L-R front: Jo Bray (Papakowhai), Robin Chesterfield (Paremata) Wayne Gair (Titahi Bay)

L-R back: John and Christine de Roo (Whitby), Graeme Fisher (Plimmerton), Chris Cambourn (Whitby)

The trophies keep coming to Plimmerton Croquet Club.

The Wellington Croquet Association held its annual prize giving at the club recently with the trophies presented by President Julie Murphy. Julie welcomed representatives from the Wellington region clubs and complimented Plimmerton club with, once again, laying on a fine, sunny day.

Plimmerton players won, amongst other trophies, the Association Interclub Silver Cup and The McKenzie Cup for 18-24 handicap players.

Plimmerton Club’s Arthur von Sturmer (Papakowhai resident) was the top winner of the day winning The Veteran’s Cup, the Jane Cook silver candlesticks and the WCA award for the Most Promising Player – the Steptoe Memorial dish.

Plimmerton Club players won the Cherrington Golf Croquet Trophy against Paraparaumu and Waikanae Clubs. Plimmerton had 7 wins, Paraparaumu 5 and Waikanae 0.

The same day the Ellis Cup for Speedball was won by Waikanae in 2 minutes 51 seconds to Plimmerton’s 3 minutes 6 seconds. Speedball is a very fast version of croquet – players play through the hoops as fast as they can.

The Speedball stance – perfected by Jo Bray (Papakowhai)

The Bob - posted 22 March 2013

Don't miss the fun on Saturday 6 April...

More Winners at Plimmerton Croquet Club

Plimmerton Croquet Club players recently played the annual challenge between their club, Paraparaumu and Waikanae. The Paekakariki Vase was presented by Ashley Heenan and Robin Hogg in 1947 for a challenge between the Kapiti Clubs of Waikanae, Paraparumu and Plimmerton.

The Paekakariki Vase was won by the Plimmerton team of Tom and Beverley Berryman, Wendy Betteridge, Graeme Fisher (Plimmerton resident), Carolyn Rait, Robin Chesterfield, John de Roo and Murray Cain.

Graeme Fisher also won the intermediate Golf Croquet Silver Badge at Kelburn.

Plimmerton player John Bache recently won his section in the Waimarie Over 80s competiton.

On Saturday 6 April, as part of the Plimmerton Promenade Day, the Croquet Club, in Ulric Street, will be open and welcoming. The club will be hosting the Wellington Croquet Association Gala Day so there will be lots of fun activity. Hosepipes, skittles and The Bob will be out – not the usual challenges for croquet players to face!

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Posted 22 Feb 2013

Arthur von Sturmer (Papakowhai) winning the WCA Veterans Tournament

Plimmerton Croquet Club is in the thick of competitions at the moment – at club, interclub and the wider regional level.

Five Club members have been selected as regional representatives in the Manawatu Exchange Association Croquet tournament to be played at Palmerston North on Sunday, 24 February. Graeme Fisher, of Plimmerton, one of the clubs most experienced players, is one of those selected. And one club member will play in the Golf Croquet event at Waikanae on the same day.

Plimmerton had 12 players competing in the Wellington Croquet Association’s Veteran’s Tournament that was played at both Plimmerton and Petone over the weekend 11/14 Feb. Plimmerton players excelled – Arthur von Sturmer (see photo above from Papakowhai) was overall winner and Robin Chesterfield (Paremata) was runner up. Team manager, Christine de Roo, gave particular credit to Tony Watts and his team of groundsmen who gave the players such immaculate lawns to play on.

The Castle Cup played on 26^th Jan was won convincingly 9-3 by Plimmerton against Waikanae.

On 9^th Feb Plimmerton organised an Olé event for the Wainuiomata Club to help get them up and running in the game of Golf Croquet. 30+ players from several clubs over Wellington and the Hutt had a great time. Plimmerton players won both the morning and afternoon competitions.

It’s all go – at Plimmerton Croquet Club!!

Older news - posted 16 January 2013

“Plimmerton Croquet Club’s year is off to a flying start”, says Publicity Officer, Alison Lloyd Davies. “The trophies are starting to come in again!”

 In the North Island Association Croquet Championship [handicap 4+] Plimmerton’s Wayne Gair was placed first and Graeme Fisher placed second. Captain Tom Berryman says “I was thrilled for all the Club’s players who achieved personal handicap improvements”.  He also noted that the celebratory party lasted 3 hours!

In the Wellington Challenge Series Wayne and Graeme beat Petone 26-0, and then Wellington 26-1. Peter Hill and Arthur von Sturmer took the McKenzie cup off Wellington in a nail biting 12-11 victory.

The next open evening for family twilight golf croquet will be 5.30-8.00pm on Saturday 9 February.  Give Tom (236 8877) or Kelvin (234 8287) a call to book in.

All gear supplied – you just bring the family and your picnic!

And, in a first for the Croquet Club, they were asked to set up a couple of courts and provide mallets for guests at a recent wedding in the rose garden at Aotea Lagoon.  A few brave souls took up the challenge of having a go at golf croquet.  Any other bridal couple who’d like to have this novel way of entertaining their guests should call Tom (236 8877) to discuss their plans.

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FAMILY CROQUET EVENINGS (posted 11 December 2012)

On Saturday 12 January Plimmerton Croquet Club will host another fun Family Croquet session for those who enjoy the long summer evenings.  

5.30 - 8pm.  Children can play on mini courts while adults tackle full size ones. 

Bring a picnic to enjoy in the lovely garden setting, and bring flat shoes. Mallets and playing equipment will be provided.

At Plimmerton Croquet Club, Ulric Street, Plimmerton.

$2 a head or $10 for a family group.

Bookings are essential – call Tom (236 8877) or Kelvin (234 8287)

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Posted 27 November 2012

PHOTO: The Association Croquet finalists. L-R: Tom and Beverley Berryman, John de Roo, Chris Cambourn

AC FINALS 2012

Plimmerton v Plimmerton at Plimmerton

Two Plimmerton teams contested the final of the Wellington ‘Association Croquet’ interclub competitions – at the Plimmerton Croquet Club. After weeks of games around the region the superior skills and technique of the top local players brought the trophy home to Plimmerton.

Chris Cambourn and John de Roo, both Whitby residents, played Tom and Beverley Berryman from Titahi Bay.

The Berrymans won on the day with a score of 20-6

December 2012

Plimmerton Players Pipped at the Posts

Over the weekend 10/11 November Plimmerton Association Croquet players played at home for the coveted Haven Plate against their annual rivals from Paraparaumu Club.

Plimmerton players were Tony Watts (Camborne), Beverley Berryman (Titahi Bay), Patsy Williamson (Papakowhai), Dianne McDonald (Titahi Bay), John de Roo and Eric Castle (both Whitby).  John and Eric won their doubles games so the final tally was Paraparaumu 3 – Plimmerton 1.

The venue for the Haven Plate alternates every year. The visiting club selects their team and then the host club tries to match the handicaps of the visitors.

The Plate was donated by Haven Real Estate, of Paraparaumu in February 1976 

Over the following weekend (17/18 November) Plimmerton players were again in battles of the hoop.  This time at the Lower North Island Team Championships in which teams from Taranaki, South Taranaki, Wanganui, Wellington, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay competed.

The Champs played on two sites – Association in Palmerston North, and Golf Croquet in Wanganui.

This year’s Association team from Plimmerton was Wayne Gair (Titahi Bay), John de Roo (Whitby) and Dianne McDonald (Titahi Bay) joined by Pauline Reid (Paraparumu). Overall winners were Manawatu, Wairarapa was 2^nd and Wellington/Plimmerton 3^rd.

At the Golf Croquet site in Wanganui Plimmerton Club’s Bill Harper (Ngaio), Murray Cain (Whitby), and Janet Boutel (Karori).  Josh Smith, a young player from Kelburn, unfortunately had to withdraw at the last moment due to a hand injury so his place was taken by Tom Berryman (Plimmerton).  The local team was 3^rd overall behind Hawke’s Bay 1^st and Taranaki 2^nd.

Looking ahead to the new year Plimmerton will be co-hosting with Paraparumu the North Island Association Croquet Championship from 2 to 6 January. Some exceptional croquet will be played that week.

Posted 7 November 2012

Photo: Wendy Betteridge is presented with her commemorative medal by Kenn Boal.

Wendy Betteridge back from making croquet history

Twelve New Zealand women croquet players are back from making history at the inaugural Women's World Association Croquet Tournament at the Victoria Croquet Centre in Melbourne. Plimmerton Croquet Club’s Wendy Betteridge was amongst them.

Wendy reports that “the weather was cold, the wind was often strong, the lawns were super-fast but the welcome from the Australians was second to none.” Much like Plimmerton, really!

The NZ players did well.

Jenny Clarke (Christchurch) and already the World No 1, won the Knockout without dropping a single game throughout the Tournament. In the final she beat Alison Sharpe, Australian No 1. Jenny is now 8th in the World following seven men – two of them Kiwis.

The shield final was contested by two NZ women - Alison Robinson (Kelburn) won over Jane Magill (Tauranga).

Marion McInness from Waimarie Club (Lower Hutt) lost the Bowl final to Australian Anna Miller.  

Every player who competed was presented with a commemorative medal. The photo shows Plimmerton Club’s Wendy Betteridge receiving her medal from Kenn Boal, Director of the tournament. The legend reads '1st WCF (World Croquet Federation) Women's Association World Championship at the Victorian Croquet Centre Melbourne 2012'. 

Wendy comments that “despite the strength of women in world croquet, nearly all the people in 'power' in world croquet are men! I noticed, however, that the men did a huge amount of work during the tournament and nothing was too much trouble for them. They were very good driving the bus, refereeing, working in the kitchen and on the bar and spending very long hours either setting up or taking down lawns every day.”

Photo SAM 0020: Club player instructors-in-training (and some young ring-ins) under the watchful eye of Club Captain Tom Berryman for 'Pirates' and Golf Croquet

HeHa (Healthy eating and Healthy action) Porirua Sports' Buffet - November 2012 news

Planning is well underway at Plimmerton Croquet Club for the new college golf croquet development programme. The club's aim is to train the team to represent the Wellington region at the College National Finals in Palmerston North next year.

So far Mana, Aotea, Tawa and Samuel Marsden Colleges have made a commitment to take part in the training programme.

In the meantime the club is gearing up to showcase the sport to primary and intermediate school children in the Porirua area at HeHa Porirua's Inaugural Sports' Buffet on Wednesday 24 Oct at Te Rauparaha Park.

Croquet Club members, under the guidance of Captain Tom Berryman, will be showing the youngsters the finer points of golf croquet and 'pirates' - the skills required for this form of the game have to be seen to be believed! Berryman says "The kids having a try at our croquet games may be future participants in the college students' programme."

It should be great fun for all - young and not quite so young.

October 2012 news

Camborne croquet player to represent New Zealand at Worlds.

Wendy Betteridge in her Plimmerton colours before she dons the New Zealand black for Melbourne.

Croquet news

October 2012 updates: (read more on their October 2012 Newsletter)

Camborne croquet player to represent New Zealand at Worlds.

Wendy Betteridge, who plays for Plimmerton Croquet Club, will be the only player from the Porirua area competing at the inaugural WCF [World Croquet Federation] Women's Association Croquet World Championship.  The games will be held at the Victorian Croquet Centre, in Melbourne, from the 21st to 28th October

There will be a contingent of 12 women from all over New Zealand competing, as singles players, against three from England and around 30 Australians.

“I’ll be holding on by my fingernails to compete against most of the other competitors – including Jenny Clarke from Christchurch who is ranked No 1 in the world,” says Betteridge, a ‘wild card’ entry.

However she’ll have more than her skills with a mallet on her side – Betteridge’s latest book is titled ‘It’s Your Thoughts That Count – how to use your thoughts to transform your life’.

She says “I wrote it to inspire others to become conscious of the thoughts they create moment by moment in their daily lives and turn them into empowering thoughts.”

The power of her positive thinking is sure to keep her croquet drives on the straight and true in Melbourne. 

Older Croquet news

September 2012: Golf Croquet Outreach for College Students in the Greater Porirua Area

To take full advantage of the long twilight hours ahead, Plimmerton Croquet Club is reaching out to students at all the Colleges in the Porirua area.

Croquet NZ organises the annual National Secondary School Golf Croquet Tournament. In 2013 the tournament will be held in Palmerston North at the end of March.

Each Croquet region can enter two doubles teams to contest this event. Plimmerton Club’s goal is to see four students (two teams) from the greater Porirua area as their College’s, and the Wellington region’s, representatives at next year’s Nationals.

There are six Colleges within our area and Plimmerton is offering an opportunity for 32 students (16 teams) to participate in its coaching programme. As well as coaching in all aspects of Golf Croquet the club will run development tournaments. At the end of the programme the four top place-getting teams will make up our area’s representatives to the regional play-off against players from Kapiti, Hutt and Wellington.

The Club will provide all playing equipment. Students will need flat-soled shoes (sneakers are fine).

During September Club Captain, Tom Berryman, is inviting local Colleges to enter one, or more, two player teams to the coaching programme. Students who want to take part should contact their College sports coordinator for the full details; or may contact him directly.

Berryman says he’s also keen to involve students who live in the Porirua area but go to outside Colleges.

Students can contact him on 04 236 8877 or e-mail tom.berryman@xtra.co.nz.

Previous news:

May 2012 Updates:

Plimmerton Croquet Club wound up the 2011 year with a change at the top and the presentation of a raft of awards and trophies to club members. Pat Wilson (of Whitby) stood down as President and she was succeeded to the Presidential chair by Wayne Gair of Titahi Bay. As well as administrative duties Wayne also, regularly, walks 7K behind a lawn mower to keep the four club lawns in tip top order. Christine de Roo (Whitby) is the newly elected Vice Captain (Association). Once again Plimmerton’s Graeme Fisher scooped an impressive handful of Club Association Croquet awards – winner of the Arthur Ross handicap singles; runner-up in the championship singles Div 2; winner of the championship doubles Div 1 with Wendy Betteridge (Cambourne); and winner of the handicap doubles with Chris Cambourn (Whitby).

The winter season at Plimmerton has begun with Association play on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10am; Golf Croquet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm and Sundays at 10am. New members and visitors are always welcome. Remember to bring flat shoes!

Photo: Graeme Fisher (Plimmerton) receives one of his awards from Patron John Burke

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