Historical information

This trophy is one of several from the 1930s awarded as part of the Warrnambool inter-church indoor sports competitions. One of the sponsors of this competition was Fletcher Jones, the well-known clothing manufacturer. He had his head office and main factory in Warrnambool. This trophy was awarded for rope quoits. The game of quoits consists of competitors throwing four or five rings or hoops on to a raised spike some metres away. The hoops are generally made of plaited rope and the game is said to have been started or popularized by sailors on board ship. The trophy was won by the Congregational Men’s Institute (C.M.I.). A Congregational Church was opened in Liebig Street in Warrnambool in 1864 and was transferred to Henna Street in 1940. This church was sold to the Salvation Army in 1979 when the Congregational Church merged with the Methodist Church to form the Uniting Church.

Significance

This cup is of interest as it is a 1930s trophy awarded by the now-defunct Inter Church Indoor Sports Association of Warrnambool.

Physical description

This is an electro plated nickel silver cup with two ornate side handles and a stem in a bulbous shape attached to a silver base. The cup is mounted on a Bakelite stand.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Inter Church Indoor Sports Association Cup Won by C.M.I. Rope Quoit Champions 1934’