Category: Latest News

June 2014 Newsletter

WCF June 2014 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda for the coming month.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

There were no Council debates or decisions in June.

What did we do in June?

The main activities were progressing the five forthcoming WCF championships and drafting the amendments to Statutes 300 to 307 which should shorten and simplify these provisions.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2014 Over-50 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Cairo from Sunday, 5 October to Saturday, 11 October.

2014 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Cairo from Sunday, 16 November to Friday, 21 November.

2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the United Croquet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand from Sunday, 1 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  Members have requested 10 Membership Places, 29 names were put forward for 16 Ranking Places and three names for Wild Card Places.

2015 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the Mount Maunganui Croquet Club and other clubs in the Bay of Plenty region, North Island, New Zealand from Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 15 February 2015.  A Qualifying Event will be held from Tuesday, 3 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  Members have requested 31 Membership Places and 107 names were put forward for 41 Ranking Places.

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015.

Topics completed or closed in June

MC 287:           ACWTC Tier 2.1 hosting – it was agreed that Wales could offer to host the 2017 event at an English club such as Cheltenham.

Topics open or pending as at 30 June

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 279:           Request for coaching assistance from the Croquet Federation of India.

MC 280:           Request for financial assistance from the Italian Croquet Association.

MC 282:           2015 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015.

MC 284:           New WCF web-site – opportunity to review content and archiving.

MC 285:           2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 286:           Statute 301-306 amendments.

MC 288:           CroquetScores agreement.

Outlook for July

The main activity for the month will be progressing the five World Championships that will be held over the next 13 months.  The MC will shortly agree the final form of the Statute 300-306 amendments to be put to Members before the end of the month.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 15 July 2014

July 2014 Newsletter

WCF July 2014 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda for the coming month.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

Two matters were taken to Council in July.  The Croquet Federation of Belgium applied to upgrade its membership from Observer Member to Associate Member and this put to Council as Topic 21.  I am pleased to report that this was approved on 17 August.  Topic 33 concerned proposed amendments to Statutes 301 to 309 intended to re-organise and shorten the text without any significant change in intent.  These Statutes deal with the versions of croquet recognised by the WCF, responsibility for the relevant laws and rules and the regulation of individual’s ability to represent countries in WCF and other international events.  Council has been asked to respond with comments on these proposals by 28 September 2014.

What else did we do in July?

In addition to the matters above, the main activities continued to be the progressing of the five forthcoming WCF championships.  The Response Date and Allocation Date for the 2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship and the 2015 Golf Croquet World Championship itself, which are the first events to use the new allocation process set out in the WCF Sports Regulations Appendices 1 and 2, fell on 13 and 27 July respectively and were followed by the announcement of Ranking Places and Wild Card Places on 10 August.

It became necessary to find a replacement for Bernard Neal on the Hall of Fame Committee who has decided to retire.  The MC wishes to express its appreciation to Bernard for his work on the Committee, with particular reference to his attention to detail.  Andrew Hope (Scotland) has since kindly agreed to fill the vacancy.  The requests for coaching and financial assistance from India and Italy were not proceeded with.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2014 Over-50 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Cairo from Sunday, 5 October to Saturday, 11 October.

2014 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Cairo from Sunday, 16 November to Friday, 21 November.

2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the United Croquet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand from Sunday, 1 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  Members have requested 10 Membership Places, 29 names were put forward for 16 Ranking Places and three names for Wild Card Places.

2015 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the Mount Maunganui Croquet Club and other clubs in the Bay of Plenty region, North Island, New Zealand from Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 15 February 2015.  A Qualifying Event will be held from Tuesday, 3 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  Members have requested 31 Membership Places, for which nominations have to be made by 14 September 2014 and 41 Ranking Places and two Wild Card Places were awarded.  Full details can be found on the WCF web-site under World Championships.

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015.  The lifecycle of this event will begin on

Topics completed or closed in July

MC 279:           Croquet Federation of India coaching request.

MC 280:           Italian Croquet Association financial assistance request.

MC 286:           Statute 301-306 amendments – sent to Council.

MC 289:           Upgrade of Belgium membership status – sent to Council.

Topics open or pending as at 31 July

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 282:           2015 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015.

MC 284:           New WCF web-site – opportunity to review content and archiving.

MC 285:           2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 288:           CroquetScores agreement.

MC 290:           Appointment to Hall of Fame Committee following Bernard Neal’s retirement.

Outlook for August

The main activity for the month will continue to be progressing the five World Championships that will be held over the next 13 months.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 21 August 2014

October 2015 Newsletter

WCF October 2015 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

Version 4.7 of the Event Regulations came into effect on 9 October 2015.

What has happened in October?

The 2016 GC World Team Championship Response Date passed on 18 October with confirmations of participation from all eight Tier 1 teams and nine expressions of interest in Tier 2.  Consideration is being given to the possibility of holding a four team Tier 3 event.

The 2016 ACWC Closing Date passed on 25 October with 26 out of 30 requested Membership Places being taken up.

The MC elections nomination period closed on 31 October.  There are two candidates for the post of WCF President (Ian Burridge (Wales) and Amir Ramsis (Egypt)) and four candidates for three MC places (Luis de Gortazar (Spain), Mike Orgill (USA), Samir Patel (England) and Amir Ramsis (Egypt).  Full and Associate Members will have until 6 December 2015 to cast their votes and the successful candidates will begin their four-year terms of office on 1 January 2016.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 11 April to Thursday, 14 April 2016 and entry details will be posted on the WCF website in due course.  The current entry list is available now on the WCF website under World Championships.

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016.  The competing teams are Egypt (holders), England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Wales and USA.

Tier 2 will be shared between the Bath Croquet Club and the Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club from Sunday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration on Friday, 20 May 2016.  The competing teams are Australia, Belgium, Czech-Moravian Republic, Germany, Latvia, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland.

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

Both events will be held at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in April 2016.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.  Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July 2017.  The Invitation Date for the lower tiers is expected to be in October 2016.

Membership enquiries

The MC has received enquiries from Georgia, Greece and Pakistan.  Roberts Stafeckis, a MC member from Latvia, visited Georgia in late October to provide initial coaching and assess the situation.  His report to the MC is positive and an application for Observer Membership is expected.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

None

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 October 2015

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 318:           2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 320:           WCF Equipment Regulations

MC 324:           2017 AC World Team Championship, April 2017

MC 326:           WCF Event Income

MC 327:           Membership enquiry from Georgia

MC 328:           Membership status of France

MC 329:           Management Committee elections

MC 330:           WCF GC Rules Committee

MC 331:           International Laws Committee

MC 332:           International Croquet Academy, May 2016

Outlook for November

Activities will focus on the last quarter communications with Members, namely the accounts, the Management Committee report and the Business Plan.  There will also be a submission of minor amendments to the WCF Equipment Regulations to the WCF Council under the “dot release” procedure.  The Presidential and MC elections will close early in December.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 3 November 2015

February 2016 Newsletter

WCF February 2016 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

Topic 50: Consultation on Statutes 107.3 and 107.4 which deal with the operation of the WCF Golf Croquet Rules Committee.  This closed on 6 March 2016 and the results will be published shortly. 

Topic 51: The Italian Croquet Federation has applied to change its status from Associate to Observer.  This closes on 20 March 2016.

What has happened in January and February?

Gordon Smith (NZE) has retired as chairman of the WCF GC Rules Committee and Tim King (ENG) has been elected as his successor.  Croquet New Zealand has appointed Brian Boutel as its representative in Gordon’s place and the United States Croquet Association has appointed Jeff Hill to succeed Mohamed Kamal.  We thank Gordon and Mohamed for their many years of service on the committee.  The Official Rulings on the 2013 Golf Croquet Rules have been updated.

Several development initiatives have been launched.  The second Croquet Coaching Academy for WCF Members was announced in January.  It will be held at Sussex County CC, England from 3 to 6 May 2016.  The WCF is also supporting a coach training week in South Africa to be led by Dave Kibble and has organised a one-day AC coaching course immediately before the ACWC in West Palm Beach.  This is for the benefit of local US players keen to improve their AC play and will be run by Colin Irwin.

The MC approved a request for a capital grant of £1,500 from the Scottish Croquet Association to support its Balgreen Club project in Edinburgh.  The SCA has an opportunity to take over disused bowling greens and create a new club.  The WCF grant is conditional on the SCA succeeding in receiving a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 11 April to Thursday, 14 April 2016.  The current entry list is available on the WCF website together with a link to the event website.

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016.  The competing teams are Egypt (holders), England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Wales and USA.

Tier 2 will be shared between the Bath Croquet Club and the Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club from Sunday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration on Friday, 20 May 2016.  The competing teams are Australia, Belgium, Czech-Moravian Republic, Germany, Latvia, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland.

Tier 3 will be held at the Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club from Wednesday, 18 May to Friday 20 May 2016.  The competing teams are Georgia, Norway, Portugal and Russia.

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

Both events will be held at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in April 2016.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.  Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July 2017.  The Invitation Date for the lower tiers is expected to be in October 2016.

Membership enquiries

There are none to report.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 330:           WCF GC Rules Committee

MC 333:           Format of Qualifying Tournaments

MC 334:           Colour Vision Deficiency

MC 335:           2016 Business Plan

MC 336:           2016 Budget and Treasurer’s Report

MC 337:           Election of Independent Examiner

MC 338:           GC Rulings

MC 340:           Italy membership category

MC 341:           Development – AC coaching at West Palm Beach

MC 342:           Development – coach training trip to South Africa

MC 343:           Development – SCA capital grant application

Topics open, pending or under administration on 29 February 16

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 AC World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 318:           2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 324:           2017 AC World Team Championship, April 2017

MC 326:           WCF Event Income

MC 328:           Membership status of France

MC 331:           International Laws Committee

MC 339:           WCF Event and Sports Regulations

MC 344:           Development – further projects in 2016

Outlook for March

The main focus will be on final preparations for the ACWC and GC WTC and continuing with the Statute review.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 4 March 2016

December 2015 Newsletter

WCF December 2015 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

The WCF Council elected the Georgian Croquet Federation to Observer Membership on 6 December 2015 by 58 votes to nil (Topic 46) and, on 31 December 2015, approved the 2016 Business Plan by 37 votes to nil (Topic 47) and elected Christian Carter as Independent Examiner for 2016 by 47 votes to nil (Topic 48).

Christian succeeds David Walters who has served as the WCF’s Independent Examiner for the last five years.  The Management Committee would like to record its thanks to David for his work on the WCF’s behalf.

Version 6.3 of the Equipment Regulations came into effect on 26 December 2015.

What has happened in November and December?

The 2016 ACWC Closing Date passed on 25 October with 26 out of 30 requested Membership Places being taken up.

The MC elections voting period closed on 6 December.  Amir Ramsis (Egypt)) was re-elected as President after defeating Ian Burridge (Wales) by 38 votes to 19.  In consequence, Luis de Gortazar (Spain), Mike Orgill (USA) and Samir Patel (England) were all deemed to be elected to the Management Committee for the four years from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 11 April to Thursday, 14 April 2016.  The entry procedure is described on the 2016 ACWC page of the WCF website (see http://www.worldcroquet.org.uk/index.php/world-championships/2016-ac-world-championship).

The current entry list is also available now on the WCF website.

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016.  The competing teams are Egypt (holders), England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Wales and USA.

Tier 2 will be shared between the Bath Croquet Club and the Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club from Sunday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration on Friday, 20 May 2016.  The competing teams are Australia, Belgium, Czech-Moravian Republic, Germany, Latvia, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland.

The possibility of holding a Tier 3 event is under active investigation.  Teams representing Georgia, Portugal and Russia have all expressed a wish to take part.

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

Both events will be held at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in April 2016.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.  Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July 2017.  The Invitation Date for the lower tiers is expected to be in October 2016.

Membership enquiries

In addition to Georgia, recently elected as noted above, the WCF is dealing with enquiries from Greece and Pakistan.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 320:        WCF Equipment Regulations

MC 327:        Membership enquiry from Georgia

MC 329:        Management Committee elections

MC 332:        International Croquet Academy, May 2016

MC 334:           Colour Vision Deficiency

MC 335:           2016 Business Plan

MC 337:           Election of Independent Examiner

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 December 15

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 318:           2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 324:           2017 AC World Team Championship, April 2017

MC 326:           WCF Event Income

MC 328:           Membership status of France

MC 330:           WCF GC Rules Committee

MC 331:           International Laws Committee

MC 333:           Format of Qualifying Tournaments

MC 336:           2016 Budget and Treasurer’s Report

MC 338:           GC Rulings

MC 339:           WCF Event and Sports Regulations

Outlook for January

The main focus will be on stimulating and agreeing Development projects and getting the Statute review underway.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 4 January 2016

September 2015 Newsletter

WCF September 2015 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

Council approved minor amendments to the Event Regulations under the “dot release” process.  The amendments were submitted to Members on 8 September 2015 and, as no objections were raised in the following month, Version 4.7 came into effect on 9 October 2015.

What has happened in August and September?

The 2016 ACWC Response Date and Allocation Date passed on 30 August and 13 September and details of entries are given below.  The formal Invitation Date for the 2016 GC World Teams Championship was set at 18 September 2015 with a Response Date of 18 October 2015 and an Announcement Date of 1 November 2015.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 11 April to Thursday, 14 April 2016.  44 Ranking Places and two Wild Card Places were announced on 27 September 2015 and full details are available on the WCF website.  Members requested 30 Membership Places in total and have until 25 October 2015 to nominate players to fill these places.

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016.  Tier 2 will be shared between the Bath Croquet Club and the Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club from Sunday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration.  The Invitation Date was 18 September 2015 and the Response Date is 18 October 2015.  The announcement of the teams taking part will be made in early November.

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

Both events will be held at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in April 2016.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.  Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July 2017.  The Invitation Date for the lower tiers is expected to be in October 2016.

Membership enquiries

The MC has received enquiries from Georgia, Greece and Pakistan.  The Greek and Pakistani enquiries have not progressed so far but the Georgian approach seems promising.  Roberts Stafeckis, a MC member from Latvia, will visit Georgia in late October to provide initial coaching and assess the situation.


 

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

MC 314:           Women’s GC World Team Championship

MC 319:           WCF Event Regulations

MC 321:           WCF Refereeing Regulations

MC 322:           WCF Sports Regulations

Topics open, pending or under administration on 30 September 2015

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 318:           2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 320:           WCF Equipment Regulations

MC 324:           2017 AC World Team Championship

MC 326:           WCF Event Income

MC 327:           Membership enquiry from Georgia

MC 328:           Membership status of France

MC 329:           Management Committee elections

MC 330:           WCF GC Rules Committee

MC 331:           International Laws Committee

Outlook for October and November

Activities will focus on the last quarter communications with Members, namely the accounts, the Management Committee report and the Business Plan.  There will also be a submission of minor amendments to the WCF Equipment Regulations to the WCF Council under the “dot release” procedure.

In relation to the immediately forthcoming World Championships, the 2016 ACWC Closing Date will occur on 25 October and the Membership Places and any Replacement Ranking Places will be announced shortly afterwards.  The teams competing in the 2016 GC World Team Championship Tiers 1 and 2 will be announced in early November 2015.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 17 October 2015

July 2015 Newsletter

WCF July 2015 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

Council approved amendments to the Equipment Regulations on 21 July 2015 by 47-0 (Topic 44) and amendments to the Event, Refereeing and Sports Regulations on the same date by 46-2 (Topic 45).  The new versions are available on the WCF website.

What has happened in June and July?

The main event was the very successful holding of the Women’s Association Croquet World Championship at Nottingham.  36 players took part and Miranda Chapman, representing England, defeated Gabrielle Higgins, also representing England, in five games (-10, +4, -23, +26, +26tp) became the new champion.  Many congratulations to both players and to the club and its organising committee for putting on such an enjoyable, efficient and well-publicised event.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 11 April to Thursday, 14 April 2016.  The Invitation Date was Sunday, 28 June 2015 and the Response Date is Sunday, 30 August 2015.  More details are available on the WCF website.

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016.  Tier 2 will be shared between the Bath Croquet Club and the Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club from Sunday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration.  The Invitation Date will be in August 2015 and more details will be available on the WCF website in due course.

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

The Management Committee has accepted the ACA bid to host both events at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in April 2016.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.  Interest in holding Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 has been expressed by two venues in England.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 323:           Membership enquiry from Pakistan

MC 325:           Membership enquiry from Greece

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 May 2015

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 314:           Women’s GC World Team Championship

MC 318:           2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 319:           WCF Event Regulations

MC 320:           WCF Equipment Regulations

MC 321:           WCF Refereeing Regulations

MC 322:           WCF Sports Regulations

MC 324:           2017 AC World Team Championship

Outlook for August and September

The main activity will be completing a set of minor improvements to the WCF Equipment and Event Regulations and submitting them to the WCF Council under the “dot release” procedure.  On the World Championship front, the 2016 ACWC Response Date will occur on 30 August and lead to the publication of the Ranking and Wild Card Places shortly after 14 September.  The formal Invitation Date for the 2016 GC World Team Championship will also be published in this period although there have already been extensive discussions with the teams expected to take part.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 14 August 2015

May 2015 Newsletter

WCF May 2015 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

The WCF Council approved two recommendations from the MC, namely that Palestine’s Observer Membership be terminated (Topic 42) and to adopt a policy confirming that Regulations applicable to a WCF Event should not be varied in relation to that Event during its lifecycle (Topic 43).

What has happened in April and May?

The MC is pleased to report that the Event Agreement for the 2016 AC World Championship has been signed, that the 2016 GC World Team Championship will be held in England.  The Australian Croquet Association has offered to host the 2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under-21 GC World Championship at Cairnlea in Victoria.  Details are given below.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015 with a field of 36 players.  The names of the 32 players with Ranking Places, Wild Card Places and Membership Places are available on the WCF website under World Championships.  The remaining four places will be determined by the Qualifying Tournament to be held at the Nailsea Croquet Club, near Bristol, from Saturday, 18 July to Monday, 20 July 2015.

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016.  The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 11 April to Thursday, 14 April 2016.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in June 2015 and more details will be available on the WCF website in due course.

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016.  Tier 2 will be shared between the Bath Croquet Club and the Camerton & Peasdown Croquet Club from Sunday, 15 May to Friday, 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in July 2016 and more details will be available on the WCF website in due course.

2017 Golf Croquet World Championship and Under 21 GC World Championship

The ACA has offered to host both events at the Victorian Croquet Association headquarters at Cairnlea, in the western suburbs of Melbourne.  The Under 21 will run from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 February 2017 and the Qualifying Tournament from Monday 20 to Wednesday 22 February 2017.  The main event will begin on Saturday 25 February 2017 and end on Sunday 5 March 2017.  The Invitation Date is expected to be in April 2016.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from 18 April 2017 to 4 May 2017.  Interest in holding Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 has been expressed by two venues in England.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 251:           2014 Women’s GCWC

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 282:           2015 GCWC

MC 284:           New WCF web-site

MC 285:           2015 Under 21 GCWC

MC 311:           Regulation policy

MC 312:           2015 GCWC Qualifier Places

MC 315:           Management Committee vacancy

MC 316:           Refereeing Regulations – amendment of Reg 3(d)

MC 317:           WCF anti-doping policy – response to Scottish CA

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 May 2015

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 314:           Women’s GC World Team Championship

MC 318:           2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC, February 2017

MC 319:           WCF Event Regulations

MC 320:           WCF Equipment Regulations

MC 321:           WCF Refereeing Regulations

MC 322:           WCF Sports Regulations

MC 323:           Membership enquiry from Pakistan

Outlook for June and July

The main activities will be completing a set of generally minor revisions to the WCF Event, Equipment, Refereeing and Sports Regulations and submitting them to the WCF Council.  A first draft of revised WCF Statutes will be considered by the MC and it is planned to submit them to Council in July or August.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 4 June 2015

March 2015 Newsletter

WCF March 2015 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future. Your comments are always very welcome. It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

The WCF Council is currently deliberating on two topics with a closing date of 12 April. Topic 42 is a recommendation from the MC that Palestine’s Observer Membership be terminated as, unfortunately, it seems that there has been no organised croquet activity there for some time. Topic 43 is a recommendation from the MC to adopt a policy confirming that Regulations applicable to a WCF Event should not be varied in relation to that Event during its lifecycle.

What has happened in March?

The player surveys from the three recent Golf Croquet World Championships have now been analysed. A total of 37 players replied (Women’s GCWC 10, U21 GCWC 5 and GCWC 22) and the MC is grateful to them all for expressing their views. A summary is available on the WCF websites.

Perhaps the most interesting results were in relation to questions asking for comments on the use of the Atkins Quadway hoops, the use of the Block Seniority Method for seeding the knock-out stage and about the GC wrong ball law, Rule 11. The use of Atkins hoops in the U21 GCWC and GCWC was supported by 17 players and opposed by six (four did not comment) and the Block Seniority Method was approved of by 28 players and disapproved of by nine. The wrong ball rule was supported by 23 players and disapproved of by 14.

The dates of the next Association Croquet World Championship in April 2016 were settled and are given below. An active discussion of how best to stage the Golf Croquet World Team Championship was required after Egypt suggested that March 2016 in Cairo would not be feasible. The MC is pleased to report that the (English) Croquet Association has agreed to host both Tier 1 and Tier 2 in May 2016.

Keith Aiton resigned from the MC and Samir Patel has been co-opted to fill the vacancy. Samir and three other MC members will retire on 31 December 2015 but will be eligible for re-election. Keith was first elected in 2007 and the MC is very grateful to him for his years of service to the WCF.

The new web-site has been delivered with a more interesting and marketing-focussed home page and simpler navigation. It is now active and can be found at http://www.worldcroquet.org.uk. The current and new web-sites will be run in parallel until the new site is fully populated with archive data. Suggestions regarding the layout and content will be welcome.

Recent and forthcoming WCF championships

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015. The Event capacity has been increased to 36 players. The names of the 32 players with Ranking Places, Wild Card Places and Membership Places are available on the WCF website under World Championships.

2016 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the National Croquet Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida from Saturday, 16 April to Sunday, 24 April 2016. The Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 11 April to Thursday, 14 April 2016. Please note the revised dates which are six days earlier than announced last month in order to oblige the NCC. The Invitation Date is expected to be in June 2015. More details will be available on the WCF website in due course.

2016 Golf Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1 will be held at the Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15 May to Saturday, 21 May 2016. Tier 2 will be held elsewhere in southern England from 14 or 15 May to 20 May 2016 with the intention that players from teams in both tiers can meet for a combined championship celebration.

MC Topics completed or closed in March

MC 251:           2014 Women’s GCWC

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 282:           2015 GCWC

MC 284:           New WCF web-site

MC 285:           2015 Under 21 GCWC

MC 311:           Regulation policy

MC 312:           2015 GCWC Qualifier Places

MC 315:           Management Committee vacancy

MC 316:           Refereeing Regulations – amendment of Reg 3(d)

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 March 2015

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship, April 2016

MC 313:           2016 GC World Team Championship, May 2016

MC 314:           Women’s GC World Team Championship.

Outlook for April

The main activities for the month will be focussed on the Statute Review and the early administration of the 2016 ACWC and 2016 GC WTC.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 3April 2015

October 2014 Newsletter

WCF October 2014 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future.  Your comments are always very welcome.  It is also made available to all on the WCF web-site and via the Nottingham list and other croquet bulletin boards.

Council debates and decisions

Three WCF Topics were published to Members and two have reached their closing dates and received responses.  Topic 33 concerned proposed amendments to current Statutes 301 to 309 intended to re-organise and shorten the text without any significant change in intent.  These Statutes deal with the versions of croquet recognised by the WCF, responsibility for the relevant laws and rules and the regulation of individual’s ability to represent countries in WCF and other international events.  Comments have now been received from several Members and these are now under review.  Topic 34 received Member support for a MC proposal to advertise future WCF Topics on the WCF website and e-mail lists.  The text of the Topic will be published on the WCF website so that individuals with an interest or experience in the subject-matter will be able to pass on their views to their WCF Member and so help to develop that Member’s contribution to the Topic discussion.  This will be trialled throughout 2015.  Topic 35 is open and seeks Members’ views on the appropriate refund policy to adopt when players withdraw from a World Championship having already paid their entry fee.

What has been happening since July?

The main activity was the administration and preparation for the five forthcoming WCF championships and details of these events are given in the following section.  Other MC matters included seeking agreement for the long-term support of CroquetScores and agreeing that the WCF should seek to appoint a Golf Croquet Ranking Officer to complement the role of the existing AC Ranking Officer and to appoint Assistant Ranking Officers for both AC and GC to reduce the “key person” risk that currently exists.  The scope of the forthcoming WCF Statute Review has been under consideration and is expected to include a review of the existing WCF and MC sub-committees as well as the role of the WCF in relation to the MacRobertson Shield and the International Laws Committee.

Recent and forthcoming WCF championships

2014 Over-50 Golf Croquet World Championship

This was held at the Egyptian Croquet Federation lawns and at the Gizera Croquet Club in Zamalek, Cairo from Sunday, 5 October to Saturday, 11 October.  36 competitors from Australia, Egypt, England, Ireland, Latvia, Scotland, Spain, South Africa and USA took part and enjoyed glorious weather.  16 players progressed to the knock-out stage.  The second Over-50 Golf Croquet World Champion is Salah Hassan of Egypt who defeated Hazem Mahmoud, also of Egypt, in the final.  Salah is a former double Golf Croquet World Champion, in 1997 and 2000.

2014 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Cairo from Sunday, 16 November to Friday, 21 November.  The Event Capacity is 40 players and competitors will represent Australia, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland and the USA.

2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the United Croquet Club, Christchurch, New Zealand from Sunday, 1 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 28 and Ranking Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Egypt, England and New Zealand.

2015 Golf Croquet World Championship

This will be held at the Mount Maunganui Croquet Club and other clubs in the Bay of Plenty region, North Island, New Zealand from Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 15 February 2015.  A Qualifying Event will be held from Tuesday, 3 February to Thursday, 5 February 2015.  The Event Capacity is 80 and Ranking Places, Wild Card Places and Membership Places have been awarded to competitors representing Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.  Full details can be found on the WCF web-site under World Championships.

2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Nottingham from Saturday, 25 July to Saturday, 1 August 2015.  The Event capacity is 32 players and the Response Date by which Members must inform the WCF if they wish to be awarded Membership Places is Sunday, 23 November 2014.

MC Topics completed or closed

MC 279:           Croquet Federation of India coaching request.

MC 280:           Italian Croquet Association financial assistance request.

MC 286:           Statute 301-306 amendments – sent to Council for comment as Topic 33.

MC 287:           Hosting of 2017 AC WTC Tier 2.1.

MC 289:           Upgrade of Belgium membership status – approved by Council.

MC 290:           Appointment of Andrew Hope to Hall of Fame Committee.

MC 292:           Review of WCF and MC sub-committees – incorporated in Statute Review.

MC 293:           Member consultation practices – resolved through WCF Topic 34.

Topics open, pending or under administration on 31 October 2015

MC 278:           Review of croquet activity among Members.

MC 282:           2015 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 283:           2015 Women’s Association Croquet World Championship, July 2015.

MC 284:           New WCF web-site.

MC 285:           2015 Under-21 Golf Croquet World Championship, February 2015.

MC 288:           CroquetScores agreement.

MC 291:           Appointment of GC Ranking Officer and Assistant Ranking Officers.

MC 294:           Governance Working Group.

MC 295:           2016 Association Croquet World Championship – USCA bid expected soon.

MC 296:           Review of methods of making economic foreign payments.

MC 297:           Entry fees refunds policy – submitted to Council as Topic 35.

MC 298:           2010 MacRobertson Shield medals – MC agreed to award these retrospectively.

MC 299:           2015 WCF Annual General Meeting – will be held during 2015 GCWC.

MC 300:           2015 Business Plan to be published in draft to Members in November.

MC 301:           Statutes 301 to 304 – Topic 33 comments to be incorporated in revised draft.

MC 302:           Advertising of consultations and proposals – approved under Topic 34.

MC 303:           2014 Hall of Fame inductees to be announced in 2014Q4.

Outlook for November

The main activities for the month will be continuing to administer the forthcoming World Championships, finalising the revision of Statutes 301 to 307 for submission to Council, beginning the review of the WCF Statutes and preparing the 2015 Business Plan and Budget.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General 2 November 2014