‘Rolling up’ and getting ready for the big “Cross the Border” bowls event are ClubMulwala Bowls Club President Wade McPherson, Cross the Border Event Co-ordinator Di Day and Yarrawonga Bowls Club Treasurer Geoff Bullen. At back Yarrawonga Bowls Club’s representatives Mel Garth and Brian Batty, Mulwala Tourism and Business Executive Noel Wright and board member Mark Russell.
Boasting one of Australia’s biggest prize pools, a new bowls tournament to be held next month in Yarrawonga Mulwala is set to provide the local region with an important economic boost.
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The “Cross the Border” bowls tournament, with a massive total prize pool of $60,000 and a capacity of up to 56 teams, will be hosted by ClubMulwala and the Yarrawonga Bowls Club over four days from September 12 to September 15.
The first two days of the event will be a mixed fours competition, and the weekend will feature a higher-profile open A Division and a B Division competition.
After several years of planning the event has secured major support from ClubMulwala, Moira Shire Council Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business, Glanmire Park and the Mulwala Water Ski Club.
Spokesperson and event co-ordinator Di Day said the event has already attracted interest from bowlers from all over Australia.
Up to 56 teams will compete for $60,000 in prize money over four days at the Cross the Border bowls event in September.
“We have teams from Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, and, of course, Victoria already registered. We are expecting over 400 plus bowlers over the four days,” Ms Day said.
Ms Day said the event idea came about in order to boost tourism in the town.
“Geoff Mitchell and Mark Russell have been talking about creating such an event for a few years,” she said.
“This will be the fourth richest (by prize pool) tournament under the national and state bodies.
“It is also a Tier 3 Bowls Australia-ranked tournament, which attracts international and national competitors who want to achieve a ranking against their name.”
Ms Day said the event will also be live-streamed across social media and YouTube and will utilise Bowls Victoria’s technology to do all the fixturing, registrations and results together online through their App.
The event will also feature a Calcutta evening on Friday for the open tournament, during which teams will be auctioned off. Throughout the event, competitors will also have the chance to win vouchers from local businesses and clubs.
Ms Day the support from the clubs and local businesses has been fantastic.
“ClubMulwala and Mulwala Water Ski Club have also offered fantastic accommodation rates for registered competitors, and we have some great prizes to giveaway,” Ms Day added.
Entries for the event close on Friday, August 30.
For more information, contact the Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism Information Centre at 03 57443731.
