Meet the Gedneys: A Cornhole Family on the Rise

From Gosport garden parties to the UKCL competition lanes, the Gedney family have rapidly emerged as one of the most spirited and tight-knit units in the UK Cornhole community — living proof that this is truly a sport for everyone.

Their journey began not in a sports hall, but at a New Year’s Eve party, where Lorraine Gedney claimed her first unofficial victory. That one game sparked a curiosity that soon became a family passion. Inspired, Colin Gedney built their first set of boards, and suddenly, family BBQs took on a whole new flavour — one of strategy, competition, and laughs.

After spotting a Facebook post from Solent Cornhole Club, the Gedneys — Lorraine, Colin, and their son Keiran — took the plunge into club play. These days, Sunday evenings are a fixture on the family calendar, with all three attending club nights and proudly wearing Solent’s colours since Qualifier 3 of the current UKCL season.

A Family That Plays Together…

Each family member brings something unique to the boards — and their own stand-out moments from this season.

For Colin, who works as a Counter Fraud Investigator Training Manager and coaches youth football in his spare time, it was his hard-fought match against Charlie Lomax that stood out. Though defeated, he was proud to make one of the UKCL’s most consistent players work for every point — a testament to Colin’s signature blocker style and competitive mindset.

Lorraine, who works in finance and is a big fan of podcasts (especially true crime and the cornhole-themed “Just Board It”), modestly recalls her club night victory over Solent’s Dave Morey as her highlight. Still early in her competitive journey, she’s focused on refining her classic slide shot and enjoying the welcoming community along the way.

For Keiran, a Year 9 student and football enthusiast, the spotlight has come early. He won Solent’s Easter Airmail Competition (earning a well-deserved Malteser Easter egg) and claimed his first competitive match win at Qualifier 4. But perhaps his biggest moment came post-match, when last season’s #1, Daniel Lilley, gifted him a set of bags in recognition of his effort and potential. Now, Keiran is aiming to finish the season as the UKCL’s top junior.

Looking Ahead

The Gedneys are united in their goal — to represent Solent with pride, enjoy every moment of their UKCL journey, and maybe, just maybe, be crowned the top Gedney at the end of the day.

Colin dreams of seeing cornhole grow across the UK, with a major tournament hosted on the South Coast. If families like the Gedneys continue to inspire through passion, play, and community spirit, that dream is well on its way to becoming a reality.