The organisers have left no stone unturned in an attempt to get more teams to contest the event and according to the event organiser Janelle Thompson early indications are that between 15 to 20 teams could contest the titles.

Thompson said the ideal number would be around 20.

A team from Sydney including a group of golfing professionals have indicated their intention of entering after accepting a challenge from a local dignitary on Facebook.

The Championships will kick off at around 7pm on Friday, March 24.

The event will see teams compete in round matches with the winners progressing in the Championship event whilst the losers will contest the Consolation Division.

Thompson also stated that teams that contain ladies gain a bonus as they get one marble start for each lady in the team which basically means that instead of knocking out 11 of the 21 marbles in the rink they then only have to knock out 7 if the team contains four ladies.

The defending champions of 2016 “Balls Deep” and 2015 winners “Money Shots” are once again the teams to beat but they expect strong opposition from other teams including the “Bull Sharks” whilst the Parkes Hockey team “Magpies” intend going one better after winning the Peter Day Consolation Division last year.

They have challenged other sporting teams to get behind the social event of the year. 

In an effort to stop cheating organisers supply not only the Marbles for the Rink, but it supplies the Taws for the individual matches as well, as players often used to attempt to smuggle in Large Taws.

Parkes Golf Club President Bernie McCabe praised long time sponsor Griffins Leading Edge for their support and commitment to the Championships and especially the tireless work put in by their Managing Director Peter Magill.

All profits go to the Parkes branch of Can Assist.

Nomination Forms are available from the Parkes Golf Club, Griffins Leading Edge, Parkes Cellars or you can download a form from www.parkes.nsw.gov.au