Lifeball continues along its merry way, although things have quietened down somewhat now it's winter.

The worst part about setting up the court at this time of year is handling the metal goalposts on a freezing cold morning!!!

But once we start moving around the court, it doesn't take long to thaw out.  A couple of times we have gone out into the carpark to do our warm ups, in the winter sun, and it has been lovely.

Some days ago, we only had 8 players, so we played half-court, and it was just hilarious.  This is why we would like to change the name from Lifeball to Laughball.  The game begins from outside the goal line, and moves into the middle zone, before going back to the goal zone, where only one goaler can score.  Plus having 2 throws in each zone before the ball can move on, is a real challenge, causing much confusion and hilarity, and it really is a great workout for everyone. Everyone was very warmed up at the end, and said how beaut is was to have a change of playing in a more restricted area.  And the cuppa at the end of the game gave everyone the opportunity to express their thoughts on playing half court.

Last Monday, we had just the 12 players for a team, but I feel our numbers will drop from now till around August, with players being ill, and moving away to warmer climes throughout the cold of our winter.

Do pop in and see why we laugh so much.  Every Monday morning we commence playing at 10am, in the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, just diagonally across from the railway station.
Just come to watch and have a game if you feel inclined.   You will be made welcome!!!
​
Marg Merriman   5762 2967

We had our Fun and Friendship Day on May 7, with teams arriving from Albury, Wangaratta, Eildon, Rutherglen, Myrtleford, Mansfield and, of course, us - around 50 all up.

The games were played with much laughter and exuberance, and when we stopped for lunch, all players said how much pleasure they had in their games.

Lunch was brilliant - something we do really well - with soups, sandwiches, slices, cream cakes and everything in between. We had too much food this year, so anyone who wanted took a small plate and filled it with whatever they chose, and paid $5 for the privilege, the collected amount was donated to a local charity.

The sad news however was the resignation of our coach Rupert Cheetham, who has been there for us since we began 14 years ago, and who has guided and coached us with enthusiasm and attention to rules and regulations since the inception.  His guidance will be greatly missed!
​
Marg Merriman 5762 2967  Mob 0438 509 121

We are having a lovely time at Lifeball at present.  We have some new players, and the return of one after surgery.  The beauty of this game is you can only walk - running gets you penalised!! - so every player is relieved that speed is penalised also.  We can be as slow as we choose, but no player wants to be that slow!!

We are preparing for our annual Fun and Friendship Day at the Sports Centre in Ackerly Avenue on May 7
.
We will have teams from Deniliquin, Albury, Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Rutherglen, Mansfield, Eildon, and of course, ourselves.  We start at around 10am, have an absolutely lovely lunch, and finish around 2pm.  It is a super day, and the developing friendships amongst players is a great side issue to the game.

Last week we played at Myrtleford, and had a wonderful day.  We always enjoy visiting there, as they are all so hospitable, and the drive is always so lovely as well. They turn on their famous soups for lunch, and because Brian and Colleen were unable to attend, Rupert had a cream cake to make up for the piece Brian would have had had he been there!  

We are anticipating around 50 for our day, and I really recommend that you pop in to see how our game is played, and the enthusiasm with which we play it!

If you want to know more, contact me, I am only too happy to discuss our fun game.

On 7th May as part of our Fun and Friendship Day activity Lifeball will be unveiling their new Banner.   An invitation is extended to all U3A members to be part of this event.
​
Marg Merriman   5762 2967

Lifeball this year began midway through January, because all the players wanted to recommence our season early, such was the enthusiasm remaining from last year!!
​
We began with two more new players, and another new player joined just this week, so our weekly numbers are hovering between 15-18 players - a very satisfying increase on last year.  Two players regularly come from Mansfield, occasionally more, but the Mansfield girls are such a welcome addition, as they add to the jollity and laughter of each game.  We would like to call this wonderful game "LAUGHBALL", as this is how we spend the bulk of our time when playing - laughing!!

Our Fun and Friendship day this year will be on 16th April.  We decided March was still too hot in our hall to comfortably play for a day, so this year we decided to move to a later time.  We will be inviting Mansfield, Eildon, Rutherglen, Myrtleford, Albury, Wangaratta and Deniliquin to join us for a day of Lifeball, Fun, Food, and Friendship.  We cater for our guests for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, before teams return to their home clubs.

Despite the game being "non-competitive", it is usually very competitive, but can be difficult, as any physical contact between players is deemed a "barge", and the ball goes to the opposition.
The game is primarily very safe, and every aspect of the game is directed towards that end - safety.  That's why it's a walking game, no running, and no going backwards....it is too unsafe!
However, as the years have passed, the skill levels have increased, and some players have refined these levels brilliantly.

But, for us, the game is just great fun, as well as increasing our fitness, mobility and balance.
Come along any Monday morning at 9.30 (at least in the summer, we will revert to 10am when the weather cools significantly) to the Recreation Centre in Arundel St, and gauge for yourself how great is our game.  You will be made very welcome, as all our newcomers will attest!

​
Marg Merriman   5762 2967

Margaret Merriman has advised that the group has decided to start at 9.30 am during the summer months, which sounds a good idea!   For some of you this may be late notice - we do apologise.  If you need to clarify this, please call Marg on 5762 2967.

Lifeball continues to expand at a very pleasing rate. We now have a full team playing each week, with varying numbers having to sit out and wait for a game to finish before they can play. Which is SO good! As well, those who qualified as umpires are having more experience with constant opportunities for umpiring under the close supervision of Gwen and Rupert Cheetham, to ensure they have a good grasp of the rules, and, more importantly, how to blow their whistle! True!! The whistle is one of the most important components of the game, believe it or not!!

Our very sad news however, is that we lost a popular player, Thelma Lipscombe, last Sunday morning. She had been ill for a while, and her health was rapidly deteriorating of recent days. So we hope to have some of us representing Lifeball, to attend her funeral, whenever that may occur, unknown as I write. We are all very sad, as we have never lost a member before.

Preparations are being made for our breakup luncheon, to be held at the Golf Club, on the 11th December. We will play first, as we do, then move to the Golf Club by midday. We resume playing on the Monday 15th January, in our hall at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre, starting at 9.45am.

If you want to be involved somehow, the new year is a great opportunity to give us a go. No pressure! Come along, see (and hear) what we do, and why we love our game so much, this game of LAUGHball. Give me a call to find out more, I am happy to advertise us to anyone who is prepared to listen!
​
Marg Merriman 5762 2967

Lifeball is going from strength to strength!!

This delights us of course, as "Laughball" continues to inspire us from week to week!

I had a call from another prospective member this week, who will be coming next Monday to give us the once over before making a commitment. Everyone who considers joining us has this opportunity - try before you buy!  If you like what you see, you will never regret it!  We are all quite mad, very noisy, very helpful to those needing some mentoring, and we all get along beautifully!!!

Next week we go to Rutherglen for their Fun and Friendship Day, starting at 10am.  There will be a wonderful lunch, as there always is at every venue where we play, and our friendship base continues to grow all the time.

We had a wonderful day - again - at Albury recently, when Brian (on crutches) and Colleen spoke to us about aspects needing attention, from players, to rules, to umpires, the lot.  Their everlasting enthusiasm is so infectious, and it is impossible not to feel such passion for the game.

Which is why we continue to play every week, as we look forward to it so much!!!
Come and join us - it is quite painless really, and SUCH fun!!
​
Marg Merriman   5762 2967

Lifeball continues to grow....this past Monday, we had 20 players. We have one new player, Judy, who is really keen, and another possibility, a friend of Marie. Tonight I had a phone call from another prospective player, who intends to call in to see how we play our beaut game. You should do it as well.......

At the end of August, we held an umpire's training and refreshing umpire's day, and as a result, we now have 6 prospective new umpires, who can assist with our games each week. It was a most successful day, culminating with 4 different soups and fresh bread for lunch. Well earned!!

On October 25, we have been invited to Rutherglen for their Fun Day - numbers unknown as I write, but I hope we may have 6 others to accompany Rupert, Anne and me, for yet another great Lifeball day.

With our new umpires, our game takes on a new aspect, as they find their feet, and put their new-found skills into practice. And we all try to help, some at the most inappropriate times......we have to get used to them as well!!!

As others come to investigate our game, why don't you come and investigate us as well? Who knows, you may be another convert!!
​
Marg Merriman 5762 2967