Dozens of New Zealand' most talented provincial bowlers are getting ready to head to the deep south this weekend (Nov 4,5), with more than 40 players invited to line-up alongside the best Southland has to offer in the name of charity. 

In its 40th year, the Bowls Southland Charity Pairs has become renowned for its overwhelming generosity and spirit in aiding those in need, with a staggering $311,000 gifted over four decades since its inception. Previous headlining acts and former tournament winners, world number one Jo Edwards and World Bowls Fours Gold Medallist Mike Kernaghan will not be attending this year's event, with both bowlers firmly focused on the upcoming Trans Tasman duties in Broadbeach, Gold Coast

But with a 40th anniversary comes something a little special, and with previous pairings such as Russell Botting and Bruce McNish (1983,1984), Roy Walker and Kingsley Schroder (1987), Russell McDonald and Tony Cooney (1995), among more recent winners back for another shot at the trophy, the line-up certainly doesn't disappoint. Add to that a smattering of the country's most promising youth such as Finbar McGuigan, Nicole Toomey, Richard Hocking, among former New Zealand champions Shaun Scott, Wynette McLachlan, Jim Scott, Kerry Becks, Paddy Stewart and other steady starters, the event is shaping up to be a memorable occasion all round.

As is tournament tradition, aside from the automatic pairings already known, all players will be told of their playing partner on Friday evening following the enthralling Split-Sixes quick fire format involving 10 of Southland's most promising novice bowlers taking to the greens with their vastly more experienced skips. As the event unfolds on Saturday, all eyes will be on three-time winners Craig Merrilees and Ken Walker as they look to break away and make history as a four-time Charity Pairs champion.

Walker will be paired up with Northend's  Paul Calvert, who combined well with the Dunedin carpet king last season to take out top honour. Saturday will see each pair playing five games in a round-robin qualifying format, with the first two teams in each section advancing to the Main Event where they will then rejoin a new section and play for the opportunity to top their section and progress through to the respective semi-final.

This year's charities to benefit from the event generosity are; Pregnancy Help, Age Concern, Blind Foundation, South Alive, Gore Scouts Group, Riverton St John, Southland Foodbank, Hospice Southland, The Salvation Army Corps and Invercargill Victim Support