Noeleen Scott, New Zealand Women’s Cap #4, may well be New Zealand’s oldest currently living Blackjack. If not the oldest living Blackjack ever.
Remarkably, at the age of 96 going on 97, she still lives on her own in her own house in Cromwell, Central Otago. Even more remarkable, in that Noeleen is all but blind … she can just make out shapes and shades enough for her to retain her independence, with a little help from a caregiver popping in every day.
Noeleen is the matriarch of probably the most well-known bowls ‘family dynasties’ in New Zealand … the Scotts.
It is a dynasty that was started by Noeleen’s husband, William (Bill) (now deceased). Noeleen used to watch Bill at the Cromwell Bowling Club. He was very good. He even won the New Zealand Pairs Championship in 1964.
And one day, Noeleen thought ‘I can do that’. And did. So quickly that she came runner-up in the National Singles in 1965.
Bill’s two brothers, Terry and Kevin, also played bowls. And like Bill, Kevin went on to be a New Zealand representative. And both brothers fathered New Zealand representatives : Shaun (the son of Kevin) and Jim and Terry Jnr (the sons of Terry Snr).
And more recently, Sarah Scott, the daughter of Terry Scott Jnr (and granddaughter of Terry Scott Snr) became the 7th representative of New Zealand from the Scott family. Funnily enough, a current New Zealand representative, Kelvin Scott is no relation.
It is an amazing record. And you would have to start thinking that there’s something in the Scott genes which predisposes them to bowls … or something in the water in Cromwell and Bannockburn
Keeping tabs on her family’s bowls success has kept Noeleen busy over the years. But it’s been terrific for her to be able to follow bowls after she reluctantly had to give up the game when her eyesight and age didn’t allow her to play to the standard she wanted.
Noeleen has been a member of the Cromwell Bowling Club for 50 years. She’s won 41 Club titles and 17 Central Otago Centre titles.
She won the National Open Singles in 1977, after coming runner-up in 1965. She was runner-up again in 1981.
But it was the World Outdoor Championships in 1973 at Mt Victoria Bowling Club in Wellington where she really had her moment in the sun : Noeleen won gold in both the Triples (with Irene Foote and Cis Winstanley) and Fours (with Irene, Cis and Verna Devlin). Elsie Wilkie from New Zealand also won gold in the Singles.
Noeleen played 14 times for New Zealand.
And when ‘caps’ were first introduced in 1973. Noeleen was awarded Women’s Cap #4, along with Elsie (#1), Verna (#2), Irene (#3) and Cis (#5).
“It was no surprise that us generation of kids took to bowls as well,” says Shaun. “We used to hang out at the bowling club when our parents were playing. I can remember, and this would be when I was 6 or 7, that when the bowls were finished we were allowed to throw (and dump) the bowls up and down the green while the adults had a drink in the clubhouse.”
These days, as greenkeeper at Bannockburn, Shaun mightn’t be so happy for that to happen!
“One thing’s for certain though, is if Noeleen’s well enough, she’ll always be sitting on the sideline enjoying the bowls.”
SCOTT FAMILY AT A GLANCE
Noeleen Scott (Generation 1. Born 1927)
Club Cromwell Bowling Club
Centre 17 Central Otago Centre titles
National 1965 National Open Singles : Runner-up
1977 National Open Singles : Winner
1981 National Open Singles : Runner-up
International 1973 World Outdoor Championships Triples : Gold
1973 World Outdoor Championships Fours : Gold
Represented New Zealand 14 times
Blackjack Cap #4
William (Bill) Scott (Generation 1. Born 1926)
Club Cromwell Bowling Club
Centre 19 Central Otago Centre titles
National 1964 National Open Pairs : Winner
1976 Rothmans Intercentre Sevens : Winner
International Represented New Zealand 16 times
Blackjack Cap #45
Kevin Scott (Generation 1. Born 1928)
Club Bannockburn Bowling Club
Centre 25 Central Otago Centre titles
National 1976 Rothmans Intercentre Sevens : Winner
International Represented New Zealand 8 times
Blackjack Cap #61
Shaun Scott (Generation 2. Born 1964)
Club North East Valley Bowling Club
Bannockburn Bowling Club
Centre 13 Dunedin Centre titles
30 Central Otago Centre titles
National 2011 National Open Singles : Winner
2011 National Open Fours : Runner-up
2013 National Open Singles : Winner
International Represented New Zealand 19 times
Blackjack Cap #106
2011 Asia Pacific Championships Triples : Bronze
Terry Scott Jnr (Generation 2. Born 1955)
Club North East Valley Bowling Club
Centre 38 Dunedin Centre titles
National 1977 National Open Fours : Winner
1990 National Open Singles : Winner
International Represented New Zealand 21 times
Blackjack Cap #70
2009-2014 Assistant Coach Blackjacks
2017-now Coach Canada lawn bowls team
Jim Scott (Generation 2. Born 1950)
Club North East Valley Bowling Club
Centre 24 Dunedin Centre titles
4 North Otago Centre titles
1 Central Otago Centre title
1 West Coast Centre title
1 Hawkes Bay Centre title
National 1980 National Open Fours : Winner
1982 National Open Singles : Winner
International Represented New Zealand 75 times
Blackjack Cap #66
1982 Commonwealth Games Fours : Silver
1984 World Outdoor Championships Fours : Silver
1984 World Outdoor Championships Triples : Bronze
1989 Asia Pacific Championships Triples : Bronze
Sarah Scott (Generation 3. Born 1984)
Club North East Valley Bowling Club
Te Rangi Bowling Club
Centre 12 Dunedin Centre titles
4 Southland Centre titles
National 2017 National Open Fours : Third equal
2019 National Open Singles : Runner-up
2019 National Champion of Champions Pairs : Runner-up
2021 National Champion of Champions Pairs : Runner-up
International 2016 Test for New Zealand Development
2017 Test for New Zealand Development
2019 Test for New Zealand Development
2018 Hong Kong International Pairs : Bronze
