Local bowling staple Derek Kendall has been celebrated for his more than 25 years of service as a bowls umpire.

Kendall was awarded the Umpire Long Service Award by Bowls New Zealand president Piripi Huwyler at the Outdoor Umpires annual general meeting in Te Puke last month.

He has been umpiring bowls since 1994, additionally serving as an indoor bowls umpire since 1984.

He was president at the Edgecumbe Bowling Club for nine years before taking over the secretary and treasurer roles.

With the help of a team of devoted club members, Kendall took good care, the Edgecumbe Bowling Club until it was impossible for them to maintain the grounds.

Following the club’s closure, he offered his services to Whakatāne.

Kendall has been president and vice-president of the Whakatāne Indoor Bowls Association. He continued as secretary and upon retiring from this role received a life membership badge.

His presidency skills have also been loaned to Senior Citizens Kawerau and the Edgecumbe Indoor Bowls club.

Results regularly published in the Beacon over the years have been written and compiled by Kendall, keeping the community up to date with the latest player outcomes.

“We just looked after the club, but as the years go by things change,” he said.

He has always enjoyed bowls, and in the past decade has increased his commitment to the clubs after the passing of his wife in 2013.

He is keeping busy with umpiring, with a recent tournament having him measuring nine games instead of the normal four to six.