The St George National Under 26 Pairs is continuing to build strong momentum in its second year, with entries up 50% from the inaugural event. Next weekend, 18 teams, 36 of the country’s leading age-grade bowlers, will descend on Mt Eden Bowls to compete for the title in what has become a premier age-grade event on the national calendar.
Headlining the field are defending champions Hannah Dawson and Henrietta Scott, who return looking to defend the title they claimed in the tournament’s inaugural year. They will face strong opposition from across the country, including Taranaki’s rising stars Briar Atkinson and Camron Horo. The pair, both in the New Zealand Blackjack squad, arrive in outstanding form after claiming the World Bowls Junior Indoor Championship Mixed Pairs title in Ireland last December, adding international pedigree to an already impressive field.
The tournament has attracted combinations from Auckland, Far North, North Harbour, Wellington, Taranaki, and Counties Manukau, alongside a composite pairing from Wellington and Bay of Plenty, highlighting the growing national interest in the event. While the field spans much of the North Island, we hope to see growth in South Island representation in future editions of the event.
Competition begins on Saturday, with each team playing four qualifying matches to determine the top eight teams. The leading eight pairs will progress to Sunday’s championship section, where they will be randomly drawn into a knockout bracket to decide the overall champions. Teams finishing outside the top eight will still have plenty to play for, contesting three additional rounds in a plate competition, ensuring all players remain active and competitive across the weekend.
Beyond the competition itself, the event carries a deeper purpose. The tournament honours the legacy of St George Bowls, formerly known as Papatoetoe RSA Bowls. The club was unfortunately forced to close in 2024 after losing its lease on council land, which has since been earmarked for future community centre development.
Rather than allowing the club’s legacy to fade, the outgoing committee worked alongside Bowls Auckland to establish a fund using the remaining club assets. The initiative is designed to support and promote youth bowls in the Auckland region, with a particular focus on opportunities for players aged under 26.
The St George National Under 26 Pairs now stands as a centrepiece of that vision, providing emerging players with a high-quality competitive platform while also strengthening the pathway for the next generation of elite bowlers.
With a deeper field, national representation, and rising international talent involved, this year’s event promises two days of high-quality competition and a glimpse into the future of New Zealand bowls.
We are calling all locals to come down and watch the action, and if you can’t, finals day will be broadcast on Sky TV and Bowls Auckland’s YouTube channel from 11 am on Sunday, 22 March.