MOREE Services Club will create history this weekend when Magpies Bowling Club hosts an opening round of the 2026 Australian Indoor Singles Lawn Bowls Qualifiers.

The four-day knock-out competition started yesterday with women’s sectional rounds.

Women’s finals will be decided today, with the men’s sectionals played Sunday and finals decided Monday.

Magpies club president Wayne Tighe said players from across the north-west and New England regions have converged on Moree to help create local history.

“Hosting the first round of the Australia Indoor qualifiers is a first for a bowls club in Moree – past or present,” Tighe said.

“We’re classed as ‘indoors’ because we’re under cover, meaning we can host state and Australian qualifying events for Bowls NSW.

“We’ll have about 50 visiting bowlers over the weekend from the north-west and New England regions – places like Tamworth, Gunnedah, Inverell, Kootingal, Armidale and Narrabri.

“It’s a statewide competition, with a big list of venues across New South Wales for bowlers to nominate and play,” Tighe said.

Qualifying rounds over the next three days will also be held at North Haven, Castle Hill, Wenty Leagues, Belmont, East Cessnock, East Maitland, Merimbula, Charlestown, Halekulani, Cabramatta and Warilla.

Qualifying bowlers –  11 men and 13 women – will play in the Australian Indoor Singles Championship in August.

(from left) Moree Magpies Bowling Club committee members Ray Rutledge and Phillip Schoupp, with club president Wayne Tighe. The Magpies host an opening round of the 2026 Australian Indoor Singles Lawn Bowls Qualifiers at Moree Services Club this weekend.

Meanwhile, Magpies Bowling Club is preparing for the 2026 NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament at Moree Services Club the following weekend, January 24-25.

With $20,000 prize money and a long list of sponsors, including Roger and Gail Fletcher of Fletcher International Exports, the tournament will draw bowlers from across New South Wales.

The tournament also received a funding boost through the NSW Aboriginal Land Council’s 2025-2026 Regional Events Grants Program, with sponsors including NSW Government, Aboriginal Affairs, BCIB Insurance Brokers, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, Moree Services Club, Bowls NSW, Jukes and Son Tyre Service, Gaertner Associates Accountants, Kitchens of Distinction, Reado’s Meats, TKT Mowing, Tighe Contract Spraying and West Coast Bowls.

“We’ve got 20 teams of four coming from across New South Wales. Also, there’s about 16 pairs’ sides playing on Friday to open the weekend,” Tighe said.

“The carnival is more concentrated on Saturday and Sunday, when 20 teams of four will go into the play-offs.”

Last year, Tighe teamed up with Paul Adams from Moree, Dennis Williams from Glen Innes and Collarenebri’s Ray Shepherd to win the fours championship and a large slice of prize money.

Ironically, Tighe defeated his older brother Rod, and tournament organiser, who played with Phil Hobday from Moree, Grahame Miller from Dubbo and Blayney’s Nick Blandford.

“Last year was a huge success,” Tighe said.

“We’ll have the same prize money this year and we’ve got lots of good sponsors again supporting the carnival.

“One of our major sponsors is Roger Fletcher, who has close ties to Moree, and we also have Pius X Corporation on board making sure the men are getting full health checks.”

A live YouTube broadcast from Happy Bowler will give out-of-town viewers top-tier bowls action, as well as commentary and game analysis.

“Happy Bowler will be broadcasting live for two days. It’s a great service and really put the Moree carnival on the map last year,” Tighe said.