Bowls: Brassey slams lack of prize money

Champion bowler Rowan Brassey has slammed Bowls New Zealand over the level of prize money being offered at the current national championships.

Bowls NZ is offering $40,000 in total prize money for men's and women's winners at the tournament, with each of the singles, pairs and fours winning teams receiving $1200, along with smaller amounts for the minor placings.

Brassey told the Dominion Post yesterday the prize money for singles winners should be about $10,000

"They've taken $75,000 in entry fees and they got major sponsors in Holden and Dorchester," Brassey said.

"If you go back a few years it was $1500 for the singles, not a great deal, but enough to cover costs (of travel and accommodation) if you won. Now it's down to $1200, it seems to keep dipping."

Brassey said the Australian Open was worth $100,000, with singles event winners getting $12,000 to $15,000.

Bowls NZ chief executive Kerry Clark said the organisation was not in the business of running professional tournaments.

The money currently on offer was the largest for any bowls tournament in New Zealand.

Holden's sponsorship extended to supplying six vehicles for Bowls NZ development officers, while Dorchester's sponsorship helped with the development of the game.

- NZPA