World Champ of Champs 2017-18 tender
Bowls Australia and World Bowls are calling on interested clubs to submit their tender to host the World Champion of Champions in 2017 and 2018.
The annual World Bowls event is open to tender for all affiliated clubs, with clubs able to bid for one or both events.
The World Champion of Champions event was established in 2003 and has been held on Australian soil on three occasions in its 11-year history, including the inaugural event in 2003 at Moama Bowling Club, followed by Warilla Bowling Club a year later, and then again in 2007.
Australia has a rich history of success in the Champion of Champions event with five winners in the event’s 11 years of competition, including three consecutive mens winners with Leif Selby winning in 2008, Brett Wilkie in 2009 and Aron Sherriff in 2010.
In the women’s, Kelsey Cottrell made it an Aussie double when she claimed the title alongside Wilkie in 2009, while Karen Murphy tasted success in 2013.
The Gold Coast’s Club Helensvale last year won the rights to stage the next two World Champion of Champions events, in 2015 and 2016.
At the time of announcement, Club Helensvale General Manager Len Brunt said securing this event not only affirms his club’s strength on the Gold Coast, but also a much wider region.
“The World Champion of Champion singles is one of the great events on the World Bowls calendar each year and we are thrilled to be the first Queensland club to ever host the event, and even more thrilled as one of our club’s great players in Brett Wilkie is a former winner,” Brunt said.
World Bowls Chief Executive Gary Smith said that the enormity of an event like the World Champion of Champions will be remembered and cherished by competitors for their whole life.
“Whilst many seasoned international representatives will no doubt feature in these events, for some it may be their first opportunity to appear on the international stage, as all competitors will be competing by virtue of winning their national singles titles not via any selection process, and I have no doubt that for those who will be involved in these events it will be an experience they will treasure for the rest of their lives.”
The 2016 iteration is set to roll at Club Helensvale from November 16 to 22.
Click here to view the tender document for hosting the World Champion of Champions events in 2017 and/or 2018.
Please direct your tender to Bowls Australia Chief Executive Officer Neil Dalrymple at ndalrymple@bowlsaustralia.com.au by June 30, 2015.