Weekly Region Wrap: Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region

by Team BV

The Ballarat Highlands region is split into two playing areas; Ballarat District, which encompasses all the clubs within the Ballarat area, and the Highlands playing area, which spreads from Kyneton to Gisborne to Kilmore. Each playing area has 10 teams in their top division and play an 18 week season. Last year, it was Kyneton Bowling Club who represented the Ballarat Highlands region at State Pennant Championships.

“We’ve got a fair few younger ones coming through which is good, and they’re going really well not just bowls wise but motivation wise. They’re taking on some key roles. They create a great vibe for others to build off,” says Rob Baker, Sebastopol Bowls Coordinator.

Ballarat district is home to clubs currently used for the Region Sides championships, including main host club Sebastopol. Sebastopol have two grass greens and one carpet underneath a dome, the only one of its kind in the Ballarat area, and have the mighty Sebastopol Burras in the VBL. Currently, they sit 2nd on the ladder behind Victoria, who also host region sides. Victoria are no strangers to State Pennant Championships, having represented the region in 2023 and 2024.

Last season, Sebastopol came close to winning it all. They went down to Victoria in the grand final by a mere 7 shots. This season has started off well, with the Burras knocking off the reigning premiers in round 1, and going strong deep into the season with 10 wins and 2 losses.

“We’re hoping it falls the other way with the final. We’re expecting to play Victoria in the final and we’re very keen for a grand final rematch. Trying to wipe the slate clean from last time.”

“City Oval seem to perform well at the right times, which makes them a concerning factor. However with the finals on grass we’re hoping to have the edge if we play them. Below us on the ladder the next 3 clubs are all carpet clubs, so they need to perform well on grass.”

“Midlands have some key players that have the same influence on their side as our younger players. Some of their regulars have found some good form too.”

“The energy is really strong. Positivity is growing. All these new players are really enjoying the challenge. We want to wipe it all clean from last year and have a fresh start. We’re very determined.”

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒍𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒓𝒂𝒑 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑷𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕. 𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓@𝒃𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒔𝒗𝒊𝒄.𝒐𝒓𝒈.𝒂𝒖