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Mangawhai Bowls has been named Bowls Northland Club of the Year for 2026, for just the second time in the club’s history.
The award was presented at the Bowls Northland prizegiving on August 23 following a review of the club’s planning, participation, coaching and development, financial management and contribution to the sport.
At the prizegiving, coach and player Sue Wightman had another reason to celebrate, receiving her 20th Gold Bar after reaching 105 centre titles.
Club president Christine Lineham says the Club of the Year award reflects the contribution of everyone involved with the club.
“We are very proud that the award recognises not only what happens on the greens, but also the work being done behind the scenes to grow participation, develop our people, support our community and build a strong future for Mangawhai Bowls.”
The prizegiving was the icing on the cake for the club, which has enjoyed a successful year at both club and representative levels.
The club’s Northland 7s team, comprising Lyn and Kris Wintle, Sue Wightman, Carol Stebben, Ally Connery, Christine Lineham and Wendy Sargeant, took out the Northland 7s title, while the Junior 6s team were also crowned Northland champions, highlighting growing opportunities for newer players within the club.
The award also recognises the work that happens away from the greens where the club’s connection with the Mangawhai community plays an important role.
Volunteers have been part of the club’s story since its humble beginnings in Hakaru in 1953, where locals fundraised, applied for grants and held working bees to get the original club up and running.
In 1993, the club moved to Mangawhai, where a sand dune in Mangawhai Community Park was levelled to create its first green. The clubhouse opened in 1994, with a second green in 1996.
Today, the club is drawing newcomers through Business House Bowls (BHB). The competition has grown to 46 teams and now has a waiting list. BHB runs for eight weeks twice a year, with teams made up mostly of people who have not played bowls before.
The club has also continued to build up its coaching ranks, with five accredited coaches and an accredited umpire who officiates at club championship events and centre events hosted at Mangawhai.
Lineham says the club wants to keep growing participation, developing players and volunteers, and giving people more opportunities to enjoy bowls in Mangawhai.
