For those who are unaware, the Kittyhawks movement begun during a break at an open tournament at Okahu Bay in 1977, where a germ of an idea from Bos Kostinich and Bob McDonald took life.
From a table in the clubhouse doorway they compiled a short list of willing prospects on show and so started what was to become the Kittyhawk Bowling Club!
Soon after this on 20th December 1977 this initial group of 25 met and threw ideas around. The principle thoughts were to develop a loosely structured club along the lines of the Eagles Golfing Society.
The main objective was to draw together bowlers who had already contributed time and effort to their own clubs, and could now enjoy the company of a wider group.
From this a steering committee of Bob Kostinich, Marshall Smith, Cliff Shanks, Colin Brown and Bob McDonald was formed and known as the 'Crusaders' to put together some ideas.
A meeting called for the 8th March 1978 was attended by 50 bowlers. After much discussion and good humour, with many ideas shared, the 'Kittyhawk Bowling Club' was born.
The first Annual Meeting was held in June 1978.
Bos Kostinich was elected Founder President and Cliff Shanks presented a draft set of regulations. Colin Brown's ideas were considered best!
So started the now familiar soft gold colour Blazers. Original ties and badges and monograms, which were soon replaced by the present discreet design.
The Auckland Kittyhawk also includes Counties and North Harbour, and over the years other Kitthawks Clubs have been formed in Northland, Taranaki, Tauranga and Dunedin.
It was, and is, an invitation-only club, limited to 120 members, who characteristically are well-known for having given much to the sport of bowls over the years.
Unfortunately, after many years of running the Kittyhawk Under 21 Singles (a breeding ground for our young Blackjacks) the tournament stopped in 2018.
Until 2024.
Brady Amer, the enthusiast behind youth bowls in the Wellington Centre, and a past participant in the Kittyhawks tourney from 2013 to 2017, decided that it was time for Kittyhawks to return.
“We approached the Auckland club about kickstarting the tournament, and they were of course thrilled. So earlier this year, we held the tournament at Naenae with a field of 28 Under 21 bowlers … the youngest was 13 and the oldest scraped in under the 21 year old cut.”
“It was a great re-start,” adds Brady. “So good that we’re already planning the tournament again next year at Naenae … but probably moving it to Easter when it was traditionally held.”
The tournament will once again be ‘mixed’, which is the way it first started in 1992.
It was ‘separated’ in 2002, and separate boys’ and girls’ trophies handed out to the winners. But in a nod to our trending genderless sport, the former boys’ trophy is now handed out to the overall winner, and the girl’s trophy given over to best girl. It’s an acknowledgement of this transitional period of providing positive reinforcement to gender equality.
“Girls are often intimidated by the boys,” observes Brady. “I’m not saying ALL girls … I can think of some who that wouldn’t even begin to apply to … but we’ve found that most girls play more freely with other girls.”
“Back in the day, the tournament used to attract entries from 40 boys and 32 girls. What’s more, the winners received $1,000 prize money, a set of bowls, and the opportunity to play with a Blackjack. We want to get back to that sort of level of recognition.”
For this years’ winners : Camron Horo from Rahotu Bowling Club in Taranaki (overall winner) and Hannah Dawson from Pakuranga Bowling Club in Auckland (girls’ winner), the spoils were a little more modest : a trophy, a set of Taylor bowls and bowls bag, and of course, the prestige of winning.
And all participants enjoyed the food provided by Nulook Kapiti.
Who knows what could happen next year … particularly with a fired-up Brady Amer leading the charge.
Keep up the good work, Brady.
And thanks for your support Taylor and Nulook. And of course, the Kittyhawk Bowling Club.