The Mount Maunganui Bowling Club has hosted a bowling tournament like no other.

The Australian bowling arm national team was in town today for the Australian National and President's Open.

Tony Long from St Leonards, Victoria takes on Tony Long from Matua. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

The Australian national team, known as the ‘Armaroos', all play with a bowling arm, which is similar to a walking stick but with a clamp one end to hold the ball and a trigger by the hand to release it.

The mechanical device is aimed for players with back problems and disabilities who are unable to get low enough to release the ball.

Armaroo Allan Starrett using the bowling arm.

Matua Bowling Club have created a team comprising of three teams of able-bodied bowlers plus two other teams of arm bowlers to make a team of 20.

As it stands, Mount Maunganui are up by one game.

'We're lucky to have good weather today or it would have been slightly embarrassing but it's going well. They're impressed with the facilities we have got here,” says Maunganui Bowling Club secretary Garrick Hamyln.

The day began with a one-hour coaching session for bowling arm players and those who want to begin using the tool.

Both national anthems were sung before the tournament commenced at 10.05am after official speeches welcomed all players and spectators.

Garrick sees the bowling arm becoming more popular in New Zealand.

'Well, we're all getting older,” he jokes.


Mount Bowl's Merv Gibbons.

Mount Bowl's Dennis Grice.


Mount Bowl's Dennis Pottage.

Mount Bowl's Meredith Pottage.