Calquon

A social sport of skill, science and conduct befitting of a Gentleman.
History and Rules
Calquon is an elegant and accessible Australian sport invented by two Australian brothers, Matthew Barker and Micheal Barker in Perth, Western Australia near the beginning of the 21st Century. Played in a secluded, flat grassed area such as a large backyard with ample cover from neighbors or intruders, Calquon requires competitors to hurl a spear-like 'Goggstick', upward into the air in a rotational pattern so that its sharp end lands in the grass and it remains standing on its own accord.
Scores for a successful toss are calculated by multiplying the number of half rotations completed, by the corresponding playing grid sector in which the Goggstick lands. Scores are not given for tosses where the Goggstick fails to remain standing in an upright manner within the grassed playing grid. The player with the higher score at the end of the round is the winner and he may then proceed to the next match in tournament play.
Early versions of the sport were relatively more basic than the widely played rules of today, with scores simply calculated by noting the number of half rotations that a player's Gogg Stick completed before a successful grass landing anywhere in a grassed playing area. In these earlier versions, the number of tosses that competing players would be allowed within a game were negotiated and then agreed to by a handshake or salute between the players prior to the commencement of play.
The name 'Calquon' was created by Matthew Barker, the elder of the two brothers when the sport began gaining popularity and was being played at more frequent intervals. The term previously had no meaning in English or any other language spoken by the sport's pioneers, and was arrived at by the desire to find a name that was elegant, reflective of Western European culture, particularly that of France and also because of a misunderstanding that Matthew Barker had over the name for another respected social sport which he later found out was called 'Petanq'. He believed that a similar sounding name which encompassed a 'Q' sound which is often heard in the French language would be intriguing, attractive and well suited to the new sport, and so Calquon was born.
Conduct and Etiquette
Since its conception and through to today, Calquon has always demanded extremely high standards of etiquette and respect to be demonstrated by all participants and spectators involved. Players must remain cordial and well mannered throughout a match or tournament, and exemplify behavior befitting of a Gentleman at all times.
The required conduct sees that players treat each other with a great degree of respect and politeness. Players must demonstrate the use of good manners, and that refrain from making any derogatory comments or criticisms about another player and must also refrain from the use any profain language or engaging in coversations of an unsavoury manner during the course of play.
Conduct dictates that players should applaud each other's efforts at frequent times throughout a match and encourage the success of the competing Gentleman.
Rules
Scoring for a throw or 'Gogg Toss' are calculated based on the number of half rotations the Gogg Stick completes before successfully landing in the grassed playing grid.
Equipment
The Goggstick is between 6 and 7 feet in length, weighted and blunt at one end and sharp enough to penetrate soft European grass at the other. Goggsticks are generally made from fibreglass or graphite like materials with stainless steel or titanium ends and have often been described as similar in appearance and makeup to flags used to mark out the holes in a golf course, albeit without the flag itself attached.
Uniforms
Safety
Snacks and Beverages

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu