Durban BC novice champions Matthew Mayo (2022) and Troy Garland (2019) happy with second spot in their log after two days of five days in the Inter-District at Northmead in Gauteng.
Image: Tammy Douglas
Durban Bowling Club’s eagerly anticipated Men’s and Women’s Novice Singles Championships got underway last weekend, and the draw now reveals the final sixteen contenders in both categories.
The competition moves into its decisive stages on Saturday 14 March, when these 32 bowlers will take to the greens in pursuit of a place in the quarter-finals. From there, the remaining eight men and eight women will battle it out for a coveted semi-final berth.
On Sunday, the competition will reach its climax, with the semi-finals and finals determining two 2026 novice champions at the historic Durban Bowling Club.
As always, the banks surrounding the Durban BC greens are expected to be lined with colourful and enthusiastic spectators. Club members traditionally turn out in large numbers to support their novice bowlers, creating a festive atmosphere filled with encouragement, laughter and friendly rivalry.
For many competitors it is their first experience of playing under the watchful eyes of a supportive crowd, adding both excitement and a touch of pressure to the occasion.
A glance back through Durban BC’s novice honours board reveals that this event has long served as a valuable talent identification platform. Many former champions have progressed to represent Port Natal Bowls at the prestigious Perfect Delivery Inter-District Championships currently being contested in Gauteng and the Western Province.
Lesley Levy, Durban BC novice champion, (2022), playing her part in her team’s top spot after 2 days at Northmead in Gauteng.
Image: Tammy Douglas
Among them is the formidable Glenda Matthews of Stella Park BC, who secured the Durban BC novice title in 2002. Remarkably, twenty-four years later Matthews remains a force on the greens, currently skipping a PNB Open side in Cape Town.
More recent champions are also flying the district flag. The 2018 champion, Cindy Roos from Hillcrest BC is representing the district in the women’s B side, alongside the 2021 champion, Cindy Etherington of Westville CC and Kim Christenson from Stella Park who claimed the novice crown in 2023.
In the women’s veteran’s side, former champions Gail Jennings of Westville CC (2020) and Lesley Levy of Amanzimtoti BC (2022) are also proudly representing the district.
The men’s ranks feature their own success stories. Rodney Ward of Westville BC, the 2017 novice champion, is part of the men’s veteran’s side, while Greg Scott from Parkhill BC, winner in 2018, is a valuable member of the men’s open team.
Westville BC’s Troy Garland (2019) and Matthew Mayo (2022) are currently campaigning for gold in the district B side. Meanwhile, the 2025 Durban BC novice champion, Siya Mkize of Parkhill BC, continues his impressive rise after competing in the PNB President’s side at the this year’s KZN Quadrangular Tournament and recently earning selection to the Bowls South Africa Green Squad.
If history is any guide, this weekend’s novice contenders may well be the district stars of tomorrow.
Time is running out to enter a side in the Parkhill Hollywood Bets CMH Easter Tournament on 4 and 5 April! With over R100 000 in prize money up for grabs, this is a bowls event you don’t want to miss. For entries or enquiries contact Graham Schouten (082 389 5269) or Neil Tovey (082 990 4345).