The Canberra Croquet Club hosted the inaugural 2022 Gateball Triples Championships on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 February.

The event was covered in the Canberra Weekly. and more than 50 competitors in twelve teams entered for the title of Canberra Triples Gateball Champion. Players from Queensland, Victoria and NSW joined Canberra players for our first event in 2022.

Queensland players came from Bribie Island, Eildon and Southport and NSW teams included Twin Cities in Albury (including a Victorian), Strathfield, Toronto and Hazelbrook.

As Coordinator of gateball at CCC and the ACT and NSW, Judy Tier welcomed all players and reminded us that for many our last Triples tournament was probably several years ago at Jamberoo CC.

She also noted that at least 50% of players were attending their first Triples tournament with many new players being initiated into their first GB tournament.

Special thanks were given to the Tournament managers– Margot and Andrew Davies – and the many CCC volunteers who ensured each day flowed smoothly. There are so many people involved in running a GB tournament but fortunately the very timed nature of our games does allow for precision timing throughout the weekend.

It was great to have Bruce McAlister, Director of refereeing for Gateball Australia, here to identify referee training needs. He gave valuable feedback to all referees and trainees and was generally pleased with standards.

Glen Whitehead, tournament referee, explained the relational form of Triples play and the tournament structure. On Saturday the two qualifying blocks played a round robin with each team playing 5 games. The first and second placed teams from each block progressed to Yellow block. The third and fourth placed teams progressed to Green block and fifth and sixth to Red block. The classification blocks were round robin with each team playing 3 games.

The first and second placed teams from Yellow block played in a final to determine the Championship winners.

The Triples Gateball Championship trophy, complete with handmade gateball stick, was awarded to Kristina Whitehead, Captain of the Canberra 3PK team and Peters Wood and Freer.

Runners up badges were awarded to Glen Whitehead, Captain of Canberra Djara team and Craig Oxley, Pamela Hunt and Judy Tier.

Canberra North finished third with Lake Mac (Newcastle) fourth overall. Southport won the Green block with 3 wins and two + two (Canberra) won the Red block by 2 net hoops from Murray Mayhem (Twin Cities).

Players gave very positive feedback on the draw format with the Sunday three block format allowing teams to compete against their peers and register wins.

Judy Tier
ACT/NSW Gateball Coordinator