National Lawn Bowls competition underway in Perth

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October 9, 2023

Lawn bowl athletes from across Australia have gathered in Perth to compete in a Nationals competition which in an Australian first, sees six championship events playing out across the City of Joondalup - at the Joondalup, Sorrento and Warwick Bowling Clubs currently underway until 20th October.

The Nationals is Australia's biggest and most revered lawn bowls competition, with more than 30 national titles being contested over the 15-day event.

The competition is expected to attract hundreds of visitors to Western Australia and generate a boost to business for Perth's bars, restaurants and tourism attractions.

More than 800 participants of all ages and abilities, spanning junior, open age, senior, para and able-bodied events, will compete across the three northern suburbs bowling clubs.

The Australian Champion of Champions and Australian Under-18 Championships were held over the weekend while upcoming festival events include Australian Para Nationals, Australian Senior Sides Championships, Australian Sides Championships, and Australian Championships.

The Nationals is set to return to Western Australia again in October 2026.

The events are free at all three bowls clubs, and members of the public are encouraged to head along and spectate.

WA Acting Tourism Minister John Carey notes "Mass participation events like these championships form an important part of our Government's events strategy to attract out-of-state visitors to Western Australia and boost local economies, with nearly $100 million being injected into our economy in 2022-23 from these types of events.

"It's simple – people attract people and the Nationals will bring more people and vibrancy to restaurants, bars and shopping precincts.

"This will also offer visitors the chance to hop on a ferry at Hillarys Boat Harbour, enjoy a day trip exploring Rottnest Island, learn about the heritage of wine growing in the Swan Valley, or visit a variety of national parks, walking trails and beautiful northern suburbs beaches."

Acting Sport and Recreation Minister Paul Papalia added "Lawn bowls is a fantastic sport for participants and spectators alike, so we're really excited to be hosting the Nationals this year, which will be the biggest version of the competition yet to take place in Australia.”