Lithgow Croquet Club has had a successful 2018, gaining 24 full time members and receiving a grant of $160,405 from Bathurst MP Paul Toole.
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President of the Lithgow Croquet Club, Cass Hawkins said that the club plans on adding an extra field and fixing the remaining two during Spring of 2019.
Ms Hawkins said that once the fields start having work done on them with weed irradiation and flattening of the grounds.
“We won’t stop playing, council is allowing us to use the area next to the tennis courts,” she said.
The club opened in 1955 and has various forms of croquet played each week including Aussie Croquet, Golf pairs and gateball.
“I remember when I started three and a half years ago and there was only six members, so we have improved,” member Rodney McMurtrie said.
While the members get along well on and off the field they take their game seriously, wanting to get their shots perfect.
“Golf pairs is all about the strategy, it’s not just an old people sport, anyone can learn and it is quite quick to pick up,” Mr McMurtrie said.
According to the members gateball can sometimes get heated because of how satisfying it is to win.
“When you have a partner and you are trying to beat the opposition you have use all your skill and tactics to get your partner to the finish,” Mr McMurtrie said.
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But despite some strong competition on the field the players are all friends at the end of the match.
The group also enjoys morning tea together to talk about life, the game and to enjoy each others company.
“Its about having fun, making friends, and getting some fresh air and exercise,” secretary Alma Magus said.
Ms Hawkins said that the club normally has around 18 to 20 people turn up to play the different games on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Ms Hawkins said that when she moved to the area in 2014 and saw there was a croquet club she got excited.
“I had always wanted to play and then I got roped in and was just accepted straight away, I was welcomed with open arms,” she said.
Member Yvonne Groves said that if anyone enjoys croquet or wants to come and try something new they are more then welcome.
The group is also looking forward to hosting its forth annual gateball competition on Friday, March 8.
In 2018 the group saw eight teams and 42 players turn up for the competition including players from Canberra, Jamberoo, Sydney, Hazelbrook, Epping, Newcastle, Rhyde and Toronto.
“We had people coming from all over to play in any teams that had space,” Ms Hawkins said.
The group will also prepare for the state play offs in Tamworth in September and then hopefully make it through to the national competition in Melbourne.
“Gateball suits young people so we hope we can get some younger members to join up,” Ms Magus said.
“Once we get the third lawn we will be able to host three separate games and can play gateball on the weekend.”
The group also has disability groups from around the area come to play gateball with members of the club.
“They really enjoy it and get so much fun out of it,” Ms Hawkins said.
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