New Zealand Indoor Bowls - International Competition

International Competition

International competition only takes place bi-annually and takes place only between New Zealand and Australia on a home and away basis. Each country has different rules and conditions so to even the playing field the match is played on special mats which are longer and thicker than the ones commonly used in New Zealand, but shorter than those used in Australia. The match is also played under a different set of rules due to the variations between the two countries.

Each team comprises the top 7 Men and 7 Woman from each country. They combine to play in Mens & Womans Singles, Mens & Womans Pairs, Mixed 8 Bowl Pairs, Mixed 6 Bowl Pairs, Mens & Womans Triples, Mens & Womans Fours and Mixed Fours. Games consist of 3 sets of various ends. Each team that wins their set wins the Australasian Medal with the overall scores being combined to decide the winner of the Henselite Trophy.

NZ has won the trophy 14 times to Australia's 4. Australia however are the current holders after defeating NZ 37-29 in Broken Hill, Australia in May 2009. Australia's first win since 1991.

Garry Flewitt and Ron Inglis have won the largest amount of Australian medals and share the highest honours. While Flewitt is still a current member of the team Inglis no longer plays for NZ. Dean Gilshnan from Manawatu is fast catching up to the pair. Among the Trans Tasmans top current players is Simon Thomas, Canterbury who has won his last 17 games in succession for NZ, and Australia's Monika Korn has won 13 successive games.