“The Mac” played every four years is always special but this year’s AC Tier 1 event being played in England from the 24th of July to August the 9th is extra special.
This year we celebrate the Centenary of the MacRobertson Shield, and the story behind the man behind the event is very special.
Macpherson Robertson was a larger-than-life entrepreneur, inventor, philanthropist, explorer, engineer, gold prospector and confectioner. The Macpherson Robertson croquet legacy embraces the diversity and international flavour we see in croquet today.
In 2010 the stewardship of this prestigious event was passed to the WCF, adding the MacRob as the Tier 1 AC World Teams Championship to other World Championship events.
An event that began as a challenge test series between Australia and England in 1925, another test was then played in 1930 between Australia and New Zealand ,and by 1935 all three countries were playing a test series and so the story began. In 1993 with the emergence of Association Croquet in the America, the USA joined to form “the big four”.
Why is the event so celebrated?
You need to ask someone who has played in a Mac or attended a Mac as a spectator, to explain the feeling to you, if you love croquet of any code, there is nothing like it. The Mac is a celebration of our croquet traditions, where croquet excellence sits proudly alongside, etiquette and honour. Players embrace the challenge of the test series format and years of preparation and practice go into representation. Players are at their peak and unashamedly there to win for their country.
The best way to really get the feeling of a Mac would be to make sure you get to England in July and August this year and be part of the amazing play and celebrations, including the Mac Centenary Dinner being held at the Roehampton Club on the ??? of July.