The Castlemaine Croquet Club, located in Castlemaine, Victoria, is a sports club that offers both Association Croquet and Golf Croquet. The club is situated on the same grounds as the Castlemaine Bowling Club. The club meets every Wednesday at 10 am during daylight saving time and at 12:30 pm for the rest of the year for Association croquet. For Golf Croquet, meetings are held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings at 10 am, and 9 am during daylight saving time.
The Castlemaine Croquet Club welcomes new members and encourages players of all skill levels to join. With only one lawn available for play, running tournaments can be challenging, but the club manages to accommodate several players participating in both Association and Golf Croquet.
The club has a rich history dating back to its formation in 1886. Initially established as a bowling club, the first green was laid down in the Botanical Gardens area at a cost of 100 pounds. Over the years, the club has grown and evolved, with various office bearers and committee members contributing to its success.
Coaching is available for new, existing, and prospective members who wish to improve their skills. The club has three accredited coaches of Association Croquet: Nigel Harland, Tricia Devlin, and Ian Campbell. Those interested in coaching can contact the club to arrange suitable times.
The Castlemaine Croquet Club organises the Castlemaine Maldon Golf Croquet Challenge, which is held twice a year in the first weeks of Spring and Autumn. This event brings together players from both Castlemaine and Maldon for friendly competition.
The club also participates in various tournaments and events, with recent member successes including Patricia Devlin winning the VCA Women's Championship 2023, Charlton Singles 2023, and VCA Silver Shield 2023.
For more information about the Castlemaine Croquet Club, interested individuals can reach out to Club President Steven Duffy or Club Secretary Des Buckmaster. The club's contact details and postal address can be found on the club's website.
Overall, the Castlemaine Croquet Club offers a friendly and inclusive environment for croquet enthusiasts of all levels to enjoy the sport and engage in friendly competition.