QLD Gateball Teams Championship

Participants at the State Gateball Teams Championship

Southport Croquet Club hosted the State Gateball Teams Championship on the weekend of 20-21 August. With colourful marquees courtesy of Broadbeach CC and Tamborine Mt CC along with ones from Bendigo Bank and the local Bowls Club, the 9 teams were able to have shelter. However, the weather was just perfect apart from a brief storm after the games for the day had concluded.
Mr Greg Fowler, Principal Policy Advisor, represented the QLD Premier to officially open the weekend’s events. His mother, Mrs Judy Fowler, attended and was a former CAQ President and a supporter of Gateball. He successfully sent a ball through Gate 1 amid big cheers- considering he had a quick demonstration of how to hold the stick just 1 minute prior to hitting the ball.

Opening Ceremony
L-R Bruce McAlister, QLD Director of Gateball, Judy Fowler, Greg Fowler and Barbara Northcott, President of Southport

Three courts were used and the speed of the lawns did not take too long for most teams to get used to. Two teams from Canberra arrived for the competition. At this Championship there is always a game between Canberra and McIlwraith. This is because many of the young players now living in Canberra started playing at McIlwraith. The “Broken Stick” Trophy is awarded each year to the winning team in their round of matches. This year the team from McIlwraith won the Trophy.

McIlwraith wins the annual Trophy after a narrow win over Canberra .

As for the main prize- The Lola Whyte Trophy- awarded to the winner of the whole of the Championship was won by the Canberra Sparkers with 7 wins. Their prize was awarded by the CAQ President, Valda Wintzer, and Fiona and Bruce McAlister. Fiona’s family donated the prize.

Winners were Canberra Sparkers

In second place was the Southport Red team with 6 wins. Chris Wentworth captained the team which included his Mother and Father. Eildon came third with 5 wins.