CROQUET NEWS:  Croquet Captures Kids

27 January 2006
Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
story by Eliza Sewell in The Standard
photo by Angela Milne in The Standard

Lismore brothers Greg, 14, and Robert Fletcher, 12, are hooked on croquet. They have been competing in Warrnambool this week.

You could have mistaken the Fletcher boys for being proud grandchildren watching on at Warrnambool Croquet Club's annual tournament this week.

But instead Lismore lads Greg, 14, and Robert, 12, were well entrenched in the championships this week after not losing a game.

“We played last year and we're going very well this year,” Greg said.

The pair first picked up a mallet about two years ago and was mixing it with 25 other competitors from around Victoria at the tournament which finishes today.

“Another boy from Lismore, John Smith, we met him a couple of times and he told us about croquet and about six months later we gave it a try”, Greg said

With the help of Lismore Croquet Club coach Eric O'Donnell, the boys have managed to achieve a handicap of 14. “I got a phone call one night. 'Can we come in and learn to play', I said. 'Come in whenever you want',” O'Donnell said.

“It's never difficult to teach good kids.''

While Greg and Robert have tried their hand at cricket and other sports, they prefer croquet because it's mentally challenging.

“There's a lot of skill involved, you have to think about what you're doing,” Greg said.

“Not many people know if you just walk past how hard it is. There is a lot of skill and thinking involved.”

The boys are competing in event three while event one has attracted talented players including Rich River's Ann Crow on a handicap of two and Horsham's Kevin Geyer who has a handicap of 1.5.

The championship finishes today.