Category: Archive Posts

2023 GC Under 21 Championship Player List

Following some withdrawals, the updated list of players for this event is:

Under 21 Player List 26Oct22

Ranking Places = 15
Membership Places = 12
Replacement Ranking Places = 5

As at 26th October 2022, there is now only one player on the Replacement Ranking list. This is Fran Wright from Australia.

Withdrawals:
Any players who needs to withdraw should notify Debbie Lines, the WCF Secretary-General immediately, either directly or via their Member assocation.

2023 Under 21 GC World Championship – Balls

The WCF and the hosts, CNZ, have been liaising regarding what balls to use at this event, given the current interruption in the supply of new Dawson Balls.

The decision is that we will use old Dawson balls, as closely matched as possible in condition and age.

The WCF are liaising with Paul Manwaring, owner of Dawson Balls. His current production problems have been caused by the banning of a substance previously used in the recipe. He is testing alternatives and hopes to have balls within specification soon.

At this time there are no other approved balls available. The SunShiny ball approval expired in 2020. The manufacturers in Taiwan have advised that balls are on their way to the CA for testing, so we hope to be able to re-approve these soon.

2023 GC Under 21 Championship Player List

The Closing Date for the 2023 Under 21 GC Championship was 22nd October 2022.

Twelve Membership Places have been allocated. Egypt has released one Membership Place unused and has also notified a withdrawal by a player previously given a Ranking Place. England had two Membership Places but has not nominated anyone for these, so these are also both released. This means the current breakdown of spaces is:

Ranking Places = 16
Membership Places = 12
Replacement Ranking Places = 4

The top four players on the Replacement Ranking list at the closing date, who have been offered a place, are below.
As at 23rd October 2022, we wait confirmation of their acceptance.

    • Curtis Mead – Australia
    • Ethan Gumbrell – Australia
    • Ethan McDonald – New Zealand
    • Ashton Sharp – New Zealand

The current list of players is: Under 21 Player List 23rd Octoboer 22

Withdrawals:
Any players who needs to withdraw should notify Debbie Lines, the WCF Secretary-General immediately, either directly or via their Member assocation.

There are 3 people left on the wait list (Replacement Ranking List). In current ranking order these are Jamie Fleming (Australia), Fran Wright (Australia) and Robbie Spooner (New Zealand, note: no games played in the qualifying period). This order may change if games are played altering the rankings before a withdrawal occurs.

2023 GC Under 21 Championship Ranking Places

After the response date there were 31 entries for this 32 player event.

The Management Committee have agreed the following allocation of places for this 32 person event.

Capacity = 32

  Member Places

15

  Ranking Places

17

 

Ranking Places

The 17 Ranking Places have been awarded to the following players, based on the Initial Ranking List dated 7th September 2022. This is based on their Max DG ranking over 12 months as per Sports Regulations Appendix 2, clause 2.3.

Country

Ranking Places Awarded

Max Dgrade

Games Played

England

Aston Wade

2464

157

New Zealand

Josh Winter

2350

53

USA

Blake Fields

2304

49

Egypt

Fawzy Helmy

2246

11

Egypt

Mohab Elatreby

2185

20

Egypt

Gana Mohamed Saaid

2183

44

New Zealand

Paul Kaiser

2170

36

New Zealand

Levi Franks

2168

42

New Zealand

Joel Steele

2106

72

New Zealand

Nathan Bullen

2171

65

New Zealand

Te Kiri King

2067

24

England

Albie Willett

2011

48

New Zealand

Michael Lauer

1988

50

England

Sam Cuthbert

1980

87

New Zealand

Myles Duggan

1953

17

New Zealand

James Duggan

1926

43

New Zealand

Jessica Bullen

1795

76

Member Places

Members should send the Secretary-General the names of players to be nominated for their Member Places by 22nd October 2022 at the latest. Some Members have already notified the names of their nominees - please note that these can be changed up to the above deadline. The request for entry fees and player bios will follow after 22nd October.

The number of Member Places by Country is below:

Australia

2

Egypt

2

England

2

New Zealand

5

Spain

2

USA

2

Member places available

15

Additional Players - important notice for ALL WCF Member countries
As at the response date only 31 names were put forward. It is therefore possible that after the Membership closing date of 22nd October, the event will not be full.

Therefore, ALL Members are invited to nominate new players for the replacement ranking list. This is in line with Sports Regulations:

7.4 Replacement Ranking List
The Replacement Ranking List may contain players who were not on the Initial
Allocation Ranking List provided that they have played a minimum of 5 ranked
games (AC) or 10 games (GC) in the 12 months ending on the date on which the
vacancy arises and have informed the S-G by e-mail that they wish to play in the
Event. However, if the Event is under-subscribed on or after the Closing Date, any player may be added to the Replacement Ranking List.

If, as at 15th January, we still do not have enough players to fill the event (i.e. there is no Replacement Ranking list), then we will ask Croquet New Zealand to do the best they can to find a local player (under 21), or to manage the event with a smaller field.

Withdrawals
The cut-off date for this event is 28th December 2022. There is no qualifier.

If players with a Member Place drop out before this date, Members have 14 days to nominate a replacement (or until the cut-off date, whichever is the sooner). After this, the place reverts to a Replacement Ranking Place.

If players with a Ranking Place drop out before this date, the highest ranked player on the Replacement Ranking list will be awarded the place.

After 28th December, the highest ranked player on the Replacement Ranking list will be awarded the place.

 

2022 GC WC – Qualifiers

The qualification event was held between 25-28 July at the Compton Croquet Club in Eastbourne, England.

30 competitors competed in 3 blocks of 10. The top 4 from each block went through to a Qualification Block to determine the qualifiers.

The seven qualifiers were:

Simon Carter (England)
Mostafa Eissa (Egypt)
Tim Jolliff (England)
Ben Rothman (USA)
Dominic Nunns (England)
Ian Lines (England)
Joel Taylor (England)

The remaining five players from the qualifying block of 12 now become reserves should there be any further drop-outs. They were, in qualification order:

Lionel Tibble (England)
Richard Brooks (England)
Carlos Munoz (Spain)
Morgan Case (England)
Begona Elzaburu (Spain)

The consolation event was won by Debbie Lines (England), who beat Ignacio Arturo Gross Alesanco (Spain) in the final.

The WCF would like to thank the Compton Club for hosting this event. The lawns were well prepared and the catering was amazing. Thank you also to Andrew Fall and Hilary Smith for managing the tournament and to the referees, Stephen Custance-Baker and Martin Peacock.

 

Congratulations to Mexico – Winners of the Tier 3 Golf Croquet World Championship.

This delayed 2020 event took place at the Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club between 20th to 23rd July 2022. Mexico, Portugal and Czech Republic played together with an Iran + team.

The Guildford & Godalming club looked after the players well with fast lawns, firm hoops and good food. The WCF would like to thank the club and all the volunteers who helped to make this event run so smoothly.

Mexico won with 2 wins against Portugal and the Czech Republic, and drew against the Iran team made up of Omied Hallam and some hastily convened club players who stepped into the breach when the Iranian VISAs failed to arrive in time.

Portugal came second and the Czech Republic third.

Full results can be found on Croquet Scores: 2020 GC WTC T3

For player information, please go to the Guildford & Godalming Croquet club page for this event:  click here

2023 Under 21 GC World Championship Entry Information

The 2023 Under 21 World Championship will be held between 8 - 12 February 2023 at two clubs in Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand.

The host clubs are Croquet Mount Maunganui, 45 Kawaka Street Mount Maunganui (head-quarters), and Tauranga Croquet Club, The Domain, Cameron Road Tauranga.

Main Event
The event capacity is 32 players. Entry is free for Under 21 championships.

Age Limit

This event is only open to players who are Under 21 on 31st December 2022. The criteria is defined in section 5.1.5 of the Sports Regulations: 5.1.5 A player may compete in an Event subject to a maximum age limit if their age does not exceed the limit on the preceding 31st December.

So, anybody who is 20 or younger on 31st December 2022 may compete. Anyone who turns 21 prior to that date, may not.

Format

The format of the Championship will be:

Block play: 4 blocks of 8 players playing Bo3 matches over 3 days. Draw attached. The top 4 in each block will qualify for the Knock-Out stage.

Knock-Out: The Knock-Out Stage will comprise 16 players, with the matches best of 3 games.  The final will be a best of 5 match if time allows.  Otherwise best of three.

Plate: Entry will be open to those that do not qualify for the Knock-Out Stage.  It will consist of block play and matches will be single games. It will be followed by a knockout stage of at least semi-finals and finals which will consist of best of three games.

Bowl: Entry will be open to 1st round losers in the Knock-Out Stage. It will be a knock-out event and matches will be best of three games.

Shield: Entry will be open to the quarter-final losers in the Knock-Out Stage.  It will be a knock-out event and matches will be the best of three games.

Event Management:

Event Lead:   Graham Roberts
Tournament Director:   Geoff Young
Tournament Manager:   Sue Roberts
Assistant Manager:   Gretchen Benvie
Tournament Referee:   Gretchen Benvie

Committee Members:  Members of the organising committee are from all the clubs and have experience/expertise in event management.

The WCF Appeals Committee will be established prior to the event.

The Tournament Manager will be based at Croquet Mount Maunganui.

A Players meeting will be held at Croquet Mount Maunganui on Tuesday 7th February.

All lawns will be available for a practice session on Croquet Mount Maunganui & Tauranga, time to be advised.

Travel, Transport, Accommodation and Catering

Players will be responsible for their own accommodation: however, the organising committee will supply information on accommodation available including backpacker, motel and hotel.

The organising committee will endeavour to provide transport for players, provided funding permits, to the Croquet Club from accommodation and back, if accommodation is between Tweed Street and Mount Hot Pools Adams Ave, Mount Maunganui.   Transport will also be arranged if games are played at Tauranga Croquet Club.

Lunches will be available at Croquet Mount Maunganui or can be purchased at local bakeries.

 Social programme

There will be an official opening ceremony to welcome players and officials at the Croquet Mount Maunganui on the afternoon of 7th February at 4 p.m..  Local dignitaries will be invited to attend and a traditional Maori welcome will be arranged.

The Knock-Out Stage Draw will be carried out in public at the Croquet Mount Maunganui as soon as convenient after the completion of the block play and any play-offs.

A closing Dinner held on 12th February for presentation to Winners.

Entry Method Main Event
Players should submit their availability to their Member Governing Body in accordance with their published entry method. Any applicants from non-Member countries should email their availability, by the response date, to secretary@worldcroquet.org.

Player Contact Info & Bios
Successful entrants should note that contact details, a photograph and a short bio for the programme, must be provided to the Secretary-General as per the published timetable.

Main Event Key Dates

Invitation Date

13/07/2022

This is the date that Members will be formally invited to send players to participate in this event.

Response Date

24/08/2022

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

07/09/2022

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. 

Announcment Date

21/09/2022

MC announces recipients of Ranking Places and Wild Card Places. This is also the date that a pandemic final Go/No Go decision will be made, should it be necessary.

Closing Date

22/10/2022

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.

Player Contact Info & Bios

22/11/2022

This is the latest date by which players must provide their contact details, bio's and a headshot photo. Earlier receipt is appreciated, 

Pandemic
There is still some risk that travel or other restrictions arising as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic may cause the cancellation of the Event, although this is not anticipated unless the global situation changes. Players are advised that any expenditure incurred is at their own risk.

Players will be expected to comply with whatever rules the government and/or Croquet New Zealand and the host clubs have in place.

Further information about the event, including the venues, local accommodation and attractions, transport links and any other relevant information, will be published nearer the start date.

2022 AC World Teams Championship – Budleigh Salterton, Devon 9-14 August (updated)

Budleigh Salterton Club, venue for the AC World Teams Tiers 2.1, 2.2 and 3.

*Post updated 20th June*

There are 9 teams who have confirmed they wish to compete and who have paid their entry fees. These are Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden and Wales. With 9 teams entering we will have three tiers: 2.1, 2.2 and 3.

Tier 2.1
Wales, Scotland and Ireland will be joined by a fourth team, decided by a play-off on Monday 8th August between Sweden and Canada. When this event was last played in 2017 their match to decide the winner of Tier 2.2 was left unfinished, so this play-off is to establish which of the two teams will be promoted into Tier 2.1. Thank you to both teams for agreeing to play this extra day.

Tiers 2.2 and 3
The remaining five teams will initially be grouped together and then split into tiers 2.2 and 3 halfway through, based on performance.

Full details regarding the format of the event will be included in the Event Regulations which will be published later this year.

At this time there is no expectation that the event will be disrupted due to Covid.

Planning for this event is on-going with the Budleigh Salterton Club and English Croquet Association.