VCA AC TOURNAMENT HISTORY

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The VCA presented perpetual silver cups or Senior A level competitions in open singles, open doubles and ladies singles events from the 1915/16 season to date. Mr T. Howat won the open singles twelve times over a period of twenty-five years. The open singles and doubles are open to interstate players. At a later stage Men’s singles and Women’s invitation were added.

AUSTRALIAN CROQUET COUNCIL’S GOLD MEDAL

Following its formation in 1949, the ACC presented a gold medal to each state for competition between selected Senior A players. It has been awarded from 1951/52 season to date. A condition is that the winners must be prepared to attend the next interstate carnival to compete for the English Silver Medal. The number of selected players has varied over the years. It was 10 in the 1979/80 season. Bars are given for multiple wins. Mr T. Howeat has won the gold medal 10 times.

Currently between 6 to 10 players in each State are invited to compete for the ACA Bronze Medal. The winners in each State then attending the Interstate Carnival to compete for the Australian Gold and Silver Medals. In 2005 the Selectors invitation was added and run in conjunction with the Bronze Medal. Twenty players not selected for the Bronze Medal were invited.

SILVER MEDAL

Since 1971/72 season the VCA has given a silver medal for level competition between eight selected Senior A players (H/c 4 – 6) who show potential.

In later years a bronze medal was added for eight players in 8 – 10 range.

VCA GOLD CUP

In 2000 an new event called the Gold Cup was introduced with the top ten ranked players being invited. In 2004 the Silver Shield was added and the next eight ranked players were invited to compete in it. In later years the Bronze Shield was added and the next eight ranked players were invited.

TREGELLAS TROPHY

A yearly medal donated by Mrs J. C. Tregellas, VCA vice-president and secretary of Canterbury, has been given from 1940/41 season to date for level singles competition between Junior A representatives of metropolitan clubs and country associations.

A. NELSON MEDALS

Mrs A. Nelson of Seddon and Essendon, was a president of VCA, a vice-president of ACC, an ACC advisory councillor, Victorian delegate to ACC, and for many years VCA correspondent to ACC. She gave medals for level competition in B grade and C grade between representatives of metropolitan clubs and country associations. After her death the family continued the events to perpetuate her memory. The medals have been given from 1963/64 season to date.

These then formed the Vic Divisional Championships played off around the State with regional winners coming through to Headquarters. Tregellas = 6 – 10. Nelson = 12 – 16 and 18 – 20.

Unfortunately over time, many Regions stopped having play offs which meant less players attending the finals at Headquarters. For that reason the events are now open to all affiliated players within the relevant ranges.

E. and B. TERRY TROPHIES

Mr Eric and Mrs Bess Terry were members of Melbourne. When Mr Terry passed away Mrs Terry, then of Glen Iris, donated trophies in his memory. After Mrs Terry’s death, the family donated money to continue the provision of trophies. They are perpetual silver dishes given for B grade 5 ½ to 7 bisques, and for C grade 10 to 12 bisques. They have been given from 1942/43 to date,

OLIVE LILLY TROPHIES

Mrs O. Lily, president of VCA and president of Glen Iris, was always interested in new players. When she realized that new comers to B and C grades were not catered for, she instituted handicap events for B grade 7 ½ to 9 ½ and C grade 13 to 15 bisques, to be held in conjunction with thr Terry events. After Mrs Lilly’s death her husband supplied funds for this fixture to be held in perpetuity. The trophies are perpetual silver trays given from 1955/56 to date.

These now incorporated in the Vic Divisional Handicap Championships played off around the State with regional winners coming through to Headquarters. E & B Terry = 5 – 7. Olive Lilly = 8 – 11. E & B Terry = 12 – 16. Olive Lilly = 18 – 20. In 2000 the Eddie Hunt Trophy was added for 1- 4 Unfortunately this event suffered the same problems as the Tregellas and Nelson when many Regions stopped having play offs which meant less players attending the finals at Headquarters. For that reason the events are now open to all affiliated players within the relevant ranges.

Reprinted and updated by B. Reither June 2014