After a remarkable few years building the club into a Bay of Plenty highflier, Tauranga South has been named Bowls New Zealand’s Club of the Year.

It would be easy to conclude that the opening of the club’s new $1.7 million roof made the club an obvious choice for the award. And yes, it is a contributory factor.

But what is truly impressive about Tauranga South’s achievements over the past year, and in previous years, is the work done behind the scenes. The club has not only made the roof a reality, but has also strengthened its membership, finances, coaching and umpiring, bowls programmes, participation, and more.

Tauranga South has approached the future like a business. They decided they could either sit back and bemoan the difficulties in getting members, funding, people to play bowls, or younger people involved, or take the initiative. They chose the latter, developing and implementing a timeline for short, medium, and long-term club success.

That process started in 2022 with the development of a Strategic Plan for the club. This was not just a few committee resolutions or wishful thinking at the annual general meeting. It was a plan that would fit in the boardrooms of the likes of Whittaker’s, All Birds, or Lewis Road Creamery.

In 2022, such planning was uncommon for a bowling club. Most sports clubs in New Zealand focused on satisfying the current membership rather than promoting a business culture that ensured a flourishing facility now and in the future.

The plan’s implementation has driven the club’s development and success on all fronts, addressing all necessary tasks and overcoming obstacles along the way.

Frank Aldridge, President of Tauranga South, is proud of what the club has achieved in the last year.

“Full-playing membership has increased 21% year on year,” says Frank. “As a result, first-year full-playing membership has also soared 82%. The big change has been that we’re getting younger people in the club, people who are still working full-time. We have to cater for their work and family lives rather than simply offering bowls for retirees. We’re getting 30 to 40 people every Sunday for a roll-up, right throughout the year. This season will also see the introduction of our first night-time competition run over four weeks, with good interest shown already.”

This year’s financials are also showing spectacular growth.

“Total income is up 19% this financial year,” says Frank. “And while our expenses are up 14%, our operating profit has increased 62%. We have great cash reserves, and we own our own land and buildings.”

But the picture is bigger than membership and money.

“Work hasn’t stopped on our facility now that we have a roof. This coming year, we’re looking to enhance our uncovered green to make it more attractive for evening events.

“We’re also engaging with the community to bring more non-bowls organisations, events, usages, and partners into the club. That might look like the Scrabble Club, the Embroiderers Guild, or the Lion’s Club, who already use our facility, but there are bigger picture considerations, like using the club as a Civil Defence Emergency Hub.

“It all helps our operational resilience.”

Frank and his team are also mindful that they are first and foremost a bowling club.

“We don’t just want to get members and leave it at that. We’re extremely conscious of developing coaches and umpires, and developing players to be better players. We’ve got an eye on schools. We’re keen to bring rangatahi into the game and we’re taking specific actions to make that happen.

“We’re also conscious that the club is made up of volunteers. They are the backbone of the club, and our Strategic Plan acknowledges the need to look after them.”

The really great thing about all these efforts is the effect they are having on energising the club and its members.

“It’s not just about the new roof, but about the whole feel of the club,” adds Frank. “We’re in a really good space.”

Congratulations to Tauranga South on being named Bowls New Zealand’s Club of the Year 2025.