welcome to
NELSON BAY CROQUET CLUB
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Nelson Bay Croquet Club has been established for 30 years. It is located in the Blue Water Paradise of Port Stephens, just north of Newcastle, NSW. Membership is open to all who are interested in the game, and visitors are warmly welcomed.
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Members play two the three internationally recognised forms of Croquet – Golf and Ricochet - at present, there are no regular Association games. The Club plays both social and competitive games five days each week on four professionally maintained full sized courts and has a small clubhouse on-site. We also have an active program of social events.
Playing schedule available here:
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
CLUB COMPETITIONS 2026
Sunday 29th March
Sunday 12th April
Monday 11th May
Sunday 14th June
Wednesday 17th June
July/October
Sunday 5th July
Sunday 2nd August
Sunday 13th September
Sunday 25th October
Handicap Singles
Thompson Trophy – Novice
Winter Doubles
Thompson Trophy - C Grade
Gala Day
Ricochet Knock-Out
Thompson Trophy - B Grade
Thompson Trophy - A Grade
Blowes Shield Doubles
President’s Cup
HUNTER ZONE HUB ACTIVITIES 2026
Tuesday 7th May
Tuesday 14th May
Saturday 13th June
Division 2 GC Workshop
Promoting RC
GC High-Low Gala Day
Hunter Zone Hub activities are for all players – if you are interested contact Marion Davies to register your interest.
Email: marion.dawn6@gmail.com
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All activities are scheduled at Lake Macquarie Croquet Centre, Glendale (Toronto Croquet Club).
COACHING DATES 2026
Regular Coaching Sessions
Monday afternoons – all, content as required
State Pennants – as requested by teams
Wednesday 8th April – beginner coaching
Coaching – Kate McLoughlin & Peter Freer
Sunday 19th April (afternoon) – Division 3
Monday 20th April (morning) - Division 1 & 2
Monday 20th April (afternoon) - Coaches
Coaching – Pam Barnwell & Derek Bull
Monday 3rd August (morning) – Division 2 Tactics
PACE (Player and Coach Education)
PACE is the CNSW Pathway Program to educate and support Players and Coaches.
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A PACE Workshop is being held at Lake Macquarie Croquet Centre, Glendale (Toronto Croquet Club) on Thursday 23rd April 2026.
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if you are interested contact Marion Davies to register your interest.
Email: marion.dawn6@gmail.com
LATEST NEWS
NSW MEN'S GC OPEN SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday 27th March 2026
The NSW Men’s Open GCSingles Championship was held at Lake Macquarie Croquet Centre, Glendale, on 27th-29th March 2026. With 36 entries, an extra venue was required to enable the competition to be completed in 3 days. Nelson Bay Croquet Club hosted the first day of play, 5 or 6 games, for one block on Friday 27th March.
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Local players in the block were Rob Batho (Nelson Bay), Paul Coomer (Newcastle National Park), Alexander Michalak (Newcastle National Park), Mark Shanks (Maitland) and Marty Wooster (Toronto). Andrew Bissex (Forster), Simon Cook (Coutts Crossing) and Peter Freer (Canberra) completed the draw.
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The day dawned fine but overcast and, although the forecast rain did not eventuate, the strong wind made for tricky playing conditions. At the end of the day, Peter Freer lead the block with 5 wins ahead of Mark Shanks on 4 wins, although each had only lost one game. The club members who turned out to spectate were treated to top class croquet despite the conditions.
Great work on the catering
from Prue, Gail, Kath & Faby
Mark Shanks playing Peter Freer
Rob Batho prepares
to play a jump shot
Play on Friday 27th March
MAITLAND SWEET PEA
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March 2026
On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March, 4 pairs from Nelson Bay Croquet Club played in the Maitland Sweet Pea, a Golf Croquet competition played as 13-point games with a 50-minute time limit on each game. 24 pairs entered and were divided into 4 blocks of 6 pairs, each playing a round robin of level play followed by a round robin of handicap play.
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In Block A, Liz Friend & Rob Batho finished first with 5 wins, equal with Michael & Lee Morphett (Newcastle NP) and Alastair Torrance & Sandra Guider (Newcastle NP) but declared winners on hoop difference (+5 to +4).
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In Block B, Paul Coomer & Pauline Sellers (Newcastle NP), Faby Batho & Sherry Gordon and Greg Long & David Smith all finished level with 6 wins but were declared 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively based on hoop difference (+5, +3 and +2 respectively).
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Great results - well done all.
First Block A:
Liz Friend & Rob Batho
Second Block B:
Faby Batho & Sherry Gordon
NEW MALLET RACK
The crumbling and decaying mallet rack has been replaced with a revised version featuring a a higher rack for longer mallets - a great improvement.
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Thanks to Faby Batho, Rae Black, Rob Batho and Trevor Black.
The new mallet racks