The Lake Macquarie Croquet Centre will be a hive of activity this month when it stages the biggest tournament of its kind since the facility’s inception.
Opened in 2024, the $2.3 million Glendale complex is gearing up to host the Australian Gateball Championships from Thursday 16 October to Sunday 19 October.
It’ll not only feature players from throughout the nation and locally, but international guests, too.
For the uninitiated, gateball is a mallet team sport inspired by croquet.
It’s a fast-paced, non-contact, highly-strategic game, which can be played by anyone regardless of age or gender.
“We’re certainly looking forward to it,” Toronto Croquet Club publicity officer Liz McDonald said.
“At this stage, we are expecting to welcome 150 players from all Australian states, bar Tasmania and the Northern Territory, as well as visitors from Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Pakistan.
“Gateball’s extremely popular in those countries… and growing here as well.
“Their arrival, along with support staff, referees and friends, will be a nice little boost to the local economy.
“So, without a doubt, it’s the largest competition we’ve conducted in Lake Macquarie.
“The doubles are scheduled for the Thursday and Friday, with the opening ceremony kicking off the teams’ format on the Saturday morning.”
While McDonald conceded gateball wasn’t as well-known as croquet, it was a perfect “spectator sport”.
“I think the fact it’s fast-paced helps,” she said.
“And, for the participants, it appeals to people who like working as part of a team.
“Gateball involves a caller, too.
“The game is played by two sides (red and white) of up to five players.
“Each has a numbered ball corresponding to their playing order.
“The odd-numbered balls are red and the even-numbered balls are white.
“Teams score one point for each ball hit through a gate and two for hitting the goal pole, in accordance with the rules.
“The winner is the side with the most points after 30 minutes.”
The Australian Gateball Championships cap off a busy period for the Toronto organisation at the Lake Macquarie Croquet Centre recently.
“We started with the NSW Gold Brooch Doubles over three days,” McDonald said.
“At the end, we witnessed a hard-fought encounter, which was won by Brenda Peet (Maitland) and Lee Morphett (Newcastle National Park) from the Toronto duo of Nancy Ainsworth and Chris Williamson.
“Then we hosted the Australian Golf Croquet Gold Medal.
“That event was another great display of how the game of golf croquet is played.
“West Australian Gary Phipps defeated Queenslander Addison Mathews in a very tight showdown.
“In the men’s singles, we saw an all-WA affair.
“On this occasion, Chris McWhirter beat Gary Phipps.
“Mosman’s Alison Sharpe accounted for Robyn Dart (WA) to claim the women’s title.
“Many of the matches were also played at various clubs in the Hunter.
“All the [latest] action wrapped up with the prestigious Inter State Shield.
“After a close battle, NSW emerged victorious again.
“So, the Lake Macquarie Croquet Centre is getting plenty of use.”
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