The Weather Gods were kind to Caloundra Mallets Sports Club, for their annual Sunshine Coast Masters and Apprentices Tournament on 13th to 15th November. After a week of rain, with nervous organisers studying the forecast each day, the skies cleared on Friday afternoon, and we enjoyed 3 days of fine, sunny weather.

It was a very full program, with 12 teams, totalling 70 players, converging on Caloundra from as far away as the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Rockhampton. With 17 rounds to be played over the 4 courts, it was an early 8am start each day. Competition was close, with 3 teams finishing on 8 wins, so placings were decided by net hoops scored. Rockhampton successfully defended their 2020 win, with Bribie Island second and F6 from Moreton Bay third. 

Rockhampton, receiving 1st prize from Caloundra’s President, Sue Dixon

14 doubles teams stayed for the doubles event on Sunday afternoon and Monday. Because of numbers, this event was played in 2 blocks. Leaders of each block played second place in the other, for a place in the finals. Interestingly, it was the second place getters in each block who played off for 1st place, with the event going to Bruce McAlister from Ipswich and Peter Sweet from Southport. They also won in 2020. Second place went to Robert Nicholson and Kathie Grant from Southport. In the game played for 3rd place, Steve and Cheryl Kele from Rockhampton finished ahead of Robert Roose and Richard Bevan from Eildon. 

Doubles winners, Peter Sweet and Bruce McAlister 

We are so lucky to be able to get together for these days, and even though the competition can be intense at times, the fun and friendship enjoyed by all make up for the weary minds and bodies at the end of the events.

Written by Robyn Brown, Caloundra Mallet Sports Gateball Captain.

With our Gateball Tournament only being 2 weeks after the State Titles
we were not sure what to expect and with the virus around we were
nervously watching the news to see if there was to be any lock downs
which could affect our tournament.

With 8 teams and 10 doubles entrants we were able to spread it over 3
days without any rush between games. Our lawns were not as good as we
hoped because when we had them done at in December last year a massive
storm came shortly after and washed all the top dressing away.

There were 3 teams that won 6 games but Toowoomba won on a count back.
Southport Red came second and Rockhampton third.

Toowoomba was placed 1st on the countback.

The Southport Red Team came 2nd.

The Newbies from Southport ( Donna and Robert Nicholson) won the Doubles Competition with Cheryl and Steve Kele from Rockhampton coming 2nd after a shoot out.

Donna and Robert Nicholson from Southport won the Gateball Doubles Competition

Frank Harding presented the prizes for the teams. He was 98 on the 2nd October and still an active member of our club. Even though he is unable to play. It was great to see everybody so relaxed.

Sandra Reynolds

It was a hectic time for the QLD Director of Gateball Referees, Margaret Barnard, at the recent State Gateball Championships held at Ipswich Croquet Club 17-19th September. Many players have been very keen to become qualified referees which augurs well for Gateball. There were 7 players who had passed the Level 2 Theory Examination which was held earlier in June at the annual MSOB Gateball Tournament at Southport Croquet Club. The next step for them was to be assessed on their practical knowledge of the rules by being observed refereeing Gateball games at the State Championships.

The successful candidate were presented with their badges by the CAQ Vice President, Pat Habner. Congratulations go to all seven of them from 3 Clubs. They are  Kathie Grant, Dianne and Peter Sweet from Southport, Chris Kele from McIlwraith, Fran Buckle, Christine Roose and Nancy Scamp from Eildon.  It is hoped that their success will inspire more players to take on the study and guidance needed to achieve the Level 2 Gateball Referee badge.

L-R Kathie Grant, Dianne and Peter Sweet from Southport, Chris Kele from McIlwraith, Fran Buckle, Christine Roose and Nancy Scamp from Eildon and Margaret Barnard

Gateball in QLD has received so much benefit from the dedicated work by Margaret Barnard who is an International Referee. She has been readily available to oversee the theory and practical exams in order to ensure the quality of referees remain high within the QLD State. Unfortunately, Margaret is standing down after 4 years of the demanding tasks she has had to carry out as State Gateball Director of Gateball Referees.

On behalf of all of the QLD Gateball players, I extend a sincere thank you, Margaret, for the tremendous work you have done for Gateball.

Having had to be delayed one month because of the Covid 19 pandemic, the QLD State Gateball Teams and Doubles Championships were held at Ipswich Croquet Club 17-19th September. These dates were originally set aside for the Australian Gateball Championships which had to be postponed to 1-3rd April 2022 – again because of the pandemic. Ipswich Croquet Club was important in the history of Gateball. The Trophy for the winning team in QLD – The Lola Whyte Trophy- was donated by her family who wanted to honour Lola’s efforts in introducing Gateball to this Club and to the wider croquet community.

There were ten teams in the State Championship with a wide spread of clubs represented from Rockhampton to Canberra. Unfortunately because of the change in the date, 2 teams had to withdraw. At the end of the ‘round robin’ competition there was a clear winner – Southport Red team which had 7 wins. With 6 wins each, Eildon White was placed in 3rd position because of the tally of ‘net gates’ scored compared to the Moreton Bay Team which was placed 2nd. The presentation of the Lola Whyte Trophy was carried out by Mrs Fiona McAlister who is the younger daughter of the late Lola Whyte.

Mrs Fiona McAlister presented the trophy to the winning team- Southport Red

2nd place- Moreton Bay team

The State Doubles competition was also a ‘round robin’ with 13 teams playing so necessitate a long two days of playing in unusually warm weather. This was closely fought competition with two teams scoring 10 wins each and 2 teams scoring 9 wins each. The results depended on the ‘net gates’ yet again.

The winners of the QLD State Gateball Doubles Championship were Peter Sweet (Southport CC) and Bruce McAlister (Ipswich CC). The second place went to Warren Dowse (Moreton Bay GC) and Chris Kele (McIlwraith CC)

The Wanderers won the State Gateball Doubles Championship with the Bruce McAlister Trophy on display.

Chris Kele and Warren Dowse were 2nd in the QLD State Gateball Doubles Championship

It was really wonderful to be able to welcome back to Southport CC the Gateball players from QLD to compete in our annual Mallet Sports on the Broadwater. Since 2007 this event has been held late in June during the first weekend of the school holidays. Understandably, it was not held in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic. So with 10 Gateball teams attending followed by 14 Gateball Doubles teams, it was a welcome return to this popular competition at the Gold Coast.

Preparations were made to cope with the weather forecast of heavy rain that was predicted for the Saturday. That rainfall was not heavy and it did not halt any of the games, thankfully. The marquees that were brought in and erected by our committed club members were indeed useful. By the end of Saturday every team had enjoyed a win in at least one game. Since there were some players in many of the teams that were new to Gateball Competitions, it is always promising for them if the team achieves some wins.

Gateball group receives information from CAQ Director of Gateball Refereeing- Margaret Barnard

By lunchtime on Sunday there was one team on top of the ladder. Congratulations to Toowoomba for securing 1st place. Second place was taken by Caloundra. In 3rd place was McIlwraith. The presentations were made by Jonathon McCorriston who is one of the partners of the Company that sponsors the Gateball Teams Competition – Vision Michael Hare Eyecare Plus.

The team from Toowoomba receives the Gateball Teams Shield,  their medals and prize money from Jonathon McCorriston

The Caloundra Team came second.

After lunch on Sunday the Gateball Doubles competition began and di not conclude until mid afternoon on Monday. There were two blocks of 7 teams. It was very good to have supporters stay to assist in the scoring for the games. After the Round Robin was completed  there were the Finals. The top team of Block A,  Macroc (Steve and Chris Kele), played the top team from Block B, JillSan (Jill  Gwynne and Sandra Reynolds) to determine 1st and 2nd place.

The second placed  team in Block A, The Blues ( Julia Tai and Kerry Lamerton), played the second placed team in Block B, L&E ( Lee Wentworth and Ethan Chilton). The winning pair was L&E who claimed 3rd prize. Making the presentation was Lesley Shepherd from Select World Travel and Cruises who is a Club Sponsor.

The Gateball Doubles Finalists with Lesley Shepherd- a Club Sponsor

Macroc won the Gateball Doubles Final. Here Chris and Steve Kele display the Shield along with Lesley Shepherd. 

In 2nd place was Jill Gwynne and Sandra Reynolds.