Debbie Lines, Author at World Croquet Federation

New leaflet – Play Croquet – A Quick Guide” – Ahora también disponible en español

This handy guide has now been translated into Spanish.

Download it today, and share it with clubs in your area.

Download this new handy leaflet "Play Croquet - A Quick Guide"

This A4 tri-fold leaflet includes brief instructions of how to play both Association Croquet and Golf Croquet. It was recently created by Croquet England who have kindly produced a version for the WCF to share with all our Members.

The leaflet is suitable for use by all beginners. It will give them an idea of how to play, whether in their local park, sports club or schools. We hope Clubs can use it as a hand-out.

If you'd like it in your language, please email the Secretary-General with the translated text.

2025 European GC Singles Championship – How to pay your entry fees

The European GC Singles Championship will take place at Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club, Devon, England between 15-18 May 2025.

Entry Fees are due by 19th February at the latest.
Full & Associate Members – the Entry fee for this event is £84 per player for Full and Associate Members.
Recognised Croquet Organisations – the entry fee is £104.

[The RCO Participation Levy requires players from RCOs to pay an additional £5 per player per day, so for this 4 day event, £20].

Please do not pay until you have been notified that you have been awarded a place in the event. Those on the Replacement List, do NOT yet have a place. Lists of those with awarded places can be found on event webpage.

The ERC would prefer that you pay by Bank Transfer. All details on how to do this will be in the email sent to each Member by the ERC Event Lead. This will be sent out shortly after each Closing date and we ask that our Members please forward this information onto their players. Paying in this way incurs lower fees for the ERC and will be very much appreciated.

If you do need to pay by PayPal, please click on the button below:

Full & Associate Members £84:

RCOs £104:

2025 Budget Approved by WCF Council 3rd January 2025

I’m pleased to announce that the 2025 Budget was approved by Members on 3rd January 2025, with 42 votes in favour, none against.

2024 Management Committee Annual Report

Brian Havill re-elected as Independent Examiner

I’m pleased to announce that on 29th December 2024, Members voted to re-appoint Brian Havill as Independent Examiner for 2025.

The MC express their thanks to Brian for his continued support.

WCF Hall of Fame inductee Geoff Young passed away

2025 AC World Championship – Winner: Reg Bamford (ZAF)

South Africa’s Reg Bamford beat England’s Mark Avery in style, winning all his games with a Triple Peel, and not dropping a single game throughout the whole championship.

In the first game, Mark Avery looked to be set to stop his run, but unfortunately stuck in 3b after having done all the peels. Reg stepped in, methodically completing turn after turn with no errors.

This win puts Bamford’s back alongside Robert Fulford as a six-time AC World Champion. He has also won the GC World Championship twice.

A welcome return for Mark Avery to the final who in recent years has returned to top form. Thirty-six years after reaching the final of the inaugural AC World Championship in 1989, he was again silver medallist, and had to come back twice from two games down to win earlier rounds of the knock-out.

Congratulations also go to the following:

Bronze medalists: Logan McCorkindale from New Zealand and Robert Fletcher from Australia.

Shield Winner: Zack Watson - USA

Bowl Winner: Stephen Mulliner - England

Plate Winner: Duncan Reeve - Scotland

Manager's Invitational Winner: Nick Parish - England

Ramekin Winner: Greg Hill - Australia

A full report can be found on Croquet Network: Croquet Network - AC World Championship Report

Full results can be found on Croquet Scores: Croquet Scores - 2025 AC World Championship

To watch all the livestream footage, go to the WCF YouTube Channel, select Playlists, and then select the AC World Championship playlist

Thank you to all many people who worked hard to deliver this fantastic event. Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers and players.

THE WCF WISHES ALL THE COMPETITORS IN THE UPCOMING AC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THE VERY BEST OF LUCK

Livestreaming

The event will be streamed live from 3pm on Friday 17th October until it finishes on Sunday 26th October.

Friday 17th October 3pm: Damon Bidencope Celebration of Life
Friday 17th October 4pm: Opening Ceremony
Saturday 18th October: Block play starts
Wednesday 22nd October: Knock-out starts

Subscribe to the USCA YouTube channel to follow all the action: https://www.youtube.com/@uscroquetassociation

The Event capacity is 72 players.

The entry fee for this event is £189 per player. This is based on a rate of £21 per player per day for 9 days.

Qualifying Competition
The qualifier will be held at the same venue between the three days of 14th- 16th October. Entry has now closed.

Clothing
Shirts with collars and sleeves are required. Players are invited to wear their WCF-approved national player uniforms. Otherwise, predominantly white clothing is required (except for footwear, hats, and rain clothing). Shoes which will not damage the playing surface must be worn.

Welcome Ceremony, registration and Practice
The welcome ceremony will be on Friday 17th October 2025. Players should plan to arrive soon after lunch for registration. Practice will be available on this day.

Social
There wil be a dinner and other socials arranged for during the event. These will be published in due course.

Balls and Hoops
Invictus balls.
Quadway hoops.

Accommodation and Travel

The USCA has arranged an offer at the West Palm Beach Hilton Hotel - see post for details https://worldcroquet.org/2025-ac-world-championship-hotel-offer/

Flights into Miami are recommended.
There are many hotels and motels in the area. Holiday lets are also plentiful using such online sites as VRBO or AirBnB.
A WhatsApp group will be set up for players and officials towards the end of May 2025. This can be used for players to liaise with respect to accommodation transport.

Key Dates

Main Event Dates
Invitation Date	20 December 2024	This is the date that Members will be formally invited to send players to participate in this event.
Response Date	28 February 2025	This is the date by which Member nominations for Ranking and Wild Card places must have been received by the WCF Management Committee. Members must also specify the number of Membership Places they wish to take up and RCO's should advise if they would like to request a Membership Place.
Allocation Date	14 March 2025	The World Ranking List to be used to determine the initial allocation of Ranking Places is that published at the end of the Allocation Date.
Announcement Date	28 March 2025	By this date the breakdown of places will be advised and players awarded an Initial Ranking Place or Wild Card will be announced.
Closing Date	28 April 2025	This is the last date Members can nominate players for their Membership Places. Within 1 to 2 days the MC will announce recipients of Membership Places and Replacement Ranking Places and request payment.
Player Contact Details & Bios	28 May 2025	This is the date by which players are asked to provide their contact details, bio's and a headshot photo.
Entry Fee Due Date	30 May 2025	Per Sports Regn Appendix 2 6.1. Any players awarded a place on the Announcement Date will lose their place if they have not paid by this date.
Main Event Cut-off Date	2 September 2025	This is the date after which returned places are generally filled by creating extra Qualifier Places instead of Replacement Ranking Places.

Important Safety Tips for International Travel

Research Your Destination: Familiarise yourself with local customs, laws, and safety guidelines. Be aware of any travel advisories issued for your destination.

Ensure Visa Requirements Are Met: Confirm whether your destination requires a visa and ensure it's obtained before travel. Keep it with your travel documents and make digital copies for backup.

Secure Important Documents: Keep your passport, visa, and other travel documents in a safe place. Make digital copies in case of loss or theft.

Stay Connected: Inform friends or family of your travel itinerary and stay in touch regularly. Keep local emergency contact numbers handy.

Health Precautions: Stay up to date on vaccinations and carry any necessary medications. Pack a basic first aid kit for minor emergencies.

Be Vigilant with Valuables: Avoid displaying expensive items, and use lockable bags or hotel safes when possible.

Local Awareness: Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowded areas, and avoid isolated places at night.

Preparation is key to ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable trip.

New leaflet – Play Croquet – A Quick Guide”

Download this new handy leaflet "Play Croquet - A Quick Guide"

Quick Start leaflet CE_WCF

The leaflet is suitable for use by all beginners. It will give them an idea of how to play, whether in their local park, sports club or schools. We hope Clubs can use it as a hand-out.

If you'd like it in your language, please email the Secretary-General with the translated text.

2025 GC World Team Championships – Teams Announced

Preparations continue in Tasmania for the upcoming WCF PFC Mallets GC World Team Championship. The organising team is getting the venue ready. The event Facebook page is full of articles showing their hard working volunteers getting the site ready and undergoing training.

The 8 teams competing have now been announced. Download the file to see who will be representing their countries: 2025 Openshaw Shield Teams Announcement

And more exciting news, David Openshaw, who presented the Shield, will again be travelling out to support the event and present the trophy.

WORLD CROQUET FEDERATION

Author: Debbie Lines