Bowls New Zealand has learned of the sad passing of Mrs Shelia Hodgson of the Waipu Bowling Club and the Northland Centre, after recently celebrating her 90th birthday and being recognised for her 50 year membership of the Club.

Shelia was a long-time servant of our sport.

As a New Zealand Umpire spanning 40 years (Badge number 996), she spent time as the President of the Centre Umpires Association and served as an Umpire at the World Bowls in Christchurch.   Shelia was a registered New Zealand qualified Coach, spending considerable time teaching new members the rules and competitiveness of the game.

Shelia served as President of her Club, and was on the Committee for many years - running the raffles at open tournaments and fundraising for the Club on a regular basis. She was appointed Patroness of the Club prior to and after amalgamation of the Men's and Women's Clubs.  She was delegate from her Club to the Centre and served a two year term as President of the Northland Women's Bowling Centre.

Shelia was a very competitive bowler - playing at the highest level in Centre fixtures for most of her fifty years as a bowler.  She was a demanding skip who accepted no compromises, and accepted no less from her team than she was prepared to give herself.

Her passing was sudden, a matter of weeks after her 90th birthday and she will be missed by the bowling fraternity of Northland.