The Gold Coast Hawks squad, featuring star players Kelsey Cottrell, Nathan Rice, Nicky Brett, and coach Mark Thatcher, as well as our up-and-coming junior talents – Levi, Nate, Xavier, and Skye – along with a strong support crew, made their way to Moama in southern NSW to compete at BPL21.
After a challenging start back in November at Pine Rivers, the Hawks faced an uphill battle. Their BPL21 campaign began with two losses and three wins on day one, but despite the setbacks, hopes remained high. The team’s persistence paid off as the tournament progressed, and by the midway point, the Hawks had secured third place. A couple of tough losses briefly threatened their finals hopes, but they dug deep. Winning their final two round-robin matches propelled them up the ladder and into the second elimination round.
The Hawks went on to dominate the Adelaide Pioneers, sending them straight into a showdown with the Melbourne Pulse. It was a tight contest, but Nathan Rice’s remarkable play in the tiebreaker saw the Hawks edge past Melbourne and earn their spot in the Grand Final.
With supporters both in Moama and back home rallying behind them, the stage was set for the ultimate challenge: the Geelong Jets. What followed was a display of incredible teamwork, skill, and sheer determination. The Hawks triumphed in straight sets, 6-5, 6-2, clinching the BPL21 title in a fairytale ending that echoed the true underdog spirit.
Nicky Brett was named MVP of the Grand Final, with Kelsey Cottrell securing a spot in the All-Star Team alongside Coach Mark Thatcher. It was a fitting reward for the team’s remarkable journey and a testament to their resilience.
The Gold Coast Hawks will be back in action this October at Pine Rivers, but until then, stay up to date with all upcoming events and tournaments by visiting our Bowls calendar on the website.
Go HAWKS!
What an incredible year it has been for Club Helensvale! We’re thrilled to share the news that our club has been recognized as the joint winner of the 2024 Bowls Australia Club of the Year. This prestigious accolade highlights the dedication, innovation, and community spirit that define Club Helensvale.
Setting the Standard in Bowls
Our achievements this year were driven by the implementation of the Club Helensvale Strategic Plan, which focuses on strengthening, growing, and celebrating the sport of bowls. With milestones such as the successful hosting of major events like the Australian Open and the Para Inclusive Pairs Tournament, we’ve positioned ourselves as a hub for local and international talent.
Commitment to Inclusivity and Development
From our partnership with the Adaptive Rehabilitation Recreation Centre to the growth of Para Bowls and the success of our Hawks Development Squad, we are committed to fostering inclusivity and nurturing future talent in the sport.
World-Class Facilities
This award also recognizes our ongoing investment in state-of-the-art facilities, including the upcoming completion of our second undercover green, ensuring we remain a premier destination for bowlers of all levels.
A Community Effort
None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our staff, volunteers, and sponsors. Together, we’ve created a welcoming and dynamic environment for members, players, and visitors alike.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on the future, ready to build on our success and continue driving the sport forward.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. This award is a testament to our collective efforts and passion for the game. Here’s to many more years of excellence at Club Helensvale!
At Club Helensvale, we’re always striving to provide the best possible facilities for our members, and the latest renovations reflect just that. We’re proud to announce the completion of our second undercover green—a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to create a world-class environment for lawn bowls and community enjoyment.
The new undercover green, designed for both social and competitive play, has already garnered recognition. Our partners at BioScapes, led by Dave Bentley, were awarded runner-up in the prestigious SAPIA (Sports and Play Industry Association) Awards in the Commercial Sports Courts – Synthetic section for their work on Green 2. This achievement is particularly impressive given the international competition in the category, including multisports and colour-filled playing arenas. The award highlights not only the exceptional quality of our green but also BioScapes’ passion and expertise. Club Helensvale will be featured in the upcoming SAPIA awards magazine, further establishing our position as a leader in lawn bowls facilities.
In addition to the incredible work on Green 2, our broader redevelopment efforts have been recognised at the 2024 Gold Coast Master Builders Queensland Awards, where Ashley Cooper Construction took home two awards:
– Best Sporting Facilities
– Best Tourism & Leisure Facilities over $10 million
These accolades are a testament to the vision, dedication, and craftsmanship behind the redevelopment of Club Helensvale. Ashley Cooper Construction’s award-winning work has helped us transform our club into a premier destination for both sport and leisure.
As we continue to upgrade and expand our facilities, our commitment to providing top-tier experiences remains at the forefront. We invite everyone to come and experience the award-winning greens and updated amenities for themselves.
Lawn bowls is a fantastic sport for people of all ages, and at Club Helensvale, we’re passionate about encouraging youth participation in this inclusive and enjoyable activity. Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or a complete beginner, our Thursday afternoon training sessions are the perfect opportunity to get involved.
One of the greatest aspects of bowls is how accessible it is. Unlike many sports, lawn bowls has no physical contact and places minimal strain on the body, making it ideal for those looking to relax or recover from injuries. It’s a game that moves at your own pace, allowing players of all skill levels to enjoy themselves. Best of all, it creates a sense of community—bringing people together for fun and friendly competition.
We invite young bowlers to join our sessions and experience the camaraderie that makes lawn bowls such a unique sport. Whether you want to sharpen your skills or simply have a great time outdoors, our club offers a welcoming environment where everyone can play.
We host weekly training sessions for our youth academy on Thursdays from 4.30 pm, hosted by Australian bowls legend Nathan Rice! Our Hawks Squad have been training diligently and we are excited to announce that they are heading into an exciting weekend at the Pine Rivers Junior Classic!
With Singles and Pairs events on the schedule and a $1000 prize up for grabs in the Singles, the competition is set to be fierce.
We’re thrilled to announce that 8 of our young players will compete in the Singles this weekend, while 6 will take on the Pairs event on Monday. This is a fantastic opportunity for our squad to showcase their talent, and we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and hard work.
Best of luck to all our Hawks players—let’s bring home the win!
If you’re keen to learn more about youth lawn bowls or join our upcoming training sessions, contact our bowls department today:
bowlscoordinator@clubhelensvale.com.au | 07 5573 1491
The launch of the World Bowls Series and the Official World Rankings occurred tonight at Club Helensvale on
the Gold Coast in Australia.
The World No.1 ranked Bowlers in the World were announced with Kelsey Cottrell and Aron Sherriff both from
Australia coming out on top of the new World Rankings.
A full list of the top 50 players from the Official World Rankings are now live on the World Bowls Series website
– www.worldbowlsseries.com with information on the events that have contributed to these rankings are also
available.
The WBS is the official year-long calendar of sanctioned events connecting to the official World Rankings. It is a
joint venture between World Bowls and Tier 5 Ventures. The sanctioned events occur across the globe and
include a mixture of current and new events.
WBS commenced in 2024 with twenty-nine (29)sanctioned events with each WBS event belonging to a different
tier based on the size, location and stature it presents for the game of Bowls.
The purpose of WBS isto build the profile and brand of bowls,showcase the best playersin the game, accelerate
the legitimacy of the sport on the global stage and launch World Rankings that will create clarity, and interest
in the sport of Bowls.
Later in 2024, WBS will be launching rankings for Para Bowlers where the participation and profile is increasing
across the World.
Club Helensvale is proud to announce our latest round of Community Benefit Funding has been decided and seven local organisations will share $24,800.
We’re excited to see our reach spreading to new organisations since the re-introduction of the Community Benefit Fund in 2021, with first time recipients Gold Coast Tweed Motorsports, Coomera Netball Club and Coomera Hope Island Cricket Club submitting successful applications.
Organisations which are already part of the Club Helensvale family, Helensvale Netball, Helensvale Hornets JRL, Pimpama Swimming and Arundel Ride for the Disabled round out the successful applicants for January 2024.
Some of the projects we are funding in round 6 will benefit a wide range of the local community. Arundel Ride for the Disabled will be using their funding for new shade structures for the horses at their complex just off Brisbane Road in Arundel. The Coomera Hope Island Cricket Club are fundraising to replace their synthetic turf in the bowling nets to reduce the risk of injury bowling on concrete and the Pimpama Swimming Club, who were only established in 2023, and are now forming representative teams to compete and require new uniforms for coaches and athletes.
Almost $5000 will be used by organisations to upgrade their equipment such as sporting balls and first aid kits.
Club Helensvale has also donated $10,000 to the ClubsCare initiative by Clubs Queensland to support those in need after the devastating weather events we have witnessed across QLD in the past couple of months.
We are also donating $1 from all seniors meals and lunch specials which we estimate will be a further $2000 to the cause.
Our next round of Community Benefit Funding will open in May and be advertised on our website and social media channels.
Club Helensvale is committed to donating $50,000 per year to our local community through the Community Benefit Fund but will also continue supporting local charities, organisations and not-for-profit groups with free room hire and fundraising assistance throughout the year.
For more information regarding the Community Benefit Fund please visit the Community page on our website or contact Community and Marketing Manager Kelsey Cottrell at community@clubhelensvale.com.au
Bowlers across Robina have breathed a collective sigh of relief, with Club Helensvale coming to the rescue of the ailing Robina Bowls Club.
The club faced several years of financial difficulties, with COVID 19 putting the club’s future on a knife-edge.
However, the purchase by Club Helensvale ensures bowls will continue at the site, with big improvements planned for both the bowls and club facilities.
Club Helensvale CEO Wayne Moffatt, said the clubs first started talks in late 2022.
“It was clear to us very quickly that the club was on the verge of closure and without outside support it would almost certainly fold, Mr Moffatt stated.
“As a not-for-profit community bowls club we felt it was within our charter to help out, providing a brighter future for the Robina community and adding another great facility for our members residing to the south to enjoy.”
With the support of our both boards, the agreement to take over the club was approved by Robina Bowls Club members in December, with Club Helensvale taking over operations immediately.
Club Helensvale has already made its mark on Robina, re-branding the venue to Club Robina, re-launching a new restaurant menu, completing improvements to car parking, and employing three new staff.
But that’s just the beginning of an even brighter future according to CEO Wayne Moffatt.
“The club in the leafy streets of Robina will be given a new lease on life, with multi-million-dollar renovations planned over the coming years,” he said.
“Our first priority will be to improve the standard of the bowling greens that support the 180 strong bowling membership.
“Then we’ll turn our attention to the club facilities, with a new masterplan to be created, offering modern club facilities for the whole community to enjoy!”
The support of Club Helensvale has been welcomed by the club’s bowling members including Dawn Forrest who joined the club in 1994 and held the positions of Secretary, Games Director, Treasurer, Ladies President and Board Member.
“I was quite upset to think that my club may close its doors after almost 30 years as a member,” Mrs Forrest said.
“When I heard Club Helensvale was interested in taking on the club, I felt like we were being thrown a lifeline.
“Things are now looking bright for us and I’m very positive and optimistic about the future for Club Robina.”
In an ironic twist of fate, Club Helensvale was in its own financial hardship only three years ago.
“When COVID shut the industry down in March 2020, we weren’t in a great position,” Mr Moffatt recalled.
“However, with the support of our members, we’ve turned that around, completing two major renovations in 2021 and 2022.
“We’re now embarking on a $13 million renovation including construction of a new international standard undercover bowling green, two-story bowlers lounge and function centre, and carpark upgrades.
“To be in the position to renovate our entire club and now take on Club Robina is a fantastic achievement for our members.
“Members will be able to join at either club for just $5 for one year, or $20 for five years and enjoy access and member benefits across both clubs.
“Club Helensvale is proud to support our community and the addition of Club Robina ensures the local community can continue to enjoy their local club for years to come.”
For more information on the new look Club Robina, visit clubrobina.com.au
Club Helensvale has continued to support local charities, schools, sporting groups and organisations through our Community Benefit Fund and is proud to have donated over $100,000 back into our community since the club re-opened post the global pandemic in 2020.
Whilst there have been challenges for the hospitality industry, Club Helensvale has remained true to our word; promising to donate $25,000 twice a year back into the community.
Congratulations to the eight local organisations who have been successful with their applications for our round 4 funding.
It is always a difficult task for our Board of Directors to select the worthiest recipients and projects, and this latest round of funding was no exception; the total funding sort from all applications was more than $62,000.
There is a diverse group of recipients including two newcomers, the newly established Pimpama Swimming Club and The Rainbow House organisation.
Pimpama Swimming Club needed financial assistance to prepare for swim meets for their elite swimmers. We have been able to provide funds to purchase backstroke ledges and tethered pool trainers.
The Rainbow House is an organisation which provides grief counselling and parent support groups. The organisation is run by volunteers, but they seek funding to engage professional counsellors to work with young children and teenagers in our local community.
We were delighted to see other organisations who were previous funding recipients reapply for new and exciting projects.
Helensvale Netball, Pacific Pines Football Club and the Helensvale Hornets Junior Rugby League Club were all in need of new training equipment, whilst the Helensvale Hogs are spending over $10,000 to provide a sun safe location for all the families coming to watch their games. This will be a great addition to their facility.
TAC-Q is another wonderful organisation we are only too happy to assist financially each year.
“Teenage Adventure Camps Qld and I would like to express our huge gratitude to you for being one of our very kind supporters over the years, helping us to provide our annual Fleay’s Wildlife Adventure for disadvantaged and special needs children and our annual camps for terminally-ill teenagers and those with a life threatening, chronic illness,” said Issy Asofa.
And last but no means least we treasure the relationship we have with the Helensvale State High School and will support this great school wherever we can well into the future.
For more information on the Community Benefit Fund or other ways Club Helensvale can support local organisations please contact Kelsey at community@clubhelensvale.com.au
Club Helensvale is proud to have donated $10,000 to the Red Cross Flood Appeal in March 2022. Southeast QLD and Northern New South Wales had endured a lot of heartache during this natural disaster and our club was in a position to help those suffering the most.
Club Helensvale has made a commitment to inject $50,000 a year back into our local community through our Community Benefit Fund; however, when events like these arise it’s important to act immediately and get financial support to those who need it the most in the quickest way possible.
Members of Club Helensvale’s Board and Management met with volunteers from the Queensland Red Cross Association to present a cheque. Whilst the clean-up had only just started and they had witnessed first-hand a lot of sadness and loss, the donation brought a smile to the volunteers knowing where that money would be distributed.
Clubs are an integral part of the community and here at Club Helensvale we are proud to support over 20 organisations, charities, local schools, and junior sporting clubs. As Club Helensvale continues to grow, our support of the community will grow with us!
If you would like to enquire about the Community Benefit Fund or any fundraising activities please email Kelsey Cottrell community@clubhelensvale.com.au
Club Helensvale is proud to support local charities, schools, aged care facilities, hospitals, people with disabilities, animal welfare and sporting organisations to name a few, and we have established long-standing relationships with services and people around our local community for a number of years.
The Club Helensvale Community Benefit Fund welcomes requests from eligible organisations bi-annually, and recently we have awarded a total of $25,000 to seven worthy recipients in the first round of funding for 2021.
Club Helensvale Chairman Paul Wilson was delighted the club is in the position to give back to our community and was impressed with the projects and passion in our community.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors at Club Helensvale I’d like to commend the applicants for their submissions to the Community Benefit Fund,” Mr Wilson said.
“The passion everyone has for their community groups shone through and we’re pleased to provide financial support to seven organisations totaling $25,000 in this round of funding.”
“Club Helensvale is committed to injecting a further $25,000 back into our local community in the next round of funding. We’re looking forward to reading more submissions and seeing the amazing work of more non-for-profit organisations and their wonderful volunteers.”
Congratulations to the following organisations on your successful applications.
Helensvale Calisthenics Dance Academy
Helensvale Senior Citizens
Oxenford State School
Helensvale High School- ABW
Coomera Cubs Baseball Club
Pacific Pines Football Club
Helensvale/Pacific Pines Cricket Club
We will continue to work with these organisations by helping them with further fundraising activities and invite them all to the club for a community barefoot bowls day soon.
Be on the lookout for applications opening this month for the next round of funding. All the information will be uploaded here and advertised through our social media channels.
