Volume 1 Issue 1 APRIL 2024 - Welcome to our FIRST edition of Happy Hooping, your newsletter that will give you regular updates on what is happening around your club.
(A Prize will be given for the best new name for our newsletter – Place suggestion in President’s box just inside croquet room door)
News from the March Committee Meeting
General Meeting Date set – 28th May 2024, 11:00am - put it in your diary.
Future Planning for expansion – The Committee have committed significant time to formulating a plan for future expansion in the immediate vicinity of our current croquet courts. The plan includes 2 proposed courts, a new entrance and exit road and expansion of club rooms. The plans have been submitted to the city for consideration and we should have a yes or no for the members at the next general meeting in May. The committee are also looking at long term future facilities for Croquet in the Busselton City and for inclusion in the cities long term Sporting and Facilities Plan. Unfortunately, croquet does not feature at present.
Strategic plan – The committee are also reviewing the Strategic plan with more long-term goals to be added. This will include the above discussion points.
Equipment – New croquet balls are on order for both Primary and secondary colours. Note new streamlined ball carriers and potentially new trolleys.
Greens - This year we had the lawns deep drilled and some of the dips filled. We also changed sprinklers and did some intensive liquid fertilising in bad spots. Thanks for your patience whilst we did this. We also had a lot of hand watering to contend with which has enabled us to have great playing courts. We continue to use as many biodynamic fertilisers as possible to protect the health of our players.
Sponsorship - The club is looking for sponsorship. We have a new sign on the inside fence and the committee have had contact with William Barrett & Son with a favourable reply. A grant has also gone into Rio Tinto for new balls. If you know of any business who may be interested, please approach the committee.
Management Structure – The committee have put in place various roles to help manage our facilities more efficiently. Ron is in charge of greens and grounds. Steve is in charge of sprinkler management and equipment; Geoff is responsible for building and facilities management as well as being our esteemed Captain and Tournament manager. Jan is our facilities hire coordinator. Alison is our kitchen coordinator.
Thankyou to our valued volunteers who build and paint and garden and put out hoops, coordinate play, rubbish disposal etc. Without you our ability to function is severely compromised.
BUSSELTON CROQUET COURT AND ROOM HIRE
The committee has been working on a croquet court and room hire application form over the last few months. Leases, insurances, and facilities needed to be checked before we proceeded.
We have had several requests as to the availability to hire the club facilities and decided that we needed to formalize the way it was done.
This is also a good way to promote the club and let the Busselton Community experience what croquet is all about.
The applicant needs to be a not-for-profit sporting or community group.
The room hire/court hire will also bring in some funds for the club. At least one club member will be present when the courts are in use.
The form will be available for all club members to sight if they wish.
TOURNAMENTS
GEOGRAPHE CUP – won by Busselton. Report has been sent out
AUSTRALIAN AC SINGLES
David Squire and Marcus McGavock competed in the Australian AC Men’s Singles. David getting into the Final of the Y Group defeating two of WA’s top players along the way. Marcus competed in the plate and managed to win 2 games against much higher ranked players. Judith Nicholls and Associate Members Robyn Dart and Megan Reynolds all competed in the Ladies AC Singles performing well throughout the competition.
Here are the Top 10 Health Benefits of Croquet:
· Being outdoors: A 2011 study By Health Fitness Revolution Magazine, found that outdoor exercise was associated with greater decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression when compared to indoor activity. Their 2010 study found that even just five minutes of exercise in a green space can improve mood and self-esteem.
· Intellectually challenging: Croquet combines the intellectual puzzle-solving of a game like chess with an element of physical activity in which skills such as precision and a soft touch are needed to be successful.
· A fun way to get some mild exercise: Playing croquet is a leisure activity that offers effective yet gentle exercise that is easy on the joints and not strenuous. Croquet players walk more than four and a half kilometres during an average match.
· Can be done at any age: The non-strenuous game, makes it an activity that can be enjoyed throughout a lifetime. Croquet is low impact (just walking, bending, and swinging a mallet to hit a solid plastic ball), yet it can be highly competitive, strategic, and mentally stimulating whilst many new friends are being made.
· Can be played anywhere: Grass courts can be informal lawns where friends and family play the game for recreational purposes, whether in backyards or parks, or formal grass lawns where players vie during competitive tournaments.
· Positive attitude: Croquet encourages a positive attitude to life, which
will help in all daily tasks; more specifically it encourages a “can-do,” “have-a-go” response to problems and an attitude of not giving up.
· Socialize: Playing the game is an excellent way to meet new people. Croquet clubs mix people up and put partners together when doubles are played. Men and women play together on equal terms.
· Emphasizes good sportsmanship and camaraderie: Croquet provides camaraderie among aficionados all over the world. Croquet players are warmly welcomed in clubs the world over.
· Mental benefits: Research shows that there are mental health advantages from playing and being involved in leisure activities and sports. By focusing on the precision of hitting a croquet ball, one’s mind can be cleared and feelings of stress relieved.
· Improves self-esteem: Croquet (and any other sport) can help to improve self-esteem and self-confidence as the player’s performance improves.
VOLUNTEERING
A club is only as good as the support we get from our members for the many jobs that are required to be done throughout the year. The Busselton Croquet Club is very fortunate to have a good level of volunteers filling many jobs/duties. Remember the more help we get from our members the lower we can keep the cost of playing at one of the best Croquet Clubs in Australia.
Yours Sincerely
Barbara Dunnet - President
On behalf of the
Committee
Comments