World Cup to be live-streamed and stay in Warilla
The World Cup will stay in Warilla next year, while the final two days of this year’s event will be live-streamed next week. Two significant developments in relation to the World Cup have been confirmed on the commencement of the 2017 competition; with Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club poised to continue staging the prestigious international event for a further year, while the final two days of this year’s edition will be live-streamed on Bowls Australia’s Facebook page.
The announcement sees Warilla confirmed as the host of the 2018 event, which will be the club’s 13th staging of the event, with negotiations already underway to retain the tournament for future years.
In a coup for fans of the sport globally, the penultimate and final day of this year’s event, which commenced this morning until March 22, will also be live-streamed and available to view worldwide, courtesy of a partnership between Bowls Australia, World Bowls and Warilla.
The live-streamed coverage, which will accessible through facebook.com/BowlsAustralia, will feature coverage of all four semi-finals and both finals of the men’s and women’s event, from 10.00am each day.
The commentary of the six matches will be anchored by Jack Heverin, who viewers of Bowls Australia’s Fox Sports and SBS programs will be well accustomed to, alongside Commonwealth Games gold medallist Wayne Turley OAM on March 21 and dual World Bowls Championships singles gold medallist Karen Murphy on March 22.
World Bowls Chief Executive Officer Gary Smith said he was pleased to confirm both exciting initiatives.
“World Bowls is delighted that the 2017 World Cup semi-finals and finals will again be live-streamed as part of World Bowls’ on-going commitment to provide access to World Bowls events to the global bowls community, building upon the outstanding success of this initiative launched at the 2016 event,” Smith said.
“We are also pleased to announce that this world renowned, first class facility will again be hosting our World Cup in 2018 and negotiations are well underway to secure the hosting of the event at Warilla in 2019.”
Bowls Australia CEO Neil Dalrymple said it was vitally important to retain marquee international events and to provide audiences with the opportunity to watch them.
“Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club have a proven track record of successful hosting the World Cup, so it is very pleasing that event will continue to be staged on Australian soil next year,” Dalrymple said.
“The live-streaming of this year’s event further underlines Bowls Australia’s commitment to provide audiences with unparalleled opportunity to watch the sport.”
Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club General Manager Phillip Kipp said the club was proud to continue to play host to the illustrious event.
“Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club is proud to be the long term host of the Bowls World Cup, now in its twelfth year,” Kipp said.
“Live streaming this year will add an extra dimension, providing coverage of the semi-finals and finals of the event. Bowlers around the world will be able to experience live what, if past years are anything to go by, will be cracking games from the semi-finals through to the finals.
“Everyone at the Club is looking forward to another masterful display of lawn bowls from the best players in the World.”
Three Australians will commence their campaign at the 26-nation event today, with four-time winner Jeremy Henry launching his title defence, alongside 18 year-old Australian Indoor Championships runner-up Curtis Hanley and reigning Australian Open and Indoor winner Natasha Scott.
World Cup live-streaming schedule:
Tuesdays, March 21
10.00am AEDT: Women’s semi-final 1
12.45pm AEDT: Men’s semi-final 1
3.00pm AEDT: Women’s semi-final 2
Wednesday, March 22
10.00am AEDT: Men’s semi-final 2
12.45pm AEDT: Women’s final
3.00pm AEDT: Men’s final
