Category Archives: Coaching

What happened next?

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Geoff Crook has devised this sneaky scenario for your consideration. Let us have your answers in the ‘Leave a Reply’ box below. We’ll publish the answer in about a week’s time.

When I was a lad there was a long-running quiz show on TV called “A Question of Sport”.  One of the rounds was the “What happened next” round where a video would be played and the contestants would guess, believe it or not, what happened next?

So, I thought I would expand on the scenario concept and ask not only what would you do as Red 5 in the scenario below, but also ask “What happened next” in the video which shows what I actually did………

Here’s what I did, and question 2 is “What happened next?”

Strathfield Gateball News

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INTERSTATE GATEBALLERS VISIT SCC

Our club was fortunate to have visits from two highly experienced and talented Victorian Gateballers, who graced our lawns in December, and put us at ease, as we had fun and learnt as much as we could from these experienced players. I must admit I did not know much about either of them until this visit. So what did I do in this situation, I ‘googled’ them.  I have just scratched the surface in my knowledge of them. These Gateballers are Gilon Smith and Anthony Dask. Hopefully, they will return to play with us when in Sydney. They would be most welcome.

Gilon Smith has been a past National Director of Gateball, is an International referee and has played Gateball in international competitions.     

 Ann (Bronze AC Champion, has recently joined our ranks as a Gateballer)

Anthony Dask is Assistant State Director of Gateball (Vic) and President – Elsternwick Croquet Club. Gilon has represented Australia in both U21-GC, and also represented Australia in Gateball.  Anthony referees in Japanese and translates into English. He has recently produced coaching videos.  See them at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMzfcMq_j4ogVvAFF0nfcHQ/playlists.

SUNDAY GATEBALL DURING DECEMBER

We played at both our regular Sundays (the 1st and the 3rd of month). We now have our QR code operating for contact tracing, and have a prepared group list with contact numbers, so we were able to speedily get on with the pleasure of playing Gateball. We had 16 players who turned up that first Sunday. On the second occasion in December we had reduced numbers so had lots of turns…marvellous! Despite rain showers that were a bit of a dampener, we had several games of Gateball, as those living close to Strathfield knew and trusted it was just ‘Strathfield Rain’…sure enough, it cleared up by 10.30am!

2021 BEGINS

Sunday Gateball was to resume on the 3rd January 2021, but the starting date has been postponed due to increased Covid-19 concerns in Western Sydney. Contact me via our club website https://www.strathfieldcroquet.com if you don’t have my mobile number, and would like to know more about this and other GB sessions currently conducted at our club throughout the week.

SCC ACKNOWLEDGES JAMBEROO  GATEBALLERS’ POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON OUR CLUB

This influence on our club began in November, 2016, when John Creelman and I attended a ‘Come and Try Workshop’ at Tempe. We knew nothing about Gateball till then, and certainly did not know if it was possible to include such a game at our club.  But on my return from Tempe, I shared with our club’s management committee, those first good impressions. Glenda and Manuel looked so professional both in manner and attire. The committee was interested, and encouraged me to learn the game, which I did at Eastwood and Epping.  Later on, I certainly enjoyed participating in Jamberoo Gateball triples and teams tournaments.

Both Glenda and Manuel set the benchmark high. They supported one another, and guided their team well. On occasion, Manuel conducted some short referee sessions and another time, a two day workshop (in winter) at Lithgow, which a couple of us attended (and nearly froze to death). I am pleased that in 2020, Petula Shun took up the referee baton, and does enjoy that role. It was also, whilst on a visit to Jamberoo, where we received from John Park, ACA Gateball equipment (on loan to the club). In 2019, Strathfield purchased its own GB equipment. Since our success as members of the inter-club Epstars team at two State GB Championships (winners-2018/2019), SCC has had a steady increase in both interest and in numbers of our members who now play Gateball. Our educational programs (Strathfield Girls High School, U3A and Seniors Festival Sessions) include Gateball coaching.

Thank you Glenda, Manuel, and Jamberoo gateballers for being such a positive influence and supporting our growth. We are pleased to hear that although Gateball may not be played at Jamberoo, they have told Gateball Australia that they will be looking for other players to form composite teams for future competitions. Apparently they are also considering an offer forCNSW gateball to run a Referee Workshop later in 2021.

Ebb and flow….change is a constant!

Ruth Bridger
Strathfield Croquet Club

Gateball comes to Twin City

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In hot humid conditions Judy Tier (State Director, NSW Gateball) and Andrew Davies (Canberra Croquet Club Gateball Referee) spent Wednesday 16 December 2020 introducing ten Twin City and Yarrawonga Croquet Club members to Gateball at the Twin City Courts.

Gateball terminology such as sparking, slide touch, bombarding, touch tight to the line are no longer a mystery and we all realise that just because the balls are smaller and the ‘sticks’ (mallets) are lighter doesn’t mean it is an easier game than any of the croquet codes we are more familiar with.

Thank you to all who attended and Twin City will revamp its playing schedule to include a session of Gateball once a fortnight from January 2021 onwards.

Sarina Cevaal-Hewitt
Twin City Croquet Club

Andrew Davies and I have just returned from coaching 10 so very keen potential gateballers in Albury. Thanks Philip for coaching Cheryl so well. We are suggesting the Captain and there are at least 6 players who would not embarrass themselves in a tournament. They have plans to attend the Nationals and I have suggested perhaps Victoria and NSW States first.

I planned a 5 hour day of exercises, instruction and we played 3 games – untimed and timed and refereed. My 4 page handout includes a page of YouTube videos and a page of practice drills for personal use and pre-game preparation. If anyone wants these I am happy to share.

Sarina at Twin Cities had prepared the group extremely well – most had watched many YouTube videos, checked out the Australia Gateball site and came to the coaching with knowledge of the court, game order, some rules and various slide/bombard and gate touch knowledge. What a joy to coach them.

Judy Tier
State Director, NSW Gateball

Greetings to all – from Strathfield Gateballers

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You can be lucky!

On the 3rd Sunday in September, we had our usual morning Gateball session planned. To date, we had been lucky with the weather, since the club reopened in Mid-May. However, this last session was quite confusing. Normally we tell people, don’t worry about the weather, it always goes around the lawn, and we only have showers anyway in Strathfield! Not so this particular morning! The clouds opened, and the lawns were drenched, and there were rain clouds as far as the eye could see.

Some players coming from afar naturally pulled out, but five of us arrived dressed for all weathers. As it turned out, we needed all the different gear (heavy rain gear to gradual strip down). Torrential rain was replaced eventually by sunshine, and even the sunnies came out! We managed to have 3-4 games. It turned out to be perfect…hence the smiles in our socially distanced picture.

Our Club has been closed as the lawns undergo their annual maintenance work, so there will be no Sunday Gateball  on the 4th October at SCC,  as the grass needs to recover from its maintenance process.

As most of you know, we have Gateball at our club on the 1st and 3rd Sunday mornings normally. When we reopen, we also play several times during the week. Check out our website (Playing Session Timetable) for updated details. https://www.strathfieldcroquet.com  If coming, do contact me first.

Sunday Gateball players Elizabeth Dolphin, Petula Shun, Greg Deakin and Julia Rizzo (a new SCC Gateballer)

Oh, another little snippet…I have been asked to present a talk on Zoom on the 14th October at 6pm. The session is titled ‘Coach the Coach’ and information about it is now on the CNSW Website, News page.

Kate McLoughlin (CNSW Board Member) is organising it, and Pam Gentle (NSW Coaching Director) will also partake. I am one of the presenters, and whilst I will talk about club coach development at our club, I will focus my talk on a case study – the School Croquet program I designed and manage. Gateball was included in the school  program in 2018. Golf Croquet remains the focus. However, you may be interested to know that in 2019, I included ‘An Introduction to Gateball segment’ in the latter part of the program. Golf Croquet remains the main focus. A QandA Session follows my talk.

We do hope that Gateball coaches will register for the Workshop.

Ruth Bridger – Strathfield Croquet Club Gateball Organiser and Coach

‘JOIN’ joined in everything

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The visiting team from South Korea, known as ‘JOIN’, arrived ahead of the Nationals and asked whether they could play some gateball in the Sydney area. They certainly worked hard!

Nails done and ready to roll

Thursday 21st November – Epping welcomed the Korean team to the Epping Croquet Club, along with gateball and croquet players from Epping, Holroyd, Newcastle, Toronto and Strathfield croquet clubs. Games were played in front of a large audience. 

An excellent morning tea and lunch was supplied by Ken Poole and the Epping Croquet Club. After lunch, the Korean team showed the finer points of ball placement and a whole range of different shots. Not sure we’ll be able to duplicate them. They were very generous and patient with their coaching. We appreciated their time and trouble in suggesting ways to improve our game.

Quoting Rose from the Toronto Croquet Club, “The Koreans played with such precision, accuracy and humility. I could have watched them play all day long”. We did indeed play all day long or until everyone said “enough”. A very enjoyable day was had by all.

Friday 22nd – President Mary Gibson welcomed the Korean team to the Mosman Croquet Club. A large audience of Mosman Croquet Club members watched the Korean team play the members and guests on the beautiful grounds overlooking Sydney harbour.

Once again, the Korean team displayed their skills and accuracy. We enjoyed lunch as a cool breeze entered the Mosman Pavilion. After lunch the Korean team displayed the finer points of gateball. At day’s end, Mary and her team dropped the Korean team off at Taronga Wharf where they were taking a ferry on the harbour.

Monday 25th – A weekend in the Blue Mountains introduced the team to the vagaries of mountain weather – hot, cold and smoky. The team pitched in to cook the BBQ and the women beat the men at the Finska garden game. On Monday everyone drove down to Lithgow and again were treated to a master class from ‘JOIN’. They took so much time to explain techniques and suggest ways to improve our performance.

Tuesday 26th – Strathfield Croquet Club President Ann Shaddick welcomed the Korean team. The Mayor of Strathfield also welcomed them. All players then took to the court and played several games prior to morning tea and lunch.

 

Everyone was impressed with the Korean Team as they consistently produced a very high standard of play. Strathfield member Petula Shun said, “For me I have only being playing gateball for 6 months and as I am a trainee referee they encouraged me to practise assisting their referee. They also included some basics like stance and just striking and sparking. They were just so generous. It’s easy to see the practice they do with 24 hour facility available!!

Stories supplied by Sandra Townley – Epping Croquet Club, Maggi Williams – Lithgow Croquet Club and members of various clubs.