Croquet Report

White B1 Grade side is homing in on the top four, currently sitting in fifth spot. Marty Daly is having a great year averaging among the top five players of the Association. Sorrento’s other side is Sorrento B2 who are also having a good season.

– Brian Lucas

Croquet Report

Tournaments and Competitions

In August, Jan Craddock, this year’s Club Champion, did exceptionally well in Croquetwest “Champion of Champions” tournament and is very proud of her fantastic effort! Continuing the achievements of the “Crack shot Craddocks”, we are proud to report that they entered the “B” Grade Doubles competition in Mandurah in September and beat 8 of the 12 pairs! Making this achievement even more notable is the fact that Jan (a “B” Grade player) was very unwell on the day and had to be “carried” by Terry (a “C” Grade player).

Annual Presentation Day

In July, 30 of our members enjoyed our Trophy Presentation lunch. The day started with a “fun” game where players had no more than 10 seconds between shots. Failure to comply meant a loss of turn. Each member drew numbers for partners but kept their individual game points. The overall winner of the event was Margaret Windle, who won the magnificent prize of a small box of chocolates! Trophies and prizes were awarded as follows: • Golf Singles: Jan Craddock with Kerry Bomford runner up • Golf Doubles: Jan and Terry Craddock with Lorraine Bates and

Sandy Boon runners up • Novice Star: Wendy Price; with Margaret Windle runner up. • Club Champion of the Year: Jan Craddock • Netherclift Trophy: Shared by Micy Lewis and Steve West. (Most

improved players with less than 18 months playing experience) • Braybrook Trophy: Kerry Bomford (Member of the Year).

Coaching Clinic

In August, Martin Clarke, the State Squad Coach, gave 17 members the benefit of his knowledge and experience of Golf Croquet. Of greatest value was his explanation of tactics to give players the best chances of winning hoops. He also covered a number of the new rules of the game and demonstrated stroke play too.

Coaching Presentation

In September newly qualified "Coaching Presenter", Di McGivern, conducted her first solo Coaching Course for seven experienced GC players from around Perth, who wanted to become coaches. The course went off smoothly with all candidates being assessed as competent coaches, despite the rain keeping us off the greens. However, this was eventually held on the grassed area near the big shed and BBQ area, Thanks to Alan and John McFayden for keeping all our lawns in great condition.

National Coaching Conference

In September the Australian Coaching Academy held its biannual Conference in Adelaide. This was attended by the State Coaching Coordinator from of each State. The aim was to learn from, and con-

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tribute to, coaching initiatives in the education, training and assessment of coaches and referees in the four codes of croquet played in Australia. I was invited to attend as the WA representative and found the experience to be invaluable

Visitors

We have joined forces with Como to play Ricochet Croquet every Friday alternating between Sorrento and Como. This “Club Combo” is becoming more popular with a number of players who may not have been prepared to “give it a go”. We are hoping to work with clubs in Dunsborough and Mandurah to develop enough players to hold ricochet competitions in the near future. We welcomed the return of two “regular” visitors from New Zealand. They were last here prior to Covid and plan to return annually.

Members

We were delighted to see a number of long-time members back after time away due to personal circumstances. We wish all those members who are currently unable to attend a speedy recovery back to full health and look forward to welcoming them soon. Finally a happy Christmas and a great 2023.

– Diana McGivern