Winning the Summerset National Singles title for the second time was the perfect early birthday gift for Debbie White, who turned 62 the day after her exceptional 21-17 gold medal performance at the annual open event in January.

Now, with September here, White is eagerly preparing to head to Australia to compete in the 2025 World Champion of Champions event. Hosted for the first time at the newly renovated CluBarham, located on the banks of the Murray River, the tournament promises to be a high-quality affair featuring some of the best bowlers from around the world who have also won their respective countries national titles.

White is no stranger to this international event. She previously competed at the 2019 edition, where she earned a silver medal and this time, she’s aiming to go one better.

“To have been lucky enough to represent New Zealand in this event in 2019 was (I thought) a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an absolute dream come true,” said White. “To get to experience it again is beyond what I ever thought I could or would achieve.

I’m super excited for it and am looking forward to reconnecting with some of the people I met in 2019, and to seeing a part of Australia I haven’t visited before.”

But for White, there’s something even more meaningful than the competition itself.

“Mostly, I am looking forward to pulling on the black shirt again. It is always such an honour to wear the fern - those opportunities don’t come along often. I will give it my all and endeavour to do New Zealand proud and represent you all to the very best of my ability.”

Alongside her bowls and bespoke team uniform, White will be taking three small but significant personal items with her:

• A pair of miniature measuring calipers, handmade by her great-grandfather from brass, featuring a handcrafted copper hinge
• A lucky penny, gifted from the coin collection of one of her late and most cherished supporters
• A handmade cross, gifted by her boss and crafted from the wood of her late mother’s possessions, which also just happens to be the perfect size to store the lucky penny

The 2025 World Champion of Champions has been held annually since 2003 and has seen five New Zealand women and three men claim the title. This year’s event will run from 21–25 September and will be broadcast live on the World Bowls official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@world_bowls