The Allenton Sports Club is celebrating their centennial anniversary this weekend.
The club is a combination of local bowling, tennis and croquet players, and has some international players in its ranks, including guest speakers Jo Edwards and Val Smith.
Club president Craig Harrison said the weekend kicks off with an informal get together tonight in the clubrooms.
“This is the opportunity for everyone to come along.
‘‘They don’t have to be club member, it’s an open invitation to all.
“People are welcome to have a look around the clubrooms, have something to eat and meet Jo and Val who will be here.”
The pair were perhaps the club’s best known bowlers, on local and international stages.
Edwards and Smith both have international bowling stats.
Between them they have racked up a staggering amount of gold medals at World Outdoor Bowling Championships, Commonwealth Games meets and the Asia Pacific Bowls Championships.
Nationally the two women have equally impressive records; winning the New Zealand National Bowls Championships numerous times, and have been recognised on the New Years Honours list for services to bowls.
Saturday night sees the celebrations hit a more formal note.
Harrison said the night includes a dinner and the guest speakers.
‘‘Bowling club (member) Matt Markham is the emcee for the night,” he said.
Formalities over, guests will be treated to entertainment and live music.
Any club that has been around for 100 years was bound to have its amusing moments.
Tom Sutton, bowler and former Allenton 1956 junior tennis player, recalls a standoff over installing a bar in the renovated clubrooms.
‘‘Getting bar licence proved difficult as some didn’t want alcohol on the premises.”
‘‘Once we had the licence some members refused to walk through the door into the new bit because there was alcohol in there.”
– Allenton Sports Club 100th events: tonight from 5pm at the clubrooms, 14 Cavendish Street, Allenton is an open event where all are welcome. Saturday night is a ticketed event. Email allentonsportsclub@gmail.com for more details.
