The Cooks River Croquet Club is the most recent addition to almost seventy croquet venues throughout New South Wales. Despite its youth it kicks off with many distinct advantages. It shares four top class lawns with the headquarters of Croquet NSW and commences with a nucleus of members who have competed at international level, a depth of experience and skills able to be passed on to new members. The Cooks River Club has ample car parking and for those preferring public transport, Tempe railway station is just over the road. Even Sydney airport is only a stone’s throw away. As an added bonus, which few clubs enjoy, it has access to an independent onsite restaurant and licensed premises (Concordia Club) making Cooks River Croquet Club an ideal choice for corporate or social events; your croquet fun capped off with a meal and refreshments.
Croquet NSW continues to make use of the lawns for many of their state fixtures and training programs adding interest to the club, as some of the best players from around the state are periodically on display.
People contemplating visiting the club are reminded that they should not do so if at all unwell.
NEW MEMBERS – COME AND TRY
Cooks River Croquet Club is easily accessible to players or visitors living on either side of Sydney Harbour, particularly the inner west, the expanding membership making active use of the facilities. The club has gained a significant number of new members who are absorbed in learning the various forms of this tactical intelligent game, which is suitable for players of all ages and levels of fitness. Cooks River Croquet Club provides an opportunity for anyone interested to learn the basics of golf croquet to attend a free friendly ‘Come and Try’ session.
‘Come and Try Days’ are held each month. Book through the ‘Eventbrite’ website.
THE GAME OF CROQUET
Four forms of croquet are played, traditional Association Croquet, Golf Croquet, Ricochet and Gateball. Each is somewhat different but all employ tactics and strategies sometimes likened to playing chess or snooker on a lawn. All have a similar objective of scoring more hoops than your opponent. YouTube will provide you with videos about how croquet is played Should you be interested in trying the game, don’t worry about forearming yourself with too much information as all will be explained when you ‘come and try’. Below is a video produced for the UK Croquet Association which provides some insight into the game and those hooked on playing it.
MEMBERSHIP
Lessons offered by Cooks River Croquet Club are already proving popular. Mallet and tactical skills of Golf Croquet are taught over the course of six two hour sessions, ensuring that students wishing to pursue membership will be sufficiently acquitted to compete and enjoy the game. The cost of this package (for persons completely new to croquet) leading to membership is $65. Details of fees to would be members, other than trainees, please see our page covering this topic. Members wishing to expand their game can also be coached to play Association Croquet, Ricochet and Gateball.
LAWN BOOKINGS AND EVENTS
Lawns are often booked for weekend Croquet NSW events and more generally a growing number of Cooks River Croquet Club activities. Members of croquet clubs affiliated with Croquet NSW may book and use the lawns for informal games at a nominal fee. With multiple use of the lawns it is important that bookings are made in advance. The Events Calendar (top right) displays currently known bookings and the number of lawns needed. Please email your booking and they will be added to the list, priority will be given to Croquet NSW and Cooks River Croquet Club activities. It should be noted that lawns are usually closed for maintenance until 10.00am Thursday and additionally on Monday afternoon from 4pm during the growing season.
THE CONCORDIA CLUB
The Concordia Club which was established in 1883 moved from Stanmore to Tempe in 2005. Also known as the German Club much of the menu reflects that part of the world. It is open Fridays to Sundays and is often busy between these hours. Some of the seating is outside on the verandas overlooking the croquet lawns. Children are welcome. Phone 9554 7388, to see menu visit the concordia club website
CORPORATE AND SOCIAL GROUPS
Cooks River Croquet Club welcomes approaches from social or corporate groups wishing to play. Bookings are for 2.5 hours and includes all croquet equipment and basic tuition how the game is played. Bookings should be made 4 weeks in advance and payment made 2 weeks before the event. Please email enquiries to CRCCbookings@gmail.com giving the nature of your visit, number in your group, day and preferred time. Players must wear flat soled shoes to protect the lawns. Children under the age of twelve are not permitted on the lawns.
From Friday to Sunday the Concordia Club is open and alcohol can be purchased from their premises, (this alcohol cannot be taken onto the lawns due to the their liquor license, other arrangements can be made when making a booking) food is also available. On other days groups should bring their own catering, a barbeque is available for hire, $30, amenities otherwise are limited to a small kitchen area, toilet facilities and use of seating on the covered verandas. The croquet club has no formal rubbish collection and groups should ensure they leave the area clean and tidy, taking their rubbish away with them. (Note: On Fridays the Concordia Club opens at 12.00 midday)
OUR LOCATION
Cooks River Croquet Club at 1 Richardson Crescent, Marrickville, opposite Tempe Railway Station and sandwiched between Mackey Park and the Cooks River. See link to Google Maps below.
CONTACT US
Please contact us about lessons, membership and the hiring of facilities and we will endeavor to get back to you promptly. Don’t hesitate to follow up your enquiry within a couple of days if for any reason we have not replied to you.
President: Stephen Burns Secretary: Heather Smallbone – cooksrivercroquetclub@gmail.com
| By phone: 0466 331 138 Lawn bookings: CRCCbookings@gmail.com |