2026 Region Sides Championships Wrap
With the support of all Regions, the City of Ballarat and host clubs, the 2026 Region Sides Championships went ahead, albeit in a shortened format and in challenging conditions, after Victoria faced some extreme weather. The sixteen regions battled it out across four Ballarat venues, in a modified two-day format, to determine the overall 2026 Region Side Champions.
Men’s Gold Tier
The Men’s Gold Tier was an interesting bout this year. Newly promoted Geelong made their way to the Grand Final after winning against Yarra in round 1, drawing against Sandbelt in round 2, and securing their final spot by defeating Metro West in round 3. Yarra placed runner up in the section and Sanbelt recorded an amazing 3 draws for the day, the first in the event’s current gold/silver tier history. Last year’s winners Metro West saw themselves relegated, similar to what happened to the BCG Men’s side in 2025.
Section 2 was close. The relegated Murray Mallee side had 3 close losses, all on the final ends of the game. The newly promoted Eastern Ranges side would play off against last year’s runner up Northern Gateway in round 3 to decide who would make the final, with Northern Gateway claiming victory and a finals berth. Similar to last year, Goulburn Murray found themselves 0-2 going into round 3, but secured a late win to avoid relegation.
Northern Gateway were too strong in the Grand Final with all rinks getting up to go one better than last year, claiming the trophy.
Women’s Gold Tier
Ovens & Murray were strong in Section 1. After getting across the line against Yarra in round 1, they went on to beat Eastern Ranges and Metro West to book their spot in the Grand Final. Yarra and Metro West drew against eachother in round 2, which meant that both sides had to fight hard in round 3 to avoid relegation. Like the Men’s Gold, the newly promoted Metro West side saw themselves relegated.
Goulburn Murray dominated in section 2, with big wins over BCG in round 1 and Sandbelt in round 3 to claim their spot in the Final, with a 41 shot differential. West Coast put up a great fight, but unfortunately went down to Goulburn Murray by just 4 shots to come runner up in the section. Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields found themselves relegated after a close finish against the West Coast side.
The Grand Final was the battle of the Murrays. The game was close, going shot for shot, until Goulburn Murray pulled away in the last ends to claim victory.
Men’s Silver Tier
The O & M Men claimed section 1 after two big wins against Ballarat Highlands and Gippsland, but not before Wimmera gave them a scare ending with a draw in round 2. Gippsland would come runner up in the section with two wins, and it would be a day to forget for the local Ballarat Highlands side.
Section 2 had an unstoppable Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields side win every game. Strzelecki ended their campaign as runners up, with West Coast in third and Mornington Peninsula in fourth. BCG went on to meet O & M in the Gran Final.
Similar to sectional play, Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields would take a strong lead early on in the game. A few big results for the Ovens & Murray side and a huge fight back from Ian Brimblecombe’s rink would even up the game towards the half way mark, however BCG pulled away to win the silver title.
Women’s Silver Tier
Section 1 had all teams sitting 1-1 after round 2, with Northern Gateway on top by shot differential. Murray Mallee had a chance if Northern Gateway lost their round 3 game, as did Strzelecki if they were to record a big win against Murray Mallee in round 3. But it was Northern Gateway who pulled through with a 33-shot win to claim promotion back into gold tier and play in the Grand Final.
The local Ballarat Highlands side took section 2 by storm, with big wins against Gippsland and Mornington Peninsula before winning the decider against Geelong, to see themselves also promoted back into gold tier and playing in the Final.
This resulted in Ballarat Highlands claiming a huge 35-shot victory in the Grand Final over Northern Gateway, after taking control of the game early.
Bowls Victoria would like to thank the four host venues – Sebastopol, Victoria, Midlands Golf and Ballarat Memorial Sports, as well as the many volunteers at each of those venues who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event, in very challenging conditions. Also thanks to the ITO’s, officials, team managers and players from every region who ensured the matches were played in great spirits. Finally, a huge thank you to our corporate partner, the City of Ballarat, for their support of the 2026 Region Sides Championships.
Full results available via BowlsLink: https://bit.ly/BVRSC2026
