More than 600 lawn bowls fans are expected to flock to Keilor over three big days early next month as the town hosts one of the biggest events on the Australian bowls calendar.
Billed as the most significant national bowls event held in the state since Darebin hosted three years ago, the Australian Champion of Champions Singles will be held at the Keilor Bowls Club from October 5 to 7.
It will attract international standard competitors, including Australian team member and former Keilor player Carla Krizanic, as eight state winners fight it out to become Australia’s representative in the International Champion of Champions later in the year.
Local traders believe the event will create a mini economic boom for Keilor Village, similar to the annual Keilor Gift.
“Generally speaking, anything like that is good for [Keilor],” local grocer Pat Senserrick said. “We have the local footy, but we don’t get a heap of flow-on as there’s catering at the ground. It should be great for local motels and coffee shops.”
Keilor Bowls Club past president Maureen Sutton said club members have been working around the clock to get the venue ready.
“It will be all hands on deck, as it has been for the past few months in preparation,” she said.
Bowls Australia spokesman Mark Casey said the club had been selected because of its “standout” greens and facilities.
“Keilor BC was also the first club that I ever played bowls for, aged 11, so I was thrilled when Keilor was selected as the club to host this great event,” he said. “I am confident that there will be around 200 people attend the Keilor Bowls Club to watch this event each day.
“The Australian Champion of Champions Singles event is a very prestigious event on the Bowls Australia calendar.”
