Southwest Games, Gateball Championship, Terang 2019

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Maggi Williams

The first Tuesday in November in Melbourne means one thing: remembering the Terang Gateball Championship!

Once again gateballers from across Southern Australia gathered in Terang for the customary first weekend in November as part of the Southwest Games. We had four teams and seven pairs competing. As well as two Terang teams, players from Kew and Essendon in Melbourne, Mt Gambier in South Australia and Woodville from Adelaide were all present.

Victoria has been experiencing unusual weather of late, with warm sunny days interspersed with rain creating almost perfect growing conditions for grass. The courts at Terang were slower than most had been used to and started the morning with a heavy dew. But as Friday’s overnight thunderstorms gave way to a (mostly!) clear and pleasant Saturday the four teams competed in a double round-robin. The Westerners from South Australia were far too strong, winning all six of their games and taking out the championship. Congratulations to them on a well-deserved victory.

In the Pairs on Sunday, Terang used a randomised pairing procedure, matching more experienced players with newer ones. This gave many pairings a fighting chance. The winners were Philip Brown of Kew and Aileen Bell of Terang who snuck home with five wins. There were three pairs who all finished on four wins. Placing second on net hoops was the only triple team, Geoff Crook, Trish Fazakerley and David Pryor.

The tournament in Terang may only be small – but it has easily the best viewing platform in Australian gateball. The courts are cut into the side of the hill below the main road, with a playground and viewing platform above them. No need for Spidercam here!

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Heather Fraser and all from Terang, who once again hosted a lovely, friendly, superbly-catered and inviting tournament.

Philip Brown
Kew Croquet Club

Heather Fraser presenting medals to The Westerners

2019 Australian Gateball Championship Draw

Posted on November 4, 2019 by John Park

The draw has been completed for the Australian Gateball Championship.

Block A

Hu Nan, China

Join, Korea

Southport White, Queensland

Pine Rivers, Queensland

Capricorns, Queensland

Essendon, Victoria & CNSW

Woodville Australian Friends, South Australia

Sydney Epstars, CNSW

Canberra, CNSW

Block B

Shen Yang, China

Woodville (International)

Kings, India

Southport Red, Queensland

Redcliffe Roses, Queensland

Multimacs, Queensland

Kew, Victoria

Lithgow Lightning, CNSW

Hunter Allsorts, CNSW

Glen Whitehead completed the draw and is working to produce a playing schedule. The draw was nested to ensure that teams from different states or clubs are shared evenly between the pools. For example, each of the two Southport, Victorian and Chinese teams were randomly placed in different pools. Where there was larger representation, for example from CNSW and Queensland, teams were randomly allocated, with the proviso that only half the teams were allocated to each pool.

A team from Pakistan who registered several months ago, were refused visas. Kings, India and the Chinese teams are waiting to hear the outcomes of their visa applications. This process has become more difficult over the course of the last three Australian Gateball Championships. No teams were rejected for the 2015 event in Queensland but in 2017 we lost two teams. Let us hope there is only one rejection for 2019!

Geneva 28 – 29 Sep 2019 – Swiss Singles and Doubles Gateball Competition

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Maggi Williams

By a lucky coincidence, my 2019 European holiday was to conclude in Geneva on the Monday after the weekend of the tournament. Naturally, I thought about the possibility of participating in the event.

To check the arrangements for the championship, I contacted the event manager David Underhill of the Swiss Gateball Federation. I explained that I would be able to play on one day only. David generously agreed even though my restriction caused some inconvenience to the management of the event. So it was arranged that I attend on the Saturday.

The courts and facilities of the Club are located within the property of CERN in France. CERN’s property covers an area on the French/Swiss border close to Geneva.

I was made most welcome and introduced to the players who were from the UK, Belgium, Germany, France and Switzerland. Initially, I helped with the refereeing of doubles games.

Then David arranged for me to play a game in the Singles Knock-Out draw. I played Theo Densborn from Germany and Theo won the game 11/11 cb. I thoroughly enjoyed the game and the experience of playing in this European event.

During the lunch break, I addressed the players and promoted the 2021 Australian Gateball Championship to be held at a superb sports venue on Queensland’s Gold Coast. I invited everyone to enter and, to encourage participation, I presented the players with a City of Gold Coast cap provided by Councillor Dawn Critchlow, the patron of the Southport Croquet Club.

All the players were very friendly and welcoming. And the experience was enhanced by David’s very generous hospitality.

Keith McLeod