In what's believed to be a New Zealand first, the Mount Manganui Bowling Club is going to be hosting the Australian bowling arm national team on May 5.

It's a squad of 20 and they all play with a bowling arm, says Mount Manganui Bowling Club secretary Garrick Hamlyn.

Mount Manganui Bowling Club Roger Roberts perfects his technique before the upcoming tournament. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

'It's for people with back problems and disabilities who can't get down low to deliver a normal bowl,” says Garrick.

'Most clubs will have somebody who uses them. I think we have at least three that I know of at this club.

A bowling arm is like a walking stick with a clamp on one end to grip the bowl and a trigger on the handle to release it.

'It's a mechanical device which you hold in your hand; and the bottom of it you grip a bowl into it and there's a press button release up near the hand so you propel the arm forward and press the button to release the bowl,” says Garrick.

The Australians have a national championship for bowling arm players, and the national team of 18 men and two women will be hosted by the Mount Maunganui club on May 5.

'This is a first as far as we know; the first national team anywhere that's been selected solely of bowling arm players. For the first hour we will have a coaching session for local people who use an arm or are thinking of using an arm,” says Garrick.

There will be an official welcome, speeches and the playing of the two national anthems before a bit of a tournament.

Three teams of ordinary bowlers and two other teams of local arm bowlers put together by Matua club player and bowls New Zealand president Mike Spring will take on the Australian arm bowlers.

'At 1pm we will sit them down to a seafood lunch, some of the local fare,” says Garrick.

On May 5, from 9am-10am is a session for bowling arm players or those looking to use the tool. The tournament starts after the two national anthems are played at 10.05am. Public viewing is free.