It's all about tactics, fun and friendships
“You only need to hold that mallet once and you fall in love.”
That’s a common sentiment among croquet players, and certainly the experience of Ron Schodel and Dianne Michels, two members of the Twin Rivers Community Mallet Sports Club in Eagleby.
Dianne was sceptical when she attended a “come and try day” a few years ago. But she was instantly hooked and joined the Twin Rivers Club soon after. That was four years ago, and today she’s the club’s publicist.
For club president, Ron, it was a family affair. His brother Des Schodel and wife Beryl fell in love with croquet and started the Twin Rivers club in 2010. Des recruited more than 100 members in the early years, and Ron was one of them.
Ron says croquet is a game of strategy, often described as combining the finer points of chess, golf and billiards, played on a grass lawn.
“It’s challenging and tactical,” he says. “There’s a reasonable amount of skill but not a lot of physical exertion, and you make a lot of friends playing.”
“There’s a reasonable amount of skill but not a lot of physical exertion, and you make a lot of friends playing.”
— Ron Shodel
The club recently celebrated its eleventh birthday and its first at its new home at Bedford Park, Eagleby. It was a milestone for a club that has moved seven times.
With land and financial support from Logan City Council and state and federal government grants, two croquet courts were constructed onsite and the first ball struck in January this year.
Des passed away before the club moved to Bedford Park, but he knew his tireless efforts to secure a permanent home had paid off. Des also started a croquet academy for students with special needs at Beenleigh State High School, through which 10 students participate over two terms each year.
A welcoming and friendly club for all ages and skill levels, Twin Rivers offers members the opportunity to play six days a week – seven if there’s an inter-club tournament on a Sunday. Members can play association croquet (traditional) or golf croquet, which is a new version of the game that is shorter to play and easier to learn.
W: Croquet Queensland : Twin Rivers Community Mallet Sports Club (croquetqld.org)
