Click the links below to be taken to the award winner information:

• TOWER Club of the Year
• Centre of the Year
• Legendz Player of the Year
• Young Player of the Year
• Greenkeeper of the Year
• Administrator of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Official of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Media Award

Finalists – Milford Bowling Club, Wakefield Bowling Club

Burnside is one of New Zealand’s model clubs, receiving the highest ever rating in the Club Check assessment process to receive a Gold Club Check Award – and now have won the 2010-2011 TOWER Club of the Year Award. The club shows a commitment to best practice, including in their documentation, “how to” manual and website.

Community Development Officer Vince Roper comments “Burnside is indisputably one of NZ’s strongest and most successful bowling clubs. It continues to exhibit all the features and characteristics of a strong and sustainable club in an increasingly difficult operating environment and as such is held up by Bowls NZ as a role model club for others to emulate”.

The club’s strategic and operational plans are some of the most comprehensive in the country, and these plans reinforce their commitment to excellence and getting on with the tasks at hand, with Vince Roper backing this up, “Unlike many clubs Burnside actively monitors and manages its progress with the respective goals and actions”.

One of the club’s strengths has been its ability to recruit new members, with 65 new members recruited over the last two years. The club sends out thousands of flyers, has a series of Have-a-Go days, and run a successful Mates in Bowls league, and Christmas Bowls programme.

They have a thorough induction process for new members, and convenors for many facets of the club. The club is highly innovative, with initiatives such as Art @ Burnside, and it is quickly becoming a community hub.

Burnside shows the importance of strong leadership from the club executive, with President Neil Cornelius able to draw huge amounts of support from the membership. Vince Roper says “the club benefits significantly from very strong leadership, not only from its very capable current President, but also its broad base of very experienced convenors and volunteers who take responsibility for the various aspects of the club operations”.

Burnside is definitely a club to emulate, and will undoubtedly continue to grow and succeed in the future.

Bowls Southland has won the Centre of the Year Award, after successfully introducing a number of new measures to assist in the development of the game across all levels. The centre has worked closely with Community Development Officer Jim Scott to improve delivery of services to members, and are continually looking to investigate new initiatives.

The highlight of the year for Southland was when the centre hosted a very successful international event – the Trans Tasman Test Series. This was no mean feat for a small centre, and the entire bowling community pulled together to show their support for the event – helping to build the profile of the sport and strengthen relationships with local community funders.

Finalists – Val Smith (United Bowling Club), Shannon McIlroy (Stoke Bowling Club)

Jo’s impressive return to the game after time away has been marked by spectacular success in both the domestic and international arenas. She is currently the top ranked female bowler in the world, and recently won her third consecutive World Cup title – a previously unheard of feat. At the Hyundai National Open Championships Jo reigned supreme, winning both the singles and pairs titles. She returned to the Black Jacks for the Trans Tasman Test Series, and was a driving force behind the women’s and overall team victories.

At club level she was awarded Burnside Player of the Year, won the club pairs (with a novice player), and made the final of the Club triples with two 16 year old bowlers. These achievements show her commitment to the development of youth and novice bowlers, where she works together with her teammates to help them develop their skills both on and off the green.

Jo is one of the country’s most popular bowlers, with her professional attitude and respect for opponents she has earned the esteem of bowlers worldwide. Top Australian bowler Karen Murphy described Jo as mentally the “toughest bowler” she has ever played against.

Graeme Rees, Burnside coach and former NZ Assistant Coach comments “Jo is a positive role model for other athletes...and is a credit to herself and our sport”.

Finalists – Clare McCaul (Silverstream Bowling Club), Mandy Boyd (Johnsonville Bowling Club), Amy Brenton (Stoke Bowling Club)

The Young Player of the Year was a highly contested category among the judges this year, with many promising players nominated. The award went to Andrew Kelly for the second year running, after he won a silver medal in the singles at the prestigious Hong Kong Classic. His rise to silver included a victory over England’s Sam Tolchard, who described Kelly as “top class”.

Andrew also represented New Zealand in the U25 Trans Tasman Test Series, where the men’s team beat Australia for the first time ever. In the singles Andrew won two of his three games against Mat Pietersen, and combined well with Nathan Glasson in the pairs to beat their Australian peers in all three games. National Assistant Coach Terry Scott comments “he applied himself diligently in preparation for the test series and produced some of his best bowls in competition play”.

Andrew demonstrated a commitment to improving his performance both on and off the green. His focus on training and practice have shown his dedication to the sport, and he carries out many aspects of a high performance culture – including fitness, nutrition, goal setting, and evaluating performance to a high level.

Finalists – Glen Miller (Burnside Bowling Club), Robert Gibson (Taieri Bowling Club)

Graham has made an outstanding contribution to his club and centre over a number of years, resulting in his well deserved Greenkeeper of the Year Award. His contributions range from cost savings at club level through equipment maintenance, innovative techniques, and general club maintenance, to 5 years as Vice President of the Greenkeepers Association. His availability to share his expertise with Counties Manukau greenkeepers is admirable, and he conducts many courses which help other greenkeepers to extend their skills.

Graham is a member of the Counties Manukau Greens’ Assessment Committee, offers a help-line service to centre greenkeepers, and maintains the centre’s coring machine.

Megan Cushnahan of NZSTI comments, “He is never scared to ask a technical question and I believe that his willingness to listen and learn has helped him to continually improve his technical skills and the quality of the greens he cares for. His club and centre are certainly lucky to have him”.

Finalists – Geoff Simons (Roslyn Bowling Club), Robin Shanks (Otatara Bowling Club)

Peter Harris has been instrumental in leading change at Bowls Canterbury, and his vision and dedication to implementing changes have resulted in his well deserved Administrator of the Year Award.

Peter has been a strong advocate for the One Bowls: One Vision concept since its inception, and despite much adversity, he has been able to work towards making One Bowls: One Vision the direction for all clubs in the Canterbury centre.

Bowls Canterbury also faced a complete restructure when they became a Regional Service centre, during which Peter provided strong leadership. He has been transparent across all aspects of Bowls Canterbury’s activities, and has won the support of many members through his dedication to working towards a culture change at the organisation.

He continues to develop strategies to meet the changed environment as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes, including working closely with Sports Canterbury to plan for the future direction of bowls in the region.

Peter is an administrator that clubs and members can trust to lead them into a successful future. Colin Reynolds, CEO of Bowls Canterbury backs this up, “he has been more accessible to bowlers where there are issues to be dealt with, with the overall outcome being focused on providing for the betterment of the bowling community.”

Finalists – Anton Ferrari (Wilton Bowling Club), Terry Scott (North East Valley Bowling Club)

Howard is one of the most dedicated coaches in the country, involved in many different coaching roles on both a voluntary and professional basis, including Bowls NZ Coach, Auckland Bowls Coaching Coordinator, Israel National Coach, Auckland Bowls Coaching and High Performance Manager, and the 2010 National Secondary Schools Coach for Region 1. But it is Howard’s knowledge, expertise, and professional manner that have won him the 2010-2011 Coach of the Year Award.

Howard has had success with his athletes at a high level - he has coached many of New Zealand’s top young athletes, including Hyundai National Open Singles Finalist Amy Brenton, Kittyhawks 2010 winner Scott Evans, and several players selected for age group New Zealand teams.

Howard also works closely with youth bowls throughout Auckland, running NCEA courses for several schools and organising Squad6 sessions. Natalie McPherson, Sports Coordinator for St Dominics College, credits the success of their school bowls programme entirely to Howard, “lawn bowls would not be so popular within our school, or even feature in our area, without the driving force of Mr Sandler”.

Howard demonstrates an impressive array of coaching skills. He has a strong focus and good results, particularly with youth bowlers. Howard is continually up-skilling and applies modern coaching practices.

NZ U18 Rep Monte Pawa sums up Howard’s contribution to youth bowls, “without his time, effort, and guidance youth bowls would not be where it is today, and I certainly would not have achieved all the things I have accomplished”.

Finalists – Reg Briggs (Papakura RSA Bowling Club), Michael Ayers (Fairfield Bowling Club)

As a highly regarded international umpire who also mentors and oversees the development of new and experienced umpires, Helen is a worthy winner of the Official of the Year Award for the second year running.

In the past year Helen has officiated at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, The NZ Open, and various centre events. She has been the Chair of the Bowls NZ Umpires Committee, is currently President of the Auckland Umpires Association, and has recently been appointed Chair of the Region 1 Umpires Development Team. In her role on the Bowls NZ Umpires Committee, Helen is an integral part of ensuring the committee meets the needs of umpires and bowlers alike, as well as travelling the country to attend and operate the Umpires exams for new Umpiring Accreditations.

Helen is highly regarded as a quality source of umpire’s knowledge, and is one of just a few Level 4 Umpires in New Zealand.

Rob Pidgeon, Bowls NZ National Programmes Manager comments, “I have the privilege of working very closely with Helen, in her role as Chair of the Bowls NZ Umpires Committee and am certain that her dedication, drive, expertise and tireless efforts benefit umpiring and indeed the sport of bowls in New Zealand to a great extent”.

Finalist – Maurice O’Brien (Glendowie Bowling Club)

Both Brian Yardley and Denis Wilson have been awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award, as they were inseparable due to their high level of contribution to their clubs. Both recipients are multi-skilled, generous and proactive in their volunteer roles.

Brian Yardley contributes to every aspect of green and ground maintenance at his club. He builds shelters, mows greens, tends gardens, and does anything else that needs doing around the club. He worked tirelessly to assist when new greens were being laid, and his input and advice is always sought when making decisions. Mt Maunganui’s club secretary comments, “every club needs a volunteer like Brian Yardley; multi-skilled, energetic, always looking for something to do, modest in achievement. He has proved a tireless and energetic worker and an inspiration to others.”

Denis Wilson conducts all the club maintenance at Taieri, including signage, security, and pre season work on the club. Through his efforts the club cuts costs, due to the reduced need to hire outside maintenance personnel. Denis has been contributing to the club for 15 years, showing his huge commitment to supporting the sport of bowls. He is highly innovative, and the club often benefits from his ‘good ol kiwi ingenuity’.

Volunteers like Brian and Denis are the lifeblood of bowling clubs, and these two volunteers should be an inspiration to others.

Finalist – Alistair McMurran

The judges this year had a difficult job choosing the winner in the Media Award category, with many high quality nominations received. Tony Jensen is a worthy winner because of his huge contribution across both print and radio media.

Tony contributes a weekly column in the Manawatu Standard, where he profiles the sport of bowls in Manawatu and highlights results and other current events. He also has a weekly spot on Radio 22A’s Saturday Sports Talk session where the weekend’s bowls are previewed, past results are discussed, and live reports are given from venues during events.

Tony’s contributions to both the Manawatu Standard and Radio 22A are done entirely on a voluntary basis, while also working full time and contributing to his community as a Manawatu District Councillor, showing his dedication to increasing the profile of bowls.

Tony receives regular accolades from both bowlers and non bowlers, because the standard of his journalism is so high, his column is always well written, and he brings interesting stories to the public through his radio slot – helping to change the perception of bowls in the community.