Goulburn Valley Croquet Association (GVCA) and North East District Croquet Association (NEDCA) will come together for their third annual inter-regional croquet tournament at Mooroopna tomorrow.
Mooroopna Croquet Club will play host, with tennis courts at Mooroopna Lawn Tennis Club also utilised to cater for the packed schedule.
GVCA caters to a wide catchment of players from across the Goulburn Valley, while NEDCA encompasses players from Albury-Wodonga, Howlong, Corowa, Wangaratta, Beechworth and Benalla.
Both associations have been impacted by the recent flood emergency, with a number of events and competitions cancelled due to the weather, while club greens have also worn the brunt of the damage.
GVCA tournament manager John Young said both sets of players were keen to get the competition started.
He said with a bit of help from neighbouring clubs all three divisions would play together at the one venue.
“Mooroopna saw fit to stage the event and we pushed really hard because of the floods,” Young said.
“We wanted to make it happen and we only have two courts, but required at least six, that’s where the tennis club stepped in and offered up their courts.”
The courts will be abuzz with activity Young expects, reflecting the growing participation the club has experienced in recent years.
“People look on croquet as an old-fashioned sport, where people get around in long dresses and so on,” he said.
“It’s moving with the times and when you look at a club like Mooroopna, their membership has gone through the absolute roof.”
- Games begin at 9.15am tomorrow at Mooroopna Croquet Club and will run through until 2.30pm. For more information, email goulburnvalleyca@gmail.com