On Saturday November 26, a Tenterfield team of Elana Scott, Neville Richardson and Alan Bancroft contested the Inverell Invitational Bowls tournament due to a last minute cancellation, receiving the call only on the Thursday prior.

In all 14 teams from New England clubs attended. The event comprised games of triples, pairs and singles. Conditions were perfect with fast greens and a gusty wind.

Tenterfield narrowly lost the triples to the local Inverell team, and the pairs to a strong Narrabri team. Neville, however, won the Consistency Singles by pipping Robert Rees from Glen Innes in the final.

At the presentations the late entries were pleasantly surprised to learn that the singles win comes with a $500 cheque payable to the winner’s bowls club. Tenterfield is hoping for a repeat invitation next year, and Inverell will be welcome at Tenterfield’s big Australia Day carnival next January.

After considering how to spend the $500 at Tenterfield Bowls Club, the players have decided to start a Junior Development Fund in order to encourage juniors.

“We didn’t want to spend it on something that would be gone tomorrow,” Neville said.

“A couple of the guys have been thinking about the need to attract more juniors, for the future of the club. This is a first step of a long road.”

With the fund now established, Neville hopes it will attract more deposits through winnings and bequests.

“Many of the members have grandchildren, and we need more bowlers on the greens.”

As to how the fund could be used, Neville said that’s yet to be determined but one possibility is to support bowls as a schools sport, as happens at bowls clubs in other towns.

In the meantime, all are welcome at Neville’s come-and-try days on Thursday afternoons at the Bowling Club from 3pm, where it’s all free and no experience is required.