Gaylene Geary always calls her good friend Glenys Carter “sister” so when the two of them hatched an idea to hold a women’s only bowls tournament in Cambridge, the name was a no brainer.
Gaylene Geary and Sherry Powell selling raffle tickets at last year’s tournament. Photo: Supplied.
“It had to be Sistaz,” says Carter of the tournament which will be held next week at Central Cambridge Bowling Club for the 14th time.
The first tournament started slowly with 11 teams of four players turning up for the two days.
“The girls who said they would support us at the beginning, did so,” says Carter.
Jack and Kitty, named after the game’s smaller white or yellow bowls, are the tournament mascots which always take pride of place greenside at the Sistaz tournament, from left Glenys Carter, Chris Denton and Alison Winter. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Now it is at its limit – 32 teams of four entered for the tournament which is always held on the first Thursday and Friday of December. Unfortunately, two of the teams had to withdraw but Carter and fellow organiser Alison Winter are unperturbed.
“The clubhouse will still be full,” says Carter who will be joined by Chris Denton, Kaye Bunn and Judy Swetman in her team this year.
“Some teams take it very seriously,” she said while others just use it as an opportunity to get away from home. Entrants come from across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and there have even been South Island entries.
Jack and Kitty the bears, named after the game’s smaller white or yellow bowls, are the mascots for the Sistaz tournament. From left: Chris Denton, Glenys Carter and Alison Winter greenside at Central Cambridge Bowling Club. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Players are encouraged to wear theme shirts – pink being the predominant colour of course.
Out of towners book their accommodation for the next year as they’re walking out the door while shopping excursions around Cambridge are a must for many.
They do not tend to burn the midnight oil. “We’re normally too knackered after the bowls,” laughs Carter.
Entrants play two games of fours and two games of pairs, each game lasting two hours.
Entry fee includes a free lunch both days and so popular has the tournament become that Carter, Geary and other members no longer have to dip into their purses to cover the $4000 prize money. Ryman Healthcare’s Patrick Hogan Retirement Village is now the major sponsor.
And the men know their place during the tournament, in the kitchen, behind the bar and always subservient, says Carter.
The Sistaz tournament starts on Thursday December 5 and finishes later the next day.
Jack and Kitty the bears, named after the game’s smaller white or yellow bowls, are the mascots for the Sistaz tournament. From left: Chris Denton, Alison Winter and Glenys Carter greenside at Central Cambridge Bowling Club. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
