Tactical, social, competitive croquet

OFF-shoot games of the World Association Croquet Championships were held at Prince of Wales Park last week.

Hosted by the Ballarat Alexandra Croquet Club, top performers from New Zealand, England, the United States, Canada, Australia and beyond played five three-hour games across Wednesday, 19 and Thursday, 20 February.

BACC member and the venue’s tournament manager, Brian Reither said it was a great opportunity for his club to host high calibre players.

“It’s a great thing for Australia and a great thing for Victorian Croquet Centre to be hosting the whole event on behalf of the Australian Croquet Association,” he said.

“People have been amazed by the facility we’re fortunate to have; the facility that we built ourselves.

“Alison Sharpe, who happens to be the top female player in Australia, her comment was that this is the best, neatest clubhouse she’d ever seen, and she’s played all around that world. A lovely comment.”

There were 80 players initially in the championships, playing a round robin in blocks of ten. The top four of each block made up a group of 32 which moved into a knock-out competition at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters in Cairnlea.

The 48 players who didn’t make it to through have split into eight blocks of six for another plate competition, and Ballarat Alexandra Croquet Club hosted a portion of these competitors.

Mr Reither has been playing with the club for 20 years and said his community is always looking to welcome new members.

“One of the beauties of this sport is there’s no segregation. Men and women play on an equal footing.” he said. “It’s competitive, very social and very much about tactics.

“Years ago, it was an old ladies’ game. We’re trying to break that stigma, and it’s hard, but an indication of how it’s no longer an old person’s game is that the current world champion is a member of our club, 24-year old Robert Fletcher.”

On Monday, 2 March the annual Begonia Open Croquet Tournament will launch at the Ballarat Alexandra Croquet Club too.

Running for about 35 years, it welcomes any player registered with Croquet Australia. Entries closed on Wednesday, 26 February with at least 24 people set to play.

“It’s always a very friendly, competitive event, with people coming from all over Victoria to compete, renewing friendships of previous years,” Mr Reither said.