Victorian Open remains in Shepparton
Bowls Victoria and the Greater Shepparton City Council have inked a new deal to keep the Victorian Open in the city till the end of 2017. The Victorian Open, Victoria’s marquee bowls event, will remain in Shepparton until at least the end of 2017, after a new arrangement was inked today.
The Victorian Open will be held long-term in the north-east Victorian city after Bowls Victoria and Greater Shepparton City Council agreed to a new deal to secure the event’s future in the region.
The Open has been held in and around Shepparton since 2011, with this year’s tournament running from November 7 to 13.
Greater Shepparton Deputy Mayor, Cr Fern Summer, says this event will inject more than $1 million into the Greater Shepparton economy.
“With more than 1,200 players expected and 2,000 visitors converging on the region from around Australia this event generates well over $1 million for our community keeping business busy and the economy strong across seven days in accommodation bookings, hospitality, retail and visiting our tourism attractions,” Cr Summer says.
“This is a great boost for our region with every single bowls club in Greater Shepparton involved in the event generating great community pride in hosting these prestigious championships.”
Bowls Victoria Chief Executive Graeme Bridge said he was thrilled the organistion would continue its long standing with the region.
“Bowls Victoria is excited that the event will stay in Shepparton, and that Greater Shepparton City Council sees the event as so important to the local community,” Bridge said.
“What it now means is we can plan for the long-term, knowing that Shepparton is the home of this important event.”
The Victorian Open is a chance for grassroots bowlers to have a shot at the title, taking on elite bowlers in a Bowls Australia-ranked event offering $42,000 prize money.
All affiliated club bowlers from anywhere in Australia, or from World Bowls-aligned nations, can compete in singles, pairs, triples and mixed pairs events at the tournament.
Heading the entries received so far is Australian Indoor Championships women’s singles winner Carla Odgers, from Sunbury.
Odgers, 25, is Victoria’s top-ranked bowler nationally and the defending Victorian Open women’s singles champion.
Already more than 500 entries have been received for the tournament – mostly from rank and file club bowlers.
Last year, there were 940 entries.
Entries for the Victorian Open close on October 14.
For further details on the Victorian Open and how to enter, click here.
Caption: Bowls Victoria president John Fisher, Greater Shepparton City Council deputy mayor Cr Fern Summer, and Bowls Victoria chief executive Graeme Bridge at the launch at Shepparton Park Bowls Club.
