The South East Croquet Association pennant season has opened at the Millicent Croquet Club.

Sunshine and no wind heralded the start of an exceptional season, unfortunately several players were missing due to attending tournaments in Tumby Bay and other commitments.

However, those who attended from Millicent, Penola and Naracoorte had an enjoyable day playing doubles and getting their eye in for the coming season which will run until April 2024.

Croquet has evolved as a sport, becoming extremely competitive, with several different styles of croquet (or mallet sports) played in the South East.

Association croquet is the longer game, based on the traditional garden game, full of strategy, and cunningness where competitors race to get their balls around the court.

It is a game that requires tactical ability and skill rather than strength and fast reflexes.

Golf croquet is a fast and entertaining game which can be learnt very quickly and played by beginners, but also provides a tactical challenge to more advanced players.

Aussie croquet was originally started as a teaching game to introduce school children to the game.

Once this is mastered it is only another couple of steps to playing association.

These forms of croquet involve hitting balls through a series of hoops.

It is said that association croquet is like playing a game of chess on grass, while golf croquet is closer to the simpler game of draughts, with a much quicker outcome.

Ricochet croquet is a sidestep on golf and Aussie croquet, with rules closely aligned to association croquet.

It allows players to participate in a mallet sport without the time challenges of association croquet. It can be understood and played by newcomers almost immediately.