The World Bowls Series Finals took place at CluBarham from December 15 to 17, 2025, showcasing some of the best talent in the sport. Athletes from eight countries competed in a thrilling three-day event, which was broadcast globally on World Bowls TV and available on Fox Sports. The competition featured 24 of the world’s leading bowlers, both male and female, demonstrating their skills on two expansive undercover synthetic bowling greens.
Outstanding Performances and Historic Wins
The event concluded with Gary Kelly of Ireland and Dawn Hayman of Australia being crowned the inaugural World Bowls Series (WBS) Finals gold medallists. The finals showcased exceptional matches, with Chris Wallace, the World Bowls Series Manager, praising the remarkable performances witnessed throughout the weekend. “I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here at CluBarham to say that we’ve seen some truly remarkable bowls from 12 of the world’s best male and female bowlers at these inaugural World Bowls Series Finals,” he stated.
In addition to Kelly and Hayman’s victories, the silver medal was awarded to Aiden Takarua from New Zealand, while Coen Litfin and Corey Wedlock from Australia secured bronze medals.
The athletes earned their spots in this prestigious event through WBS rankings, which are based on performances from over 30 sanctioned events during the season. This year’s rankings included approximately 5,000 players from around the globe, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.
Gratitude and Community Engagement
During the awards ceremony, Hayman expressed her appreciation for the warm hospitality provided by the CluBarham community. “A big thank you to CluBarham, you guys have been unbelievable hosts this week,” she remarked. “It’s really nice to be out somewhere different from what I’m used to, being in the city, to down along the Murray River. I love being down here in the country.” Hayman also noted her surprise at remaining undefeated throughout the competition, stating, “To be standing here as the winner and the inaugural world number one is something I didn’t think was possible.”
Local bowlers had a unique opportunity to compete against the visiting Chinese team, further enriching the event’s community spirit. Brett O’Reilly, President of World Bowls, expressed delight at the participation of the Chinese team, emphasizing the exceptional experience provided at CluBarham. “You don’t get hospitality like this everywhere in the world, and you’ve helped us host two major international events this year,” he said.
The World Bowls Series Finals at CluBarham have not only showcased elite bowling talent but also fostered international camaraderie and local engagement, leaving a lasting impression on both participants and spectators alike.
