Will Johnston
One of the region’s largest bowling clubs is inviting registrations to commemorate its 100th jubilee.
New Plymouth’s Paritutu Bowling Club will mark this significant milestone over Easter Weekend this year. The schedule includes a mixture of social and bowling events across the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
A centenary dinner is scheduled for Saturday night, featuring broadcasters and guest speakers John McBeth and Grant Nisbett. Nisbett is a familiar face at the Taranaki Open, while McBeth has commentated at numerous bowling events, including World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Centenary committee member Trevor Keightley said registration can be completed in various ways.
“Individuals can pick up a registration form at the club, or find all the details on our website,” he said.
Much has evolved at the Calvert Road site since its inception in 1924. Discussions about drink prices dominated committee meetings in earlier years. In 1968, cigarettes and soft drinks were priced at 30 cents and five cents, respectively. Two years later, soft drinks increased to 10 cents, with a three-cent refund on bottles.
Further deliberations occurred in 1973 and 1977, with the price of a cup of tea set at 15 cents during weekdays and 20 cents at other times.
One of the most noticeable transformations was the expansion of the clubrooms and the development of the indoor stadium, completed in April 1997. This addition has proven invaluable for the club and its governing body, Bowls Taranaki, often serving as a venue for major events impacted by wet weather.
The club stands as a premier venue for the men’s and women’s Taranaki Open, and it’s one of many Taranaki clubs set to host the upcoming Dominion Fours event organized by Bowls New Zealand.
Keightley remarked that hosting such significant tournaments outside major centers is rare, but the club has demonstrated its ability to manage large events.
“The Nationals will be no different from the Open.”
In another significant move for the club, the men’s and ladies’ clubs merged in the 2008/09 season.
Paritutu has enjoyed its share of success over the years, including a recent victory in January when its quartet of Don Christensen, Rodger Hassall, Dean Elgar, and skip Darren Goodin claimed the title at the 119th Taranaki men’s Open fours, fittingly held at their home club.
Pihama and Manaia bowling clubs are also set to celebrate their 125th jubilees this year.
Pihama will host a tournament on Saturday, May 4, while Manaia will hold a men’s fours event on Taranaki Anniversary weekend, with the ladies’ event on Saturday, April 15.
Keightley emphasised the importance of collaborating with other clubs to prevent scheduling conflicts during their respective celebrations.
Courtesy of Sports News Taranaki: https://sportsnewstaranaki.co.nz/news-article?id=1655