Thirty-two nations from across the globe will compete for a world title in the men’s and women’s singles at the 2025 World Bowls Champion of Champions at cluBarham. An estimated 3,000 visitors will be in our twin towns for the prestigious international event, with 27 men and 30 women competing at cluBarham’s state-of-the-art bowling facility.
The event commences on Saturday as practice sessions take place for the men and women who have all found their way to the pinnacle of their singles journey in their home countries – the best of the best among their peers.
For players, the extra incentive will be World Bowls Series (WBS) platinum ranking points, with an opportunity if players are ranked in the top 12 on October 31, 2025, to secure a spot in the WBS finals. These will be staged December 3-5 at a club to be confirmed in the Asia Pacific region.
Among the field of entrants in the men’s event is current WBS No 11 and 2014 champion Iain McLean, of Scotland. However he faces a strong field of competitors who will be bidding for world glory as he attempts to regain the title.
Hosts for the ninth time since the competition’s launch in 2004, Australia will be represented by Jacob Nelson and Chloe Stewart. Nelson is aiming to win his family’s second World Bowls title in 12 months. His brother Kane is the current World Bowls Junior Indoor Championship Mixed Pairs and Men’s Singles Gold Medal Champion. Nelson hopes to win back-to-back titles for his country following in Lee Schraner’s footsteps in 2024, while Stewart, who is in seventh place in the rankings, is the highest ranked female competing.
In addition to Stewart, ones to watch will be Malta’s Rebecca Rixon, the World Bowls Junior Indoor Championship Women’s Singles holder, and Norfolk Island’s 2022 Commonwealth Games representative Shae Wilson who returns to the event. Tonga, the defending Women’s Singles nation, have still to confirm their players.
Come and witness top-class bowls action throughout the week, and best of all, most days are free entry for spectators!
Event schedule & entry info
- Sat 20th – Practice Day – Free entry
- Sun 21st – Sectional Play – Free entry
- Mon 22nd – Sectional Play – Free entry
- Tue 23rd – Sectional Play – Free entry
- Wed 24th – Knock Out Play – Free entry
- Thu 25th – Semi Finals (9am–11:15am) – Free entry
- Thu 25th – Grand Finals (1pm–6pm) – Ticketed entry bookings for the Grand Final – https://events.humanitix.com/ world-bowls-champions-of-champions-2025,
cluBarham are extending Courtesy Bus hours during World Bowls week to keep everyone moving safely and comfortably around Koondrook and Barham with players and officials receiving booking priority. The service is open to the general public during these times:
- Thu 18 Sept: 1 pm – 11 pm
- Fri 19 Sept: 7 am – 12 am
- Sat 20 Sept: 7 am – 12 am
- Sun 21 Sept: 7 am – 11 pm
- Mon 22 Sept: 7 am – 11 pm
- Tue 23 Sept: 7 am – 11 pm
- Wed 24 Sept: 7 am – 11 pm
- Thu 25 Sept: 7 am – 11 pm
- Normal hours resume Friday 26 September
Bookings essential — call Reception to secure your seat on 03 5451 1800!
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 18 September 2025.
