Southport celebrates Queensland representatives, Gateball wins and community sessions

Southport's pace has not slowed after the MSOB and GCTR tournaments. Pennants are ongoing and the club's Queensland representatives remain active. Golf Croquet players Mary McMahon and Gabby Spencer represented Queensland, with Gabby voted CAQ Player of the Series.

Mary McMahon and Gabby Spencer.

Mary then travelled to Egypt after accepting an invitation to compete in the 20th Egyptian International Croquet Championships over seven days. Among a strong field, she finished in the top 36.

Southport has also been active in the community, with Bunnings BBQs on 5 September and 4 October, and free Come and Try sessions on the third Sunday of the month through a Gold Coast City Council initiative. Golf Croquet, Ricochet and Gateball have been introduced, and more than five people have returned for a second session.

The State Gateball Championships were held at Caloundra in August. Southport entered two teams and had players in the doubles. Julia Tai was in the team that won the QLD Gateball Team Championships, and Lee Wentworth and Kaelan Sweatman from Moreton Bay went through undefeated in the doubles.

Julia Tai holding the Lola Whyte Trophy after winning the QLD Gateball Team Championships.

Kaelan Sweatman and Lee Wentworth.

For the second year in a row Dennis Backer won his block in 2nd Division in the Alex Gow Funerals Windsor Cup Competition for Association Croquet.

Dennis Backer holding the Cup after winning his block in the Alex Gow Funerals Windsor Cup.

By Barbara Northcott, Southport. From the Croquet Newsletter, September/October 2025, pages 33-36.