http://www.opunakecoastalnews.co.nz/pdfarchives/September%2022%202022.pdf
OPUNAKE & COASTAL NEWS Thursday, September 22, 2022
Manaia’s own Auckland Cup was being competed for when the Manaia Bowling Club had their opening day on September 11. It all harks back to when a couple of busloads of Aucklanders would travel to Hawera for the Easter Trots, meet at the Waimate Hotel in Manaia and play bowls at the local bowling club. In appreciation of their stay in Manaia they presented a trophy to the Manaia Bowling Club which can be competed for in either triples or fours. On Opening Day they were playing triples. “This is a real good turnout for opening day,” said Ross Clark, who for the past six years has been club president. “The club’s going really well. We’ve re-established the women’s bowls which is growing all the time and a couple of our ladies have made the Taranaki Juniors team for the last couple of seasons.” Membership currently stands at 40-45 playing members, and a number of new players were at the opening day, including Dee Young. “I played twice before, Manaia Bowling Club roll up for another year years ago,” she said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to join.”
The Manaia Bowling Club was founded in 1899, celebrated its centenary in 2000, and is looking forward to celebrating its 125th jubilee in February 2024. Those wanting to see something of the club’s history as well as that of other Manaia-based sporting clubs need look no further than the museum which bounds the southern end of the playing greens. As well as photos, records and honours boards from the Bowling Club’s 125 year-long history, there is memorabilia from other clubs, much of it previously kept in the Manaia Sports Complex, which like Manaia’s town hall was closed after failing to meet earthquake standards. “We’ve just started the museum,” says Ross. “We’ve got the tennis club to go up, and the Waimate Netball Club wants to put their photos on the wall.” Glance across the photos in the museum and familiar names of well-known local sporting identities come into view. These include a number who have both played for the local Waimate Rugby Club and represented New Zealand, like the Good brothers, Alan and Hugh, as well as Billy Glenn, a member of the 1905 Originals, the first team to be called All Blacks, and the first All Black to later serve as an MP. Manaia Bowling Club secretary Megan Peters says the museum can be opened up on appointment. “This is quite cool,” she said. “We’ve had a bus stop here to have a look from the Hawera Park Bowling Club.” Kelvin Putt has been a member for the last 40 years and says in his time he has held every position in the club. He has seen a number of highlights along the way, including being part of the Manaia team that were the Taranaki Third Division Inter Club champions in 2017-18.
Last year the Manaia Club ended a 10 year drought by winning the Symes Shield for Men’s Fours which is competed for every year between clubs in the Taranaki Southern Division. As well as looking to its past, the club is also looking to its future with refurbishments to its club rooms including a new roof, new windows and a paint job. The Manaia Bowling Club is becoming something of a hub for the community. The Manaia RSA are now based here, and have shifted their honours boards and memorabilia from the War Memorial Hall to the club rooms. Another new addition, installed less than a month ago is the defibrillator, handily located on the outside wall a short distance from the entrance to the bowling green. Ross says the defibrillator is available to the general public 24/7, doesn’t need any codes and is under security camera surveillance.