Players with disabilities will be displaying their exceptional skills on the bowling green at the Mount Maunganui club from November 10-13.

A record 56 bowlers from around the country have entered the annual ParaBowls NZ nationals, which have been played for more than 10 years. The Bay is hosting the event for the first time.

“Para bowls continues to grow strongly,” said tournament organiser Graham Skellern. “In the early days there were up to 20 players competing in the event; now the numbers have tripled.

“This is an exciting time for para bowls, which has become more and more inclusive in the sport. Para bowlers now have the opportunity of competing in the Commonwealth Games and world championships, alongside the able-bodied bowlers.

“The ParaBowls NZ nationals is a stepping stone to international representation and those big events,” says Skellern.

Dunedin’s Darron Wolland, who represented New Zealand in the 2023 world champs on the Gold Coast, is defending his singles title at the Mount.

Pairs winners Bruce Sayers (Cambridge) and Lawrence Wickliffe (Waihī) are back for another tilt at the titles.

Singles and pairs qualifying takes place on Monday and Tuesday and the finals day on Thursday will be livestreamed.

The Para nationals are the start of a big summer of bowls for the Mount club and the Bay.

The Mount is the headquarters for the Bowls NZ men’s and women’s open fours and mixed pairs championships from February 19-26, attracting up to 1000 bowlers. Greens throughout the Bay will be used for the major tournament.

-Contributed content