EXECUTIVE CIRCULAR – NO 4    2003

MacRobertson Shield
President's Invitation Eights
Trans Tasman Test Series
Croquet in Schools
National Handicap Tournament
National Golf Croquet Tournament
Australian Gateball Championships
AGM Reminder
Future Program

MacRobertson Shield

At the time of writing the current MacRobertson Shield contest at West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, is at the stage where each country has played 2 out of their 3 matches.  Australia started off in tremendous fashion by beating New Zealand 15 to 6.  This being the first win against N Z in a MacRobertson Shield contest in 21 years.  We then played Great Britain and lost 15 to 6.  Great Britain has also won against USA 15 to 6 and USA has beaten NZ 12 to 9.  It should now be a very interesting and close contest between Australia and USA.  Our team, Bruce Fleming (Captain), Martin Clarke, Trevor Bassett, Simon Hockey, Stephen Meatheringham and Stephen Forster, have shown they can hold their own against the best in the world.  The months of preparation has produced an excellent performance and it looks like being the best we have done for many years.  Much credit is due to the dedicated work and long years of experience of coach George Latham. 

President' Eights 3 - 6 October 2003

Congratulations to Trevor Bassett, winner of the Eddie Hunt Trophy, to Kevin Beard, winner of the Tom Howat Cup and to Margaret Melville winner of the Jean Armstrong Bowl.  Thanks to the Toombul and  Windsor clubs in Brisbane and the Brunswick club in Melbourne for hosting these events.  The reason for the new locations this year was to minimise the cost of travel for as many players as possible.  However this proved to be not so easy as the composition of each Eight is difficult to estimate some months prior to the event.  This resulted in a change of venue from Perth to Melbourne when it evolved that there was to be a majority of the players from Victoria in that Eight.  The plan will need some re thinking before the next year's event.

First Eight

The Eddie Hunt Trophy

Played at Toombul Club,  Brisbane.

Second Eight

Tom Howat Cup

Played at Brunswick Club, Melbourne.

Women's Eight

Jean Armstrong Bowl

Played at Windsor Club, Brisbane.

Trans Tasman Test Series

Closely following the MacRobertson we have a test series against New Zealand at Wellington on 21 - 28  February  2004.  The Trans Tasman comprises three test matches, each of 2 days, and is normally held about every 2 years.  The previous series was in Brisbane in November 2001 in which New Zealand won by a very narrow margin.  Each team will have 4 men and 4 women.  The Australian team will be announced immediately following the MacRobertson Shield competition.  The program this year is putting a heavy demand on our leading players when we consider the amount of time that is required for practice sessions in addition to the actual time for the competitions.  We appreciate the dedication of these players.

Croquet in Schools

The recently appointed National Director of Schools Croquet, Kenn Boal, is getting his plans under way to assist development of this aspect of croquet in all States.  Most States have had programs in place for some years and Kenn will be available to assist in furthering these projects.  Plans are now in place for Kenn to visit both NSW and Tasmania this year and in future years other States will be offered this assistance if required.  Several schools have already been visited in Kenn's home State of Victoria and inter school competitions are now being organised.

National Handicap Tournament

The National Handicap Tournament was held at Rich River, Vic, on 18 - 24  October.  Again this year the entries were very good, with 101 players, including all States except Western Australia.

Results were: 
Singles: Winner,  Roger Buddle (SA);  Runner up,  Doran Gunsburg (Vic).
Doubles:  Winner,  Judy Joyce/Russ Shellie (Vic); Runner up,  Kenn Boal/Jean Murray (Vic).

National Golf Croquet Tournament

The National Golf Croquet Tournament was held at Horsham, Vic. on 26 - 28  October.

Results were:
Championship Singles: Winner, Ian Bassett (Vic);   Runner up, Ken Bald (Vic)
Handicap Singles: Winner,  H Dohnt;    Runner up,   J Beresford.
Handicap Doubles: Winner,  Elder and McCalman; Runner up,   Beresford and Dean.

Australian Gateball Championships

The National Gateball Championships were held at Caloundra,  Qld, on  31 Oct - 2 Nov. 

A total of 15 teams competed and these included teams from Japan, Taipei, New Zealand and local teams from Victoria, Queensland and NSW.

Over the two days play (Saturday and Sunday) many exciting and close games were played in the most wonderful spirit of fun, camaraderie and sportsmanship.  There were many different styles of play and tactics on display and even one perfect score of 25 by the Hiroshima B team.

At the end of the three game Finals, the Winner was the Chinese Taipei team, with the Runner Up being the Chinese Kao Hsiung A team, with both these teams showing amazing skills, brilliant tactics and tremendous fitness.

AGM Reminder

A reminder note for all State Secretaries and those considering nominating for any elected position in the ACA.  All motions for the AGM and all nominations must be received by the undersigned by 28^th November 2003.  Nominations for positions need to be endorsed by the nominee's State Association.

Future Program

Development Squad Practice,   22/23  November 2003   Melbourne.
Development Squad Practice,  24/26  January 2004   Melbourne.
Trans Tasman Test Series,  Wellington (Paraparaumu), NZ,   21 - 28  February 2004.
Gateball,  Trans Tasman Masters in New Zealand,  March 2004.
Australian Championships, Albury/Wodonga,   20 March - 4 April  2004
ACA Annual General Meeting,  Wodonga,  28^th March 2004.
World Golf Croquet Championships in UK  20-27 June 2004
WCF World Association Croquet Championships, Cheltenham, England, 6 - 14 August 2005.

Terry Speers,      
ACA Secretary,       
14^th November  2003