Author: Debbie Lines

2023 Women’s GC World Championship – Player Information

The following information is required from all the above competing players by 14th April 2023 (or sooner please if available).

    • A recent well-lit photograph (ideally headshot)
    • 150-250 words of biographical details
    • Contact email and mobile phone numbers for during the event (for use by the Tournament Manager

Please send this information online via Google Forms. Please click on this link: Enter your Player Information here

Please note, the photo and bio may be published on the event website and on the WCF website. Players should expect some live streaming and the press may be present taking photographs. Players should note that their results will be published on Croquet Scores. The contact details will be held by the WCF S-G and Tournament Manager for use during the event.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is this requested via a Google Form?
The organisers for this event will pick up all the bios directly from the Google Form. This reduces the workload. If everyone sends the bio into the WCF separately, maybe by email, word document, pdf, whatsapp etc., then it would then have to be cut and pasted into some central repository. Much simpler if everyone feeds it into one place in one format in the first place.

Why can’t you re-use the information I sent last time?
Regarding your contact details: due to data protection rules, we ask that personal data is not kept by the organisers after the event, so emails and telephone numbers need to be captured each time. And of course, these could easily change year on year.

Regarding your bio: firstly, there is no way for me to know who wants to keep an old bio and who wants to update it, so we ask for new each time. Plus, most players prefer to update the words for each event. Especially those of you that play both codes, who may want to say different things depending whether it’s GC or AC. You might have major wins in one code and not in the other for instance.

Who might read my bio?
It could be used in various ways to advertise and promote the event.  Variously, it could be included in Sponsor Packs, the Event Website, the Programme, or perhaps sent to the Press.
Our sport needs sponsorship to help make these events financially viable. We need to look professional to attract sponsors. It is therefore important that your bios are sensible, well-written and give a good impression to the World.

Why is this information requested so early?
Work to prepare for a World Championship starts very early. The website and programmes are put together by volunteers, many of whom have other commitments. We need to give them as much time as possible to do this, to ensure that they not only do a good job, but that no undue stress is put on them.  The army of volunteers works hard to make these world championships run smoothly and to ensure that you, as a player, have a fantastic event. As players you are not asked to do a lot to help, providing this information is something you can do.

2023 Women’s GC Championship – Membership Places announcement

 

The closing date for Members to nominate players for their Membership places was end of 14th March 2023 (UK time).

At time of publishing there are three outstanding places to resolve:

- 14th March - Jana Mohamed Saaid, in receipt of a Ranking Place withdrew and was replaced by Manal Khodier, representing Egypt, who was top of the Replacement Ranking List (RRL). She had previously been one of Egypt's Member Place nominees. Egypt have 14 days to replace her or the place will be released to the RRL.

- As at the closing date, one member released their place. I am currently liaising with the top player on the RRL to see if she wishes to play. 18.3.23 Update - Dallas Cooke, New Zealand, has accepted the place.

- Vanesa Fernandez, selected to represent Mexico, is listed in the Rankings as from USA. This has been queried with Vanesa and Mexico. 18.3.23 Vanesa has confirmed she meets the criteria and wishes to represent Mexico.

The file below shows the current players in receipt of a Membership Place,  Wild card place or Ranking Place.

Breakdown of Places and Player List as at end 14th March 2023

Replacement Ranking List 15.3.23

There are four places remaining which will be awarded to the qualifiers from the Qualification Event. This will take place between 3-5 August  2023 at the Eastbourne Croquet Club in East Sussex. It will be open to 20 players. Entry is via the English CA online Fixtures Entry system, full details can be found here: GC Women's Qualifier - how to enter

Entry Fees

The entry fee of £136 per entrant is now requested and must be paid by 16th April 2023.

Per WCF Sports Regulations Appendix 2, clause 6, players who fail to pay by the due date will lose their place. The relevant sections of the regulation are below for your information:

6.1 Subject to paragraph 6.2, failure to pay the entry fee by the due date will lead to automatic disqualification and the place will be filled in accordance with paragraph 7.
6.2 Before disqualifying a player for failing to pay their entry fee on time, at least two reminders must have been sent to the Member which nominated the player and all reasonable efforts must have been made to contact the player directly.

All players who can pay by bank transfer are encouraged to do so. This avoids the WCF incurring costly PayPal fees. Players should be notified how to pay via bank transfer by their Member.

If unable to pay in this way, you can pay by PayPal, details for which can be found on the link below:

How to pay your entry fees by PayPal

Player Information

The following information is required from all the above competing players by 14th April 2023 (or sooner please if available).

    • A recent well-lit photograph (ideally headshot)
    • 150-250 words of biographical details
    • Contact email and mobile phone numbers for during the event (for use by the Tournament Manager

Please send this information online via Google Forms. Please click on this link: Enter your Player Information here

Please note, the photo and bio may be published on the event website and on the WCF website. Players should expect some live streaming and the press may be present taking photographs. Players should note that their results will be published on Croquet Scores. The contact details will be held by the WCF S-G and Tournament Manager for use during the event.

Withdrawals

If for any reason a player cannot now take up their place, please notify me as soon as possible so that a replacement can be found. Per the Sports Regulations, the following process is followed in the event of a withdrawal:

Players who have received a Membership Place: when a player withdraws, the Member has 14 days to nominate a replacement; if no player is nominated a Replacement Ranking Place is awarded. If the 14 days expires before the Qualifier closing date of 19th July 2023 the place becomes an extra qualifier from the Qualification tournament.

Withdrawal by a player who received a Ranking or Wild Card place: when a player withdraws, if this is before the cut-off date of 22nd June 2023, then the next most highly ranked player on the Replacement Ranking list at the end of that day will be offered the place. After the cut-off date, the place becomes an extra qualifier from the Qualification tournament.

After the Qualifier Closing date, all withdrawals from the main event become extra qualifiers from the Qualification tournament.

 

Further details will be published on the WCF website and on the Championship website over the coming weeks.

 

2023 GC Women’s World Championship – Entry Fees

Players who have been notified that they have received a place in the upcoming World Championship need to pay their entry fees of £136 by 16th April 2023 at the latest.

Per WCF Sports Regulations Appendix 2, clause 6, players who fail to pay by the due date will lose their place. The relevant sections of the regulation are below for your information:

6.1 Subject to paragraph 6.2, failure to pay the entry fee by the due date will lead to automatic disqualification and the place will be filled in accordance with paragraph 7.

6.2 Before disqualifying a player for failing to pay their entry fee on time, at least two reminders must have been sent to the Member which nominated the player and all reasonable efforts must have been made to contact the player directly.

Successful players from the Qualifier, must pay as soon as possible after qualifying.

All players who can pay by Bank to Bank transfer are encouraged to do so. Instructions are included in each players announcement notification email. This avoids the WCF incurring costly PayPal fees.

If absolutely necessary, please pay by PayPal using the button below:

 

 

New heat announced for the European Club League

We are pleased to announce an additional heat for the GC European Club League 2023.

It will be held at Novo Sancti Petri, Nr Cadiz (Spain) on the weekend of 20/21 May.

Priority entry will be given to non-Spanish teams entering before March 26th, thereafter entries (including Spanish teams) will be accepted in order or receipt (if over-subscribed entries will be allocated by ballot). If your club wishes to enter a 4 player team please e-mail me.

Full rules of the event can be found here European Club League Rules

Novo Sancti Petri croquet has two lawns at the Seve Ballesteros designed golf course https://www.iberostar.com/uk/real-novo-sancti-petri-golf-club/ It is a short walk from two Iberostar.com hotels, Andalucia Playa (5*) and Royal Andalus (4*), a discount is available at both for the event, using the discount code EUROPEANCLUB

One more host required
If you would like to participate in the League but do not want to travel we are still looking for one more host venue (2 lawns required), please contact me if you are interested.

Spaces in Existing Heats
There are still 2 places available in the heat at CERN (Switzerland) 10/11 June, to compete alongside CERN and Suedwest (Germany)

Two heats are fully subscribed, giving entries clubs from 7 different countries so far:-

Dulwich (England) 29/30 April - Dulwich (England), Sherry (Spain), Sussex County (England), Zurich (Switzerland)

Ikskile (Latvia) 8/9 July - Ikskile (Latvia), Ealing (England), Hamburg (Germany), Tolkis (Finland)

One heat has been played at the Algarve Club (Portugal), won by Roehampton (England) https://croquetscores.com/2022/gc/european-club-league-algarve-1

Heat winners will contest the Grand Final at Roehampton (England) 13-15th October

 

ERC Update – 10

The ERC has had a few busy weeks.

- the European team championship fixed for August has had 11 countries wishing to participate. Further details to follow soon.

- the European club league, which already saw one play off in Portugal last year, now has another 3 play offs due to take place from May onwards, with the opportunity for more clubs to register an interest.  See previous post: European Club League: how to enter

- the entries for the European GC championship were finalised,  based on 17 Membership places and 15 Ranking places (based on D Grade). See previous post: 2023 GC European Open - Ranking Places

- only 19 nominations have been received by the original deadline for the Under-21 championship. More entries are invited.

- Kerstin Loretz (Switzerland) has agreed to act as the European co-ordinator of coaching and of referee courses.

Allocation of Ranking Places – 2023 European GC Open Championship

Please see the below notice for Allocation information for this event including the list of players in receipt of Ranking Places, and the current Replacement Ranking List as at 5th March.

2023 GC European Open Ranking Place allocations

Please note member places must be notified to Roberts Stafeckis by the closing date 2nd April 2023.

 

2023 AC World Championship – Places *updated 9.3.23*

9.2.23 Update

Following two more withdrawals, please see the updated list. Also an updated Replacement Ranking List.

2023 ACWC Breakdown of Places and Player List 9.3.23

2023 ACWC Replacement Ranking List as at 9.3.23

4.2.23 Update

Following another withdrawal on 2nd March, please see revised Player List below. The new top 5 on the Replacement Ranking list is also shown.

2023 ACWC Breakdown of Places and Player List 4th March

25.2.23 Update

Following a request to see the full Replacement Ranking List, I have run it fresh this evening.
Please note: nobody else has withdrawn. The list of players in the event remains unchanged. 

2023 ACWC Replacement Ranking List as at 25.2.23

16.2.23 Update

Following another withdrawal, please find attached the latest list of players. The new top 5 players on the Replacement Ranking list is also shown.

2023 ACWC Breakdown of Places and Player List 16.2.23

10.2.23 Update

There have been two further withdrawals. The file below has been updated to reflect the current 76 players in the event. The new top 5 on the Replacement Ranking list is also shown.

2023 ACWC Breakdown of Places and Player List 10.2.23

The closing date for Members to nominate players for their Membership places was 5th February 2023.

The file below shows the Membership Places, Wild card places and the Ranking Places, giving us 75 players. One member has released their place so I am currently liaising with the top player on the Replacement Ranking List to see if he wants to accept the place.

2023 ACWC Breakdown of Places and Player List 6.2.23

There are four places remaining which will be awarded to the qualifiers from the Qualification Event. This will take place between 10-13 July 2023 at the Sussex County Croquet Club in Sussex. It will be open to 32 players. Entry will be via the English CA online Fixtures Entry system (when this goes live soon).

 Entry Fees

The entry fee of £153 per entrant is now requested and must be paid by 8th March 2023

Per WCF Sports Regulations Appendix 2, clause 6, players who fail to pay by the due date will lose their place. The relevant sections of the regulation are below for your information:

6.1 Subject to paragraph 6.2, failure to pay the entry fee by the due date will lead to automatic disqualification and the place will be filled in accordance with paragraph 7.
6.2 Before disqualifying a player for failing to pay their entry fee on time, at least two reminders must have been sent to the Member which nominated the player and all reasonable efforts must have been made to contact the player directly.

All players who can pay by bank transfer are encouraged to do so. This avoids the WCF incurring costly PayPal fees. Players should be notified how to pay via bank transfer by their Member.

If unable to pay in this way, you can pay by PayPal, details for which can be found on the link below:

How to pay your entry fees by PayPal

Player Information

The following information is requested from all the above competing players by 6th March 2023 (or sooner please if available).

    • A recent well-lit photograph (ideally headshot)
    • 150-250 words of biographical details
    • Contact email and mobile phone numbers for during the event (for use by the Tournament Manager

The easiest way to send this information is online via Google Forms. Please click on this link:

2023 AC Worlds Player Information Form

Please note, the photo and bio may be published on the event website and on the WCF website. Players should expect some live streaming and the press may be present taking photographs. Players should note that their results will be published on Croquet Scores. The contact details will be held by the WCF S-G and Tournament Manager for use during the event.

Withdrawals

If for any reason a player cannot now take up their place, please notify me as soon as possible so that a replacement can be found. Per the Sports Regulations, the following process is followed in the event of a withdrawal:

Players who have received a Membership Place: when a player withdraws, the Member has 14 days to nominate a replacement; if no player is nominated a Replacement Ranking Place is awarded. If the 14 days expires before the Qualifier closing date of 25th June 2023 the place becomes an extra qualifier from the Qualification tournament.

Withdrawal by a player who received a Ranking or Wild Card place: when a player withdraws, if this is before the cut-off date of 11th June 2023, then the next most highly ranked player on the Replacement Ranking list at the end of that day will be offered the place. After the cut-off date, the place becomes an extra qualifier from the Qualification tournament.

After the Qualifier Closing date, all withdrawals from the main event become extra qualifiers from the Qualification tournament.

 

Further details regarding the venue and programme, will be published on the WCF website and on the Championship website over the coming weeks.