Key Objectives
Organisation
To provide an effective infrastructure to manage the sport globally.
To investigate amending our non-incorporated status and liability.
World Championships
To continue to organise successful World Championships which are well supported by the top players.
To monitor the World Championship portfolio of singles and team events and to ensure it continues to meet the needs of its various stakeholders (players, Members and host)
Membership
To increase the number of WCF members and RCOs in under-represented areas of the world. To target a 15% increase by the end of the plan period (this equates to circa 5 new Members).
To facilitate the upward progression of RCOs to Associate Membership and Associate Members to Full Membership.
To continue to work with our Members and RCOs to provide developmental assistance as needed.
Regional Committees
To support the ERC as it continues to develop the growth of croquet in Europe.
To provide support as needed for the successful administration and organisation of ERC events.
To ensure the ERC is financially viable.
Publicity and Promotion of Croquet
To continue to improve the website and our social media presence.
To improve communication with Members by the MC and between Members in the WCF Council.
Specific ideas to be investigated further include:
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- How to efficiently advertise croquet competitions between members, specifically those open to overseas players (to facilitate cross Member travel and play).
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- Promotion of the sport through live streaming, YouTube and other audiovisual material and outlets.
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- Set up of WhatsApp communication groups between Members for the broader discussion of items.
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- Sponsorship:
- To investigate and understand the key drivers behind previous hosts successful attraction of sponsors and share this as recommended best practice.
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- To produce a feasibility study to investigate the viability of obtaining sponsorship for the WCF as an entity, the income to be used to fund a variety of projects, including improving the website, extending our social media footprint and supporting live streaming activities (but see also longer-term objectives below: Multi-sport Events).
Supporting our Sport
On-going activities:
To continue to maintain World Ranking Systems (MC).
To continue to manage the Laws of Association Croquet and the Rules of Golf Croquet.
To continue to review and improve our Statutes, Regulations and Policies as needed to ensure they are up to date and fit for purpose.
To continue to manage equipment testing and the associated regulations. To support manufacturers as required to ensure that essential equipment remains available and affordable.
New or in-progress initiatives:
To assist Members to increase the number of players playing croquet, both GC and AC. For AC specifically, to assist Members to understand the key drivers behind the decline in AC and to support initiatives that assist with its regeneration and growth.
To put in place a Disaster Recovery Plan, ensuring our key systems are protected, such as the Rankings and Croquet Scores.
To increase the number of referees and coaches, particularly amongst smaller Member with WCF financial aid if needed.
To provide video and online resources for the training of referees and coaches for GC and AC.
To facilitate and standardise the use of video refereeing by continuing the current trials and producing best practice guidance. To ensure the regulations, Laws and Rules are updated as needed.
To consolidate the implementation and use of global handicapping systems for both AC and GC.
To facilitate the sharing of Member best practice, particularly on such subjects as:
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- Increasing the number of young people, including children, playing the sport.
- Encouraging the recruitment and retention of volunteer resources, essential for the effective administration of our sport.
- Facilities and equipment innovations.
- Successful recruitment techniques: what works across all age groups and demographics.
- Introduction of croquet to those with disabilities (or other minority groups).
Longer Term Objectives
Multi-Sport Events
The growth of croquet would benefit from entry into multi-sport events such as the World Games, Masters Games, Commonwealth Games or of course the Olympics.
A first step to gaining entry into one or more of these events is to be recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or one of its various sub-organisations, such as ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sport Federations). This requires the WCF to be recognised by WADA (World Anti-Doping Association).
We propose preparing a Feasibility study to research the potential benefits and to set out a pathway toward attaining this goal, and in particular, whether this matter should be reconsidered in association with efforts to obtain a global sponsor who would cover the associated costs.
Congratulations to new Under 21 World Champion, Levi Franks from New Zealand.
Levi took advantage of the first approach to 13 and when Fawzy failed the long clearances, Levi was able to run the final hoop to win the Championship.
Simon put up a good fight against no.1 seed Jack Good in the first round of the knockout, and then made it to the semi-final of the Bowl before narrowly losing to Jana Mohamed Saaid, from Egypt who went on to beat Jessica Bullen from New Zealand in the final of the Bowl.
last 8 of the knockout, was won by Sam Cuthbert from England, who beat Ethan Gumbrell from Australia, in the final. This was a fantastic performance from Sam who is still recovering from injuries received whilst out in New Zealand for the last U21 championship two years ago.
