June 2023 Newsletter

Rachel Gee is presented with the 2023 European GC Championship salver by Ian Burridge, President of the WCF.

Congratulations to Rachel Gee - winner of the 2023 European GC Championship

This European event was held between 25-28th May at the Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club in Devon, England. A field of 32 keen GC players attended the event.

Rachel Gee beat Aston Wade, last year's winner, in the final in 3 games 7-3, 6-7, 7-2.

Full report to follow soon.

For the results see: Results in Croquet Scores

 

New WCF President required from 1st January 2024

Ian Burridge has indicated that he does not intend to stand for a second term when his current 4-year term as WCF President finishes at the end of this year.

Those interested in developing our sport are invited to get in touch now to find out more about what is involved. Please email the Secretary-General at secretary@worldcroquet.org for more information.

The formal process for applications is via Member nominations and this process will start later in the year.

Coming up soon!

2023 AC World Championship

Click image to go to the Event Website

The 2023 Championship will take place in London, England between 15-23 July. Plans are well under way to welcome players from around the world to this championship. Can holder Reg Bamford retain his trophy or will someone new step up to take the title?

To find out how to spectate at any of the 7 event venues, please see the dedicated event website: 2023 AC World Championship Website

2023 GC Women’s World Championship

Click image to go to the Event website

The 2023 Championship will take place in Sussex, England between 7 -14 August.

For more information about the event please visit the dedicated event website or the Facebook page: 2023 GC Women's World Championship Facebook

 

Qualifier Entries:

The AC World Championship still has spaces but the GC Women’s is now full (although you can be added to the Reserve List).

To enter either qualifier go to the English CA Fixtures Calendar, which is found on the Compete page of the CA Website. To enter you must first register for (or renew) a Reciprocal Rights Account. If you have any problems, you can contact the CA Office (caoffice.org.uk) for assistance. Once submitted, the office should take approximately one working day to provide the necessary access so that you may enter online.

Later this year

GC Over 50 World Championship

Click image to go to the Event Website

The GC Over 50 Championship will take place in Bunbury, Western Australia, between 14-21 October. This will be the last Over 50’s event following a recent decision that in future the minimum age will change to 60.

This event also has a Facebook page: GC World Over 50 Bunbury 2023

There are two qualifiers, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast. See this post for more information and how to enter: O50's Qualifier entry information

 

Hosts wanted for future events
The forward calendar for the next 12 years can be viewed on the Upcoming Events page of this website. Clubs interested in hosting any of our events should make their interest known via their Governing Body, who will then indicate their interest in hosting the event.

In particular, we’d like to receive bids for the 2026 GC World Championship and the 2027 AC World Championship.

Dawson Balls update
The original Dawson ball recipe went out of production following changes to Australian product regulations which banned one of the substances used. Testing continues to recreate a recipe that meets the specification. The WCF has been advised that there has been some success.

The supplier advises that balls should be back on sale by October at which point balls will be sent to the WCF for approval.

2023 GC Over 50’s Championship Qualifier Entry Information

The ACA have now released entry information for the two qualifying tournaments for the Over 50's Championship:

- Western Australia, Cambridge Croquet Club, Sunday 8th October to Wednesday 11th October 2023.  Download the pdf for information on how to enter:  2023 Over 50 GC Qualifier Flier - Cambridge

- Eastern Australia ,Cairnlea Victoria, Tuesday 26th to Thursday 28th September 2023. Download the pdf for information on how to enter: 2023 Over 50 GC Qualifier Flier - Cairnlea

If extra places for the main event become available after the main cut-off date of 27th August, then these will all come from the West Coast qualifier.

2023 GC Over 50’s Championship Player List *updated 22nd May*

Update 22nd May 2023

Matt Griffith, USA has accepted the Replacement Ranking Place available.

Over 50's Breakdown by Country, Player List and RRL as at 22.5.23


12th May 2023

The 2023 GC Over 50's World Championship is due to be held in Western Australia between Saturday 14th October 2023 to Saturday 21st October 2023.

The closing date for Members to nominate players for their Membership places was end of 12th May 2023 (UK time).

At the closing date Sweden did not provide a nominee for one of their member places. This place has therefore been released and is currently on offer to the highest ranked player on the Replacement Ranking List.

The file below shows the complete list of current players in receipt of either a Membership Place (23 players) or Ranking Place (20). It also includes the Replacement Ranking list as at end 12th May 2023.

Over 50's Breakdown by Country, Player List and RRL as at 12.5.23

Age Restriction
Members and Players are reminded that there is an Age Restriction for this event. Entrants must be 50 or over on the start date of the event.  “Sports Regulations - Clause 5.1.6.  A player may compete in an Event subject to a minimum age limit if they have attained the minimum age on the first day of the Event.”

Any players on the list who don’t meet this requirement should immediately notify their Member and the Secretary-General of their ineligibility and withdrawal.

Qualification Events
There are four places remaining which will be awarded to the qualifiers from the two Qualification Events. These will take place in 1) Western Australia, Cambridge Croquet Club, Sunday 8th October to Wednesday 11th October 2023; and 2) Eastern Australia ,Cairnlea Victoria, Tuesday 26th to Thursday 28th September 2023. If extra places for the main event become available after the main cut-off date of 27th August, then these will all come from the West Coast qualifier.

Those interested in playing in either of the qualifiers should enter via the ACA website which is due to go live shortly.

Entry Fees are now due
The entry fee of £136 per entrant is now requested and must be paid by 12th June 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.

Players will be emailed our bank details via their Member and are requested to pay by this method if at all possible as PayPal incurs costly fees. Please ensure that 4 or 5 days are allowed for the payment to work its way through the banking system. Per the Regulations, the money needs to have arrived in our bank account by the due date.

If unable to pay in this way, you can pay by PayPal, details for which can be found on this link: https://worldcroquet.org/2023-gc-over-50s-world-championship-entry-fees/

Player Information

The following information is required from all the above competing players by 10th June 2023 (or sooner please if available).

  • A recent well-lit and good quality 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: https://worldcroquet.org/2023-gc-over-50s-world-championship-player-information/

Please note that at other recent events some of the photos received have been out of focus, poor resolution or with poor content. Please can all players send a good photo first time as this will avoid the event organisers needing to revert back to request better.

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 West Coast Qualifier closing date of 23rd September 2023, the place becomes an extra qualifier from the Qualification tournament.

Withdrawal by a player who received a Ranking place: when a player withdraws, if this is before the cut-off date of 27th August 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.

John Prince – livestream of Memorial Service

Croquet New Zealand have shared details of the Memoral Service as follows:

Memorial Service: Saturday 26th August at 11.30am (NZ time)

Venue:  Stonehaven, CHB Funeral Services, 10 Peel Street, Waipukurau, New Zealand.

The memorial service is expected to be streamed live and also made available online after the service.

A link will be shared on this post once it becomes available.

2023 Women’s GC Championship – Player List *updated 15th May*

15th May Update

Following a withdrawal, Spaniard Susana Romero has accepted a replacement ranking place.

Breakdown of Places, Player List and Replacement Ranking List as at end 15th May 2023


21st April Update

Following two withdrawals, two Australian players have been accepted places: Pam Barnwell and Virginia Arney.

Breakdown of Places and Player List as at end 21st April 2023


5th April Update

South African Christine Wakeham has withdrawn and been replaced by Lindsey Hobbs. There are no other changes and rankings shown are still as at 30.3.23.

2023 GC Women's Player List and Replacement List - 5th April

 


30th March Update

Please find attached the latest list of players and the Replacement Ranking list.

2023 GC Women's Player List and Replacement List - 30th March


14.3.23
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. Place released.

- 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 AC World Championship – Places *updated 10.5.23*

10.5.23 Update

Following another withdrawal, please see the updated list. Also an updated Replacement Ranking List.

Breakdown of Places and Player List 10 May 23

10.5.23 Replacement Ranking List


16.4.23 Update

Following another withdrawal, please see the updated list. Also an updated Replacement Ranking List.

Breakdown of Places and Player List as at 16.4.23

16.4.23 Replacement Ranking List


9.3.23 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.

GC Country Rankings as at 31st March 2023

The latest GC Team Rankings (as at 31 March 2023) are:

Position

Country

Average

Players

1

Egypt

2,558

6

2

England

2,488

6

3

USA

2,397

6

4

New Zealand

2383

6

5

Spain

2,351

6

6

Australia

2,297

6

7

South Africa

2,278

6

8

Wales

2,198

6

9

Ireland

2,182

6

10

Canada

2,110

6

11

Germany

2,090

6

12

Sweden

2,056

6

13

Latvia

2,034

6

14

Switzerland

2,029

6

15

Scotland

1,995

6

16

Czech Republic

1,923

6

17

Norway

1,901

6

18

Mexico

1,751

6

19

Austria

1,882

5

20

Finland

1,755

5

21

Portugal

1,960

2

22

Belgium

2,243

1

23

Uruguay

1,805

1

AC Country Rankings as at 31st March 2023

The latest AC Team Rankings (as at 31 March 2023) are:

Position

Country

Average Grade

Players

1

England

2523

6

2

Australia

2511

6

3

New Zealand

2501

6

4

USA

2388

6

5

Wales

2155

6

6

Scotland

2145

6

7

Ireland

2130

6

8

South Africa

1957

6

9

Canada

1914

6

10

Sweden

1689

6

11

Germany

1551

6

12

Austria

1521

6

13

Czech Republic

1310

6

14

Switzerland

1772

3

15

Spain

1758

3

16

Iran

2150

1

17

Jersey

2120

1

18

Mexico

1761

1

2023 GC Over 50’s Championship Ranking Places Announcement

The 2023 GC Over 50's World Championship is due to be held in Western Australia between Saturday 14th October 2023 to Saturday 21st October 2023.

The Allocation date for this Championship was 29th March 2023. The Management Committee have agreed the following allocation of places for this 48 person event:

20 Full Member Places
4 Associate Member Places
4 Qualifier Places
20 Ranking Places

Ranking Places: The 20 Ranking Places have been awarded to the players in the file below, based on the Initial Ranking List dated end of 29th March 2023. This is based on their Max DG ranking over 12 months as per Sports Regulations Appendix 2, clause 2.3.

Age Restriction! Members and Players are reminded that all entrants for this event must be over 50 on the start date of the event.

Sports Regulations - Clause 5.1.6.  A player may compete in an Event subject to a minimum age limit if they have attained the minimum age on the first day of the Event.

The file below includes 3 tabs: i) a breakdown of places by country; ii) a listing of those awarded a Ranking Place; and iii) the Replacement Ranking List as at 29.3.23

Over 50's Breakdown by Country and Ranking Places as at 29th March 2023

Members are recommended to download this file to check the number of places they have been awarded, and to advise their players.

Entry Fees: Players are advised that the entry fee of £136 should be paid by 12th June 2023 at the latest. Details of how and when to pay will be emailed out to players via their Members after the Closing date of 12th May, once the Member Places have also been allocated.

Player Information and Bio’s: these will be due on 10th June 2023. Information on how to send this will be provided after the Closing Date. Players are reminded that it is a condition of entry to provide this information when requested.

Member Places notification: Members should send the Secretary-General the names of players to be nominated for their Member Places by 12th May 2023 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.

Withdrawals: The cut-off date for this event is 27th August 2023. If players with a Member Place drop out before this date, Members have 14 days (or until 27th August) to nominate a replacement. 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 the 27th August 2023, any places returned will result in additional places awarded through the Qualifying Event to be held in Western Australia between 8-11 October 2023.