2018-04-08

New club brings croquet to the community

Croquet Victoria's newest club, RNB Croquet Club, recently visited Portsea Camp and introduced croquet to over seventy youngsters at a school holiday camp.

President Terri Manwaring has provided a report on what happened over the two days.

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2018-04-23

Thanks to Brian Reither on a job well done

Brian Reither gave notice at the Victorian Croquet Association Council Meeting held on Monday 23 April 2018 that his time as the Regional Director for Ballarat and District Croquet Association would end at the upcoming 2018 VCA AGM.

Already a Victorian Croquet Association Life Member (awarded in 2015), Brian has given sixteen years service to croquet at the State Level.

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Gateball trophy comes home

A small but committed field competed in the Victorian Gateball Championships at the Victorian Croquet Centre over the weekend of 27-29 April.

As well as the Victorian teams, we had competitors from Canberra and, for the first time as a standalone team, the Woodville team from South Australia.

The absence of our Queensland friends was again felt – but with a new date for next year’s tournament of the last weekend in March (28-31 March) the clash with the Rockhampton event has, hopefully, been resolved.

At the opening of the event, Ruth Duffy, the Victorian Coordinator of Coaching, presented Philip Brown with his level 1 coaching certificate. Ruth and the National Coordinator of Gateball, John Park, jointly accredited Philip to deliver Level 1 Gateball coaching endorsements.  Ruth also hit the ball through the ceremonial first hoop – scoring a gate-touch to boot.

This year, for the first time in five years, the Victorian Championships were won by a Victorian team. Congratulations to Kew, for their first win in their home competition since 2012.

Winners, Team Event: Kew

The runners-up were Essendon, who were also the only team to best Kew in the double round-robin.

Runners Up, Team Event: Essendon

A feature of the Victorian Championships is the number of younger players who enjoy the event. It is always great to see Tim Stagg and son Robert (Brunswick), participating in the pairs event.  Their distinguishing flat caps added distinction and class to a disparate array of team uniforms. Anthony Dask (Elsternwick), now a first year Agriculture student at university still shows his trademark flamboyant enthusiasm for the game. He still insists that he regularly watches Japanese gateball on TV every week and prefers to referee in Japanese! Geoff and Trish Crook and their two sons from SA completed the younger cohort competing in this tournament. Though Freya was called upon at the last minute to add frizz to the medal presentations – see the photos above. Can any other state match this excellent participation rate for younger players?

In the pairs, the lure of the second presentation of the John Bradley Pairs Championship proved a strong motivator. The final was contested between two pairs of Victorians, Philip Brown and Kerry Seipolt (Kew) vs Gilon Smith (Kew) and Anthony Dask (Elsternwick). A see-sawing final was eventually won by Philip and Kerry 13-11, thanks to a faint nick on the goal-pole at the 29^th minute. John’s partner Elaine Coverdale shared some memories of John and presented the pairs medals in his honour.

We hope to see you all at the next Victorian Championships in March 2019 – or the Nationals to be held from 29 November to 1 December 2019. As the competitors this year can attest, we can promise you warm, delightful weather here in Melbourne… at some stage during the tournament!

Philip Brown

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2018-04-29

Anzac Classic at Rich River

In lovely autumn weather Rich River held our Association Croquet Anzac Classic six day tournament. The courts were looking the best they have for years.  

Players came from Canberra, Yarrawonga, Ringwood, Wagga Wagga, Brunswick, Quarry Hill, Rich River, Essendon, Mooroopna, Bright and Brighton.

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2018-04-06

New court for Phillip Island Croquet Club

The sun was shining and there were smiles all round when the new court (lawn) was officially put into action at the Phillip Island Croquet Club recently.

It was a day to remember for club members and invited guests from the Shire – Mayor Pam Rothfield and Councillors Les Larke and Michael Whelan – when the ribbon was cut signifying a welcome addition to the club’s well-established facilities.

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