A FUN, vibrant and inclusive environment awaits at the Wonthaggi Croquet Club.
These are the characteristics that developed Tom Lacey’s love for the sport.
Tom has been playing croquet for five years and has enjoyed every second.
“I was on a motorcycle trip going through Mansfield with the Ulysses Club and we stayed at a motel behind a croquet club,” he said.
“They said ‘Come on in, have a go’. It was a lot of fun. Five years later we moved here. I just happened to be cycling past the club and stopped to watch. Someone said to me ‘Don’t watch, play’.
“I came in and they gave me a mallet and I was hooked.”
Tom often plays three times a week, with the club offering social games on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
“Croquet is a great game. It’s fun and strategic with a bit of cunning and skill thrown in,” Tom said.
“It does not require a high level of physical fitness, and this makes it an ideal sport for older members of the community and those with mobility issues. Our social games take about 45 minutes each, and players can play as many games as they wish. Women and men play the game together, often made up by a random draw of those present.”
Often, Tom plays doubles with his wife Sue, who joined the club at the same time.
“The tournaments we play in generally run over two days. We’ve been playing Midweek Pennant against teams from Phillip Island through to Drouin,” Tom said.
“Sue and I play doubles together and we have different skills. Sue wasn’t as competitive as I was initially, but that has since changed.
“Together, we’ve won a couple of tournaments but mostly we just participate and have a lot of fun.”
For Tom, one of the highlights of croquet is getting to compete against high-quality local players, interstate champions and Australian representatives.
“No matter who you’re playing against, it’s always fun and you’re always learning something,” he said.
“You could be playing an Australian representative at the headquarters of the Australian Croquet Association, and you might fluke a win against these people – more likely get beaten quite soundly – but as you walk off the court, they’ll always talk to you about your game and how to improve. That, to me, is the highlight of croquet. It’s playing and learning and forging really good friendships.”
Tom took his passion one step further and became a qualified Golf Croquet referee three years ago.
“I really enjoy refereeing. We didn’t have a referee at our club and there aren’t many in this area of Gippsland. I was just curious and the whole thing took almost a year to do all the learning and the paperwork,” he said.
“It included a 12-week course and a practical element where you have to go out and try it.
“For me personally, it has given me a sense of achievement and has made me play better.”
In Wonthaggi, the croquet club has grown in recent years.
The club has around 35 members with 25 who play regularly.
Of those 25, at least half compete in tournaments and in the pennant team.
This year, Wonthaggi Croquet Club entered two interclub Pennant teams in the Gippsland competition.
Both teams did very well in the Western Division, though neither went through to the finals.
Pennant tournaments will start in February.
Members are also looking forward to a tournament in Sale in mid-January, as well as the Australia Day tournament – which is six days of croquet in the city.
Tom said members often enjoy the travel opportunities presented by playing croquet.
Members have played in Queensland, Tasmania, New Zealand and further afield.
“Distance isn’t a problem for those who want to get out and play. One of our members went on a cruise around New Zealand last year and played croquet in several cities,” Tom said.
Wonthaggi Croquet Club is open to any new members, regardless of age, ability or mobility.
Current member ages range from mid-teens to early 90s, but most members are over 55 years old.
“Anyone who rocks up can play. They can borrow our gear and no experience is required,” Tom said.
“Croquet is about the friendships and the competition – it’s just something I love. You meet up with the same people you know well, and often you’ll meet someone new. It’s really welcoming for anyone who wants to give it a go. We would love for more people to just give it a go.”
The Wonthaggi Croquet Club offers a wonderful community feel, with many members coming together to ensure the clubrooms and the grounds are kept in excellent condition to proudly host local and visiting players.
If anyone wishes to know more about playing croquet in Wonthaggi, please phone Tom – or leave a message – on 0414 616 365 or the club’s secretary by email at croquetatwonthaggi@gmail.com.
Coaching is available upon request.
