CROQUET NEWS:  Robert Closes in on Croquet Dream

8 December 2008
Lismore Croquet Club, Ballarat, Victoria, AU
by David Polkinghorne in The Courier, Ballarat, Victoria, AU

Chasing his dream: Robert Fletcher is making a name for himself in the world of croquet.

At just 15 years of age, Robert has been named in the Victorian state side to contest the Interstate Cup in Sydney in March next year.

This comes hot on the heals of his performance in the Australian Open singles, where he finished runner-up.

En route to the final, he was too good for Australian player Mike Jenner in the round of 16, backing it up in the quarter finals by beating World Championship runner-up Stephen Mulliner from England.

Unfortunately the Cinderella story was not to be, Robert went down in the final to Australian player Peter Landrebe.

But he did not go down without a fight, pushing the experienced international to five sets.

Robert was far from disappointed with the loss, making the final was a pleasing result as he attempts to realise his dream.

"I'd like to make it to the Australian team next year," he said.

With his ranking jumping to eight in Australia — and the Australian side consisting of eight players — it is a goal that is very achievable.

But first there are some tournaments to contend with.

"We'll be playing in the Victorian Open at the end of the month," Robert said.

"And then in the middle of January, I won a scholarship to play in the New Zealand Open (in Christchurch)."

Robert plays for Lismore Croquet Club in the Ballarat and District Croquet Association, the club he joined when he was 10.

"A friend told us about (croquet) about five years ago," he said.

"A year later we went down to the club and had a go and really liked it and kept playing."

A decision Lismore — and perhaps Croquet Australia one day — is very happy about.