There may have been no wheel or cheese, or the ‘flipper’, but by god, there was some first-class bowling action for the World Bowls Series Finals in Barham. 24 of the world’s best bowlers from eight countries showed us, mere mortals, why they play on the world stage. The stage for this epic showdown was CluBarham, with the two expansive undercover synthetic bowling greens hosting three days of bowling action that was beamed around the world on World Bowls TV, and even broadcast on Fox Sports.
At Friday’s presentation, World Bowls Series Manager Chris Wallace opened the proceedings. “I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here at CluBarham to say that we’ve seen some truly remarkable bowls from 12 of the world’s best male and female bowlers at these inaugural world bowl Series finals.”
“The semifinals and finals today were outstanding matches.”
The culmination of the three-day spectacle saw Gary Kelly, Ireland, and Dawn Hayman, Australia, crowned as the first-ever World Bowls Series (WBS) Finals gold medallists.
The players competing at Barham earned their place through WBS rankings from 30 sanctioned events or major championship performances this season, the WBS rankings list has 5,000 players from around the globe.
In accepting her award WBS Gold medallist,
Silver Medallist Aiden Takarua (NZ), Gold Medallist Gary Kelly (Ire), Bronze Medallists Coen Litfin (Aus) & Corey Wedlock (Aus)
Silver Medallist Nicole Rogers (Eng), Gold Medallist Daewn Hayman (Aus), Bronze Medallists Kelly McKerihen (Can) & Emily Kernick (Eng)
CluBarham Chair of Board of Director Steve Fullerton receiving a memento from the Chinese team representative. Dawn Hayman thanked the club and locals.
“A big thank you to CluBarham, you guys have been unbelievable hosts this week. It’s really nice to be out somewhere different from what I’m used being in the city, to down along the Murray River. I love being down here in the country.” said Dawn
“To be undefeated throughout the event, something that I obviously didn’t think was possible this week, it was such a great field. I’m really humbled to be standing here as the winner and the inaugural world number one as well!”
Local bowlers had an opportunity to compete against the Chinese team, with the Chinese team presenting a memento from their visit to CluBarham Chair of the Board of Directors Steve Fullerton.
World Bowls President Brett O’Reilly was delighted to have the Chinese team take part, and the facilities on offer.
“It’s great to have the Chinese team here, and to see them so much enjoying the whole experience here at Club Barham and actually playing against the locals today, that was great.”
“This is a very special part of Australia, and we’re at a very special club, to President Steve, to Jason and Josh and all of the people at CluBarham, you know you don’t get hospitality like this everywhere in the world, and you’ve helped us host two major international events this year.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 18 December 2025.
