Latest news with #bowling
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Auckland bowling club on getting rid of pokie machines
Point Chevalier Bowling Club got rid of the slot machines last year and has focused on attracting a new generation of members, while keeping their older patrons. It's been hard graft but the club that was losing members is back in the black. Simon Munro, the President of the Point Chevalier Bowling Club spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Warm weather knocks Hollywood Bowl sales
The recent spell of warm weather has dented sales at Hollywood Bowl as Britons headed out into the sunshine, the leisure group has said. The firm said it suffered a 'short-term' hit to its UK bowling chain between March and May as Britain basked in the sunniest spring on record. But the group said it remained 'confident' on its outlook for the final six months of the year thanks to action to offset the weather knock and kept its full-year earnings guidance unchanged. Stephen Burns, chief executive of Hollywood Bowl, said: 'The prolonged period of unprecedented dry and warm weather from March to May has had a short-term impact on trading. 'However, we've responded quickly, managing margins and costs while maintaining strong operational performance, which remains as good as it's ever been. 'Looking ahead, we're well positioned for the key summer holiday period.' The group said drier weather earlier in the year – between February and late March – played a part in a fall in the number of bowling game bookings during its first half to March 31, down 4.5% in the UK on a like-for-like basis. The fall was also driven by the timing of Easter and last year's leap year, which gave an extra day of trading, 'as well as the continuing competition from new competitive socialising offerings opening in certain locations', it said. But it said spend per game rose, helping increase total UK like-for-like revenues by 1.3% in the half-year, with sales in bowling centres up 1.5%. Pre-tax profits fell 9.4% to £28 million on an underlying basis in the six months to March 31 as costs also rose in the UK. It saw its wage bill jump by £2.6 million to £24.9 million after minimum wage increases
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Cricket legend Virat Kohli to invest in World Bowling League
DUBAI: The World Bowling League has added Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a new strategic investor after recently announcing MLB superstar and three-time World Series Champion Mookie Betts' Team OMG as the first franchise. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport With modernized gameplay, mixed-gender teams, and events expected to be held around the globe, the league — founded by Dubai-based Adi K. Mishra — is looking to transform traditional bowling into a mainstream spectator sport. Kohli, a global sports icon, steps into the league with a personal connection to the lanes. 'I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12,' he said. 'It is evident how popular the sport is while being underappreciated as a business proposition. Adi K. Mishra's vision to redefine bowling is unique, and after our success with Team Blue Rising in the E1 series, I'm thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner.' Kohli's popularity and influence as the third-most followed athlete on Instagram — behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — amplifies the league's mission to inspire a new generation of fans. Mishra, founder and CEO of League Sports Co., echoed Kohli's enthusiasm. 'Elite-level bowling is a world of intricate challenges — from lanes with unique topographies and thousands of 3D-printed oil patterns to balls that react differently with every roll. 'When I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport. Virat's relentless drive for sports mirrors our own. 'Every week, we uncover more about bowling's global depth and fascinating history — it's a sleeping giant we're ready to awaken.' With Team OMG owned by Betts already setting the tone, the WBL will soon announce more franchises.
CNA
6 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Sports-From batting to bowling: India's Kohli invests in World Bowling League
NEW DELHI :The proposed World Bowling League has received a major boost after marquee India cricketer Virat Kohli came on board as a strategic investor on Wednesday. Apart from being the leading name in international cricket, Kohli is a social media phenomenon and the third-most followed athlete on Instagram behind footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. "The World Bowling League (WBL) is pleased to announce cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a strategic investor in the league, igniting a bold new chapter to elevate the sport of bowling," the league organisers said in a statement. Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts bought the first announced team in the WBL, which is yet to announce the franchises and schedule of the first event of the league featuring mixed-gender teams. "I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12," the 36-year-old Kohli said in a statement issued by League Sports Co., the owner of WBL. "It is evident how popular the sport is while being under-appreciated as a business proposition." "I'm thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner." Kohli owns a team in the E1 World Championship power-boat series and has a stake in Indian Super League soccer team FC Goa. "When I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport," said Adi K. Mishra, founder and CEO of League Sports Co. "Every week, we uncover more about bowling's global depth and fascinating history - it's a sleeping giant we're ready to awaken." Former India captain Kohli, who plays in the Indian Premier League, retired from test cricket earlier this month and now only features in internationals in the 50-overs format.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Sports-From batting to bowling: India's Kohli invests in World Bowling League
NEW DELHI, May 28 (Reuters) - The proposed World Bowling League has received a major boost after marquee India cricketer Virat Kohli came on board as a strategic investor on Wednesday. Apart from being the leading name in international cricket, Kohli is a social media phenomenon and the third-most followed athlete on Instagram behind footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. "The World Bowling League (WBL) is pleased to announce cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a strategic investor in the league, igniting a bold new chapter to elevate the sport of bowling," the league organisers said in a statement. Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts bought the first announced team in the WBL, which is yet to announce the franchises and schedule of the first event of the league featuring mixed-gender teams. "I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12," the 36-year-old Kohli said in a statement issued by League Sports Co., the owner of WBL. "It is evident how popular the sport is while being under-appreciated as a business proposition." "I'm thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner." Kohli owns a team in the E1 World Championship power-boat series and has a stake in Indian Super League soccer team FC Goa. "When I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport," said Adi K. Mishra, founder and CEO of League Sports Co. "Every week, we uncover more about bowling's global depth and fascinating history - it's a sleeping giant we're ready to awaken." Former India captain Kohli, who plays in the Indian Premier League, retired from test cricket earlier this month and now only features in internationals in the 50-overs format.
