Auckland’s Auckland Gay Bowling club is turning the big 2-0 and is looking to reunite old members.


The Sail City Bowlers – Auckland’s gay ten-pin bowling club – is on the lookout for any former members of the club to come along to the club’s 20th anniversary party on Saturday 05 November.


“Back when the group first started up, it was the biggest bowling league in New Zealand; I believe even Australasia,” says Lyall Crawford, one of the members charged with finding people for the reunion. “Our membership, including current members, sits at about 350 odd.


“We’re trying to get hold of all of these people, but you just lose contact after a while,” he says.


Former members of the club are coming back from overseas for the festivities, including Alan Olsen, one of the club’s founders, and Judy Marsh, the club’s first female bowler. Both are heading back from Australia, so there’s no excuse for you locals not to attend!


“We’re going to have a dinner, the annual prizegiving and a few speeches,” says Lyall. “We’re also organising a projector to show images from the past 20 years – it will be a trip down memory lane!


“I’m pretty new to the club – I’ve only been around seven years – but there is a lot of history in this group. We’re affiliated with the International Gay Bowling Organisation (IGBO) – every year they have tournaments all around the world. 


“Four years ago we went to Denver – 19 of us went there to bowl and had just the best time. Every time we head to these events, it’s a great opportunity to hang out with your friends from all around the world.”


The anniversary event is going to be held on 05 November at the Onehunga Bowling Club; lawn bowls that is! If you’re a former member who would like to go to the reunion, email Lyall at lyall.crawford@xtra.co.nz or phone 021 874 338.