MEMBER for Port Stephens Kate Washington will officially open the two additional croquet courts at Nelson Bay Croquet Club’s headquarters on Tomaree Sports Complex at 10am on Saturday 16 October 2021.

Two additional full-sized courts were completed in 2020 with financial assistance from the NSW State Government, Port Stephens Council and Tomaree Sports Council.

The COVID pandemic has prevented a formal opening ceremony until now.

The justification for increasing the number of courts was to deliver the following outcomes: (i) to reduce, or even eliminate, the need for half-courts for our regular social games; (ii) to enable the Club to actively pursue an increase in membership numbers; and (iii) to enable the Club to host state or national competitions.

To address outcome (ii), the official opening will be followed by a “Come-and-Try Day” with the local community invited to come together to share the experience of playing croquet in a fun and relaxed environment.

This has been supported by a Community Event Grant from Port Stephens Council.

To address outcome (iii), the first tournament to bring visitors to the area has been organised for 20-22 November 2021 when the inaugural Christmas Bush Bash will bring 64 croquet players from around NSW to Nelson Bay.

This is a Golf Croquet doubles tournament featuring both level and handicap play.

The Tournament Manager is former State representative Trevor Black and the Tournament Referee is current NSW State Vice-Captain Derek Bull.

The tournament is sponsored by PRD Real Estate.

For further information about the Club, visit nelsonbaycroquet.org.au or e-mail nelsonbaycroquet@gmail.com.