In her 80s, Vera Critchley is one of the club’s Euchre fans and says she has been enjoying the game for nearly 60 years and playing at Merrylands for the last 20 years.
Crediting the game with keeping her young, Vera says players range in age from their 50s through to 90s and they are all as sharp as tacks.
“We all look forward to our Friday night games which start at 7.30pm and go until about 10.30pm,” she said.
“We meet at the club’s cafe before the game to enjoy a meal together before we start playing which costs $4 and the winning team, consisting of four players, collects a prize at the end of the night.”
Merrylands players also take part in the Western District Interclub competition on Thursday nights although it hasn’t resumed since last year’s lockdown.
“We were coming first too,” Vera said.
“So that was a real shame but we hope it will start back up soon. The comp sees us taking on teams from Penrith, Kingswood, Wenty Leagues, Mounties and more.”
Not just Sydney-based, tournaments are on offer twice a year at Catalina Resort at Rathmines near Morriset too.
“It’s a wonderful, scenic place on the lake to stay and we have Euchre games all weekend,” Vera said.
With new players always welcome, the club is multicultural and features men and women of all ages.
To find out more, email vcritchley3@gmail.com or call her on 0414 989 630.
Group deals out best way to trump dementia in senior life
BRAIN stimulating activities like reading, puzzling and playing cards could prevent dementia or delay its onset by years, scientists claim, a fact well known to a group of about 40 card game fans who play Euchre every Friday night at Merrylands Bowling Club.