Glasshouse bowlers take historic BPHLL Title

Glasshouse Blue have been crowned champions of the 2026 Bowlers Paradise Hinterland Local League (BPHLL), defeating Palmwoods Hawks in Sunday’s Grand Final to claim the title in what has been a landmark season for hinterland bowls.

The finals series was played over the weekend under persistent showers, par for the course in a season that saw two rounds washed out entirely on 14th February and 7th March. That the finalists barely missed a beat speaks volumes for the commitment of the clubs involved.

Saturday’s quarter-finals saw Glasshouse Blue and Glasshouse Yellow both progress, joined by Palmwoods Hawks and Nambour Jade. The semi-finals that followed produced two closely contested matches, with Jade and Hawks booking their spots in Sunday’s preliminary finals. Come Sunday morning, Glasshouse Blue accounted for Nambour Jade and Palmwoods Hawks overcame Glasshouse Yellow to set up the afternoon’s Grand Final, which Blue won to take the Shield.

The victory is all the sweeter given the historic nature of the 2026 season. Following a league-wide vote, the BPHLL retired its separate Ladies and Men’s competitions in favour of a single Open format, with integrated club teams of 11 players competing across four rinks in Pairs, Triples, and Fours. The change has been widely welcomed by member clubs.

Competition organiser Andrew Friday said the weekend’s result was a fitting end to a milestone season. “Congratulations to Glasshouse Blue on a well-deserved championship. The move to Open teams has brought a real energy to the competition, and the clubs have embraced it wholeheartedly.”

Now in its 14th year, the BPHLL brought together 21 teams from 11 clubs across the Sunshine Coast hinterland and is believed to be Australia’s largest non-affiliated bowls competition. The 2026 Presentation Day will be held on Sunday 26th April at Nambour Bowls Club.

Further information at www.bphll.au and www.rangecommunitynews.au.