by Kerrie Sutherland

Newcastle held its first Gateball Fun Weekend on 6 and 7 July 2013. With perfect winter weather and over thirty entrants a great time was had by all.

Saturday was the round robin of team events. There were six team entries: Blue Mountains, EDSAAC, Epstars and three composite teams – the Green Ninjas, Purple Penguins and the Wild Turkeys – comprised of players from Wagga Wagga, Canberra and Newcastle.

Captain Glen was unable to tame his Wild Turkeys. Josh was at the helm of the Green Ninjas and won three out of the five games coming in third overall. The Purple Penguins also won three of their games and with Kristina’s expert guidance they came in second. Overall winners were the Epstars winning four games and only losing one to the Blue Mountains. Their team comprised of Clare and Ken Pool, John Campey, Sandra Townley and Greg Deakin.

The doubles event saw 28 players playing five games with a different partner each game. This proved to be very interesting and a fun way to get to know people from other teams. Well done to Glen Whitehead from Canberra who was the overall winner with no losses. There were four people with four wins each – Max Wiltshire (Newcastle), John Ferris (Newcastle), Maggi Williams (Blue Mountains), Penny Park (Blue Mountains) and Di Cheetham (Newcastle). Most of the others had two or three wins each. Only two people didn’t win any of their games and with the least net points Brenda Wild was presented with the encouragement award.

Everyone agreed it was a “fun weekend” of gateball. Newcastle National Park look forward to holding more competions like this each year.

Results – Team event

Winners: Epstars (John Campey, Greg Deakin, Ken and Clare Poole and Sandra Townley)

Runners up: Purple Penguins (Helen Chalmers, Di Cheetham, Kerrie Sutherland, Kristina Whitehead and Brenda Wild)

Results – Singles/doubles event (doubles with a different partner every game)

Winner: Glen Whitehead

Second place: John Ferris

Third place: Max Wiltshire

Encouragement Award: Brenda Wild