At 81 and 87 respectively, Jim Claxton and David Phillips are prime examples of just that. 

The men are two of the most valued members at St Leonards Croquet Club and two of the hardest working. 

For Mr Phillips, the sport entered his life in 2015 after the sudden death of his wife of 59 years Judith.

Looking for a distraction from his grief, he said he ended up finding something that “completely changed” his life. 

“I was looking for something to occupy my mind, rather than just staring at the walls,” he said. 

“I got a flyer in the mail for Seniors Week and I thought I would go and have a look.  

“I walked past the club a few times and that is when Sylvia Wing, the club president spotted me. I went in for a game and have been there ever since.

“It has been a remarkable journey.”

While their relationship with croquet is only a few years old, Mr Claxton and Mr Phillips have been friends for close to 50 years.

Mr Phillips spent 46 years with Athletics Tasmania, including roles as a state selector for cross country, while Mr Claxton is a life member of the Tasmanian Masters Association. 

Now the St Leonards club captain, he said he had never even heard of croquet before his wife Bonnie suggested it as a replacement activity for golf. 

“We gave golf away and were looking for something new to do,” he said. 

“A friend suggested we should give croquet a go. We had never even heard of croquet until then. 

“St Leonards is right next to the athletics club where I used to spend all of my time, so it seemed like a good fit.

“Between croquet and the gardening, I now get all the exercise I need.”

With a little bit of coaching and persistence, it didn’t take long for both men to become masters at the game. 

Recently Mr Phillips was named the club’s B grade singles champion and now spends four days a week playing at the club.

St Leonards president Sylvia Wing said both men were a “tremendous” asset. 

“They both just bring a really positive energy with them,” she said. 

“David will spend two hours fixing up the course marking for us, which is no easy task especially for an 87-year-old. 

“We call Jim the captain, because he really is. I am very glad they both found croquet.”

On Saturday the Northern Tasmanian Croquet Centre hosted a ‘Let’s Get Together’ event to mark World Croquet Day, aimed at celebrating the sport’s international appeal and longevity.