SOME of the Goulburn Valley Croquet Association’s best players met representatives of the North East District Croquet Association this week in an inaugural tournament which is hoped to become an annual event.
Delayed by weeks due to the most recent Coronavirus lockdown, players took to the courts in Shepparton despite the rain.
Speaking courtside at the Shepparton Croquet Club on Monday, tournament organiser John Young said it had been a long wait to get back on the grass.
“Probably the most important thing from our angle is we’re adhering to all the COVID regulations,” he said.
“It’s a good prompter for people to get back into the community, enjoy their sport and have a bit of fun.”
The tournament involved representatives from almost every club from the two associations, with the highest-ranked players across three divisions coming together for the first time.
Regular association croquet competition resumes tonight, with golf croquet competition starting tomorrow night.
“We’re coming out of the darkness, so to speak,” John said.
Croquet is an obscure sport with a long history. At high competition level, imagine the tension of golfers putting on a green on the final day of an open.
“It’s sort of like playing chess on lawn, or billiards,” John said.
“It challenges your mind, keeps you fit and there’s the whole networking opportunity too. Most of the clubs in Victoria are around 100 years old so it’s a pretty strong tradition and we’re mindful of those before us. The honour boards say it all really.
“It’s a good way to get out, exercise the brain and the body and meet people.”
