THE first Bowls Victoria women's regional lawn bowls competition will be held in Swan Hill in March.
Teams of the best available female bowlers from 16 regions will go head-to-head for bragging rights as the best in the state.
Formerly run independently as the Murray Valley Division Group Sides Championship, the event is now run under the auspices of Bowls Victoria and called the 2012-13 Women's Region Sides Championship.
Bowls Victoria chief executive officer Graeme Bridge said he was excited about the new event in Bowls Victoria's portfolio.
''I was fortunate enough to be a guest at last year's Group Sides Championship, so when Swan Hill and Murray Downs Resort expressed an interest in hosting the Bowls Victoria version of the event we were delighted to come to an agreement to hold it here,'' he said.
Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Les McPhee is looking forward to the financial boost the event will give the economy, with its 192 bowlers as well as management and technical officials staying in Swan Hill motels.
''Council is pleased to support Bowls Victoria with this venture, to ensure the women's sides competition stays here in the region where it all began,'' he said.
''This year's event will be a huge boon for the Swan Hill region – we expect the ladies involved will enjoy our region's hospitality while they are here, supporting local accommodation providers, restaurants, clubs and retailers.
''These events showcase our city to visitors, which in turn we hope will encourage them to return for a holiday with family and friends.''
The competition is scheduled for March 20 and 21, with sectional play to be held at Murray Downs Resort and the finals and consolation event at Swan Hill Bowls Club.
