BOWLS SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

Controlling Body Bowls Southland Management Committee


REGULATIONS OF PLAY FOR THE

  1.           Bowls Championship - Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours, Mixed Triples & Mixed Pairs
  2.           Champion of Champion - Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours & Mixed Pairs 
  3.           Bowls Southland Interclub Sevens
  4.           Bowls Southland Domestic Sevens

Note: THESE ARE PROVISIONAL CONDITIONS OF PLAY ONLY! PLEASE REFER TO THE CONDITIONS OF PLAY PROVIDED AT THE EVENT, WHICH MAY INCLUDE SPECIAL CONDITIONS.

Event Conditions of Play and the Crystal Mark Fourth Edition Laws of the Sport override these conditions in respect of any disputes.

Standard condition of play these regulations of play for Bowls Southland

2025/26 fixtures apply to all players - Men, Women, Open, Development (3-5 years) and Novice (1-2 years) and include Clubs participating in Centre competitions.

Tournament controller in the event of adverse weather or other extraordinary circumstances, the Tournament Controller may vary the conditions of play by either reducing the number of games, ends or time. The Tournament Controller’s decision shall be final.

Plural/Dual membership entry into Bowls Southland Centre Championship Events is restricted to players that are full members of a club or clubs that are affiliated to the Centre

Champion of Champion all plural/dual members are required to notify Bowls Southland of who they are representing in each Champion of Champion event.  Players qualifying at Club level can only enter and represent ONE CLUB PER DISCIPLINE and must be a full paying member of the Club.

Laws & Regulations all competitions must be played in accordance with the Laws of the Sport of Bowls, Crystal Mark Fourth Edition effective 1st April 2023 & current Bowls NZ Competition Regulations.


1. BOWLS SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

There will be no Finals Day weekend, finals will be played after the semi-finals on the day of Post-section.

Entry forms:  Only entry forms provided in this book and online registrations can be used for Bowls Southland Championships; please ensure you circle the correct event i.e. Open; Development 3-5 years; Novice 1-2 years, Singles; Pairs etc.

Entry fee for Southland Championships is $25.00 per person; payment of entry can be made by cash or internet banking. Bank account number is

ANZ 06-0925-0927537-00; please provide a reference for your online entry number and/or full name of skip

IF NO ENTRY MONEY RECEIVED BY THE TIME THE DRAW IS TO BE DONE, NO ENTRY INTO THE EVENT!

SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS

SINGLES, PAIRS, TRIPLES, FOURS, MIXED PAIRS & MIXED TRIPLES 3 – 4 games to qualify

  • Singles Novice, 1-5 & Open (4 bowl) – 21 shots or 2 hours
  • Pairs 1-5 & Open (3 bowl) – 18 completed ends or 2 hours
  • Mixed Pairs Open (4 bowl) – 14 completed ends or 2 hours
  • Triples 1-5 & Open (2 bowl) – 18 completed ends or 2 hours
  • Mixed Triples Open (2 bowl) – 18 completed ends or 2 hours
  • Fours 1-5 & Open (2 bowl) – 15 completed ends or 2 hours

ALL FINALS NO TIME LIMIT


2. CHAMPION OF CHAMPION EVENTS

Entry fee for Champion of Champion is $20.00 per person. Entries into Champion of Champion events will only be accepted directly from Club Presidents, Secretaries or Club Captains and must be submitted on the approved entry form provided by Bowls Southland to Clubs. Small Clubs can select teams.

Club Champions

  • Clubs may play a one or two life system at Club level
  • As Champion of Champion is a Pathway event, any change to the makeup of a team in a Club’s Championship must comply with Bowls NZ Domestic Regulation “Substitute Players”.
  • Entries to Bowls Southland must be the current years Club Champion/s
  • Singles players will be advised via the draw if they are required to bring their own marker
  • Singles players MUST be the Clubs Champion for the current season, no substitutes or replacements permitted –Bowls New Zealand Regulation 2.3f (page 7)
  • All Club Champion’s names must be forwarded to Bowls Southland a minimum of 10 days prior to the fixture.

Replacements and Substitutes If a replacement is required you must contact the convener of the Management Committee for their approval. All decisions made will be in line with the Bowls New Zealand Domestic Regulations - pages 6-7

Conditions All games are played on a one life knockout system.

Closing date Players to refer to entry form provided to all clubs. Late entries will be placed on a reserve list.

Draws will be placed on the Bowls Southland Facebook & Website

Fours (2 bowl):          15 ends or 2 hours – final: 15 completed ends

Triples (2 bowl):        18 ends or 2 hours – final: 18 completed ends

Pairs (3 bowl):           18 ends or 2 hours – final: 18 completed ends

Singles (4 bowl):       21 points or 2 hours – final: 21 shots

Mixed Pairs (4 bowl 2x4x2 format): 14 ends or 2 hours – final: 14 completed ends

ALL FINALS NO TIME LIMIT


3. BOWLS SOUTHLAND INTERCLUB SEVENS

Winners of the Bowls Southland events for Both men and women progress to the Bowls New Zealand Interclub final controlled by Bowls New Zealand.

A Club is entitled to enter more than one side. Where a club has more than one side movement of players between sides is not permitted.

Clubs who qualify for the playoffs may re-select their teams for the National finals.

Entries Close: Friday 21st  November 2025

Entry Fee: $190 per team

Composition of sides: comprise of a single player, pair and four

  • Singles:   21 shots or 2 hours
  • Pairs:       18 ends or 2 hours
  • Fours:      15 ends or 2 hours

The draw will be seeded with the finalists from the previous season being put in different sections and then the losing semifinalists also split into separate sections. All games to be played to the end irrespective of the score. In the event of a tie, no extra ends shall be played

Movement of players as per Bowls NZ Conditions of Play

Section winners Two points for a win, one for a draw.

If sides are equal on points after section play is completed, the winner will be decided on differential points on a plus and minus basis.

If the differential points are equal the side with the lowest “total shots against” shall proceed to the post section play.

Post Section Play will be in a sudden death system. Two points for a game won and one point for drawn games. If both sides are on equal points at the end of the game, the winner shall be determined by differential points on a plus and minus basis. If the differential points are equal the side with the lowest “total shots against” shall be the winner. 

ALL TEAMS TO BRING THEIR OWN MARKER / MANAGER FOR SINGLES!!


4. DOMESTIC SEVENS

Entry Mens, Womens or mixed teams of seven

Entries close Friday 21st November 2025

Entry fee $150 per team

Composition of sides comprise of a Triple and a Four

            Triples: (2 bowl) 18 ends or 2 hours

            Fours:   (2 bowl) 16 ends or 2 hours

All teams who enter this fixture play on both days. Change of players between days is limited to three and must be approved by the Bowls Southland Management Committee. Players must play in one discipline only and not change between the triples and the fours.  

Eligibility of entry players cannot be Southland Open Representatives, currently or anytime in the past 12 months. Also, any current Open Pathway title holders are ineligible to enter

Section winners three points for a win, one for a draw. If sides are equal on points after section play is completed, the winner will be decided on differential points on a plus and minus basis If the differential points are equal the side with the lowest “total shots against” shall proceed to the post section play

Post section play three points for a game won and one point for drawn games.  If both sides are on equal points at the end of the game, the winner shall be determined by differential points on a plus and minus basis. If the differential points are equal the side with the lowest “total shots against” shall be the winner.



REGULATIONS THAT RELATE TO ALL BOWLS SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

RESTRICTION OF THE MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS DURING PLAY

Players will only be allowed to walk up to the head under the following circumstances

Singles      The opponents after delivery of their third & fourth bowls

Pairs          The Leads after the delivery of their third bowls: and

                                   The Skips after delivery of their second and third bowls

Triples       The Leads after delivery of their second bowl

                                The Seconds after delivery of their second bowl

                                   The Skips after delivery of each of their bowls

Fours         The Leads after the second player in their team has  delivered their second bowl

                                   The Seconds after delivery of their second bowl

                                   The Thirds after delivery of their second bowl

                                   The Skips after delivery of each of their bowls

Draw In all events the qualifying & post section draws will be conducted as a true draw. The Management Committee reserves the right to make suitable arrangements for matters not otherwise provided for. Once a draw is generated, it cannot be changed except for a qualifying draw, where a withdrawal can be filled form the emergency list

Late entries will only be accepted at the discretion of the Management Committee

Late withdrawals entry fee will NOT be refunded if withdrawal is received after the event draw has been created

Trial ends pursuant to Law 5.1 the Laws of the Sport trial ends will be allowed before competition commences each day. 1 trial end in each direction shall be competed 10 minutes before start of play.

Arrangement for practice pursuant to Law 4.1 - 4.4.2 if a player or team that has not yet played is due to meet a player or team that has already played on the same day, the player or team that has not yet played can practice as long as approval is granted, enough time allows and/or a rink is available

Score cards (Law 40.1.7) the skip shall keep the score card in all disciplines. Score Cards must be completed clearly and in full for every game. The names of all players and the time the game finishes must be entered; score card must be signed by the skips.

Lateness when any player has failed to be in position to commence play 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time, the game will be awarded to the opponent.

Leaving the venue no player shall leave a venue at any competition without reporting to the controlling body.

In all time limit games if a team is late to start (within the 15 minutes) the following conditions will apply.  If the non-offending team is in front on the card after the bell rings the game is finished.  If at finish time, the offending team is in front, the non-offending team can request the extra time lost.

Game Stoppages as defined in Rule 33. Skips are required to sign the score cards at the completion, or the end played in the game stopped, before transferring to another venue or day.

Delaying play (time limit) if a player or team delays play the umpire after firstly verbally warning the offending player or team can thereafter impose a penalty as set down in the conditions of play.  The penalty would be that one further end is played after the bell, if requested by the non-offending player or team.  The matter then would be reported to the controlling body

Substitutes will only be approved by the controlling body under the regulations as set down by Bowls NZ, Regulation “Substitute Players”.

Championships players are reminded that all games need to be played and completed for a team to qualify.

Tied games in the event of a tie in all games an extra end/s shall be played.

Post Section the same number of ends – with time limit.

Final the same number of ends – NO TIME LIMIT

Footwear flat soled heel-less. Any player with a physical disability may use appropriate support, wheelchair or bowling aid, provided that the same is so made that it causes no damage to the green as per Bowls NZ Regulations p 9.

Clothing players in a team must be identically attired, Club shirts to be worn and teams in pants, shorts or skirts of the same colour. All players MUST wear their Southland Club uniform they are representing at all events which includes Mixed Pairs and Mixed Triples.

Clothing must comply with the provision Bowls New Zealand Domestic Regulations p 9-10.

Smoking / Vaping Policy teams/players visiting other clubs must abide by the rules of the host club. To avoid misunderstanding there is a “no smoking / vaping” policy anywhere in the club house or on the greens. Clubs have designated “smoking areas” which must be used by players and officials including markers in singles games.

Cell phones use is NOT permitted by players on or alongside the greens during play.  It is preferred that all cell phones are switched off or turned to silent.

Prizes awarding of prize money is determined by the number of entries.

Novice and Development 1-5 year player is defined as a player who has been a member of a Club for not more than five years (not necessarily consecutive). Novice singles confined to 1-2 years – entries confined to players who have not played bowls before October 2024. Development singles – entries open to 1-5 year players. 1-5 year players may enter the open singles if they wish.


CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS AT SOUTHLAND EVENTS

Objectives

OBJECTIVES

To state plainly the way in which players who play in Bowls Southland events are expected to conduct themselves and the consequences of any breach of the expected standards of behavior. To ensure: All players are aware of the standards expected and the consequences of breaching those standards

  1. General

This Code of Conduct is to be followed on all occasions and in all places where the player can be seen to be a member of a Club under the jurisdiction of Bowls Southland and includes the venue of play which means the green, surrounds and club house of the place where the player is about to compete, is competing, or has competed.


PLAYER’S OBLIGATIONS

1. The Competition

To maintain at all times a high standard of sportsmanship and fair play. This will of necessity include.

  1. Always playing to the best of their ability and where appropriate to perform as part of a team.
  2. Abiding by the laws of the game, its regulations and the conditions of play specified by the controlling body.
  3. Respecting and accepting without question any ruling given by the umpire (subject to any right of appeal given by the Laws).
  4. Not take any performance enhancing substance and in particular strictly to comply with any regulations adopted by Bowls Southland in regard thereto present themselves for competition in an acceptable physical and mental condition and standard of appearance.
  5. Maintain towards opponents an attitude of respect and politeness.

2. Other Occasions

  1. To refrain from
  1. Any behavior which might reflect unfavorably on the game, Bowls

Southland, or which might bring any other player, official or Bowls Southland into disrepute

  1. Making any comment to the media and in particular any public announcement or media comment that might bring the game into disrepute
  2. Any discriminatory practices based on race, religion, ethnic background or special ability/disability bowlers
  1. To
  1. Abide by and comply with all directions of Bowls Southland
  2. Accept and act upon any judgment of any duly appointed official of Bowls Southland as to any unacceptable behaviour
  3. Abide by the requirements of Bowls Southland as to dress including sponsor’s logos
  1. Respect the tournament officials, volunteers, officers, members and staff of any Club at which the event is being or has been played
  2. Respect the officers and appointed officials of Bowls Southland.

​​​​​​​ANY BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

  1. If the Convenor, having heard any explanation that the player concerned may proffer, persists in any breach of this code of conduct, the Convenor may withdraw that player from the event.
  2. The Convenor must report breaches of this code of conduct to the controlling body on the prescribed form.
  3. Any player who is dissatisfied by any action of the Controlling Body of the Day in relation to this code of conduct may request for Bowls Southland to enquire into the conduct in question.

NOTE: This code of conduct has been adopted by Bowls Southland, which requires every player who wishes to play in any Bowls Southland event, to accept these conditions as a means of entry to the event.