A Gosnells croquet player has competed on home ground as part of one of Australia’s top tournaments, with matches held across Perth.
Tim Barkes, from Gosnells Croquet Club, represented Western Australia at the 76th Australian Association Croquet Championships.
The event started from April 8, and will run till April 19. Gosnells hosted the singles matches from April 11 to 14.
Now in his third year at state level, Barkes said having the Championships in Western Australia has changed the experience.
“Having the Championships in our home state makes a big difference. There’s no travel, and you get to come home at the end of the day (hopefully to a home-cooked meal), which always helps,” he said.
He said playing at Gosnells adds another layer. He pointed to the club’s playing surface and the chance for locals to watch top-level competition up close.
“Gosnells has one of the best playing surfaces in the state, which is a real credit to the grounds team,” he said.
“This weekend is especially exciting — we’ll have Australia’s top-ranked female player, Alison Sharpe (NSW), competing there.”
Barkes’ path into the sport did not come from a single turning point. He said it built over time after he first joined the club following retirement.
“There was no real light-bulb moment – it was more a gradual progression,” he said.
“I just really enjoyed playing, and over time my ranking improved through competing regularly.”
He has now been playing for about nine years, entering competitions for most of that time.
“What really got me started was after I retired… I started to feel a bit isolated at home, so I thought I’d give croquet a go — there was a club just five minutes away,” he said.
“It turned out to be a great decision. It’s a welcoming, healthy environment with a strong sense of community, and that’s what kept me coming back.”
That community has played a key role in his development, including early coaching at the club.
“From the beginning, everyone was welcoming and supportive,” he said.
“I was fortunate to be coached by Neville Raxworthy, who had the patience to teach me what is actually quite a complex game for a beginner.”
On the court, Barkes said croquet is less about strength and more about thinking ahead.
“Croquet is very much a game of strategy. You’re constantly watching what your opponent is doing while staying focused on your own plan,” he said.
“When an opportunity presents itself, you need to recognise it and take advantage of it.”
He said the toughest parts of the game are not always obvious to those watching.
“It’s a highly tactical sport. You don’t need to be big or physically strong — skill, precision, and strategic thinking are far more important,” he said.
“In fact, women are often among the strongest players in the game.”
Barkes will also compete in the Interstate Cup, known as the Eire Cup, alongside teammate Megan Fardon.
“Megan’s a great partner. She doesn’t put too much pressure on things, and when I make a mistake — which happens — she’s usually pretty forgiving,” he said.
“It makes for a really good dynamic on the court.”
He said hosting part of the Championships in Gosnells gives the community a chance to see the sport up close.
“First and foremost, the grounds — they look fantastic. It’s a real pleasure to play on them,” he said.
“Beyond that, I’d want people to notice how welcoming the atmosphere is. You can simply turn up, have a hit, and enjoy the game.”
Matches at Gosnells Croquet Club were free to attend, with the Championships continuing at other Perth venues through to April 19.
