Pennant is a league format of bowls played at clubs across Victoria and is administered by Bowls Victoria, together with Regions.
Metropolitan Pennant
Each week, 160 Metropolitan clubs and close to 13,000 players go head-to-head in various divisions around Melbourne. The season runs from October to March each year and comprises both weekend and midweek competitions.
Premier Division is the pinnacle competition, with Premier Reserve and Division 1 through to Division 8. The Premier Division winners and Midweek Division 1 winners progress to the State Pennant Championship which is contested at Moama Bowling Club in April, where Metro and Regional winners gather to vie for the prestigious state title.
Regional Pennant
Regional Pennant is administered by Bowls Victoria’s Regions and Divisions with the season running at various lengths between August to March each year, and also comprises of midweek and weekend competitions.
Live Scoring 2025/26
Practice Matches:
Practice Matches are a great way to prepare for digital scoring. Once your practice matches have been organised, contact Matt Ottobre, provide your details and the match will be setup in BowlsLink. Your opposition need to be aware that digital scoring will be used, and the shuffle button must be activated.
Shuffle Button Rules:
- Can only be activated once by the Home Side Manager
- The shuffle button can be activated in the scoring app or in BowlsLink
- Must be activated after pre-pennant practice and before the two-end roll-up
- Teams numbered one must play on the lowest rink number provided; the remaining teams must play in order on the next available rinks, e.g. Teams 1 rink 2, Teams 2 rink 3, Teams 3 rink 4 and Teams 4 rink 5.
Intra-Club Matches/Training Sessions:
Another great way to prepare for digital scoring is using the system for your Intra-Club matches and/or training sessions. Same scenario as practice matches above, contact Matt Ottobre and matches will be setup in BowlsLink.
Bowls Victoria realise the 2025-26 objectives for BowlsLink digital scoring are bold, but attainable, and we also know our Clubs are more than capable.
Matt can be contacted via email – matt@bowlsvic.org.au
Pre-Season 2025/26 Online Training
The following four sessions will be held via Zoom (interactive meetings) and will also be live streamed via on Bowls Victoria’s YouTube channel. The training has been categorised to support Club Adminstrators, Selectors and Side Managers, as well as anyone involved with the management of Pennant at your club during the upcoming season.
This session is designed to assist new Club Admins, and revisits the value and functionality of Bowlslink, with Q & A session.
This session provides insights and best practice to assist clubs with the all-important selection process, with Q & A session.
This session provides support for new Side Managers including 2025/26 Conditions of Play and revised Results and Team entering process.
This session will run through all changes for the 2025/26 Season, and common FAQ’s, with Q & A.