Berea croquet club celebrates its centenary year

BEREA Croquet Club is celebrating its centenary year and is encouraging people to try out this sport.

One-hundred years have seen many committees come and go. The current committee wanted to celebrate this occasion with a number of activities and competitions to revive membership interest in the sport, however the Covid-19 pandemic prevented this earlier in the year.

Now, during level one lockdown, they are encouraging people to go along to the club to find out about this sport, which is suited to those who are looking for some outdoor social activity that offers exercise as well as mental stimulation.

Speaking about the club, vice-president Angela Thistlethwaite said over the years the club had had active players from as young as nine through to 90 years of age.
“Current membership however falls into the 65 to 90 category and we are hoping to lower the average age this year and into the next!” she said.

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The croquet clubhouse is on the premises of the Berea Bowling Club, at the intersection of Ferguson and Brand Roads in Glenwood.

There are two types of croquet played at the club. The first is called golf croquet, and is a more social game played on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2pm. This game is relatively quick to learn, and after a short introduction on holding and swinging the mallet correctly, one will easily be able to enjoy a game with the club’s friendly members who can coach you through the ‘tricks’ while actually playing. The average length of this game is about 45 minutes.

The second is called association croquet, and is a more intense game which requires an understanding of chess and snooker tactics and is played on Saturday afternoons from 2pm until 5pm. This game does take some time to learn and those interested would be offered a course of instruction followed by beginner games with members.
Both games are played nationally and internationally and can be very competitive at this level.

Those interested in going along to find out more, they can contact Angela on 083 661 2953 or athistle@telkomsa.net.

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