History

 

 

THE FIRST 80 YEARS OF NEWCASTLE DISTRICT

 

On the 13th February, 1913, eight ladies had a roll up on Hamilton Bowling Club's green. This was the commencement of ladies bowls in Newcastle.

Hamilton Women's Bowling Club was officially opened on the 17th February, 1914 with a three rink green. Torpey Place Women's Bowling and Croquet Club was officially opened on the 28th April, 1926 with 18 playing members, three bowling rinks and two croquet greens.

However the croquet section was abandoned in 1935 when a full bowling green was constructed. Sadly these two Clubs have now closed.

These Clubs were closely followed by Lambton Park, Newcastle South, Stockton, New Lambton, Raymond Terrace, Newcastle, Adamstown and Sulphide.

There were a number of Clubs associated early with our District and are now in the Hunter River District which was formed on the 27th November, 1951.

In 1934 the Newcastle and Northern District Association was formed with Clubs affiliating individually with the State Body. There was some disagreement regarding representation with the State and eventually Torpey Place, Newcastle and Toronto formed a breakaway group, who affiliated with the New South Wales Women’s Bowling Association and with Yamba formed the Northumberland District Women's Bowling Association on the 18th June, 1937. This was the first District affiliated as such with New South Wales Women's Bowling Association.

In 1941, those Clubs that were still with the Newcastle and Northern District, joined the Northumberland District which became the Newcastle District Women's Bowling Association in 1962.

In January, 2000, there was a boundary division in the Newcastle District and Lake Macquarie District Women's Bowling Association was formed.

In 2003, our District was incorporated. Over the years we have Representative Games, Rose Bowl with the Central Coast District, Howard Shield with the lllawarra District and the Friendship Trophy with the Lake Macquarie District and a Representative game with Bowls A.C.T.  All of these games are very competitive but very friendly. We also hold our Inter-District Day each year with the Hunter River District.

The honours brought to our district have been many and varied and far too numerous to list.

Natasha Scott and Molly Wilton senior and Junior Bowlers of the year for 2016, Kate Mathews excelling in her selection to play as a WBNSW junior. Maddison Fennell and Kelly Richards both champions on the green.

Our girls are always in the winners circle at State Championships and we are very proud of their achievements. State Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours as well as the Senior Pairs, Mixed Pairs and SeniorFours Newcastle is always well represented. 

Who could ever forget Kotara winning the WBNSW Grade 2 Pennant in 2014, Raymond Terrace being Grade 1 Runners Up in 2015. Lowlands winning their first pennant ever in 2016,and continuing on to the State Playoffs joining Fingal Bay in Grade 3.