The 2023 Under 21 World Championship will be held between 8 - 12 February 2023 at two clubs in Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand.
The host clubs are Croquet Mount Maunganui, 45 Kawaka Street Mount Maunganui (head-quarters), and Tauranga Croquet Club, The Domain, Cameron Road Tauranga.
Main Event
The event capacity is 32 players. Entry is free for Under 21 championships.
Age Limit
This event is only open to players who are Under 21 on 31st December 2022. The criteria is defined in section 5.1.5 of the Sports Regulations: 5.1.5 A player may compete in an Event subject to a maximum age limit if their age does not exceed the limit on the preceding 31st December.
So, anybody who is 20 or younger on 31st December 2022 may compete. Anyone who turns 21 prior to that date, may not.
Format
The format of the Championship will be:
Block play: 4 blocks of 8 players playing Bo3 matches over 3 days. Draw attached. The top 4 in each block will qualify for the Knock-Out stage.
Knock-Out: The Knock-Out Stage will comprise 16 players, with the matches best of 3 games. The final will be a best of 5 match if time allows. Otherwise best of three.
Plate: Entry will be open to those that do not qualify for the Knock-Out Stage. It will consist of block play and matches will be single games. It will be followed by a knockout stage of at least semi-finals and finals which will consist of best of three games.
Bowl: Entry will be open to 1st round losers in the Knock-Out Stage. It will be a knock-out event and matches will be best of three games.
Shield: Entry will be open to the quarter-final losers in the Knock-Out Stage. It will be a knock-out event and matches will be the best of three games.
Event Management:
Event Lead: Graham Roberts
Tournament Director: Geoff Young
Tournament Manager: Sue Roberts
Assistant Manager: Gretchen Benvie
Tournament Referee: Gretchen Benvie
Committee Members: Members of the organising committee are from all the clubs and have experience/expertise in event management.
The WCF Appeals Committee will be established prior to the event.
The Tournament Manager will be based at Croquet Mount Maunganui.
A Players meeting will be held at Croquet Mount Maunganui on Tuesday 7th February.
All lawns will be available for a practice session on Croquet Mount Maunganui & Tauranga, time to be advised.
Travel, Transport, Accommodation and Catering
Players will be responsible for their own accommodation: however, the organising committee will supply information on accommodation available including backpacker, motel and hotel.
The organising committee will endeavour to provide transport for players, provided funding permits, to the Croquet Club from accommodation and back, if accommodation is between Tweed Street and Mount Hot Pools Adams Ave, Mount Maunganui. Transport will also be arranged if games are played at Tauranga Croquet Club.
Lunches will be available at Croquet Mount Maunganui or can be purchased at local bakeries.
Social programme
There will be an official opening ceremony to welcome players and officials at the Croquet Mount Maunganui on the afternoon of 7th February at 4 p.m.. Local dignitaries will be invited to attend and a traditional Maori welcome will be arranged.
The Knock-Out Stage Draw will be carried out in public at the Croquet Mount Maunganui as soon as convenient after the completion of the block play and any play-offs.
A closing Dinner held on 12th February for presentation to Winners.
Entry Method Main Event
Players should submit their availability to their Member Governing Body in accordance with their published entry method. Any applicants from non-Member countries should email their availability, by the response date, to secretary@worldcroquet.org.
Player Contact Info & Bios
Successful entrants should note that contact details, a photograph and a short bio for the programme, must be provided to the Secretary-General as per the published timetable.
Main Event Key Dates | ||
Invitation Date | 13/07/2022 | This is the date that Members will be formally invited to send players to participate in this event. |
Response Date | 24/08/2022 | This is the date by which Member nominations for Ranking and Wild Card places must have been received by the WCF Management Committee. Members must also specify the number of Membership Places they wish to take up and RCO's should advise if they would like to request a Membership Place. |
Allocation Date | 07/09/2022 | The World Ranking List to be used to determine the initial allocation of Ranking Places is that published at the end of the Allocation Date. |
Announcment Date | 21/09/2022 | MC announces recipients of Ranking Places and Wild Card Places. This is also the date that a pandemic final Go/No Go decision will be made, should it be necessary. |
Closing Date | 22/10/2022 | This is the last date Members can nominate players for their Membership Places. Within 1 to 2 days the MC will announce recipients of Membership Places and Replacement Ranking Places. |
Player Contact Info & Bios | 22/11/2022 | This is the latest date by which players must provide their contact details, bio's and a headshot photo. Earlier receipt is appreciated, |
Pandemic
There is still some risk that travel or other restrictions arising as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic may cause the cancellation of the Event, although this is not anticipated unless the global situation changes. Players are advised that any expenditure incurred is at their own risk.
Players will be expected to comply with whatever rules the government and/or Croquet New Zealand and the host clubs have in place.
Further information about the event, including the venues, local accommodation and attractions, transport links and any other relevant information, will be published nearer the start date.