canterbury (nz) croquet association inc

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9 Canterbury (NZ) Croquet Association Inc. NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2020 In this issue: Editorial Presidential musings Tournament Action Group Jonathan Hart Clubs’ News Club Posters Editorial If I have a confession round this newsletter it is mostly getting it completed; not helped in the last day or two by thinking I would do it on a Chromebook with its associated Google Docs and experience the joy (or otherwise) of what can happen to Word and pdfs. But having reverted to Windows and Word - oh what comfort that is providing. Thank you all for your contributions. At the time of writing this a number of events have been affected by changes to Alert levels for Covid-19 and mention of this pandemic is a recurring theme of this newsletter. I haven’t altered what has been sent though I am aware a number of things have been postponed. Marion has done a great job disseminating all this information as decisions have been made. Owen in his musings has outlined where the Association is currently at and plans for moving forward. The Players Action and Tournament group have highlighted some of the key dtaes for the season. These are uncertain times but enjoy this Summer’s season of croquet. Keep safe and if you are playing for a high-country sheep station; good luck! Mark

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Page 1: Canterbury (NZ) Croquet Association Inc

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Canterbury (NZ) Croquet Association Inc. NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2020 In this issue: Editorial Presidential musings Tournament Action Group Jonathan Hart Clubs’ News Club Posters Editorial If I have a confession round this newsletter it is mostly getting it completed; not helped in the last day or two by thinking I would do it on a Chromebook with its associated Google Docs and experience the joy (or otherwise) of what can happen to Word and pdfs. But having reverted to Windows and Word - oh what comfort that is providing. Thank you all for your contributions. At the time of writing this a number of events have been affected by changes to Alert levels for Covid-19 and mention of this pandemic is a recurring theme of this newsletter. I haven’t altered what has been sent though I am aware a number of things have been postponed. Marion has done a great job disseminating all this information as decisions have been made. Owen in his musings has outlined where the Association is currently at and plans for moving forward. The Players Action and Tournament group have highlighted some of the key dtaes for the season. These are uncertain times but enjoy this Summer’s season of croquet. Keep safe and if you are playing for a high-country sheep station; good luck! Mark

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Presidential Musings For one, I was pleased to see the enforced ending of the season by the national lock-down, having suffered 12 consecutive losses in AC tournament games in March and an automatic change to my handicap by 0.5. Some of you will be aware of the parlous state of my mallet and the strange sound emanating on roquette shots, but that problem has been remedied with a new handle. I hope to be able to find some form and return to winning ways, possibly in the United tournaments, GC early in September and AC at the end of the month. We anticipate an enthusiastic start to the season, already kicked off at Kaiapoi with a full house for their Fun Day, as it always is in the historic river town. This reminds me that I must take the river cruise trip some time. Despite the restrictions imposed by Covid 19, most clubs have been active during the off-season, with regular games and essential maintenance. The mandatory AGMs, including our own, have been held and new committees working through planning for the season ahead. Congratulations to all the new office holders in the 14 clubs that make up the association. New blood is essential to keep croquet a dynamic and growing sport and recreation activity in the community. The CCA Executive does not quite have a full complement, still without a vice president, but all the members of this committee are thankfully reading from the same page and making progress with a number of issues. We welcomed new members, Claire Horncastle and Gay Jones, who are already making a significant presence at our meetings. We are: President: Owen Evans (Cashmere) plays AC and GC, self-employed in international student business, well, what is left by it thanks to Covid 19. Secretary: Marion Bishop (Fendalton Park) where she is president and plays GC, recently retired as Electoral assistant to Nicky Wagner, maybe she has 4 more weeks in the office. Treasurer: Vilna Gough-Jones (Fendalton Park) where she is secretary / treasurer, a very competitive GC player and retired secondary school teacher. Tim Slack (Holmes Park) in the main, a GC player but adventuring into the AC world (go for it Tim) is retired but kept on his toes by being Tournament Convenor. Gay Jones (Cashmere) a staunch supporter of Junior croquet, quickly advancing her GC game but not adverse to playing AC, to keep up with the school kids. Claire Horncastle (United) a recent devotee of croquet, presently concentrating on GC. Works as a Maths teacher in the Correspondence School. Mark O’Connell (Rangiora) assisted the club to rapidly grow out of dormancy and recently took a library management role with the Hurunui District Council in Amberley I must give thanks to those who did not seek re-election, as valued participants in the decision processes of previous executives. With the departure of Jonathan Hart and Tony O’Donnell we have lost a lot of institutional knowledge and with Errol Croy, who served 2 seasons, a reflective and measured sensibility. My tenure as president will expire at the end

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of this season and we hope there is a volunteer to take my place. The Executive has continued with sub committees grouped accordingly, and for succession purposes we endeavour to have at least one co-opted member on our Action Groups. The Action Group responsibilities are set out below: Tournament Action Group – Appoint Managers / Season Calendar / CCA Tournaments & Interclub / Results / Beginners Day and Closing Day - Tim (Convenor), Gay, + co optees - Cheryl Morrall and Janet Scott Players Action Group - Appoint Handicapper, Coach, CCA Referee / Coaching Plans / Referee Training / School Croquet / Player Development / Liaise with Sport Canterbury - Claire (convenor), Gay, + co optee Cheryl Hopley Administration Action Group – CCA Exec Season Time-line / Strategic Plan / CNZ Events and Liaison / Constitution and Policies / Sponsorship / Budget / Bank signatories / secretarial and treasurer roles - Vilna (convenor), Marion, Owen + co optee Communications Action Group – Website Management / Publicity & Promotion / Newsletter / Club Contact List / Social Media – Mark (convenor), Vilna + co optee + John Yarrall Technical Action Group – Lawn Management / Court Preparation –Setting / Health & Safety / Police Vetting, CCA Resources – Owen (convenor), Tim, + co optee. I will summarise the other thinking that has crossed my mind, and expect will probably be addressed elsewhere in the newsletter: Isn’t it great. Interclub Entries closed earlier in the month, and pleasingly will result in participation by almost 200 players. The CCA Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025, is under review, and we hope to have a debatable draft for the 19th September Delegates Meeting to be held at Fendalton. There will be Secondary School Croquet competition held at Barrington Park in the first week of the school holidays, and in the second week a 5 day “Give Croquet a Go” holiday activity programme for intermediate and high school beginners.

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The Workshop for Club Handicappers follows the Club Captains’ Meeting on Saturday morning 29 August at Fendalton Park C C. Exhibition Croquet: so much talent from Canterbury will be on display at this event on Sunday 30 August, starting from 1.00 pm at Fendalton. Two of the winning World GC team, Josh Freeth and Duncan Dixon, plus the current NZ GC Title Holder, Logan McCorkindale, Jason Hodgett previous South Island GC winner and four of the lads from Cashmere compete in a 2 match doubles competition in front of, what we hope is a bumper crowd. Well, no more than 100, unless we have reverted to Level One by then. We look forward to seeing you there, wearing masks I suggest. Finally, sighs I hear, I wish all the membership of croquet a fantastic season and another year where there is growth in the sport across all the region as well as improvements to everyone’s game, especially mine Owen Evans (CCA President)

Players Action and Tournament Group Club Captains meeting on Saturday 29 August at 10am, Fendalton Croquet Club with the Handicap info session to follow at 1045am AC Interprovincial Sth Cant v Cant at Waireka Club, Ashburton on 20 Sept. Please contact Jono on [email protected] or Gay on [email protected] if you would like to play Exhibition Match - 30 August at 1pm at Fendalton Croquet Club Division 3 Info Sessions: An opportunity for all Division 3 Interclub players and reserves to attend two information sessions. We will be covering skills, rules, AHS cards and index scoring. The sessions will be held on: 11 September - 10am - 1230pm at Fendalton 18 September - 10am - 1230pm VENUE TBC NZ Secondary Schools, 27 - 29 September to be held at Cashmere. This will be a Southern Region tournament (South Island) this year due to Covid. CNZ and NZ Schools will make a final decision next week when they know the alert levels. CNZ Coaching for Coaches - Level 1 course to be held on 19 & 20 September. Watch for further information and registration details from Greg Bryant CCA Interclub starts:

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Division 1 and 3 on Fri 25 Sept Division 2 on Mon 5 October AC Interclub - Tues 6 October Johnson AC - Sat 3 October Premier Twilight - Thurs 29 October School holiday programme: 5 - 8 October 10am - 1230pm for 11yrs to 16yrs to be held at Barrington Croquet Club. This is to introduce school age children to Gateball, the fastest growing croquet variation and will also cover GC. Cost $10. Please contact Gay Jones 021977714 or Claire Horncastle 0277104804 if you have children / grandchildren interested. If any club members are interested, please let us know as well. (PS this is only a 30-minute game and played on a small lawn) Watch this space for: AC coaching and twilight tournament for beginners and new to AC. GC Beginners and new to GC Twilight Gateball introduction sessions Keep an eye out for the Coaching page on the CCA website where we will be posting coaching information and links to coaching videos. Gaylene Jones From Jonathan Hart Even though I am not tournament convenor, (it is actually quite nice having a break) I thought I would keep up the trend of providing photos of our son Eli. (this may be the last one) It is hard to believe he is almost 2 (start sept). Photo taken just after lockdown. We also have another little one due at the start of Jan, so will be less croquet for me next year - Jono (and Jono I’m sure everyone would love to keep hearing from you ) ed.

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CLUBS’ NEWS

AKAROA

Akaroa Croquet Club members have played throughout winter, both indoors, and whilst we rest our lawns, on an informal green set up on the village recreation grounds - to the amusement and interest of the passing public. When not playing, our grounds team of volunteers have repaired and repainted the boundary fences and rest stations, refreshed our signage, and attended to the regime of ongoing lawn maintenance.

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We will look swish and be match ready for our opening day on 12th September. Elizabeth Bain

CASHMERE CROQUET CLUB

some members have continued to play through the winter. This recent photo shows exemplary Level 2 distancing and the great condition of our refurbished top lawn.

Our Opening day is Saturday 5 September including prize winners’ presentations for 2019/20. We are pleased to be hosting the Secondary School Championships on 27-29 September, come and support our Cashmere players and those from around the South Island.

Our younger players will be starring in an Exhibition match at United on 30 August. We are proud of them.

EDGEWARE Edgeware Croquet Club held its General meeting on Saturday to prepare for the 2020-21 season ahead. There was a resilience amongst the full attendees to look forward to opening day on September 12th and regardless of Covid be positive for the coming season. There was a motion carried to make long term member Isabel Porter a life member of the club. Val Harris the Club President put the motion to the meeting and spoke of the outstanding service and commitment in many roles Isobel has given over decades at Edgeware Croquet Club. Isobel was very appreciative and said it was an honour and thank you. We are all looking forward to the new season and not withstanding some of the recent challenges in the area with roading developments it’s all onwards and upwards for the club. Jan Cooney

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FENDALTON PARK CROQUET CLUB We were delighted to be out of lock down and able to hold our Prize Giving in conjunction with our annual Mid-Winter Lunch. A delicious menu of taste tempting winter casseroles and accompaniments provided by the committee were enjoyed by a large number of members. This was followed by some winter croquet and the prize giving. But the highlight of the day was the awarding of Life Membership to Vilna Gough Jones who will be well known to many Canterbury Croquet players. Vilna has been a member of Fendalton Park Croquet Club for more than 10 years and took up the role of Secretary less than a year after joining. This was followed by the joint role of Secretary/Treasurer which she continues to fulfil with great skill and ability. In addition, Vilna is an accredited Coach and Referee of Croquet NZ and willingly gives countless hours to coaching and mentoring not only our members but the wider croquet fraternity. Vilna is also the Treasurer of Croquet Canterbury, and a Tournament Manager. In between times, she plays amazing croquet and is our Club Champion.

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Fendalton Travel 2U Handicap Doubles Thursday 5th November We look forward to welcoming players to our annual November Tournament. Entries are already being received for our annual November tournament which attracts players from Nelson and South Canterbury. Vilna Gough-Jones

HOLMES PARK CROQUET CLUB A very good number of our members attended our AGM and we are confidently planning for a high level of participation in club competition in the 2020/21 season. A pleasing feature at the end of last season was the enthusiastic crowd who attended on two consecutive Sunday afternoons to watch the finals of several club events. Our annual Mid-winter Lunch was again a very successful fundraiser. Hosted at the home of two of our members it provided a most enjoyable occasion of beautiful food and relaxed socialising. Play has continued twice weekly as weather and Covid restrictions have permitted. Our greens have now been sprayed in the ongoing battle against moss and are closed until 5 September when we will open the new season.

Marion McLean

Hornby Croquet Club

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Playing croquet during the winter is very popular at Hornby. Covid 19 stopped us playing to the end of the season as it did for all clubs. The Hornby Croquet Club started playing again when we were in Covid Level 2 with cleaning balls and hoops and staying in our group of 4 people playing together all afternoon, with social distancing. Once we moved to Covid Level 1 in June we could once again play in our normal way. We had our AGM on Thursday 18th June and then had our Prize Giving for the season 2019 - 2020. Pat Alston was our Most Improved Player. She won gold and silver medals at the Masters Games in Dunedin. She was also successful in our club competitions and took part in CCA events. Robin Brooker made a new trophy for our Aggregate game which we play and record each club day. Val French is our first winner of this trophy.

Val French winning the Aggregate Trophy which Robin Brooker made

Helen Webber received the certificates on behalf of the Hornby team who were runner up in the Premier Interclub Competition at the CCA Prizegiving on the 27th June.

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Helen Webber received the certificates on behalf of the Hornby team who were Runner up in the Premier Interclub Competition.

We have been enjoying playing croquet during the fine days in the winter. It has been so popular that we have made one lawn into 2 half size lawns so that we can all play at once. We have had 28 players on some days. The Hornby Club has entered 4 teams into the CCA Interclub Competition in the new season. We have 1 team in Division 1 and 3 teams in Division 3. We have 12 players from our club entered the SI Masters Games in Timaru on 12th until 14th October. Hopefully Covid 19 will not disrupt our new season of playing croquet. Annette Wilson.

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James Tissot, “Croquet”

Kaiapoi Croquet Club

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RANGIORA CROQUET CLUB We have been playing indoor croquet with a few coming along on Saturday. Neville and Audrey represented the club in the Kirk Trophy played at St. James. We lost on a count back and St. James emerged as the winners. Work is ongoing with the new lawns and we hope to hydro seed in the spring. We have teams entered in GC Division 1 Division 2 and Division 3. AC has 2 teams entered in Interclub and 3 teams in the Johnson. Our opening day is 12th September and we have the mayor Dan Gordon running the first hoop. We’re looking forward to a good season and are ready to go. See you on the lawns! Carol Kidd UNITED CROQUET CLUB

The Golf Croquet Open will be on Saturday 12 September and the Golf Croquet Handicap on Sunday 13 September. You may enter one or both events.

On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September the Association Croquet open and Association Croquet Handicap will be held. There are prizes for all events.

To enter or make a query, contact Tony O’Donnell on 358 6422 or [email protected] for the GC or John Yarrall on 027 407 9036 or [email protected] for the AC. Alternatively, you can enter on the United website unitedcroquet.com.

The annual Golf Croquet and Association Croquet tournaments will be held at United Coquet Club again this season. These tournaments are sponsored by Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village in Riccarton. They are great opportunity to start the season off.

The Golf Croquet Open will be on Saturday 12 September and the Golf Croquet Handicap on Sunday 13 September. You may enter one or both events.

On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September the Association Croquet open and Association Croquet Handicap will be held. There are prizes for all events.

To enter or make a query, contact Tony O’Donnell on 358 6422 or [email protected] for the GC or John Yarrall on 027 407 9036 or [email protected] for the AC. Alternatively, you can enter on the United website unitedcroquet.com.

John Yarrall

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The next executive meeting will be 7 September at 3.30pm CCA website is croquetcanterbury.com We have aso have a Facebook page Canterbury Croquet Please send any items for the next newsletter to [email protected] Newsletters are published at the end of August, October, January then March/April

Canterbury Croquet Association Sponser