Clash of the Trewrens: Family bragging rights on the line in Allan Matheson Shield grand final

Three members of the Trewren family will be in action when Shepparton Golf takes on Kyabram, with father, son and brother divided between the two teams.

Father Paul and eldest son Mackenzie will suit up for Golf, while brother Connor will be leading the charge for Kyabram.

Grand final day is always a special occasion and Paul said he couldn’t wait to get out there.

“I'm expecting a really good game and I am really looking forward to it. I am very excited about playing in the grand final again,” Paul said.

“On a personal level, it's huge for me. I have never won a division one final, so I would love to go out there and win it for not only myself, but also for Shepp Golf. And as far as beating Connor, it would be awesome to have the bragging rights in the house, obviously.

“I know that Mackenzie is ultra competitive and Connor really just wants to go out and win for the bowls club and obviously we want to do the same.

“I think it will be a great game and hopefully the best team wins, which will be Shepp Golf.“

On the flip side, Connor will be hoping it is he and his Kyabram teammates that can come out on top.

“I’m pretty nervous to be honest, but I am keen as,” Connor said.

“From my point of view, hopefully Kyabram can come away with the flag. I am excited for it, I can’t wait. Hopefully I can get one over on Dad and Mac.”

In the lead up to the big game, Connor said there had been plenty of friendly banter exchanged between him, Paul and Mackenzie

“The household has been a bit tense this week. There is definitely a bit of trash talk going on, that’s for sure,” he said.

Connor said Mackenzie had been the best trash talker, by far.

“He just keeps telling me what excuses I am going to use when we lose.”

When it comes to playing with and against family, Paul said it was an awesome – albeit different – experience.

“It's fantastic to be on the same side. It's just a brilliant experience, especially being with the two boys,” Paul said.

“I think playing against family, there's just a little bit of a different dimension there. You are certainly competitive, regardless of who you're playing, but you tend to be a little bit more competitive when you're playing against someone in your own family.”

The Trewren family’s bowls journey began 15 years ago at a social business bowls event at Kyabram.

Paul and his wife Karen, as well as Connor, Mackenzie and daughter Teagan took part in the event, which was organised by Karen’s father Barry Cartwright.

Since then the Trewrens have been bowling.

“At that time we were just joking around, I never thought that we would take it that seriously. Now it is full blown,” Connor said.

The Trewren family played together at East Shepparton, where mum Karen still bowls.

Mackenzie and Connor then moved to Shepparton Golf, winning a grand final together in 2021.

Paul and Teagan have now shifted to Golf as well, while Connor made the move to Kyabram ahead of this season.

Connor said his transition to Kyabram – where he also took on a coaching role – had gone smoothly.

“The main reason I moved was because it was better for work and I got an opportunity to be a coach at another club,” he said.

“You take the opportunities that you get and I jumped on board at Kyabram.

“it has been pretty good. I knew a majority of the people, I played here 10 years ago when I started my career. A majority of people who were there when I started are still there.

“This is the first time ever I have played against Dad and Mac, which was part of the reason of going. I really wanted to play against them, rather than just being with them all the time.”

Connor isn’t the only member of his family at Kyabram, however.

He will be bowling alongside his uncle David Cartwright – Karen’s brother – and his cousins Jacob and Josh.

When it comes to the question of who is the best bowler in the family, however, Connor said there was one clear answer – mum.

“It would have to be Mum. We all have to go out and play each other, we don’t do that enough. But it would have to be Mum, I reckon,” he said.