Bowls is a beloved community sport in New Zealand, with hundreds of clubs providing sport, social connection, and community for older adults and increasingly attracting younger players. Club facilities — greens, clubhouses, and equipment — require ongoing investment that grant funding helps sustain. This guide covers the key funding sources for bowls organisations in New Zealand.
Bowls New Zealand is the national governing body and receives Sport NZ investment.
Key programmes:
- Club development: Resources and support for affiliated clubs
- Youth bowls: Growing younger participation
- Women's bowls: Investment in women's participation and competition
- Coaching development: Coach accreditation and education
- Para bowls: Inclusive programmes for players with disability
Access: Bowls NZ works through affiliated clubs and regional centres. Contact Bowls NZ or your regional centre for guidance on available support.
Sport NZ funds Bowls New Zealand and regional sport trusts.
Community access:
- Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund: Community-led physical activity — bowls clubs with accessible community programmes can apply
- Regional sport trusts may support bowls through community sport development
Gaming trusts are an important and accessible funding source for bowls clubs — particularly for facility and green maintenance.
Key trusts:
- New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)
- The Lion Foundation
- Pub Charity
- Pelorus Trust
- Regional gaming trusts
What gaming trusts fund for bowls:
- Bowls (sets of woods or jacks)
- Green maintenance equipment (mowers, rollers, scarifiers)
- Clubhouse maintenance and improvements
- Playing uniforms
- Junior and youth bowls programmes
- Social bowls equipment and accessories
- Competition entry fees and travel
The Lottery Grants Board funds sport facilities and equipment.
For bowls:
- Green renovation and repair
- Facility improvements (clubhouse, lighting)
- Equipment grants
- Programme development
Bowls greens require specialist maintenance that represents one of the largest ongoing costs for clubs. Funding for green maintenance and development:
- Lottery Grants Board: Facility grants for green renovation
- Local council: Rates support and lease arrangements for clubs on council land
- Gaming trusts: Equipment and maintenance contributions
- Bowls NZ: Technical guidance for green projects
Many bowls clubs occupy council-owned land with long-term leases — this can assist or complicate grant applications depending on ownership arrangements.
Bowls has particular value as an accessible, low-impact sport for older adults. Funders interested in active ageing and social inclusion for seniors may support bowls through:
- Community trusts: Active ageing and social isolation programmes
- Lottery Community: Programmes for older New Zealanders
- Gaming trusts: Social bowls and community inclusion programmes
Positioning bowls as a social cohesion and active ageing intervention (not just a sport) opens access to health-focused and social sector funders.
Bowls New Zealand has actively worked to attract younger players. Youth bowls programmes are attractive to Sport NZ and gaming trusts:
- After-school and school holiday programmes
- High school bowls competitions
- Young professionals leagues and social bowls
Community trusts and foundations in each region may fund bowls through sport, recreation, or active ageing priorities:
- Community Trust South
- Foundation North (Auckland)
- Nikau Foundation (Wellington)
- Acorn Foundation (Waikato)
New Zealand's regional sport trusts may support bowls through:
- Community sport activation
- Capability development for clubs
- Social sport and recreation programmes for older adults
Strong bowls grant applications demonstrate:
- Community access: Open to all, welcoming to new members
- Social outcomes: Community connection, combating social isolation among older adults
- Youth engagement: Evidence of or plans for growing younger participation
- Green maintenance: Practical, specific plans for green improvement
- Club governance: Sound financial management, active committee, stable operations
- Facility specifics: Detailed justification for green, equipment, or facility grants
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport organisations manage their grant applications, track reporting requirements, and demonstrate community impact to funders.