Asia is central to World Bowls Refresh

“Asia is our growth powerhouse, and what we did in Malaysia was the exclamation mark on my first year,” says Brett O’Riley, President of World Bowls. 

The proud New Zealander has just returned from Kuala Lumpur, where the international sporting federation hosted its inaugural World Cup — a tournament that signals the sport’s future may well lie in Asia. 

Celebrating Malaysia winning the inaugural World Cup with from left Bowls Malaysia President, Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz, Women’s Singles Gold Medallist Emma Firyani Saroji, HRH Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and YB Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports. Image Supplied

The origins of bowls stretch back centuries, with early versions of the game appearing in ancient Turkiye, Egypt, the Roman Empire, and later Britain. In New Zealand and many other Commonwealth nations, bowls arrived with British settlement. The country’s first club, the Auckland Bowling Club, opened in 1861, and bowling greens soon became a familiar feature of communities across both rural and urban areas. 

“I’ve had a lifetime involvement in bowls,” Brett reflects.  

Introduced to the sport by his grandparents, all four were competitive players. Brett spent his childhood travelling around the country supporting them at tournaments before becoming a player himself. Through this involvement he met his wife, leading bowler Robyne Walker, and also took on administrative roles at his club, the Professional Bowls Association, and went on to be involved with Bowls New Zealand both on the green and at the board table. 

O’Riley on the mat during the final with Belliss played at Taieri in Otago. Image supplied

Alongside his sporting career, Brett developed a strong reputation in the business world as a change agent. That blend of experience saw him appointed to the World Bowls Board in 2021, at a time when major bowling nations agreed the sport needed a refresh. 

Brett O’Riley lining up before the televised final of the 1992 New Zealand National Bowls singles against Peter Belliss (who won 21-16). Multiple World Bowls champion Belliss was inducted by Brett into the World Bowls Hall of Fame earlier this year. Image Supplied

Led by President Darryl Clout from Australia, World Bowls began laying the groundwork for change. This included relocating its headquarters from Scotland to Melbourne and prioritising growth in key regions, particularly Asia. 

Momentum grew when bowls and para bowls were confirmed in the reduced programme (just 10 sports) for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, though there was a hook, the event would have to be played indoors on portable rinks at the Scottish Events Centre. 

Brett singing the waiata Tutira Mai Nga Iwi at the bowls competion at the Korea National Paralympic Games in Busan flanked by Korea Bowls for the Disabled Secretary-General Jimmy Yoo

This announcement coincided with Brett’s election to President of World Bowls. His mandate was clear: continue the modernisation, strengthen partnerships, prepare the sport for its indoor Commonwealth Games debut and accelerate growth in Asia. 

Asia is a region Brett knows well from his career. Bowls, however, had long existed mostly in pockets, largely as legacies of the British and expat communities, and both the 1998 Kuala Lumpur and 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. 

Brett O’Riley at the Asia Bowls Championships in Angeles City, Philippines with event sponsor Bryan Lockyer, a fellow Kiwi who owns and manages a software business based in the Philippines. Image Supplied

Malaysia, as part of its high-performance squad preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and with support from the Malaysian Government has decided to construct four indoor portable rinks, similar to the design to be used in Glasgow. With just five months before its inaugural World Cup, World Bowls made the decision to move the event to Kuala Lumpur from Hong Kong China to take advantage of these new playing surfaces. 

Celebrating a landmark meeting in Beijing with the China Multi-Ball Association’s Director-General Mr. Jiang Shicai as bowls starts to grow its footprint in China.

The new high tech portable rinks enabled World Bowls to run a full test event for the Commonwealth Games. Twelve countries competed indoors, and the tournament drew several dignitaries, including the former King of Malaysia, His Royal Highness Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu, Malaysia’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, and the Chairs of both the Malaysian Olympic Council and the Asian Olympic Council. 

Brett O’Riley alongside Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz, President of Bowls Malaysia and Asia Bowls, and YB Hannah Yeoh, Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, at the World Bowls Hall of Fame induction ceremony as HRH Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu presents a commemorative plaque to Malaysian pioneer Siti Zalina Ahmad. Image Supplied

It was huge for the athletes to have such high-profile guests in attendance,” Brett says, noting how the visibility helped elevate the sport’s profile regionally. 

The tournament delivered several milestones, including a World Cup victory for hosts Malaysia. Thirty-one athletes were also inducted into the World Bowls Hall of Fame, among them Malaysia’s Siti Zalina Ahmad, a pioneer player who was instrumental in growing the sport following the 1998 Commonwealth Games, including several playing stints in New Zealand. Five Kiwi bowlers were inducted, Jo Edwards, Sharon Sims, Val Smith, Peter Belliss and Rowan Brassey. 

Kuala Lumpur has quickly proved itself a natural hub for international bowls. Historically, major events were held in Australia, New Zealand, or Great Britain, locations requiring long-haul flights for most competitors. Malaysia, by contrast, offers a more central location, world-class facilities, outstanding food, and new cultural experiences. 

“Malaysia delivered for World Bowls. Malaysia delivered for Malaysia. More events will be hosted there taking advantage of their hospitality, organisation, and facilities.” Brett said as he reflected on the previous week. 

Casting an eye across Asia, Brett sees significant potential for growth and acknowledges that World Bowls has made strategic decisions to ensure the game is more accessible. New technology, updated formats, and mobile playing surfaces have made the game more adaptable and appealing to the diverse regional and cultural contexts of Asia, and he is encouraged by the opportunities to support the sport’s continued growth across the region. 

In Singapore the Vision 2030 strategy, designed by the Ministries of Education, Health and Sport, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of its ageing population and get young people more active. Bowls can clearly contribute to these goals. 

In South Korea, the story is unique and inspiring: the country has the largest number of classified para bowlers in the world (1000), outnumbering able-bodied players. Government initiatives support employers to allow staff with disabilities time to participate in sport, many choosing Bowls. World Bowls is in discussions to host the first-ever World Para Open bowls tournament, with South Korea the potential host. 

Brett presenting on climate change transition and the Greener Trade Framework as a member of ABAC’s Sustainability Working Group at the recent ABAC4 meeting in Busan, Korea. Image Supplied

In India, bowls has had a steady presence for decades. New Zealand played a key role in preparing and delivering the bowls programme for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. At the most recent Games, their women’s four won gold and the men’s team won silver. Just this week, Amdavad (Ahmedabad) was announced as host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and bowls will be included in the programme. 

Celebrating the signing in Mumbai of a strategic MOU between the Bowling Federation India, Sunaina Kumari and President Ravi Bengani, Bowls New Zealand Aotearoa and World Bowls during PM Rt Hon Christopher Luxon’s delegation to India, Minister of Sport Hon Mark Mitchell, SportNZ Ambassador Peter Miskimmin and NZTE’s Graham Rouse. Image Supplied

Looking ahead, 2026 will mark 100 years of sporting connections between New Zealand and India. Several sports, including bowls, are preparing to contribute to the celebrations, with competitions planned in both countries. 

As November 2026 approaches, Brett’s two-year tenure as World Bowls President will come to an end. With his passion for the game and determination to see the global refresh through, it is hard to see him stepping away. 

“There are huge opportunities ahead including the potential for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics. Even small increases in participation will mean big changes by global standards. Asia will be the centre of our universe - and it will be exciting.” Brett says. 

At the 2025 APEC Leaders Dialogue in Gyeongju, Korea with Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and ABAC colleague Michaela Browning from Australia. Image Supplied

He and World Bowls share a clear ambition: to make bowls the world’s most diverse and inclusive sports, visible at every level, from local clubs to the world’s pinnacle events. At the heart, bowls remain a community game, bringing people together. It is one of the few sports where a competitive game can take place beside a social one, and where para and able-bodied athletes, men and women, and people from all backgrounds can compete alongside each other. It really is a sport for life and a sport for all. 

Brett is clear that his presidency will be defined by action.  

“It is a huge honour, but it is not the title that counts. It’s what you do with it when you’re there.” 

Banner Image - Brett applauds the medallists at the Asia Bowls championships. Image supplied