Convict's Cup Croquet 10th Anniversary Tournament, Norfolk Island 11-14 August 2024

This month the Kingston Oval has had a busy time, with visiting croquet players. We often watch the rugby league or sometimes cricket games at the old convict historic sports ground where soldier’s cricket games were recorded as early as 1838. But this week the old Kingston sports ground and cricket pitch area has had approximately 40 teams of croquet players plus their supporters, with players competing in the Norfolk Island Convict’s Cup 2024 Croquet Doubles Tournament.

The players with mullets in hand and hoops, pegs, and balls, have spent their week playing the game of croquet as well as socialising. During the week, the visitors have enjoyed touring and exploring around our beautiful Norfolk Island.

Looking back at my earlier articles and the first Norfolk Island croquet tournament was in 2014, and many croquet players have returned to Norfolk Island over the past ten years for the Convict Cup tournament and the last tournament was in August 2023. The visitors all enjoy the company of their fellow croquet players on the Kingston greens.

During the Convict Cup Tournament, the P&O Pacific Explorer had a stop over on Norfolk Island on Wednesday 14 August. With over 2000 passengers disembarking, it made a busy day at Kingston.

The weather during the tournament was a mixture of cloudy days with the odd passing shower and sunshine during the week. A tent was set up on the grounds for shelter for the tournament, plus seating for the spectators. The ocean waves in the background must make for a great setting for a croquet tournament.

The Convict Cup Croquet Tournament games were played 11 August to 14 August, Sunday to Wednesday. The Croquet Finals were completed on Wednesday the group then enjoyed a Convict’s Cup Croquet 2024 Presentation. Congratulations to this year’s winners, Brian Taylor & Yvonne Wood, I am sure there have been enjoyable games down on the greens at Kingston.

This internet site has the results of the Norfolk Island Convict Cup plus details of Australian Croquet competitions. Norfolk Island Convicts Cup

Norfolk Island Convicts Cup - Croquet Scores

https://croquetscores.com/2024/gc/norfolk-island-convicts-cup-1

Last year I learnt that the croquet equipment has been left here on island, stored at the Norfolk Island Central School, so if anyone is interested in playing croquet, this equipment is available on request.

I hope the croquet players have enjoyed their week on Norfolk Island. Congratulations to all the winners. We hopefully we see you all again next year, 2025, for the 11^1h Anniversary since the Norfolk Island Convict’s Cup commenced in 2014. It is always wonderful to see you all having fun down at Kingston, in the World Heritage Convict Site.

Betty Matthews

23 August 2024