Addison Matthews

Age:22

Club: Laurel Bank, Toowoomba

Started playing 2021

Current Queensland Ranking: 1

Current Australian Ranking: 7

Achievements:

2x Australian U21 Champion 2023-2024

2x Qld State Team Player of the series 2023-2024

Participated in the 2023 U21 World Championship

Participated in the 2024 Open World Championship

2025 Queensland Open Winner

2025 Queensland Bronze Medal Winner

Top tip: “Win Every Shot”

Bob Martin

Bob started playing in 2014 when he joined Eildon CC, Woody Point Qld. He has held various positions within the club and is a GC coach and referee.

On several occasions Bob has been selected in the QLD ISS Team and was Captain of the team is 2024. He enjoys the challenge to improve his technique and test himself with the conetrol and tactics of the game.

Achievements

•             Qld Men’s Singles Champion 2024,          2025

•             Qld Open Champion 2024

•             President’s Medal Winner 2025

•             Runner-up ACA Bronze Medal 2025

Having been a low handicap golfer, Bob’s favourite quotes are “The more I practice the luckier I get.” Gary Player, and “The most important shot in golf is ……. the next one.” Jack Nicklaus. Both quotes are appropriate to croquet.

Carol Kleidon

“I have been playing croquet for three years and has discovered it to be both a competitive outlet and a wonderful source of calm and connection. It has introduced me to a welcoming community, and I have made many new friendships through the sport.

 My tip to new players is to “focus on the basics .... trust your aim, keep your body still, and your eye on the ball”. This approach is something I practice continually and strive to improve.

Being selected to represent Queensland is both an honour and a joy. I’m proud to be part of a team that shares a passion for the sport, and looks forward to continuing to grow, compete, and contribute.

Claire Warriner

I started playing croquet at the beginning of 2023 and was lucky to find myself at Windsor Croquet Club, where the encouragement of club members - and the exceptional coaching of Terry Ericson - quickly drew me into the game.

Thanks to the guidance I received and with lots of practise, I started entering every competition I could to help improve my game.My goal is to steadily improve, enjoy the process, and keep learning with every match.

Desley Bischoff

A “Come and Try” day at Eildon Croquet Club was the start of my croquet journey.  From the very start, I recognised this was a game I was going to enjoy playing.  Consequently, I became a member of Eildon in October 2021.  

In 2022 I started playing competitively and in 2024 was selected in the Queensland Golf Croquet State Team and again this year.  I approach all my games with a desire to win and a never give up attitude, whilst continuing to maintain my enjoyment of the game.

Deirdre Giles (Team Manager)

Deirdre is a member of Wynnum Croquet Club and has been actively involved in the sport for around 10 years.

After representing Queensland in the ISS GC Team in 2017, she chose to focus on refereeing, coaching and administration. She particularly enjoys supporting new players and seeing their skills develop.

Over the past three years, Deirdre has refereed at the Australian singles and Interstate Shield Events in Adelaide, Perth and on the Sunshine Coast. She has also served as Manager of the Queensland GC team in both 2024 and 2025.

Gordon Giles (Captain)

Gordon is a member of the Wynnum Croquet Club who not only enjoys playing but also takes great satisfaction in helping others discover the game. He is a Level 3 accredited Golf Croquet Coach and Referee, as well as a qualified Ricochet Coach and Referee.

His competitive croquet journey gained momentum in 2016 when he was invited to join the Queensland State Squad, and since then his game has continued to strengthen. Gordon has achieved significant success in both State-level and southeast Queensland competitions, including multiple wins in the CAQ Open Singles Championship and the Men’s Open Singles Championship.

He has represented Queensland seven times at the Interstate Shield and feels honoured to have been appointed Captain of the Queensland Golf Croquet State Team for 2025.

Beyond croquet, Gordon has also proudly represented Queensland in hockey on numerous occasions.

Gabby Spencer

“I first took up the mallet in 2018 in Sydney. I loved the game instantly.

My squash days were well and truly over and I never in my wildest dreams thought I would excel in another sport.

We moved to Qld in 2020 and instantly joined the Southport Croquet Club. Suddenly we knew 100 people.

I have always been a competitive person so I set about playing as often as I could. I entered into as many tournaments as possible and quite rapidly my handicap came down.

I am honoured to have been selected in the Qld State Team 4 years in a row. It is a great privilege to represent one’s state. A highlight of my life.

I firmly believe with dedication and determination anyone can achieve great things in croquet.

It’s not all about running hoops. It’s about outsmarting your opponent with forward thinking and smart tactics.

There are some excellent books including one by Greg Bury which illustrate tactics.

I intend to play croquet until I can no longer stand up. It’s a fabulous game, competitively and socially. “

Graham McLean

A product of the famous Terry Ericson Coaching Academy.

Graham puts his achievements down to dedicated hard work and practice. He describes himself as “just an old dude still hitting the ball around”.

His advice to those with ambition in the game would be GO HARD and DON’T BE AFRAID TO GIVE IT A CRACK.

Jannene Wall

I stumbled into Croquet around 7 years ago, while sitting over a cuppa at the Cafe across the road.  The strategy, and competitive comradeship an instant attraction. 

I am forever grateful for those who have continued to encourage and support my croquet journey, sharing their experience, tips and tricks along the way.  

One tip I always hold to is to aim to have two balls in front of the hoop - I’ve found they may not always stay there … but I still try to get them into place anyway!

Mary McMahon (Vice Captain)

Current Club: Southport on the Gold Coast

•             Mary first started playing in 2017 when she stumbled on the game by chance. Since then, it has been a journey of improvement attributing any success to many wonderful people along the way who have shared their knowledge and expertise and have encouraged Mary to continue to work on improving her own game.

•             For Mary it is an incredible honour to be a member of the Queensland State team – “there is nothing like being amongst friends and a part of supportive team. This year is no different. The team will be doing their very best in The Hunter, NSW, to represent all croquet players throughout the State”.

Some achievements Mary is most proud of are:

Queensland Women’s Champion

2021,2022, 2023 (Captain), 2024, 2025 (Vice-Captain)

Member of the State Team since 2019

ACA Bronze Medalist 2023

Selected in 2023 to compete in the        

World Over 50’s Championships

Current Australian Rankings – Women No 5, Australia 44

Advice to aspiring players: Set your goal, seek help from others and then PRACTICE. There is no shortcut to improvement BUT be sure to have lots of FUN on your ‘journey of improvement’!!!!! 

Ross Rillie

QLD GC State team member: 2018 – 2019 & 2022 - 2025 (Reserve 2015-2017-2021)

ACA GC ISS: 2018 Named Qld ‘Player of the Series’

ACA GC Handicap Singles: Winner 2013-2015-2016

ACA GC Bronze Medal (Qld) Winner: 2024

ACA President’s 8 GC Invitation: 2016 - 2018 -2019 – 2023 - 2024

CAQ GC Medal Div 1: Silver 2016 - Gold 2018

CAQ GC 1st Eights: Winner 2022

CAQ GC Open Singles: Winner 2019 & 2023

CAQ GC Men’s Singles: Winner 2022

CAQ GC Mixed Doubles: Winner 2020 (partner Helen Rillie)

Ross is GC Level 3 Coach and Referee as well as Ricochet Level 2 coach and referee.

Greatest moments:

Winning my first ACA GC Handicap Singles in 2013.

Playing my first game for Qld in the ISS.

Playing in The Worlds 2017 qualifier

Being Qld GC Captain in 2022

Top Tip: If you lift your head, the only thing you see is a bad shot.

Sidney Bates

Current Club: Stephens CC

In 2024 Sidney was a Reserve for the State Team and has been on a journey of continual success since that time to now secure his place in the 2025 State Team.

Achievements:

•             President’s Medal  Winner 2024; Runner-up in 2025

•             Winner CAQ 1st Eights 2025

Quinn Team Mascot

Quinn is a gender-neutral name with Irish origin meaning “Leadership – Intelligence – Wisdon”