Tara Murray
Bundoora is the seventh new team to be announced for the Victorian Bowls League competition.
After a successful launch of the competition with eight teams last year, Bowls Victoria is adding another eight teams to the competition.
On Tuesday, Bundoora was named as one of the new teams.
Franchise owner and coach Tony Schiavello said it’s with great anticipation that Bundoora Bowling club has entered the VBL.
“We love the concept and look forward to the challenge. Bring it on.”
Bundoora joins the Whittlesea Eagles in the competition, with the Eagles named the fifth new club in the competition.
“The Whittlesea Bowls Club is excited to be part of VBL2,” Whittlesea general manager Nick McIntyre said. “Since joining the metropolitan competition, Whittlesea Bowls Club and the Whittlesea Eagles brand has grown considerably.
“The VBL will only enhance our brand and reputation further and will provide pathways and opportunities for our members. We look forward to the challenge that VBL offers and can’t wait to compete in an elite competition.”
The two clubs join Club Sunbury Xtreme, Sebastopol Burra’s, the Ocean Grove ‘Grovers’, Bendigo East Magpies and the cluBarham Suns as the new franchises to be announced so far.
The Dandenong Pulse, Traralgon Lyrebirds, Yarraville-Footscray Dogs, Moama Steamers, Deer Park Club, Brighton Blue Devils, Vic Storm and Warrnambool Bulls are the existing franchises.
The VBL is an easy-to-understand, fast-paced format with five-a-side teams with rotating formats (pairs and triples, then singles and fours).
Squads of six players are permitted, but of the five taking to the green, four must be Victorian registered bowlers.
Teams will be split into four sections, with the winners and runners up of each section progressing to finals weekend.
The winning team will receive $30,000. Deer Park won the first competition.
The competition starts in July with finals in September.