This is a copy of an announcement posted the Bowls Tasmania website on 31 October 2023.
Following receipt of a proposal from Bowls North and after full consultation with regions and State selectors and coaches, a major change is being trialled for the next two years with Open and Senior SWC. The second team of the host region has been abolished. In their place will be Bowls Tasmania State teams.
This will see Bowls Tasmania State teams to play against the regional teams in a four-team competition to enable State teams to play together in a highly competitive environment.
The SWC will be used as a key state representative selection tool – not just for State players but those on the cusp of State selection. What better way to let State selectors and coaches see what you can do by playing against and performing well against current State players?
The first rounds of the Statewide Challenge in 2023-24 will be played as follows:
- Juniors – Longford – Sunday 26 November 2023.
- Open – North Launceston – Sunday 3 December 2023.
- Seniors – North Launceston – Tuesday 12 December 2023.
State teams for the SWC will be announced at least a fortnight before each round of the SWC.
It should be noted that Bowls Tasmania State sides will compete for the same points as the regions but will be ineligible to be the winning Open and Senior Men’s and Women’s competitions.
Junior SWC will remain unchanged.