MORE than 70 lawn bowlers will converge on the Moree Services Club’s all-weather greens over the next two days to compete in the 2026 NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament.

With $20,000 prize money up for grabs, bowlers have travelled from across New South Wales to compete in teams of four.

Tournament organisers Rod Tighe, Kylie Benge and Mitchell Johnson last night welcomed locals and visitors to a pre-tournament dinner and calcutta at Moree Services Club.

Now in it’s third year, the tournament is fast-becoming a main target for bowlers statewide.

Lawn bowlers compete for big prize money, thanks to generous sponsorship and support from local and corporate businesses and organisations, including gold sponsors Roger and Gail Fletcher, from Big Boomerang Logistics in Dubbo.

“All our sponsors have been with us for the past three years, and it really means a lot to have them supporting the tournament,” Mitchell Johnson said.

The tournament also received funding through the NSW Aboriginal Land Council’s 2025-2026 Regional Events Grants Program as well as support from the NSW Government and Aboriginal Affairs NSW, both platinum sponsors.

All sponsors, including BCIB Insurance Brokers, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, Moree Services Club, Jukes and Son Tyre Service, Gaertner Associates Accountants, Kitchens of Distinction, Reado’s Meats, TKT Mowing, Tighe Contract Spraying and West Coast Bowls, were last night presented with special gift-packs from tournament organisers.

Yesterday, 16 pairs’ teams opened the big weekend with a tournament won by brothers John and Gary Ingram from Narrandera – first-time visitors to Moree.

NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament organisers (from left) Rod Tighe, Mitchell Johnson and Kylie Benge at the pre-tournament dinner and calcutta at Moree Services Club on Friday night.

John Ingram said watching last year’s tournament on the Happy Bowler livestreaming service was enough to convince him to head north this year.

“I decided straight away to put in a team, because it looked such a great competition and such a great facility,” Ingram said.

“I thought, why not put in a team from Narrandera, so I got in touch with Rod (Tighe) and he gave me all the details about playing this year.”

The eight-hour drive on Thursday paid early dividends with a win in yesterday’s pairs’ tournament.

The brothers will team up today with Kyle Prior and Neville Bamblett and compete for a slice of $20,000 prize money in the fours’ competition.

“We’ve come a long way to play in the tournament, and the aim was to have a roll in the pairs to get a feel of the greens, and we were lucky enough to come away with a win,” Ingram said.

“The facility is state-of-the-art, but I knew what to expect after seeing it on social media.

“Rod and his team have been so welcoming – they’ve really gone out of their way for us – and now the main focus is Saturday and the fours,” he said.

A live YouTube broadcast from Happy Bowler will give out-of-town viewers top-tier bowls action, as well as commentary and game analysis over the next two days. Go to Happy Bowler to view extensive coverage.

Words and Image: Bill Poulos