Fifteen-year-old twins Liam and Kyle Pinn (pictured above) of Kahutia Bowling Club have enjoyed a remarkable 2025/2026 season, cementing their status as two of the region’s most exciting and talented young lawn bowlers since they started playing in 2019 at the age of 8 and they got their mum into the sport at the same time.

The season began in outstanding fashion on 28 September 2025 when Kyle and Liam claimed the Club Championship Open Men’s Fours alongside skip Leighton Shanks and July Hoepo - an extraordinary achievement for two juniors competing in an open men’s event.

Success continued when Kyle, skipping alongside his mother Karen Pinn, went on to win the Club Championship Junior Mixed Pairs, highlighting both family pride and growing maturity on the green.

On 7 October 2025, Kyle (skip), Liam, Geoff Pinn and first-year bowler Kelly Te Miha dominated the Bellerby Cup Open Fours, winning all four games with 30 ends won and an impressive +42 differential. Notably, all four players had less than eight years’ experience, underlining the strength of Kahutia Bowling Club’s developing talent.

Another milestone followed on 12 October 2025 when Leighton Shanks (skip), Kyle, Liam and July Hoepo captured the Centre’s JJ Martin Memorial Cup Men’s Fours at Te Karaka Bowling Club. The Kahutia quartet defeated Poverty Bay Bowling Club’s Marc Alexander, George Vaotuua, Steve Jenkins and Hiki 22-14 in the final - marking Kyle and Liam’s first Centre title.

The twins’ momentum continued on 19 October 2025, when Kyle and Liam joined Karen Pinn, Geoff Pinn and Kelly Te Miha to win the Yelverton Junior Interclub Tournament.

On 26 October 2025, Kyle (skip) and Liam advanced to the quarterfinals of the Centre Open Men’s Pairs, before finishing runners-up in the Club Championship Open Men’s Pairs on 9 November - a title they had won the previous season.

A standout moment came on 16 November 2025, when Kyle and Liam were finally given the opportunity to play in the senior representative team. They made their senior representative debut against Hawke’s Bay at Bowls Napier. Against seasoned opposition, Kyle won two of his games and Liam won four - accounting for the Gisborne/East Coast senior men’s team’s only five wins on the day and showcasing the twins’ ability to perform at representative level.

Further silverware followed on 23 November 2025, with Leighton Shanks (skip), Kyle and Geoff Pinn winning the Club Championship Open Men’s Triples. Kyle continued his strong individual form on 13 December 2025 by qualifying for the post-section stage of the Centre Open Men’s Singles.

The new year brought another proud family highlight. On 3 January 2026, the Pinn whānau flew the Kahutia Bowling Club flag at the National Services Outdoor Bowls Two-Day Fours Tournament in Hawke’s Bay.

Kyle (skip), Liam, Geoff and Karen Pinn won all four games on day one to top their section with 31 ends won and a +31 differential. They went on to finish an outstanding second overall, recording 19 ends won and a +26 differential - just a few ends behind the eventual winners from Omarunui Bowling Club.

The new year celebrations continued on 18 January 2026, Kyle and Liam finished runners-up at the Property Brokers Two-Day Optional Pairs at Wairoa Bowling Club, winning four of five games with a remarkable +70 differential.

Liam and Kyle celebrated again on 1 February 2026 with an early birthday present (they turned 15 the next day!), winning their second centre title this season alongside Leighton Shanks (skip) and July Hoepo in the Peace Shield Open Men’s Fours. 

In recognition of their rapid development, both Kyle and Liam were named Most Improved Junior Men’s Players for the 2024/2025 season.

They have also impressed nationally, competing strongly in New Zealand Under-21 Singles over the past two years and representing at the New Zealand Under-26 Five-A-Side tournament in Wellington.

With dedication, commitment and consistent success well beyond their years, Kyle and Liam Pinn continue to set the standard for junior bowlers. Kahutia Bowling Club - and the wider bowls community - will be watching closely as their journey unfolds in the seasons ahead.