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We were fortunate that when the Club opened its doors in January 1968 there were a considerable number of members who had been playing bowls elsewhere for some years. Consequently, a committee was formed almost immediately and the Indoor Bowls Section became established.
An indication of the enthusiasm of that committee is that by late 1968 they were organising the inaugural National Workingmens and Cosmopolitan Clubs Indoor Bowls Tournament which was held at Papatoetoe in 1969, and spearheading the formation of what was to become the Northern Area Indoor Bowls Association.
It is fitting that Papatoetoe is the host club for the 21st Nationals in June 1989, in conjunction with Northern Area, marking the "coming of age" of the tournament.
It is also worth noting that, mainly through the efforts of the late Doug Jones on behalf of Northern Area, the Chartered Clubs now have direct representation to the N.Z. Indoor Bowls Federation.
A point that should not be missed about those early days is that the bowls area and snooker table were side by side, and this led to considerable intermingling among members and engendered a unique and co-operative spirit between the two sections which still exists. Long may this continue!
Having started the Nationals, it is perhaps disappointing that the club has won only one title - Russ Smith and Ray Broughton, Pairs 1972 (in an all-Papatoetoe final) - but our representatives have been close on several occasions. The Nationals are an important part of inter-club relationships, and one who has been outstanding in representing this club is Dave Wilson, having played in all but one of the twenty tournaments. An indication of the spirit of these tournaments is that in 1978 the Riccarton club put up a trophy (the "Green Horse") for contest with our club determined on the relative standings of the two clubs in the National results.
The local inter-club Moa Shield competition for indoor sports sections (covered well in the Snooker Section report) has seen the Indoor Bowls Section normally well up in the rankings, and we have won the bowls section trophy for the past three years.
We also participate in the Northern Area Challenge Shield competition and have held that trophy on several
The section has been very fortunate over the years for the willingness of able people to serve on the committee and work in the interest of the sport. It would be unfair to single out any one person - each of us can think of several names - but bowls players should be grateful for the time and effort which has been put in without expectation of reward. based on Papatoetoe Cosmopolitan Club 25th Anniversary Celebration brochure |
