Sport
30 September, 2025
Revamped bowls competition set for action
The Goldfields Playing Area is gearing up for another season of tantalising weekend and midweek pennants, with some massive competition changes happening to the weekend pennant.
Starting this Saturday, October 4, the weekend pennants will now host three divisions, with division two and the new division three to be played over two rinks, with teams made up of eight bowlers.
After having six teams last season, eight sides will battle it out for the division one crown in the 2025/26 season, and will remain with teams having 12 bowlers.
Maryborough Golf currently holds the distinction of division one premiers after their thrilling grand final victory over Dunolly Blue last season, which was decided by one shot.
Their triumph ended a spell of dominance from the Maryborough Highlands Society, who won the last three premierships. They will be keen to contend for their fourth premiership in five seasons this campaign.
Avoca and Talbot are the other two teams that remain in division one from last season, with division two reigning premiers Carisbrook, last season’s minor premiers Newstead, and Maldon all making the jump to the top division.
With Carisbrook, Newstead and Maldon all making finals last season, that leaves the door wide open for all teams contending for the ultimate prize in the revamped division two.
The introduction of division three has allowed division two to shift from 11 teams to eight, eliminating weekly byes from the schedule.
The Maryborough Highlands Society and Dunolly have entered two teams in division two, with Avoca, Bridgewater, Talbot and last year’s runner-up Maryborough Golf rounding out the sides.
A total of six teams will battle it out in the new division three competition, emanating from Avoca, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Newstead, Maldon and the Maryborough Highlands Society.
Annette Gillham, who has taken over from Jason Arthur as the Goldfields Match Committee chairperson, said the new weekend format is the best way to encourage new people into bowls, while still maintaining competitive divisions.
“We want to make it more attractive to the people who are still developing. We want them to feel they have somewhere to play, while also making it more attractive for the smaller towns to have two teams,” she said.
“We had lots of meetings and debates over winter. We had a lot of clubs last year that said they had people sitting at home, not bowling and they had no way of fitting them in.
“We primarily have this set up because we found in division two, there were a lot of players who were new to the game who might not have been at the standard of division two.
“We are hoping that division three will be a social and competitive league for everyone.”
While the weekend pennant has gone through a host of changes, the midweek pennant will remain very similar, starting on Tuesday, October 7, with eight teams of 12 players.
Following their grand final demolition of Maryborough Golf, Maryborough Highlands Society Tartan will aim to make it three midweek pennants on the trot in the 2025/26 season.
All the other teams that competed in last season’s midweek pennant have returned for another go around this season.
After making the finals last season, Dunolly Blue and Talbot will hope to build on that success this campaign, while Maryborough Highlands Society Gold, Avoca, Carisbrook and Dunolly Gold will be fighting to take their spot inside the top four.
Gillham said she is excited for the upcoming season to roll into action this weekend.
“I wish the best of luck to all the teams and all the bowlers and I hope that everyone supports each other and supports all the clubs,” she said.
