Karyn Hunt, Mags Craze, Sandra Simpson and Gemma Simpson bonded over their love of pinball and this weekend they’re hosting Wollongong’s first women’s tournament. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
If the sound of rapid-fire button mashing and the ‘ping’ of a tiny metal ball hitting its mark is enough to give you a good dose of nostalgia, you should know about the Illawarra Pinball Club.
When you enter its headquarters, tucked away on Kembla Street in Wollongong, you’ll find an array of machines line the walls, from classics such as Joker Poker and Firepower, to the latest X-Men games.
Club members, from amateurs to state champs, are engrossed at their chosen station, and a miniature vending machine adds to the nostalgic arcade feel.
If you turn up at the right time you’ll find most of the people in the room are women.
The newly formed Iron Maidens are an all-female group within the club, an initiative volunteer Mags Craze said felt like a natural extension.
“Pinball is how we met each other and it’s a great way to make friends and connect with other women in the community,” she said.
“It can be a male-dominated hobby and we wanted our own space to build skills, encourage each other and celebrate our wins.
“We’re really appreciative the Illawarra Pinball Club has let us have free reign over the space once a month.”
This Sunday the Illawarra Iron Maidens will host Wollongong’s first ever women’s pinball tournament.
The tournament will be a match play tournament where all entrants play one another in a rotation.
There are prizes for first, second and third place, along with a free barbecue and light refreshments.
Women of all ages, from experienced players to first-timers, are invited.
“We’ve got a bit of interest and I’m really excited,” Mags said.
“There’s a lot of social anxiety these days; a lot of people are focussed on social media.
“This is social and interactive; you’re not just playing the machine; it’s fun and it gives you a sense of achievement from playing.
“For social anxiety, it’s a real game-changer.”
Mags knows about the social benefits of pinball first-hand.
She and her husband first bonded over a mutual love of pinball, and years later when they found the Illawarra Pinball Club it gave them the opportunity to relive the early days of their relationship.
“It rekindled our youth, and it really rekindled our love,” she said.
“You just get a lot of joy from playing.”
If you’re keen to get down to Wollongong’s first-ever women-only pinball competition, head to 147 Kembla Street Wollongong on Sunday 9 February at 1 pm.
Registration to play costs $16. For more information head to the Iron Maidens’ Facebook page or the Illawarra Pinball Club’s Facebook page.
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