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July 5th 2017 Sally Liggins KCC
AC players in the more senior grades can compete in a Sunday Competition held over the Winter months at New Town. It would be good to see a similar weekly competition for lower grades – we could get regular games against other players from other clubs without our handicaps being affected.
Who else would like to be part of such a tournament?
August 24 2017 Larry Hamilton Kingston
It has taken me a little too long to find this forum which is why this comment is somewhat late in appearing. Thanks Sally for the opportunity the forum provides.
I'm new to the Winter Competition and still relatively new to AC Croquet. Having had an opportunity to participate I feel the need to express three comments.
Firstly it is not surprising that this is a popular competition. Ian and Lizzie Basset (and the New Town Club) are to be commended for their hard work in putting it on. To run a competition like this one is an onerous responsibility over a long period of time. That they did so cheerfully and competently deserves commendation. Most Sundays were oversubscribed which indicates to me just how much this competition format is appreciated by players. I've certainly never played in a competition like this and I found it a very rewarding experience.
Secondly the format makes it an ideal environment for individuals to improve their game. Participating in this competition is as good as individual coaching and probably better than the individual practice I engage in. The popularity of the competition is at least as much because of the particular format as any other factor. I've not come across a competition like this before but will be seeking out opportunities like it as a way of getting better at the game.
Finally the generosity, attitude and fellowship of the participants was particularly impressive to me. The format of the competition encourages the giving of advice, the opportunity for support and encouragement and the opportunity to have a go at a higher level of play without one's handicap being at all threatened. I was by a long way the weakest player competing yet felt included and welcomed in a way that I found uplifting.
I certainly benefited from the opportunity this competition provided and very much appreciated the advice and encouragement that came my way. I think there is something important going on with the Winter Competition that all clubs should perhaps attend to. It's popularity and success attest to this. If the workload and responsibility for running it can be shared it can grow. And if it grows It will benefit this form of croquet, particularly because it provides such a great opportunity for people to improve their skills.
I don't understand why Association is not the most popular form of the game but perhaps it is because it isn't the easiest form of the game to master. There were times when I felt a little guilty taking up a scarce place in such a contested competition. I persisted though because of a conviction that it was good for my game and because everyone else seemed so encouraging. If these opportunities were more available for others who want to improve their game it would be a good thing for AC in Tasmania.