St Johns Park, a powerhouse bowls club situated 35 kilometres west of Sydney’s central business district, is ideally placed to host the coveted event, which is contested annually by bowlers from 24 member nations who have won their respective national titles.

Bowls Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Neil Dalrymple said he was thrilled that the event had been awarded to St Johns Park and congratulated them for being selected.

“I am extremely pleased that St Johns Park Bowling Club has secured the rights to stage two editions of the World Singles Champion of Champions, shoring up Australia’s hosting until 2019, and I have no doubt they will be a fabulous host for this event,” Dalrymple said

“St Johns Park won a very competitive process in Australia to be selected as Bowls Australia’s nominated host.

“The sport of bowls internationally and in the Australian region will both benefit greatly from the quantity and calibre of world class events that will be staged on our shores over the next five year period.”

Echoing Dalrymple’s sentiments, World Bowls’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Smith applauded St Johns Park and Bowls Australia for obtaining the prestigious event.

“World Bowls greatly appreciates the continued outstanding support of Bowls Australia for the hosting of World Bowls events and delighted to see our prestigious World Singles Champion of Champions being hosted at such a superb, world class venue as St Johns Park Bowling Club, New South Wales in 2017 and 2018,” Smith said.

“We know that for all those who will be at these events it will be a truly unforgettable experience.

Australia’s combatants earn a berth on the world stage by virtue of winning the Australian Champion of Champions event, with the 2015 version set to ignite at the Sunshine Coast’s Coolum Beach Bowls Club from Wednesday to Friday this week.

Former Australian representative Katrina Wright and the APL’s Adelaide Endurance star Scott Thulborn earned the honour of wearing the green and gold uniform at Club Helensvale in November, while those that top the dais at Coolum Beach later this week will be granted the opportunity on the international arena in 2016.

Australia has enjoyed a rich vein of success at the World Singles Champion of Champions event with five winners recorded over its 12 year history, including three consecutive men’s winners with Leif Selby winning in 2008, Brett Wilkie in 2009 and Aron Sherriff in 2010.

In the women’s, St Johns Park ace Kelsey Cottrell is a former winner, having made it an Aussie double when she claimed the title alongside Wilkie in 2009, while Karen Murphy triumphed in 2013.

 NSW has hosted the World Singles Champion of Champions event three times since its inception in 2003, with Moama staging the inaugural event, followed by Warilla in 2004 and 2007, but has not yet produced an Australian winner when played on our soil.

Reporting of the 2015 Australian Champion of Champions event, held at Coolum Beach Bowls Club from September 16 to 18, will be available at bowlsaustralia.com.au.

Timeline of international events in Australia:

• 2015 World Singles Champion of Champion – November 16 to 22 – Club Helensvale, QLD

• 2016 World Cup – March 15 to 23 – Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club, NSW

• 2016 World Junior Cup – April 9 to 15 – Broadbeach Bowls Club, QLD

• 2016 World Singles Champion of Champion – November 14 to 20 – Club Helensvale, QLD

• 2017 World Cup – Dates to be confirmed – Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club, NSW

• 2017 World Singles Champion of Champion – Dates to be confirmed – St Johns Park Bowling Club, NSW

• 2017-19 Trans Tasman – Dates to be confirmed – Venues to be confirmed, QLD

• 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – April 4 to 15 – Broadbeach Bowls Club, QLD

• 2018 World Singles Champion of Champion – Dates to be confirmed – St Johns Park Bowling Club, NSW

• 2019 Asia Pacific Championships – June 4 to 12 – Broadbeach Bowls Club, Club Helensvale, Musgrave Hill Bowls Club, QLD

• 2020 World Bowls Championships – May 23 to June 7 – Broadbeach Bowls Club, Club Helensvale, Musgrave Hill Bowls Club, QLD