Mairangi Bay Bowling Club has celebrated an outstanding season, culminating in the highest honour at the recent Bowls North Harbour Awards and prizegiving, being named North Harbour Bowling Club of the Year for 2025/26. The prestigious award recognises far more than success on the greens. It acknowledges excellence in competition, club development, community engagement, facilities, coaching, and volunteer support. Mairangi Bay excelled in all areas.
The club's bowlers also enjoyed exceptional individual success. Sheryl Wellington was named Supreme Bowler of the Year and Umpire of the Year, while Theresa Rogers took out the Women's Bowler of the Year award. Garth Partridge received the President's Cup, and Tony James was recognised for his selection in the New Zealand Blind Jacks team.
Perhaps the club's most remarkable on-green achievement was its dominance in the North Harbour Interclub 7s competition, winning all three divisions: Men's, Women's and Mixed – an unprecedented result. Mairangi Bay also secured several other Bowls North Harbour championship titles, particularly in women's events.
But sporting success is only part of the story.
A strong connection with the local community has long been a cornerstone of the club's philosophy. Mairangi Bay Bowling Club works closely with neighbouring organisations including the Mairangi Bay Fishing Club, Surf Club and Tennis Club, all of which regularly use the club's facilities. The club also keeps residents informed through regular contributions to the Mairangi Bay Village News and hosts a variety of Bowls New Zealand and Bowls North Harbour events throughout the year.
One of its most popular initiatives is the annual Business House Bowls competition, run over spring and summer. The programme regularly sells out and attracts a waiting list of teams eager to take part. Participants are also offered a special limited membership that allows them to compete in the club's half-day tournaments.
This winter, the club introduced a new Winter Tuesdays programme featuring four different half-day bowling formats. The initiative has proven extremely popular with both members and visiting bowlers, adding a fun and social dimension to the winter calendar.
Membership growth remains another focus. Following the success of last year's Have a Go Day, which attracted new players to the sport, the club will host another event on Sunday 27 September, welcoming anyone interested in giving bowls a try.
Community fundraising is also a key part of club life. Mairangi Bay Bowling Club proudly supports the Harcourts Pink Ribbon fundraiser and regularly hires out its clubrooms to a wide range of community groups, including the East Coast Bays National Party.
Behind the scenes, the club continues to invest heavily in its facilities. Members enjoy two high-quality grass greens and an artificial carpet green, allowing play throughout the winter months. The grass greens are maintained by an experienced greenkeeper, while the carpet surface is cared for by Tiger Turf, ensuring excellent playing conditions year-round.
Player development is equally important, with regular coaching available to bowlers of all skill levels.
The club has also refreshed its look, unveiling a new club shirt this year that has received enthusiastic feedback from both members and visiting players. Work is already underway on a new club jacket to complement the updated uniform.
Like most successful community organisations, the club depends on the dedication of volunteers. From board members to those who help behind the scenes, countless people contribute their time and energy to keep the club thriving.
It is this combination of competitive success, community spirit, first-class facilities and volunteer commitment that has earned Mairangi Bay Bowling Club the title of North Harbour Club of the Year.
Among the other major award winners on the night were Neil Fisher (Browns Bay), winner of the Open Men's Award, and Lloyd Sinton (Browns Bay) and Deanne Bronlund (Hobsonville), who received the One-to-Five Year Awards.
