August 2016 Newsletter

WCF August 2016 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

The amendments to the AC Impasse Procedure contained in Appendix 1 of the Refereeing Regulations were approved by Members.  This involves no change of substance but ensures conformity with the the procedure set out in ORLC and the MacRobertson Shield Regulations.

What has happened in June to August?

There was a welcome reduction in administrative demand after the two world championships.

The new draft of the WCF Statutes has reached version 12.4 and is expected to be published to Members as a consultation for formal consultation in September and October.  In addition to the deletion of provisions relating to general meetings, the opportunity has been taken to re-organise the Statutes to make them clearer and more accessible.

The first steps in the 2017 GCWC timetable have been achieved.  By the Response Date of 31 July 2016, Members had requested 32 Membership Places and put forward 116 players for Ranking Places.  The names of players awarded 40 Ranking Places and two Wild Card Places were announced to Members on 28 August 2016.   Details may be found on the WCF website under World Championships.

The WCF was informed that the manufacture of Dawson Balls is under new ownership.  We wish the new owner every success in continuing the supply of what is regarded as the standard competition ball and express the deep appreciation of croquet players everywhere to Brian Dawson for his 25 years of service to tournament croquet.   

Forthcoming WCF championships

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

Both events will be held at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.

Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July 2017.  The Invitation Date for the lower tiers is expected to be in October 2016.

Membership enquiries

There are none to report.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 281:          Dawson Balls Working Group

MC 295:          2016 AC World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:          2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 326:          WCF Event Income

MC 328:          Membership status of France

MC 339:          WCF Event and Sports Regulations

MC 347:          WCF Treasurer – co-option of Martin French

MC 349:          Video Working Group – establishment

MC 350:          MC conference calling – proposal to move from Skype to phone

MC 351:          Refereeing Regulations Appendix 1 – proposed amendment

MC 353:          Golf Croquet Ranking Review Committee 

MC Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 August 2016

MC 291:          Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 318:          2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 324:          2017 AC World Team Championship, April 2017

MC 331:          International Laws Committee

MC 346:          WCF Statutes revision project

MC 348:          Wimbledon Cup – repairs and flight box

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 355:          Australian Perpetual (WCF Friends) account 

MC 356:          Finance Regulation amendments

MC 357:          Election of Treasurer

Outlook for September

The Closing Date for both the 2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and the 2017 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship will occur on Sunday, 25 September 2016.

The draft revision of the WCF Statutes will be published to Members as a consultation. 

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

7 September 2016