Port Hacking Croquet Club welcomes anyone who would like to enjoy some gentle exercise and make new friends.
Spokesman Bill Kerton said games were always followed by "a cuppa and a conversation".
Introductory sessions are available by arrangement and members play on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, year-round. Free lessons are also available.
"Croquet exercises the mind as well as the body and is suitable for all," Mr Kerton said.
"In fact, the gentle exercise helps sustain mobility and the strategy required definitely helps keep the mind active."
Croquet is a lawn game where you hit a ball through a series of hoops with a mallet and, though it sounds simple, Mr Kerton said it takes practice and skill as there is only one and a half millimetres clearance between the ball and the sides of the hoop.
"Even our experienced players can fail to run a ball through a hoop," he said. "Just ask them. Or better still come and watch a game."
Most games are played in pairs and, though mostly social, there are opportunities to play competitively.
The club's members span a wide range of ages. Some have been playing for a few months, others for years. Some have been playing for decades.
"But ask any of them and they all say they enjoy the game and the social interaction," Mr Kerton said.
You will find Port Hacking Croquet Club at 183 Gannons Road, South Caringbah. For more information you can call Pam on 0417 542 811 or Bill on 0400 113 263.
