NORTHERN DISTRICT PLAYING AREA
Presidents/Secretaries Meeting
Held at Cohuna Bowling Club, on 18th March 2026 at 7.30pm.


Present: G. Borg, J. Fairchild, I. Main, M. Scott, Y. Eckhardt, M. Noelker (Pyramid Hill), G. Kennedy (Barham), S. Clarke & B. Hildebrand (Cohuna), J. Keely (Cohuna Golf), M. L’Huillier & K. Jones (Gunbower), M. Filmer (Wakool), H. Crichton & L. Verhey (Leitchville), R. Pascoe & B. Williams (Kerang), R. Fisher (Kerang Golf), T. Cantwell (Pres MMBR)

Apologies: R. Opie, J. Haynes, J. McKerrow, S. Wilson, C. Cauchi, G. Rowland

The NDPA management committee met before this meeting to discuss the agenda items for tonight’s meeting.
Correspondence – Rhonda Ballard, why we changed State Triples venue and would not change the C of C singles venue. C of C venue was organised in September, where as the State Triples, we only had one day and the entries exceeded expectations and the committee had to find another day. The ladies went back to Gunbower and the men played the final at Wakool (teams from Wakool/Barham).

General Business
Heat Rule : when the temp reaches 38 degrees C, the highest team manager and the opposition manager must go together to the Stevenson Screen to check the temperature and make the decision.
NDPA Conditions of Play – who represents the ND, MV and Tyrrell in MMBR Pennant Finals must be added to the Cof P.
Add to a rule – that win or lose in grand final, clubs must stay for presentations.
Permit players can play in club events, if there is not a next level (state events)

Gary Borg welcomed Tony Cantwell (Pres MMBR) and club representatives to this meeting.
He asked Tony for a short report.
Tony thanked us for the invitation and went on to say:
Barham (midweek pennant) and Murray Downs (weekend pennant) won the MMBR Pennant finals at Murray Downs on the weekend. These teams will now represent the MMBR at Moama on 25 – 28th April. There were all positives at this weekend with Wakool and Quambatook having the experience of playing at a higher level.
Congratulations to Wakool Div 1, Pyramid Hill Div 2, Cohuna Div 3, Barham Div 1 and Wakool Div 2 for the winning their respective grand finals. Northern Valley had 8 teams this season which worked.
Reminder to clubs – if you have a problem and the club cannot sort it, next is NDPA management group, followed by MMBR.
Lastly congratulations to Ian Main and Marie Scott for being awarded Life Membership of NDPA.


Agenda Items:
1. 21 ends straight through – midweek pennant
Moved Cohuna Golf, sec Kerang that it remains the same, with a break.
2. Dec – Feb Sat Pennant games to start at 9.30am
Leave as is – players work
3. No finals to be played on carpet/synthetic
Leave as is. The NDPA management committee tries to rotate all clubs a final over a period of two years.
4. Heat Rule
It was explained that this was a MMBR rule. If we wanted to change it a motion would have to come out of this meeting to go the MMBR AGM. It was discussed (individual choice, duty of care, change game and play in morning) and no motion came forward.
5. Sandwiches for Saturday Pennant
Cohuna thought they would struggle in getting volunteers. Kerang Golf moved, sec Wakool, “that sandwiches will be supplied for afternoon tea “.
6. Live Scoring
Next season we will commence live scoring in Division 1, Midweek and Weekend pennant
7. Pennant Permits
Bowls Victoria ruling (now it is either midweek or weekend permits, days don’t have to be specified)
8. World Bowls (Pennant to be suspended) Oct 4th-11th
A meeting was held with cluBarham to discuss this. It was agreed that pennant will start on Saturday 10th Oct. Teams playing at Barham will either change the time (morning) and then be able to watch World Bowls in the afternoon or play at the opposition club. Please remember that clubs need to work this out.
9. Rule 3.4 – scheduling of games for Saturday Grand Final.
This seams to work, with games finishing roughly about the same time. Div 1 start 1.30, Div 2 and 3 start at 1, with roll up 15mins before
10. Calling off pennant Section 2 rule 5.2 NDPA Cof P
This rule will remain the same. With NDPA management group to be mindful, to call the game at 6pm (for heat), not before.
11. Back up plans for bad weather (rain)
It’s up to the green keeper to make the call ASAP. Thanks to Barham for hosting the NV grand final at such short notice.
12. Women in Bowls.
Cohuna have a social competition in July – August. Discussion took place re having a pennant side in midweek just for women. Firstly it is against VCAT ruling, would it effect the other teams in midweek – not enough women or men to fill in teams. We all encouraged Cohuna to keep up the good work with their social competitions and asked clubs to promote this with their ladies.





Meeting Closed 8.35pm
Thanks to Cohuna for the use of their clubrooms.