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2002 AC World Championship – Winner: Robert Fulford (ENG)

The 9th WCF Association Croquet World Championship
Venue: Wellington, New Zealand
Dates: 2-8 December 2002

Champion: Robert Fulford (England)

Finalist: Toby Garrison (New Zealand)

This was Robert Fulford's fifth AC World Championship victory.  The scores in the final were +26tp, +26tp, -17tp, +15tp.

Full results can be found on the Croquet Records Website: 2002 AC World Championship

Main Event Results

Group Stage

8 blocks of 8. Top 4 in each qualify for knockout

Round 1

Reg Bamford (SA) bt Peter Batchelor (NZ) -25, +25sxp, +25 Toby Garrison (NZ) bt Jerry Guest (E) +25tp, +26tp Bob Jackson (NZ) bt Curtis Drake (USA) +25tp, +26 Phil Cordingly (E) bt Mark McInerney (I) -17, +25tp, +17tp Joe Hogan (NZ) bt Bruce Fleming (A) +16stp, +26 Ronan McInerney (I) bt Peter Trimmer (E) +17tp, +21tp Dennis Bulloch (NZ) bt Stephen Forster (A) +23, -23, +10 Andrew Johnston (I) bt David Goacher (E) -26tp, +15, +17 Robert Fulford (E) bt Jocelyn Sutton (A) +17, +26tp David Openshaw (E) bt Jerry Stark (USA) +5, +8tp Chris Clarke (E) bt Trevor Bassett (A) +26tp, +26 Martin Clarke (A) bt Ed Duckworth (E) +18, -26tp, +16 David Maugham (E) bt Paul Skinley (NZ) +26tp, -4, +26 Brian Wislang (NZ) bt Dave Mundy (E) +15, +13 John Prince (NZ) bt Keith Aiton (S) +11, -26tp, +15tp Simon Williams (I) bt Bruce Baker (NZ) +20tp, +6

Round 2

Toby Garrison bt Reg Bamford -26tp, +19tp, +20tp Bob Jackson bt Phil Cordingley +6, +24 Ronan McInerney bt Joe Hogan +17tp, +26tp Andrew Johnston bt Dennis Bulloch +16, +26 Robert Fulford bt David Openshaw +26tp, +17tp Chris Clarke bt Martin Clarke +13, +5tp Brian Wislang bt David Maugham +11, -26tp, +23 Simon Williams bt John Prince +24tp, +1

Quarter Finals

Toby Garrison bt Bob Jackson +6tp, +24 Andrew Johnston bt Ronan McInerney +8tp, -17tp, +24 Robert Fulford bt Chris Clarke -26tp, +26tp, +16tp Brian Wislang bt Simon Williams +26tp, -26tp, +16

Semi Finals

Toby Garrison bt AndrewJohnston +25, +8tp, -5tp, +4tp Robert Fulford bt Brian Wislang +26tp, +26tp, +10tpo

Final

Robert Fulford bt Toby Garrison +26tp, +26tp, -17tp, +15tp

2001 AC World Championship – Winner: Reg Bamford (ZAF)

The 8th WCF Association Croquet World Championship
Venue: The Hurlingham Club, London, England
Dates: 1-8 July 2001

Champion: Reg Bamford (South Africa)

Finalist: Robert Fulford (England)

Full results can be found on the Croquet Records Website: 2001 AC World Championship

Main Event Results

Preliminary Round in Blocks

Round 1

RI Fulford beat MA Suter +26tp, +26 A Sands beat CJ Patmore -23, +20, +5 LG Tibble beat T Bassett -3, +17, +12 DB Maugham beat MJ McInerney +17tp, +3 DJ Bulloch beat AE Cunningham +13, +9 L McBride beat PC Trimmer -12 +18 +19 M Clarke beat SN Mulliner +18 +17 JP Dawson beat TA Garrison +13 +26tp CN Farthing beat RV Jackson -17, +12, +9 JE Fournier beat JW Louw -19, +7tp, +15tp S Williams beat JB Gibbons -13, +13, +13 B Fleming beat JS Dyer -23, +15tp, +17 CD Clarke beat S Meatheringham +22, +10 RJ Brown beat MVM Burrow +16tp +16 RN McInerney beat PMG Hort -4, +10, +26 RL Bamford beat CJ Irwin +26tp +26tp

Round 2

RI Fulford beat A Sands +23tp, +26tp DB Maugham beat LG Tibble +25, +26 DJ Bulloch beat L McBride -4, +14, +26 M Clarke beat JP Dawson +3, +17 JE Fournier beat CN Farthing +26tp, -17, +26tp S Williams beat B Fleming +17tp, +26 RJ Brown beat CD Clarke -25tp, +26, +1 RL Bamford beat RN McInerney +17tp -26tp +26tp

Quarter Finals

RI Fulford beat DB Maugham -26tp, +15tp, +26tp DJ Bulloch beat M Clarke +26, +21tp JE Fournier beat S Williams +6, +26tp RL Bamford beat RJ Brown +7tp, +26tp

Semi Finals

RI Fulford beat DJ Bulloch +8tpo, -14otp, +26tp, -17tp, +25tp RL Bamford beat JE Fournier +16tp, +26tp, +25

Final

RL Bamford beat RI Fulford -16tp, +17sxp, -3, +26sxp, +26qp

1997 AC World Championship – Winner: Robert Fulford (ENG)

The 7th WCF Association Croquet World Championship
Sponsor: Westralian Sands
Dates: 9-17 November 1997
Venue: Bunbury

Champion: Robert Fulford (England)

Finalist: Stephen Mulliner (England)

Full results can be found on the Croquet Records Website: 1997 AC World Championship

Main Event Results

BLOCK A:

Stark beat A McInerney +19 Openshaw beat Payne +17 Stark beat Jackson +6 A McInerney beat Payne +12 Openshaw beat Jackson +16tp Openshaw beat Stark +4 Stark beat Payne +11 Jackson beat A McInerney +26qp Openshaw beat A McInerney +20 Jackson beat Payne +22

BLOCK B:

Baker beat Lualdi +23 Hope beat Maugham +15 Read beat Lualdi +10 Baker beat Hope +6 Maugham beat Read +17 Maugham beat Lualdi +24tp Baker beat Read +7 Lualdi beat Hope +9 Read beat Hope +11 Maugham beat Baker +17 Play Off Hope beat Lualdi +7

BLOCK C:

Carr beat Louw +9 Mulliner beat Archer +14 Louw beat Bond +4 Mulliner beat Carr +17 Bond beat Archer +23 Louw beat Archer +23tp Mulliner beat Bond +6tpo Bond beat Carr +26 Mulliner beat Louw +26 Carr beat Archer +14

BLOCK D:

Williams beat Skinley +7 Thurston beat Cordingley +15 Skinley beat de Ansorena +14 Cordingley beat Williams +16 Thurston beat Ansorena +26 Skinley beat Thurston +17tp Cordingley beat de Ansorena +9 Williams beat de Ansorena +24 Cordingley beat Skinley +18 Thurston beat Williams +11

BLOCK E:

Faulkner beat Carter +10 Dumergue beat Wahban +13 Faulkner beat Bamford +16 Dumergue beat Carter +12 Bamford beat Wahban +17 Bamford beat Dumergue +16 Bamford beat Carter +25tp Faulkner beat Wahban +14 Faulkner beat Dumergue +26 Carter beat Wahban +15

BLOCK F:

Jones beat R McInerney +8 J Fournier beat Bury +13 Jones beat Weston +25tp Bury beat R McInerney +13 J Fournier beat Weston +19 Bury beat Weston +19 R McInerney beat Weston +25 Jones beat J Fournier +11 Bury beat Jones +13 J Fournier beat R McInerney +5

BLOCK G:

D Fournier beat Pickering +22 McIntyre beat Lamb +7 Fulford beat Pickering +10tpo D Fournier beat Lamb +15 Fulford beat McIntyre +16 Fulford beat Lamb +25 Pickering beat McIntyre + +25 Pickering beat Lamb +19 Fulford beat D Fournier +3 D Fournier beat McIntyre +4tp

BLOCK H:

Sullivan beat Yamada +16 S Davis beat Mehas +12tp Fleming beat Sullivan +26 S Davis beat Yamada +15 Mehas beat Fleming +15 Fleming beat Davis +2 Mehas beat Sullivan +5 S Davis beat Sullivan +26tp Fleming beat Yamada +26tp Mehas beat Yamada +21tp

Round 1

Robert Fulford beat Andrew Hope +19, +25tp

David Openshaw beat Ronan McInerney -12, +3, +4

Jacques Fournier beat Paul Skinley +2, +18tp

Richard Baker beat Don Fournier Jnr +16tp, +14

David Maugham beat Shaun Carter +21, +23

Helene Thurston beat Ian Dumergue +15, +26

Greg Bury beat Jerry Stark +8, +12

Reg Bamford beat Jane McIntyre +20, +16

Stephen Mulliner beat Alan McInerney +4, +26

Wynand Louw beat Ashley Faulkner -4, +22, +16

Phil Cordingley beat Aggie Read +26, +25

Steve Jones beat Shirley Carr +15tp, +12

Chris Williams beat Bruce Fleming +7, -26tp, +7

Shane Davis beat Ian Bond +5, -2, +25

Mik Mehas beat Colin Pickering +13, +26

Bob Jackson beat Lester Sullivan +22, +16

Round 2

Fulford beat Openshaw +20tp, +8tp

Baker beat J Fournier +4, +17tp

Maugham beat Thurston +12, +7tp

Bamford beat Bury -7, +26, +4

Mulliner beat Louw +17tp, +15tp

Jones beat Cordingley +3, -10, +18

Davis beat Williams +11, +25

Jackson beat Mehas -3, +26tp, +8tp

Quarter-Finals

Fulford beat Baker +24tp, -17tp, +15tp

Maugham beat Bamford +26tp, +3

Mulliner beat Jones -14, +22, +13

Davis beat Jackson -3, +26, +26tp

Semi Finals

Fulford beat Maugham -1tpo, +15tp, +17tp, -4tp, +11tp

Mulliner beat Davis +10, +26tp, +17

Final

Fulford beat Mulliner +17, -3tpo, +9otp, +11otp

 

1995 AC World Championship – Winner: Chris Clarke (ENG)

The 6th WCF Association Croquet World Championship
Venue: Fontenay-le-Comte, France
Dates: 10-18 June 1995

Champion: Chris Clarke (England)

Finalist: Robert Fulford (England)

Full results can be found on the Croquet Records Website: 1995 AC World Championship

Main Event Results

Block A

R Carter beat Archer +17 S Williams beat R Carter +16 S Williams beat Archer +25 A Taves beat Archer +25 C Clarke beat Archer +12 C Clarke beat Taves +17 Clarke beat S Williams +26sxp Carter beat Taves +9 Clarke beat Carter +17 S Williams beat Taves +25 1 Clarke 4 2 S Williams 3 3 R Carter 2 4 A Taves 1 5 Archer 0

Block B

Bamford beat Pickering +26tp Pickering beat Liddiard +16tp Bamford beat Liddiard +26tp Bamford beat Cornelius +26tp Le Moignan beat Bamford +20 Cornelius beat Le Moignan +10 Pickering beat Le Moignan +26tp Liddiard beat Cornelius +25 Liddiard beat Le Moignan +16 Cornelius beat Pickering +17tp 1 Bamford 3 2 Cornelius 2 3 Pickering 2 4 Liddiard 2 5 Le Moignan 1

Block C

Irwin beat C Barlow +23 Irwin beat Kelley +26tp Kelley beat C Barlow +2 M Taylor beat C Barlow +17tp Barlow beat Payne +21 Taylor beat Payne +26tp Taylor beat Kelley +7 Irwin beat Payne +20tp Irwin beat Taylor +2 Kelley beat Payne +17 1 Irwin 4 2 M Taylor 3 3 Kelley 2 4 C Barlow 1 5 Payne 0

Block D

J Taves beat Belz +21 Belz beat Grochain +18 Grochain beat Taves +4 Mulliner beat Taves +5 Burridge beat Grochain walk over Taves beat Burridge +18tp Mulliner beat Grochain +19 Mulliner beat Belz +26tp Mulliner beat Burridge +3 Burridge beat Belz +26tp Play Off Belz beat Grochain +17 1 Mulliner 4 2 J Taves 2 3 Burridge 2 4 Belz 1 5 Grochain 1

Block E

Fleming beat Guermont +15 Jones beat Guermont +24tp Jones beat Fleming +26tp Fleming beat Comish +11 Fleming beat C Williams +13tp Comish beat C Williams +3 Comish beat Guermont +26tp Williams beat Jones +9 Comish beat Jones +17tp Williams beat Guermont +16 1 Fleming 3 2 Comish 3 3 C Williams 2 4 S Jones 2 5 Guermont 0

Block F

J Dawson beat Appleton +26tp Appleton beat Nagashima +12 Dawson beat Nagashima +20 Dawson beat Westerby +23tp Dawson beat Y Ravez +25 Westerby beat Ravez +15 Westerby beat Nagashima +25tp Ravez beat Appleton +19 Westerby beat Appleton +26tp Ravez beat Nagashima +26tp 1 J Dawson 4 2 Westerby 3 3 Y Ravez 2 4 Appleton 1 5 Nagashima 0

Block G

Stark beat Lualdi +26tp Skinley beat Lualdi +7 Stark beat Skinley +26tp Stark beat McInerney +26tp Fulford beat Skinley +12tpo Fulford beat Stark +15tp McInerney beat Skinley +26 McInerney beat Lualdi +3 Fulford beat McInerney +26sxp Fulford beat Lualdi +26sxp 1 Fulford 4 2 Stark 3 3 McInerney 2 4 Skinley 1 5 Lualdi 0

Block H

Maugham beat Paterson +25tp Paterson beat O Ravez +18 Maugham beat Ravez +26tp Stephens beat Maugham +25tp Maugham beat Shorten +21stp Stephens beat Shorten +26tp Stephens beat Ravez +4 Paterson beat Shorten +18 Stephens beat Paterson +26tp Ravez beat Shorten +15 1 Stephens 4 2 Maugham 3 3 Paterson 2 4 O Ravez 1 5 Shorten 0

Round 1

Chris Clarke beat Charles Barlow +22sxp, +3

Colin Pickering beat John Taves +25tp, +8tp

David Maugham beat Yoann Ravez +25tp, +26

Paul Skinley beat Bruce Fleming +25, -25tp, +10

Stephen Mulliner beat Strat Liddiard +26tp, -26tp, +26tp

Simon Williams beat Rory Kelley +26tp, +22tp

Tony Stephens beat David Appleton -20tp, +12, +21

Ronan McInerney beat Steve Comish +16tp, -15tp, +6

Robert Fulford beat Othello Ravez +25sxp, +9tp

Aaron Westerby beat Chris Williams +24, +17

Debbie Cornelius beat Rohan Carter -26tp, +26, +24tp

Colin Irwin beat Betty Belz +13, +3tp

Ian Burridge beat Michael Taylor +24tp, +12tpo

Reg Bamford beat Anne Taves +16tp, +26tp

Steve Jones beat Jeff Dawson -26, +26tp, +24

Jerry Stark beat Dean Paterson +26tp, +26tp

Round 2

Clarke beat Pickering +26tp, +9tpo

Maugham beat Skinley +26tp, +26tp

Mulliner beat S Williams +11tpo, +3tpo

Stephens beat McInerney +8tp, +26tp

Fulford beat Westerby +13tpo, +26sxp

Cornelius beat Irwin +4tp, +5tp

Burridge beat Bamford +14otp, -26tp, +26

Jones beat Stark +4tp, +26tp

Quarter Final

Clarke beat Maugham +24otp, +26tp

Mulliner beat Stephens -2, +8, +10tp

Chris Clarke with Trophy at Fontenay, with the geese behind
Chris Clarke in play at Fontenay le Comte
Chris Clarke in play at Fontenay le Comte
The famous geese at Fontenay le Comte
The final score board at Fontenay le Comte

1994 AC World Championship – Winner: Robert Fulford (ENG)

The 5th WCF Association Croquet World Championship
Venue: Carden Park, Chesire, England
Dates: 10-17 August 1994

Champion: Robert Fulford (England)

Finalist: Chris Clarke (England)

Full results can be found on the Croquet Records Website: 1994 AC World Championship

Main Event Results

Round 1

RL Bamford beat P Fellows +16, +26tp

B Northey beat PE Day -17, +4, +3

RI Fulford beat RV Jackson +26tp, +20

P Cordingley beat R Carter +15, +7

DB Maugham beat R Thomas +25tp, +25

M Taylor beat ID Bond +16, +17

DA Cornelius beat CN Williams +26tp, +26

AJ Westerby beat PJ Skinley +, +

S Williams beat AS Le Moignan +24tp, opp scr

S Comish beat DK Openshaw +15, +17tp

DJ Goacher beat JS Dyer +4, +1

M Kobelt beat IJ Burridge +20, -17, +2

CJ Irwin beat R Rebuschatis +26, +23

J Stark beat SG Jones +4tp, +8tp

CD Clarke beat G Garlick +26, +26tp

SN Mulliner beat D Grimsley +26tp, +17tp

Round 2

Bamford beat Northey +26tp, +13tpo

Fulford beat Cordingley +26tp, +26tp

Taylor beat Maugham +26, +7tp

Westerby beat Cornelius -24, +17tp, +25tp

Comish beat S Williams +26stp, +9

Kobelt beat Goacher +4, +17

Irwin beat Stark +26tp, +9tpo

Clarke beat Mulliner +17, -25tp, +26tp

Round 3

Fulford beat Bamford -25tp, +26tp, +5tp

Westerby beat Taylor +25tp, +7otp

Comish beat Kobelt -26tp, +26tp, +17

Clarke beat Irwin -25tp, +26tp, +11tpo

Semi Finals

Fulford beat Westerby +17tp, -17tp, +26tp, +20qp

Clarke beat Comish -26tp, +8tpo, +26, -25tp, +13tpo

Final

Fulford beat Clarke -12tpo, +12tp, +18tp, +13

 

 

The Score Board at Carden Park
Robert Fulford with trophy

1992 AC World Championship – Winner: Robert Fulford (ENG)

The 4th WCF Association Croquet World Championship
Venue: Newport, Rhode Island, USA
Dates: 24-31 May 1992

Champion: Robert Fulford (England)

Finalist: John Walters (England)

Full results can be found on the Croquet Records Website: 1992 AC World Championship

Knock-out Results
Round 1

RI Fulford beat CN Williams +8, +25tp

AJ Westerby beat CD Clarke +26, -14, +17

RV Jackson beat G Bury +9, +9

SN Mulliner beat RL Bamford +25tp, +4

DK Openshaw beat D Bidencope +26, +4

C Pickering beat ST Arkley -20, +26tp, +2

B Northey beat G Bryant +2, +13

JO Walters beat B Chambers -8, +26, +25

Quarter Finals

RI Fulford beat AJ Westerby +20, +3

RV Jackson beat SN Mulliner +26, +5

DK Openshaw beat C Pickering -6, +16, +12

JO Walters beat B Northey +15, +14

Semi Finals

RI Fulford beat RV Jackson +26tp, +7

JO Walters beat DK Openshaw +17, +17

Final

RI Fulford beat JO Walters -5tp, +4tp, +12tp

 

2015 Business Plan

Introduction

The purpose of this Business Plan is to highlight major items for attention in the year ahead. We re-state our vision, review our strengths and weaknesses, and identify realistic actions which will enable the WCF and croquet to move forward.

Vision

The WCF’s vision, set out in WCF Statutes 103.1 remains valid:

Vision

To make croquet a well-known, well-understood, well-respected and well-supported sport in countries throughout the world.

Assessment of the WCF’s current situation

 

Strengths

 

 

Weaknesses
  • Vibrant event schedule
  • Strong demand from players
  • Increasing number of players in many Members
  • Growing popularity of GC
  • Good financial reserves
  • Ready commitment from Members to host events
  • Active volunteer workforce

 
  • Static Membership
  • Several Members have small and static playing populations
  • Few young players
  • Very limited representation in some regions (Central and South America, parts of Africa   and Asia)
  • WCF events require a great deal of volunteer input, and this can be difficult to muster for some Members

 

Opportunities

 

 

Threats
  • Continue improving relationship with Members
  • Find ways to ramp up development in smaller Members
  • Take the sport to a wider audience through TV
  • Growing “over 50s” world population may expand pool of potential recruits
  • Promote GC as a way to increase the number of young players
  • Attract new Members in regions where there is some form of croquet played
  • Attaining 40 Members is now feasible: may unlock World Games, etc.

 
  • Will the growth in internet gaming reduce the number of young people interested in a sport like croquet?
  • Impact of GC on other codes
  • Gateball may compete for attention and limit our growth
  • Recovery from the Global Financial Crisis is modest and obtaining significant event sponsorship remains difficult

Activities

The work of the WCF falls into four main categories, namely:

  • World Championships
  • Development
  • Communication with Members
  • Administration and finance

1.       WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Completed goals in 2014

  • Held successful AC WTC, Over-50 and Women’s GCWCs in 2014.
  • Completed Event Agreements for Under-21 GCWC, GCWC and Women’s ACWC in 2015.
  • Introduced a new allocation procedure for World Championships.
  • Conducted a trial of the Block Seniority Method for seeding GCWCs.

Goals for 2015

  • Hold successful Under-21 GCWC, GCWC and Women’s ACWC in 2015.
  • Complete Event Agreements for ACWC and GCWTC in 2016 and ACWTC in 2017.
  • Re-run the annual bid process through to 2019.
  • Make permanent decision on seeding GCWCs.
  • Update ‘best practice’ guidance for Event Hosts in light of recent player surveys
  • Create Team Event Regulations including the promotion and relegation policy from Topic 15.

2.       DEVELOPMENT

The main requirements for this important area are:

  • Members coming forward with viable capital grant projects or other development      concepts requiring assistance.
  • Volunteers willing to undertake development work.
  • The provision of an adequate budget.

Completed goals

  • Coaching trips were organised to Germany, Latvia and Switzerland.
  • A plan for future development was formulated.

Goals for 2015

  • Assist Members with recruitment ideas, with particular focus on World Croquet Day in May 2015.
  • Hold another international coaching training course.
  • Arrange further coaching trips to smaller Members.
  • Develop video material, with particular focus on promotional and refereeing videos.
  • Encourage viable projects to develop smaller Members’ facilities, with WCF capital grant assistance if necessary.
  • Investigate countries where some croquet is played and encourage new Members to join.

The fuller development plan for the future is attached as Appendix 1.

3.       COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS

A healthy organization ensures that its Members are always fully informed about its activities and plans and, in the case of the WCF, of the current state of the future World Championship programme.

Completed goals

  • The WCF web-site has been maintained.
  • The newsletter to Members has been continued.
  • The 25th anniversary of the WCF was marked by issuing commemorative medals to winners of national championships.

Goals for 2015

  • Implement an improved and easily-administered WCF web-site which is capable of marketing the game as well as discharging its core function of providing essential information about World Championships and how the WCF operates.
  • Make details of consultations and decisions available on the WCF web-site.
  • Continue newsletter to Members.

4.       ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

The MC and Council have refreshed how they operate. The trial Council e-mail based decision-making process, which is aimed at empowering WCF Members and to make them feel more engaged, better informed and more in control, has been used extensively in 2014. It is proposed to make it permanent and the sole method of Council decision-making.

Completed goals

  • 2013 Financial Review approved and implemented with consequential amendments to Event Regulations, Finance Regulations and Investment Policy.
  • Investments reviewed and improved.

Goals for 2015 and beyond

  • Review and revise Statutes and Management Committee Administration Regulations.
  • Review and rationalize WCF and MC sub-committees.
  • Work with Australia, England, New Zealand and USA to align the roles of the AC International Laws Committee and the WCF GC Rules Committee.
  • Work with the MacRobertson Shield countries to bring the Shield fully within the AC WTC framework while preserving its current governance.
  • Establish a means of reducing the ‘key person’ risk for maintenance of the rankings.
  • Negotiate a long-term agreement for www.croquetscores.com.
  • Observe and analyse effects of new four-year cycle budgeting.
  • Ensure adequate and reliable support for WCF web-site.

The Management Committee

November 2014

October 2014 Newsletter

WCF October 2014 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

Three WCF Topics were published to Members and two have reached their closing dates and received responses.  Topic 33 concerned proposed amendments to current Statutes 301 to 309 intended to re-organise and shorten the text without any significant change in intent.  These Statutes deal with the versions of croquet recognised by the WCF, responsibility for the relevant laws and rules and the regulation of individual’s ability to represent countries in WCF and other international events.  Comments have now been received from several Members and these are now under review.  Topic 34 received Member support for a MC proposal to advertise future WCF Topics on the WCF website and e-mail lists.  The text of the Topic will be published on the WCF website so that individuals with an interest or experience in the subject-matter will be able to pass on their views to their WCF Member and so help to develop that Member’s contribution to the Topic discussion.  This will be trialled throughout 2015.  Topic 35 is open and seeks Members’ views on the appropriate refund policy to adopt when players withdraw from a World Championship having already paid their entry fee.

What has been happening since July?

The main activity was the administration and preparation for the five forthcoming WCF championships and details of these events are given in the following section.  Other MC matters included seeking agreement for the long-term support of CroquetScores and agreeing that the WCF should seek to appoint a Golf Croquet Ranking Officer to complement the role of the existing AC Ranking Officer and to appoint Assistant Ranking Officers for both AC and GC to reduce the “key person” risk that currently exists.  The scope of the forthcoming WCF Statute Review has been under consideration and is expected to include a review of the existing WCF and MC sub-committees as well as the role of the WCF in relation to the MacRobertson Shield and the International Laws Committee.

Recent and forthcoming WCF championships

2014 Over-50 Golf Croquet World Championship

This was held at the Egyptian Croquet Federation lawns and at the Gizera Croquet Club in Zamalek, Cairo from Sunday, 5 October to Saturday, 11 October.  36 competitors from Australia, Egypt, England, Ireland, Latvia, Scotland, Spain, South Africa and USA took part and enjoyed glorious weather.  16 players progressed to the knock-out stage.  The second Over-50 Golf Croquet World Champion is Salah Hassan of Egypt who defeated Hazem Mahmoud, also of Egypt, in the final.  Salah is a former double Golf Croquet World Champion, in 1997 and 2000.

2014 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Cairo from Sunday, 16 November to Friday, 21 November.  The Event Capacity is 40 players and competitors will represent Australia, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland and the USA.

2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the United Croquet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand from Sunday, 1 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 28 and Ranking Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Egypt, England and New Zealand.

2015 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the Mount Maunganui Croquet Club and other clubs in the Bay of Plenty region, North Island, New Zealand from Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 15 February 2015.  A Qualifying Event will be held from Tuesday, 3 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 80 and Ranking Places, Wild Card Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.  Full details can be found on the WCF web-site under World Championships.

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015.  The Event capacity is 32 players and the Response Date by which Members must inform the WCF if they wish to be awarded Membership Places is Sunday, 23 November 2014.

MC Topics completed or closed

MC 279:           Croquet Federation of India coaching request.

MC 280:           Italian Croquet Association financial assistance request.

MC 286:           Statute 301-306 amendments – sent to Council for comment as Topic 33.

MC 287:           Hosting of 2017 AC WTC Tier 2.1.

MC 289:           Upgrade of Belgium membership status – approved by Council.

MC 290:           Appointment of Andrew Hope to Hall of Fame Committee.

MC 292:           Review of WCF and MC sub-committees – incorporated in Statute Review.

MC 293:           Member consultation practices – resolved through WCF Topic 34.

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 October 2015

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 282:           2015 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015.

MC 284:           New WCF web-site.

MC 285:           2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 288:           CroquetScores agreement.

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

MC 294:           Governance Working Group.

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship – USCA bid expected soon.

MC 296:           Review of methods of making economic foreign payments.

MC 297:           Entry fees refunds policy – submitted to Council as Topic 35.

MC 298:           2010 MacRobertson Shield medals – MC agreed to award these retrospectively.

MC 299:           2015 WCF Annual General Meeting – will be held during 2015 GCWC.

MC 300:           2015 Business Plan to be published in draft to Members in November.

MC 301:           Statutes 301 to 304 – Topic 33 comments to be incorporated in revised draft.

MC 302:           Advertising of consultations and proposals – approved under Topic 34.

MC 303:           2014 Hall of Fame inductees to be announced in 2014Q4.

Outlook for November

The main activities for the month will be continuing to administer the forthcoming World Championships, finalising the revision of Statutes 301 to 307 for submission to Council, beginning the review of the WCF Statutes and preparing the 2015 Business Plan and Budget.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 2 November 2014

November 2014 Newsletter

WCF November 2014 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

Topic 35 sought Members’ views on the appropriate refund policy to adopt when players withdraw from a World Championship having already paid their entry fee and resulted in a decision that refunds net of transaction costs would be made.  The last quarter of the year generates three regular administrative WCF Topics, namely the review of the Business Plan (Topic 36) and Budget (Topic 38) and the election of an Independent Examiner (Topic 37) for the forthcoming year.  All are currently open.  An application from the Uruguay Croquet Federation to become an Observer Member has been received and is currently before Council (Topic 39).  Lastly, the Management Committee has recommended to Council that the trial of reaching Council decisions by e-mail voting should be ended and that this should become an approved method on a permanent basis.  This is also before Council as Topic 40.

What has been happening in November?

The month began with final preparations for the 2014 Women’s GCWC (see below for a brief report) and quickly progressed to the finalisation of the Business Plan, which included a detailed Development Report, and the Budget for 2015 so that they could be submitted to Council.

The Response Date for the 2015 Women’s ACWC passed on 23 November which triggered the process of considering Wild Card Places, Qualifier Places and Ranking Places.  The outcome will be announced on 21 December.

Comments received from Members on the Statute 301 to 309 consultation were incorporated in a fresh draft and have been submitted to the MC.  They should shortly be put forward to Council with the hope that they will be approved before 25 January 2015, the Closing Date for the 2015 Women’s ACWC.  The most significant improvement is that they will bring the provisions regulating the qualification of a player to represent a country into line with the new World Championship allocation process.

A new web-site with a new ISP and more interesting and marketing-focussed home page is under development.  Navigation will also be simplified.  The MC has seen the new design and it is intended to have the new site ready for population with the data on the current site by Christmas.  The plan is to launch the new web-site in the New Year and run two web-sites in parallel for a few weeks before closing the old site.

Recent and forthcoming WCF championships

2014 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

This was held in Cairo from Sunday, 16 November to Friday, 21 November.  40 players took part from Australia, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland and the USA.  It was expected that the top Egyptian ladies would provide the main challenge to Jenny Clarke of New Zealand, the top seed by ranking and the 2011 runner-up.  Jenny duly reached the final in impressive style but found herself facing Judith Hanekom of South Africa.  Judith had made a poor start and only just qualified for the knock-out.  However, she went from strength to strength and defeated four strong Egyptians to reach the final where she won a thrilling five-game final.

2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the United Croquet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand from Sunday, 1 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 28 and Ranking Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Egypt, England and New Zealand.

2015 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the Mount Maunganui Croquet Club and other clubs in the Bay of Plenty region, North Island, New Zealand from Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 15 February 2015.  A Qualifying Event will be held from Tuesday, 3 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 80 and Ranking Places, Wild Card Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.  Full details can be found on the WCF web-site under World Championships.

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015.  The Event capacity has been increased to 36 players and the announcement of Wild Card Places and Ranking Places will be made on 21 December.  Members must inform the WCF of the names of those who have been allocated Membership Places by 25 January 2015.

MC Topics completed or closed in November

MC 288:           Croquet Scores agreement signed.

MC 294:           Governance Working Group.  Report made to Members.

MC 296:           Use of PayPal balances to make payments resolved.

MC 297:           Entry fee refunds policy.  Decision referred to Council as Topic 35.

MC 298:           ACWTC Tier 1 (MacRobertson Shield) medals.  Decision to award for 2010.

MC 299:           2015 WCF Annual General Meeting.  Will be held during 2015 GCWC.

MC 300:           2015 Business Plan – sent to Council as Topic 36.

MC 302:           Advertising of consultations etc. on the WCF web-site – sent to Council as Topic 34.

MC 303:           Confirmation of 2014 Hall of Fame inductees.

MC 304:           World Championship medals purchase – order placed with new supplier.

MC 305:           Election of Independent Examiner – sent to Council as Topic 37.

MC 306:           2015 Budget – sent to Council as Topic 38.

MC 307:           Application by Uruguay Croquet Federation – sent to Council as Topic 39.

MC 308:           E-mail voting – MC recommendation to approve sent to Council as Topic 40.

Topics open, pending or under administration on 30 November

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 282:           2015 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015.

MC 284:           New WCF web-site.

MC 285:           2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

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

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship.

MC 301:           Statutes 301 to 304 – Topic 33 comments to be incorporated in revised draft.

Outlook for December

The main activities for the month will be continuing to administer the forthcoming World Championships, submitting the amended revision of Statutes 301 to 307 to Council, beginning the review of the WCF Statutes and completing the Management Committee Report to Members for 2014.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 4 December 2014

December 2014 Newsletter

WCF December 2014 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 made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

The three regular fourth quarter administrative WCF Topics, namely the review of the Business Plan (Topic 36) and Budget (Topic 38) and the election of an Independent Examiner (Topic 37) for the forthcoming year were all approved.  David Walters had informed us that 2015 would be his last year as our Examiner and we thank him for his years of service.

The application from the Uruguay Croquet Federation to become an Observer Member was Topic 39 and achieved a record vote in favour of 58-0!  We extend a very warm welcome to Uruguay and look forward to other South American members in due course.  In Topic 40, Council approved the MC recommendation that e-mail voting should become an approved method of reaching Council decisions on a permanent basis.

The MC consulted the Council earlier in the year under Topic 33 about possible amendments to Statutes 301 to 309, including changes to Statute 303 to cater for the new world championship allocation process.  The responses have been incorporated in amendments proposed to Council as Topic 41 and the Closing Date is 18 January 2015.

What has been happening in December?

The Announcement Date for the 2015 Women’s ACWC occurred on 21 December.  Twelve Ranking Places and one Wild Card Place were awarded.  19 Membership Places and four Qualifier Places take the total to 36.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held at Nailsea Croquet Club near Bristol from Saturday, 18 to Monday, 20 July 2015.

The new web-site has been delivered with a more interesting and marketing-focussed home page and simpler navigation.  Population with data is under way and the plan is to launch the new web-site later this month and run the two web-sites in parallel for a few weeks before closing the old site.

Recent and forthcoming WCF championships

2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the United Croquet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand from Sunday, 1 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 28 and Ranking Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Egypt, England and New Zealand.

2015 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the Mount Maunganui Croquet Club and other clubs in the Bay of Plenty region, North Island, New Zealand from Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 15 February 2015.  A Qualifying Event will be held from Tuesday, 3 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 80 and Ranking Places, Wild Card Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.  Full details can be found on the WCF web-site under World Championships.

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015.  The Event capacity has been increased to 36 players and the announcement of Wild Card Places and Ranking Places will be made on 21 December.  Members who have requested Membership Places must inform the WCF of the names of their players by 25 January 2015.

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Friday, 22 April to Saturday, 30 April 2016.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Sunday, 17 April to Wednesday, 20 April 2016.  More details will be available on the WCF website in due course.

MC Topics completed or closed in December

MC 301:           Topic 33 comments to be incorporated in revised draft.

MC 304:           World Championship medals purchase.

MC 305:           Election of Independent Examiner.

MC 306:           2015 Budget.

MC 307:           Uruguay Croquet Federation membership application.

MC 308:           Adoption of e-mail voting on a permanent basis.

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 December

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 282:           2015 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015.

MC 284:           New WCF web-site.

MC 285:           2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

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

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship.

MC 309:           2014 Management Committee report.

MC 310:           Approval of GC Rulings.

Outlook for January

The main activities for the month will be continuing to administer the forthcoming World Championships and beginning the review of the rest of the WCF Statutes.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 11 January 2015