Long arm of the law brings in talent from far and wide

The Busselton Bowling Club will be the safest place in WA for the next week as about 300 police officers from across Australia and Hong Kong hold their 61st Australian Police Bowling Championships.

The event, held every two years, features police officers from Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Hong Kong competing in a variety of championship events.

Through until next Thursday, the teams will compete in championships including singles, pairs, triples and fours.

WA Police Deputy Commissioner Nick Anticich said, as the patron of the event, it was the second time the championships had been held in Busselton. “It’s a great event, it certainly was last time, and I’m hoping this year that WA will repeat its winning performance from five years ago,” he said.

Event co-ordinator Peter Clifford said one of the reasons to be proud of the club was because it had probably the best grass greens in Western Australia.

“There’ll be some argument from that from other clubs but we certainly think they are the best in WA,” he said.

“We’ve got a huge amount of volunteers and it’s great to have all these people down here.”

Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said it was great to have the event back for the second time.

“They obviously enjoyed it the last time, so they’ve come back for a repeat visitation,” he said.

“This is one of the last few grass green bowling greens in WA.”

WA Police Bowling Club president Rob Bellis said the event was so important because of the camaraderie between the States’ police.

“Most continue to go every year, so it’s wonderful catching up with them all the time,” he said.

All money raised from the event goes to Police Legacy.

The Busselton Bowling Club is hosting the event and will provide meals, along with the morning and afternoon teas, cocktail evenings and barbecue breakfasts.

Members of the public are welcome to go along and watch the games, which will be held at the greens on Kent Street every day from 9am.

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