Monthly Archives: January 2021

Gateball Coaches in QLD

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Greg Bury (Australian Croquet’s Coaching Director) most recent visit to Southport Croquet Club was Sunday 3rd January, 2021.  During this visit he had just a small group of attendees:- Lynda Davis (QLD Coaching Director) Bribie Island CC, Brian Rubock from Twin Waters Mallet Sports Club, Keith McLeod, Jim Northcott and Barbara Northcott from Southport Croquet Club.

Each of the participants were taken through the course that is required to re-certify these Coaches in Level 1 Gateball. Next was the course to ensure these five people obtained Level 2 in Gateball Coaching. 

Finally, a specific course was conducted  by Greg to qualify all five people as Trainers of Coaches and Presenters for ACA Coaching Courses.

Above is the photograph from the day. L-R Greg Bury, Lynda Davis, Jim Northcott, Barbara Northcott, Brian Rubock and Keith McLeod

Strathfield Gateball News

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INTERSTATE GATEBALLERS VISIT SCC

Our club was fortunate to have visits from two highly experienced and talented Victorian Gateballers, who graced our lawns in December, and put us at ease, as we had fun and learnt as much as we could from these experienced players. I must admit I did not know much about either of them until this visit. So what did I do in this situation, I ‘googled’ them.  I have just scratched the surface in my knowledge of them. These Gateballers are Gilon Smith and Anthony Dask. Hopefully, they will return to play with us when in Sydney. They would be most welcome.

Gilon Smith has been a past National Director of Gateball, is an International referee and has played Gateball in international competitions.     

 Ann (Bronze AC Champion, has recently joined our ranks as a Gateballer)

Anthony Dask is Assistant State Director of Gateball (Vic) and President – Elsternwick Croquet Club. Gilon has represented Australia in both U21-GC, and also represented Australia in Gateball.  Anthony referees in Japanese and translates into English. He has recently produced coaching videos.  See them at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMzfcMq_j4ogVvAFF0nfcHQ/playlists.

SUNDAY GATEBALL DURING DECEMBER

We played at both our regular Sundays (the 1st and the 3rd of month). We now have our QR code operating for contact tracing, and have a prepared group list with contact numbers, so we were able to speedily get on with the pleasure of playing Gateball. We had 16 players who turned up that first Sunday. On the second occasion in December we had reduced numbers so had lots of turns…marvellous! Despite rain showers that were a bit of a dampener, we had several games of Gateball, as those living close to Strathfield knew and trusted it was just ‘Strathfield Rain’…sure enough, it cleared up by 10.30am!

2021 BEGINS

Sunday Gateball was to resume on the 3rd January 2021, but the starting date has been postponed due to increased Covid-19 concerns in Western Sydney. Contact me via our club website https://www.strathfieldcroquet.com if you don’t have my mobile number, and would like to know more about this and other GB sessions currently conducted at our club throughout the week.

SCC ACKNOWLEDGES JAMBEROO  GATEBALLERS’ POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON OUR CLUB

This influence on our club began in November, 2016, when John Creelman and I attended a ‘Come and Try Workshop’ at Tempe. We knew nothing about Gateball till then, and certainly did not know if it was possible to include such a game at our club.  But on my return from Tempe, I shared with our club’s management committee, those first good impressions. Glenda and Manuel looked so professional both in manner and attire. The committee was interested, and encouraged me to learn the game, which I did at Eastwood and Epping.  Later on, I certainly enjoyed participating in Jamberoo Gateball triples and teams tournaments.

Both Glenda and Manuel set the benchmark high. They supported one another, and guided their team well. On occasion, Manuel conducted some short referee sessions and another time, a two day workshop (in winter) at Lithgow, which a couple of us attended (and nearly froze to death). I am pleased that in 2020, Petula Shun took up the referee baton, and does enjoy that role. It was also, whilst on a visit to Jamberoo, where we received from John Park, ACA Gateball equipment (on loan to the club). In 2019, Strathfield purchased its own GB equipment. Since our success as members of the inter-club Epstars team at two State GB Championships (winners-2018/2019), SCC has had a steady increase in both interest and in numbers of our members who now play Gateball. Our educational programs (Strathfield Girls High School, U3A and Seniors Festival Sessions) include Gateball coaching.

Thank you Glenda, Manuel, and Jamberoo gateballers for being such a positive influence and supporting our growth. We are pleased to hear that although Gateball may not be played at Jamberoo, they have told Gateball Australia that they will be looking for other players to form composite teams for future competitions. Apparently they are also considering an offer forCNSW gateball to run a Referee Workshop later in 2021.

Ebb and flow….change is a constant!

Ruth Bridger
Strathfield Croquet Club

President’s Trophy – SA State Gateball Doubles Competition

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Third time lucky!  After two cancellations of this event due to Covid-19 restrictions, a smaller format event was held on Wednesday 30 December 2020 at Hyde Park Croquet Club.

Unfortunately, the continuing travel uncertainty meant that we had no competitors from outside metro SA.

So, four pairs battled for the trophy in sunny conditions on the smooth, fast court.  Looking at the pairs, I thought the teams could beat any of the others, so an interesting tournament was in store.

The games were all hard fought with moments of brilliance (long range bombards, soft bombards using the team’s own ball to nudge off an opponent, and some long range touches very tight to the line), sprinkled with Gate Touches, some long range touches and well judged sparks.  More surprising was the number of mistakes – particularly short touches (mostly by my team initially, but I think we inspired others!). 

This reminded me that competition play, with the added pressure of referees and a strict 10 second rule can affect even the best, and I encourage any newer players to try competition play – it really is a different challenge.

Ultimately every team had a win, but Barry and Karen were undisputedly the most consistent players and took out the tournament with 2 wins from 3 games and a net gates score boosted by a 23-7 victory in their second game.

An honourable mention should go to Peter M and Peter W.  Peter W has only been playing Gateball for a few weeks and to be runner up in a State tournament is a solid achievement. Well done to both Peters.

Everyone had a go at officiating – either as Chief referee, Assistant referee or Recorder, and the tournament was played in a friendly and sporting manner.

Many thanks to the competitors, spectators, Graeme Thomas for organising and Hyde Park Croquet Club for their warm welcome and professional tournament management.

Hope to see more people at the tournament next year.

Geoff Crook
Woodville Croquet Club