THE NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament held at Moree Services Club each Australia Day long weekend is getting bigger and bigger, with this year’s edition creating new numbers for a competiton that first saw some grass only three years ago.

Organised by local bowlers Mitchell Johnson, Rod Tighe and Kylie Benge, the tournament brought more than 70 bowlers to Moree Services Club’s all-weather, synthetic greens at the weekend, with the Peak Hill team – Dylan Skinner, Warren Towney, Ricky Read and Cooper Dart – grabbing a big slice of the $20,000 prize money from Gunnedah’s Sam Pryor, Keith Hubbard, Jake Martin and Cameron Yates.

Such is the rapid growth of the tournament, organiser Mitchell Johnson said an interstate challenge between New South Wales and Victoria is being considered.

“There is talk of maybe an interstate challenge, with Victoria versus New South Wales, at a central ground later in the year,” Johnson said.

“That means, potentially, a side picked from the Moree carnival could play a Victorian representative Aboriginal side.

“We’re progressively trying to promote the carnival so there’s a ‘next-level’, and that could be a NSW-versus-Victoria tournament,” he said.

Johnson said 18 teams from across New South Wales competed over two days for big prize money.

He said players don’t hesitate travelling to Moree, because they know the covered bowls complex can handle all weather conditions.

“All bowlers are happy to travel here, especially with the facilities we have,” Johnson said.

“People have to travel long distances and stay for three nights, so they need to be assured games will be on and not abandoned.

“We can do that with our covered greens – games can be played and not held up by bad weather.”

Mitchell said the three-day carnival went like clockwork.

“The weekend has gone great. We’re building team numbers year-to-year and we’re getting more interest each year.

“This is our third iteration of the tournament and we added more sides this year, with 18 teams in the fours and 20 teams in the pairs on Friday,” Johnson said.

“The carnival is building, and there are more and more players and more and more interest. “Everything ran like clockwork – we had no issues – and we have good sponsors behind the carnival,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said the club’s all-weather bowling greens are top-class.

“The complex we have is second-to-none in New South Wales – we wouldn’t be able to play this tournament without these facilities, and that’s what brings bowlers back each year,” he said.

“Everyone wants to stay here, because they know tournaments will be on rain, hail or shine.

“Our carnivals go ahead despite the weather.”

Moree Services Club CEO Rob Shields praised the team behind the NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament.

“This is a great concept, and a great initiative of our locals who organise it,” Shields said.

“The tournament brings people together, and it’s something that is building every year.

“For the club, it promotes our bowls venue. It’s a magnificent venue, and only in its early stages, and with tournaments like this, it can only get better.

“We’re very proud to be able to host this carnival, and congratulations to all the teams involved.

“It’s a great concept and the club will support it well into the future,” he said.

“Bowlers have travelled from everywhere to be here, and that’s a credit to the organisers because of the name the tournament is getting across New South Wales.

“Players come from everywhere and put teams together, and that camaraderie is what this carnival is all about,” Shields said.