A Century on the Green: Henderson Bowling Club Celebrates 100 Years

A century in the making

The club’s story began on 13 April 1926, when fifteen prominent Henderson locals, led by the Rev. Francis J Usher – the club’s first president – applied to incorporate a men’s bowling club. With help from the ladies of the newly formed Henderson Croquet Club, members raised funds to buy land beside the Oratia Stream, off Great North Road, where a shared clubhouse, bowling green and croquet lawn were built.

Success came quickly. By 1932, member R S Higginbotham was representing New Zealand in Sydney, and the club has since produced further internationals in Kevin Schischka and Kerry Chapman. A major highlight came in 1988, when Henderson hosted the Men’s World Bowls in February and the Women’s World Championship in November. The men’s and women’s clubs amalgamated in 2003, and today the club offers year-round play on natural and artificial greens.

No figure looms larger in the club’s history than foundation member Steve Ozich, who won an Auckland Centre title as lead in a winning Henderson four in his 91st year and lived to the age of 103. His name lives on in the Ozich Lounge and in the club’s main annual tournament, the Steve Ozich Memorial Triples.

Saturday: bowls with old friends

The celebrations got underway on Saturday with a centennial tournament featuring eighteen teams from across Auckland and North Harbour, with many former members returning to the greens alongside today’s players.

Victory went to the Balmoral team of Steve, Allan, Chris and Marianne,  but it was the runners-up from Takapuna featuring Robyne Walker, Brett O’Riley, Dennis Hale and 15-year-old Alex Saville that reminded us that bowls is a game for every generation.

In a special touch linking the club’s past and present, Tony Greig, grandson of the legendary Steve Ozich, presented the trophy to the winners.

Sunday: a luncheon of memories

On Sunday, members and guests gathered for a centennial luncheon. Life Member and past President Denis Matthews, who travelled from Omokoroa for the occasion, recounted the club’s history and entertained the room with stories of past champions and memorable club characters.

World Bowls President Brett O’Riley, MP Phil Twyford and Auckland Councillor for Waitākere Shane Henderson each spoke, congratulating the club on its remarkable achievement. Bowls New Zealand’s Martin Mackenzie then presented the Henderson Bowling Club President Tony Lumb with a centennial plaque to mark the milestone.

Looking ahead to the next hundred years

With its centenary celebrated, the club is now looking firmly to the future. A key focus is introducing as many new people as possible to the game and the club, particularly through its twilight bowls programme – a relaxed, social format that gives newcomers an easy first step onto the green.

As Henderson Bowling Club begins its second century, it does so with the same community spirit that brought fifteen locals together in 1926 – and a warm invitation for the next generation to come along and roll a bowl.