered throughout what was also traditionally a men\u2019s competition,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur board made this suggestion to the other regions for women to be included. It\u2019s a big event and why shouldn\u2019t we have women involved?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aim of bowls is to be inclusive as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following BHBR\u2019s win, the region will compete in next year\u2019s Region Sides Championships in early January, which will see players from across Victoria competing for the top state title.<\/p>\n
Normally held in Moama, those Championships will also be held locally at Sebastopol, Webbcona, Victoria, and Central Wendouree bowling clubs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEMBERS of the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region have taken out the men\u2019s and women\u2019s top spots in this year\u2019s Provincial Championships. Held every year since at least the 1980s, the event saw BHBR members compete against players from the Geelong Bowls Region, and Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region at Sebastopol Bowling Club last Sunday. The […]<\/p>\n