Club Dubbo's ability to stage big events was on full display last weekend, when 120 of the state's best junior male and female bowlers contested the NSW Junior 7-a-Side Championships.
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Hundreds of supporters, spectators and officials were treated to some amazing bowls over the 2 days of competition which was played under brilliant sunshine and on superbly prepared greens.
The importance of the event was highlighted by the fact that local state MP, Dugald Saunders, had the honour of opening these prestigious championships.
In the three associated disciplines, singles pairs and fours, each of the state's 16 zones gave their best efforts.
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However, in the final wash-up, Sydney's Zone 12, consisting of strong clubs such as St John's Park and Cabramatta, proved too good overall to claim the Shield and bragging rights for 2019.
They edged out Zone 16 (Illawarra) by 2 points, with Zone 2 (Newcastle) in third place, a further point behind.
The local Zone 4 Green team finished a creditable fourth.
A highlight of the Zone 4 performance was that their team won gold medals in 2 of the 3 disciplines.
In the pairs, James Robinson (West Dubbo) and Jordan Thompson (Gulgong) were victorious, and in the fours, Dorian Abel (West Dubbo), Cooper McMullen (Dubbo Macquarie), Tom Rich (Mudgee) and Tom Bowman (Coonabarabran) also won.
The Bowls NSW officials in attendance were full of praise for Club Dubbo and the manner in which the event was run. This was due in no small way to the efforts of the club's bowls' manager, Anthony Brown, and his great team of helpers.
These included the greens, bar and catering staff, as well as the many club volunteers who assisted as markers, umpires, and running the BBQ and drink stalls.
The Club Dubbo junior committee was also hard at work, organising players' lunches and fund raising activities.
A special thanks goes to Woolworths at Orana Mall, West Dubbo IGA Blue's Meats for their wonderful donations for the weekend.
Junior bowls in the western region is strengthening, as evidenced by the inclusion of an additional Zone 4 side, as well as stand-in players for under-strength other zones.
Although not featuring in the medal count, these sides comprised younger bowlers with a very bright future in the game.
Club Dubbo, in its second year of a 4-year contract for this event, is proud to be a significant player in the sporting strength of the city of Dubbo.