My Account
Brodie Hunt of Hatfields Beach represents New Zealand in Ten Pin Bowling, but it all started with social games with friends when he was a teenager at Whangaparāoa Tenpin.
Growing up, the Ōrewa College student played golf for fun, and says he found bowling similar because it was largely an individual sport and a mental challenge.
It wasn’t long before Brodie swapped his golf clubs for bowling balls (which are custom made to fit your hand span perfectly and can cost $500 each) and began competing.
That was more than 20 years ago and the 39-year-old accountant has never looked back.
He has represented New Zealand on at least six occasions from 2006-2019 and last month was a member of the Waitakere team (he now plays at PINS in Lincoln Road) that won the National Team Championships held in Manukau.
Although competing at top level requires considerable training – around five times a week – family commitments mean Brodie now aims for three times a week.
He says the sport attracts young players, with players in their early 20s or younger among some of the country’s best.
Last month, Brodie was selected for the NZ team of six men and six women, called Katipo, which is heading to the international championships in Hobart in August.
He (and three others) were in the team which won this event in 2019 – since then it hasn’t been held due to Covid-19 restrictions – so team Katipo is feeling quietly confident, Brodie says.
