Monthly Archives: August 2023

Gateball – the 20/20 of mallet sports

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Recently on “Thank God You’re Here” on Channel 10, Hamish Blake, introduced people to the futuristic Big Bash Croquet. The uniforms were fantastic and the Golden Mallet sensational. But what is truly amazing is that a 20/20 style mallet sport really exists!

Gateball is a mallet sport, which uses smaller, lighter metal mallets. The games are short, at 30 minutes, perfect for after school or after work activities. Each turn must be played in 10 seconds, keeping the game moving. Gateball as a team sport, has matching uniforms and while not as short as demonstrated on “Thank God You’re Here” are  as varied and colourful as the teams that wear them.

Gateball is played in teams of 5 and the age of participants varies from 6 to 96. Men, woman and children of all ages can play in the team together.

The best news is that the Australian Gateball Championships are being held next week at the Wodonga Tennis Centre from the 7th to 10th September. Players from around Australia, Japan and India are coming together to play in a Doubles and then Team event. Spectators are welcome to come and see Gateball being played. We hope that Hamish and the crew from “Thank God You’re Here” also come to watch a few games!

Ros Crowe – National Coordinator – Gateball Australia

Australian Gateball Championships to welcome international teams to Wodonga

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It has been several years since Gateball players in Australia have had the opportunity to play with international competitors and they are excited to be welcoming them back to the Australian Gateball Championships for 2023. The event will be held on the 7th to 10th September at the Wodonga Croquet Club, located at the Wodonga Tennis Centre.

Teams from Japan and India will join Australian teams from Queensland, Victoria, NSW and South Australia. The World Gateball Union President, Mr Keiichi Imagawa, will be attending the event and a celebration dinner marking the 20th anniversary of Gateball Australia’s membership of the World Gateball Union will be held at the Commercial Club in Albury.

Gateball players are looking forward to welcoming back old friends and making new ones. Spectators are also welcome at the event from 8.30am to 4.00pm.

Ros Crowe, National Coordinator – Gateball Australia

 

Queensland State Gateball Championships – 12th to 14th August 2023

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The Queensland Gateball Team and Doubles Championships were held at the Pine Rivers Croquet Club, on the 12th to 14th August 2023.

The Championship was incident free and compliments flowed about how the event was run, the catering, and the overall event. A big thank you goes to the Pine Rivers Tournament Committee for their support, enthusiasm and work ethic that they displayed during the months of meetings and planning. I would also like to thank the club members, who volunteered during the tournament, for their enthusiastic approach and the way that they embraced the 3 days as their chance to show that even though they are a small club that they are quite able to take on a tournament like the Queensland State Gateball Tournament, and do it successfully, with a minimum of fuss. A special  thank you to Mr Sep Hines for the weeks of hard work in getting the courts into a great standard for the Championships and his dedication to providing the players with the best possible surface to play on.

The team event was played over the 12th to 13th August, and the Doubles over the 13th to 14th Aug 2023. The Team event was won by Moreton Bay 1, with Southport Red in second place.

The Doubles event was won by Julia Tai & Lee Wentworth – Southport, with Emma Mauceri & Kaelan Sweatman – Moreton Bay, the runners up.

I would also like to thank all the sponsors who gave great support to the tournament.

Robert Roose – Queensland Gateball Coordinator

Crazy Arms lend helping hand for Queensland State Championships

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Crazy Arms are delighted to sponsor the Queensland Gateball State Championships held at Pine Rivers Croquet Club on the 12th to 14th August 2023.  Founded by three Aussie Dads, Crazy Arms were originally designed to protect children from harmful UV, but soon caught on with the older population.  Golfers, Cyclists, Lawn Bowlers, Hikers, Fishers and Gardeners have adopted the fun UPF50+ Sun Sleeves, that come in a variety of colours and patterns. Made from up-cycled waste, like the ghost fishing nets that are reclaimed from the ocean, Crazy Arms are lightweight, cool to wear, and come in fully recycled packaging.

Co-Founder, Martin, was delighted to hear that Gateball players were also taking up the call, “Skin cancer affects 2 in 3 Australians by the age on 70 – A keen golfer, I’m one of them – so anything we could do to reduce the risk felt like a smart move.  Men, in particular, are more likely to get skin cancer, including melanomas. We’re delighted to be involved with the Gateball community, and offer prizes and discounts to everyone who attend.”

Crazy arms are sold on line at crazyarms.com, with sizes for all ages from 3 and up.