It was the allure of its strategic nature that drew Gloucester’s Al Minis to the game of croquet.
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“It’s one of the few sports that involves using your intelligence as well as your sporting skill,” Al said.
Likening the sport to a cross between chess and snooker, Al explained how you need to plan your moves in advance in order to win the game.
“You need to gauge your opponents' skills and anticipate their play,” he said. “But it’s not skill alone. You can out think someone who has more skill than you.
“I like to be able to combine thinking and playing.”
Al joined the Gloucester Croquet Club in 2011 and by 2014, he had won his first club championship for golf croquet, a title he won again in 2016 and 2018.
Unlike a lot of other sport, croquet doesn’t divide its competition into gender or age, it’s simply skill against skill alone, and it can be played as a single or in pairs. Players can enjoy play at the regular times at their home club or take part in competitions at various clubs around the region. For the Mid North Coast Croquet Council (MNCCC), in which Gloucester is a part, members can play in competitions in Port Macquarie, Forster and Taree.
Al enjoys playing with a partner, especially one that he plays with regularly.
“You learn how to work best together,” he explained. “You get to a point were you don’t have to say anything to each other.”
It’s all about learning your partner’s strengthens and weakness, and working to fill the gaps.
Al can be found at the clubhouse in Gloucester District Park up to five times a week with his dedication to the sport extending far beyond game play. He’s the treasurer and groundskeeper of the club.
“So, I might as well play while I’m here,” he smiled.
Gloucester Croquet Club runs golf croquet sessions at 8am on Mondays and Fridays and at 4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays. It also holds an association croquet session on Wednesday at 8am and ricochet on Thursdays at 8am. Anyone interested in getting involved is welcome to come by the club during any of these session times.