WCF March 2019 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee (MC) has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future. 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 78

Following the consultation on WCF membership structure in Topic 74, the WCF Council approved amended proposals to alter the WCF membership structure by 52 votes to 1. There are now Full and Associate Members and Recognised Croquet Organisations (“RCOs”). It is hoped to add several new RCOs to the list in the next few months. It is possible to have more than one RCO in a country which does not have a Member. This is clearly appropriate for very large countries such as China and India. The intention is that the greater flexibility attached to RCO status will enable the WCF to be more active in supporting the development of croquet.

What has happened since December?

World Championship administration activities covered the final stages of preparation for the 2019 Women’s GCWC in February and the management of the timetable for the 2019 Under 21 GCWC and the 2019 GC World Championship.

The other issues dealt with by the MC are set out in the list of MC topics that have required attention and resolution and can be found at the end of this Newsletter.

2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

The sixth Women’s GC World Championship was held from 2 to 9 February 2019 in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand at the Heretaunga and Marewa Croquet Clubs. 56 competitors took part representing eight countries - Australia, Egypt, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain and USA.

The semi-finals provided two titanic struggles. Soha Mostafa (EGY) took the first two games from Jenny Clarke (NZL) by 7-3, 7-4 but was then hauled back by 7-6, 7-4. The final game went to the 13th hoop and Soha emerged the winner 7-6. In the other match, Iman El Faransawy (EGY), the 2007 women’s world champion, also took the first two games 7-3, 7-6. But her opponent, Manal Khodeir (EGY), then staged a dramatic recovery and swept to victory 7-2, 7-6, 7-3.

In the final, Soha started as the favourite to take the title but had to play at her best to beat Manal 7-1, 5-7, 7-6, 7-3 and so become the first Egyptian to hold the women’s world title since Iman in 2007.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2019 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship

The 2019 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship will be held at the Nottingham Croquet Club from Saturday, 20 July to Wednesday, 24 July 2019.

2019 Golf Croquet World Championship

The 2019 Golf Croquet World Championship will be held at the Sussex County Croquet Club from Saturday, 27 July to Sunday, 4 August 2019.  Four places are reserved for the highest finishers in a Qualifying Tournament at Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club from 22 to 25 July 2019. 

2020 Golf Croquet World Team Championship – Tier 1

Tier 1 of the 2020 GCWTC will be held at the Nelson-Hinemoa Croquet Club on the north coast of New Zealand’s South Island from 6 to 12 January 2020. Australia, Egypt, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the USA have all confirmed their intention to send a team.

2020 Association Croquet World Championship

The 2020 ACWC will be held at the Victorian Croquet Centre near Melbourne from 15 to 23 February 2020. Formal invitations to participate will be sent to Members in April 2019.

Membership and RCO enquiries

There are no current Membership enquiries but several croquet bodies which are potential candidates for RCO status are in contact with the WCF, hailing from China, Greece, India, Iran, Mexico, Montenegro and Pakistan.

Management Committee topics

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 369:     2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 371:     Format of World Team Championships

MC 389:     WCF membership structure

MC Topics currently open

MC 352:     10-year World Championship schedule

MC 386:     Commonwealth Games

MC 390:     2020 GCWTC Tier 1 (Openshaw Shield) (NZL)

MC 392:     2020 GCWTC Tier 2/3 (ESP)

MC 393:     2020 WACWC (was MC 382)

MC 394:     2021 U21 GCWC

MC 395:     2021 GCWC

MC Topics currently under administration

MC 362:     2019 U21 GCWC and Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 365:     Hall of Fame relaunch

MC 377:     GC Rankings development

MC 391:     2020 Association Croquet World Championship (was MC 381)

MC 396:     2021 ACWTC Tier 1 (MacRob)(AUS) (was MC 384)

MC 397:     2021 ACWTC Tier 2 (ENG)

Outlook for April and beyond

The MC’s priorities will be on development via the RCO dimension, managing the approach to the 2019 Under 21 GCWC and the 2019 GCWC and issuing the formal invitations for the 2020 ACWC and 2020 GC WTC Tier 2/3.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

16 April 2019

WCF December 2018 Newsletter

The newsletter provides a summary for WCF Members of what the Management Committee (MC) has been doing recently and what is on the agenda in the near future. 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 73:      Election of WCF Treasurer

An election for the post of WCF Treasurer made necessary by the decision of Martin French to retire at the end of 2018. The WCF was fortunate to have two very well-qualified candidates in Lorraine Smith (AUS) and Yousry Ghamry (EGY). Yousry was the successful candidate with 31 votes to Lorraine’s 22 votes.

Topic 74:      Consultation on the WCF membership structure

The MC sought and received Members’ views on a change of structure to reclassify Observer Members as Recognised Croquet Organisations (“RCOs”) and permit more than one RCO to be recognised in a country without a Full or Associate Member.

Topic 75:      2019 Budget

The 2019 Budget was approved by 36 votes to nil.

Topic 76:      Election of Independent Examiner

Brian Havill [ENG] was elected Independent Examiner for 2019 by 27 votes to nil.

Topic 77:       Amendment of WCF Refereeing Regulations

Two amendments have been recommended to align the regulations with the 5^th Edition of the WCF Rules of Golf Croquet.

What has happened since September?

World Championship administration activities covered the final stages of preparation for the 2018 Over 50 GCWC, the management of entries for the 2019 Women’s GCWC and the start of the timetable for the 2019 Under 21 GCWC and the 2019 GC World Championship. Ranking Places were announced for both the latter events on 30 December 2018.

The final quarter routine included preparing and publishing the previous year’s accounts, the following year’s budget and the MC Report to Members on the year’s activities. A picture of the range of other issues dealt with by the MC is given by the list of MC topics that have required attention and resolution and can be found at the end of this Newsletter.

2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

This event is held every four years and this was its third holding, again generously hosted by the Egyptian Croquet Federation in Cairo using its own courts and with the support of the Gizera Club which provided another three courts. The 2018 event attracted 48 competitors from ten countries - Australia, Egypt, England, Ireland, Latvia, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden and USA.

The championship was won by Hanan Rashad of Egypt who thereby became the first woman to win a WCF world title in an event open to both sexes.

32 players progressed to the knock-out stage. Nine countries were represented in the last 32 but this fell to only three (EGY, ENG and USA) by the quarter-finals with the hosts, Egypt, claiming six of the eight places.

Stephen Mulliner (ENG) beat Wael Shahine (EGY), Hanan Rashad (EGY) beat Ayman Amin (EGY), Yasser Fathy (EGY) beat Sherif Abdelwahab (USA) and Hazem Mahmoud (EGY) beat Salib Erian (EGY). In the semi-finals, Hanan Rashad beat Mulliner 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 and Yasser Fathy overcame Hazem Mahmoud by 7-2, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6.

It was felt by the numerous spectators that Hanan Rashad needed a good start to have a real chance of victory. Although she started brightly by taking the opening game, Yasser Fathy took the next two and seemed well set. However, to Hanan’s great credit, she maintained her resolve and won the last two games 7-4, 7-5 to seal a famous victory.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

The 2019 Women’s GCWC will be held at the Heretaunga Club in Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand from Saturday, 2 February to Saturday, 9 February 2019. A Qualifying Tournament will be held at the Rangatira Club, Dannevirke, North Island , New Zealand from Wednesday, 30 to Thursday, 31 January 2019.

2019 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship

The 2019 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship will be held at the Nottingham Croquet Club from Saturday, 20 July to Wednesday, 24 July 2019. 10 Ranking Places have been awarded and Members have until 27 January to nominate a total of 14 players for Membership Places.

2019 Golf Croquet World Championship

The 2019 Golf Croquet World Championship will be held at the Sussex County Croquet Club from Saturday, 27 July to Sunday, 4 August 2019. 37 Ranking Places and two Wild Card Places have been awarded and Members have until 27 January to nominate a total of 37 players for Membership Places. Four places are reserved for the highest finishers in a Qualifying Tournament.

2020 Golf Croquet World Team Championship – Tier 1

Tier 1 of the 2020 GCWTC will be held at the Nelson-Hinemoa Croquet Club on the north coast of New Zealand’s South Island from Monday, 6 to Sunday,12 January 2020. Formal invitations to participate will be sent to Members in March 2019.

2020 Association Croquet World Championship

The 2020 ACWC will be held at the Victorian Croquet Centre near Melbourne from  Saturday,15 to Sunday, 23 February 2020. Formal invitations to participate will be sent to Members in April 2019.

Membership enquiries

There are none active at present.

Management Committee topics

Topics recently completed or closed

MC 325:       Enquiry from Corfu Croquet Club

MC 354:       2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 367:       Portugal

MC 368:       2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 376:       Statute and Regulation amendments

MC 387:       WCF Treasurer vacancy

MC 388:       Eligibility issue

MC 398:       Child protection policy

MC 399:       2019 Budget

MC 400:       Reserve Funds investment

MC 401:       Refereeing Regulations amendments

MC 402:       Management Committee report

MC Topics currently open

MC 352:       10-year World Championship schedule

MC 384:       2021 MacRobertson Shield

MC 386:      Commonwealth Games

MC 389:       WCF membership structure

MC 390:       2020 GCWTC Tier 1 (NZL)

MC 392:       2020 GCWTC Tier 2/3 (ENG)

MC 393:       2020 WACWC (was MC 382)

MC 394:       2021 U21 GCWC

MC 395:       2021 GCWC

MC Topics currently under administration or pending

MC 362:       2019 U21 GCWC and Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 365:       Hall of Fame relaunch

MC 369:       2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 371:       Format of World Team Championships

MC 377:       GC Rankings development

MC 391:       2020 Association Croquet World Championship (was MC 381)

MC 396:       2021 ACWTC Tier 1 (MacRob)(AUS) (was MC 384)

MC 397:       2021 ACWTC Tier 2 (ENG)

Outlook for January and beyond

The MC’s main focus will be on following-up the response to Topic 74 (WCF membership structure), managing or overseeing the final arrangements for the 2019 Women’s GCWC including pre-event communication with the players. Other tasks will include progressing the administration of the 2019 Under 21 GCWC and the 2019 GCWC and issuing the formal invitations for the 2020 GC WTC and 2020 ACWC.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

16 January 2019

WCF February 2018 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. 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 Council approved the 2017 Treasurer's Report and the 2018 Budget (Topic 65) and elected Brian Havill (ENG) to be the Independent Eaxminer for 2018 (Topic 66).

What has happened since November?

The 2018 AC World Championship was held in Wellington, New Zealand from Saturday, 3 to Sunday, 11 February 2018. Paddy Chapman (New Zealand) defeated Reg Bamford (South Africa) +7tp, -26tp, -26tp, +15tp, +17tp in a gripping final to become the new Association Croquet World Champion.

The semi-finalists were Jose Riva (ESP) and Stephen Mulliner (ENG), the defending champion, and the winners of the Shield, Bowl and Plate events were respectively Greg Fletcher (AUS), Jonathan Powe (ENG) and Stephen Morgan (USA).

The Golf Croquet Ranking Review Working Group produced a report recommending that the WCF assume responsibility for the Golf Croquet rankings and that a new algorithm and automatic start grade adjustment be adopted. The Report and other proposals relating to GC ranking will be submitted to the WCF Council.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

The event will be held in Cairo from Saturday, 6 to Saturday, 13 October 2018. The formal Invitation to Members was published on 18 December 2017 with a Response Date of 1 April 2019.

2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

The event will be held in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand from Saturday, 2 February to Saturday, 9 February 2019. The formal Invitation to Members will be published in April 2018.

2019 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship

The event will be held at the Nottingham Croquet Club, England from Saturday, 20 to Wednesday, 24 July 2019.

2019 Golf Croquet World Championship

The event will be held at the Sussex County Croquet Club, England from Saturday, 27 July to Sunday, 4 August 2019.

Membership and development enquiries

Enquiries have been received from the Iran Croquet Association and from Sri Lanka.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 361:         Development

MC 366:         Consolidation of bank accounts

MC 370:         2020 GC WTC Tier 2 enquiry

MC 373:         Management Committee elections

MC 375:         Trophies 2018-2019

MC 374:         MacRobertson Shield repairs

MC 378:         2018 Budget and 2017 Treasurer’s Report

MC 379:         Enquiry from the Iran Croquet Association

MC 380:         Proposal for a publicity booklet

MC Topics currently open

MC 352:         10-year World Championship schedule

MC 353:         Golf Croquet Ranking Review Working Group

MC 371:         Format of World Team Championships

MC 376:         Statute and Regulation amendments

MC 377:         GC Ranking development

MC Topics currently under administration or pending

MC 325:         Enquiry from the Corfu Croquet Club

MC 354:         2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 362:        2019 U21 GCWC and GC World Championship

MC 367:         Hall of Fame

MC 367:         Portugal

MC 368:         2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 369:         2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 372:         WCF Facebook presence

Outlook for February and beyond

The MC’s main focus will be on submitting amendments to the WCF Statutes and Regulations to Council, scoping and progressing the GC rankings project, finalising the 10-year World Championship schedule and administering the 2018 Over-50 GCWC and the 2019 Women’s GCWC.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

5 March 2018

WCF November 2017 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.  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 Management Committee elections closed on 3 December 2017. Peter Landrebe (AUS), Roberts Stafeckis (LVA) and Geoff Young (NZL) were re-elected.

What has happened since August?

There have been no WCF events since the AC World Team Championship Tiers 2 to 3 were completed at Sussex County Croquet Club, England on 22 July 2017.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2018 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Wellington, New Zealand from Saturday,3 to Sunday, 11 February 2018.  47 Ranking Places and two Wild Card Places were announced on 27 August 2017. Membership Places were announced on 24 September.

2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

Egypt has been confirmed as the Event Host for October 2018. The event will be held in Cairo from Saturday, 6 to Saturday, 13 October 2018.

2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

New Zealand has been confirmed as the Event Host.  The event will be held in Hawkes Bay from Saturday, 2 February to Saturday, 9 February 2019.

2019 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship and Golf Croquet World Championship

England has been confirmed as the Event Host for both events. Venues and dates will be available shortly.

Membership enquiries

There are none active at present.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 366:          Consolidation of bank accounts

MC 370:          2020 GC WTC Tier 2 enquiry

MC 373:          Management Committee elections

MC 375:          Trophies for 2018-2019 events

MC Topics currently open

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 362:          2019 Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 368:          2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 369:          2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 371:          Format of World Team Championships

MC 372:          WCF Facebook presence

MC 373:          2020 GC World Team Championship Tier 2

MC 374:          MacRobertson Shield repairs

MC 376:          Statute and Regulation amendments

MC 377:          GC Ranking development

MC 378:          2018 Budget and 2017 Treasurer’s Report

MC Topics currently under administration or pending

MC 353:          Golf Croquet Ranking Review Working Group

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 361:          Development

Outlook for December and beyond

The MC’s main focus will be on finalising the 10-year World Championship schedule and managing or overseeing the final arrangements for the 2018 ACWC in Wellington including pre-event communication with the players. Other priorities are beginning the administration of the 2018 Over-50 GCWC in Egypt in October and the 2019 Women’s GCWC in New Zealand and agreeing dates for the 2019 U21 GCWC and GCWC in England.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

12 December 2017

WCF August 2017 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.  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 62: A Members’ consultation on the future arrangements for the Under 21 GC World Championship was launched in June.  The consensus was to retain the timing of the U21 GCWC shortly before the main GCWC but, given the strength of U21 Golf Croquet, to dispense with U21 places in the main GCWC.

What has happened since May?

Tiers 2.1, 2.2 and 3 of the Association Croquet World Team Championship were held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from 17 to 22 July.  In Tier 2.1, Wales regained the title that it won in 2010 with Scotland second followed by Ireland and Spain.  Tiers 2.2 and 3 were played as a merged event.  The onset of heavy rain on the final afternoon prevented the completion of the Tier 2.2 final between Canada and Sweden who therefore were declared joint winners with South Africa in third place.  In Tier 3, Germany defeated the Czech Republic.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2018 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Wellington, New Zealand from Saturday,3 to Sunday, 11 February 2018.  47 Ranking Places and two Wild Card Places were announced on 27 August 2017.  Membership Places will be finalised by 24 September.

2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

Egypt has been confirmed as the Event Host for October 2018.

2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

New Zealand has been confirmed as the Event Host.  The event will be held in Hawkes Bay from Saturday, 2 February to Saturday, 9 February 2019.

2019 Under 21 Golf Croquet World Championship and Golf Croquet World Championship

England has been confirmed as the Event Host for July/August 2019.

 

Membership enquiries

There are none active at present.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 318:          2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC

MC 324:          2017 AC World Team Championship

MC 364:          U21 GCWC future arrangements consultation

MC 365:          Hall of Fame updating

MC Topics currently open

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 362:          2019 Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 368:          2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 369:          2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

MC 370:          2020 GC World Team Championship Tier 2

MC 371:          Format of World Team Championships

MC Topics currently under administration or pending

MC 353:          Golf Croquet Ranking Review Working Group

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 361:          Development

MC 366:          Consolidation of bank accounts

Outlook for September and beyond

The MC’s main focus will be on finalising the 10-year World Championship schedule and managing the arrangements for the 2018 ACWC in Wellington, the 2018 Over-50 GCWC in Egypt and the 2019 Women’s GCWC in New Zealand and agreeing dates for the 2019 U21 GCWC and GCWC in England.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

11 September 2017

WCF May 2017 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.  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 have been none so far this year although a Members’ consultation has just been launched seeking views on the future arrangements for the Under 21 GC World Championship.

What has happened since February?

The WCF Golf Croquet Rules Committee (“GCRC”) has been working since January on a draft 5^th Edition of the GC Rules.  The new WCF Association Croquet Laws Committee met in person during the MacRobertson Shield and discussed plans for a new edition of the AC Laws and areas where common wording with the GC Rules should be sought.  Brian Boutel. Jeff Hill and Stephen Mulliner also attended on behalf of the GCRC.

The the MacRobertson Shield was held from 18 April to 3 May at Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage in the Californian desert.  This was the 22^nd holding in its 92 year history and Australia finally ended its own 82 year drought by recording a convincing and well-deserved victory, defeating England 12-9, New Zealand 14-7 and USA 14-7.

Although Australia came close to victory in 1982, they had to look back to 1935 for their last success in Association Croquet’s premier contest.  Their success was due to a well-balanced team effort and included three Fletcher brothers, the first time half of a MacRobertson side has been provided by one family.  Australia will also be the next hosts in 2021.

Forthcoming WCF championships

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from Monday, 17 to Saturday, 22 July 2017.  Tier 2.1 will be contested by teams representing Ireland (holders), Scotland, Spain and Wales.  Tier 2.2 and 3 will be played as a merged event between teams representing Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, South Africa and Sweden.

2018 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Wellington, New Zealand from Saturday, 3 to Sunday, 11 February 2018.  The formal invitations to participate have been issued and the Response Date is Sunday, 30 July 2017.  Players who wish to be considered for Ranking Places should inform their WCF Member of their availability.

2018 Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship

Egypt has been confirmed as the Event Host for October 2018.

2019 Women’s Golf Croquet World Championship

New Zealand has been confirmed as the Event Host for January/February 2019.

Membership enquiries

Expressions of interest have been received from Greece, Iran and Pakistan.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 318:          2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC

MC 359:          UK Corporation Tax

MC 360:          AC Laws Committee and GC Rules Committee

MC Topics currently open

MC 324:          2017 AC World Team Championship

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 362:          2019 Golf Croquet World Championship

MC Topics currently under administration or pending

MC 353:          Golf Croquet Ranking Review Working Group

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 361:          Development

MC 364:          U21 GCWC future arrangements consultation

MC 365:          Hall of Fame nominations

MC 366:          Banking arrangements

Outlook for June and beyond

The MC will focus on the completion of the 10-year World Championship schedule and processing arrangements for the 2018 ACWC in Wellington, the 2018 Over-50 GCWC in Egypt and the 2019 Women’s GCWC in New Zealand.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

20 June 2017

WCF February 2017 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.  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 the usual end of year reporting topics and two decisions on the WCF Statutes and the Finance Regulations.  Version 12.0 of the WCF Statutes was approved by Members by Topic 57 on 25 December 2016.  Christian Carter was elected at Independent Examiner for 2017 by Topic 58, also on 25 December 2016.  The 2017 Budget and Business Plan were approved by Topics 59 and 60 on 1 January 2017.  Version 1.3 of the Finance Regulations was approved by Topic 61, also on 1 January 2017.

What happened since November?

As referred to above, the formal reporting to Members was completed and updates to the Finance Regulations and the WCF Statutes were approved by Members.

One of the important elements in the Statutes was the formation of a new WCF Association Croquet Laws Committee which has taken over the functions of the International Laws Committee.  The first voting members of the ACLC are those of the former ILC, namely Elizabeth Fleming (AUS), Graeme Roberts (NZL), Martyn Selman (USA) and Ian Vincent (ENG, chairman).  The GC Rules Committee now contained seven members, namely Brian Boutel (NZL, chairman), Georg Dej (CAN), Luis de Gortazar (ESP), Jeffrey Hill (USA), Gordon Matthews (AUS), Stephen Mulliner (ENG) and Amir Ramsis (EGY).

The 2017 Under 21 GCWC and the main GCWC were held at the Victorian Croquet Centre in Melbourne in February and March.  The standard of play in the Under 21 event reached new heights and Felix Webby, 16, from New Zealand became the new world champion, defeating compatriot George Coulter in the final by 7-3, 7-6, 7-5.

The GCWC entry of 80 contained 19 players aged below 30, of whom 14 qualified for the knock-out stage.  Three of these, Hamy Erian (EGY), Mohammed Karem (EGY) and Felix Webby (NZL), reached the quarter-finals and Erian and Webby went on to the semi-finals.  However, former World Champions Reg Bamford (ZAF, 2013) and Ahmed Nasr (EGY, 2004 and 2008) squared off in the final for a third such meeting, the predecessors being 2008 in Cape Town and 2013 in Cairo.  Perhaps inevitably the match went to the fifth game and Reg Bamford emerged the winner 7-6, 5-7, 7-4, 3-7, 7-4 to regain the title.

The match contained several extraordinary shots but the two that stand out belong to Bamford.  Having been behind for all of game 1, he squared the game at 6-6 but seemed to have blown any chance of saving it when an attempted cut rush to hoop 13 went awry.  However, he hit twice from near 12 and then ran the hoop from near corner 3.  Game 4, although taken decisively by Nasr, contained Bamford’s extraordinary feat of scoring hoop 2 by jumping hoop 1 on the full from the south boundary!

Forthcoming WCF championships

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from Monday, 17 April 2017 to Friday, 4 May 2017.

Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from Monday, 17 to Saturday, 22 July 2017.  Tier 2.1 will be contested by teams representing Ireland (holders), Scotland, Spain and Wales.  Tier 2.2 and 3 will be played as a merged event between teams representing Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, South Africa and Sweden.

2018 Association Croquet World Championship

This will be held in Wellington, New Zealand from Saturday, 3 to Sunday, 11 February 2018.

Membership enquiries

None other than the proposed Greek Croquet Association.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 331:          International Laws Committee

MC 346:          WCF Statutes revision project

MC 348:          WCF trophies – repairs and flight box

MC 355:          New signatories for WCF accounts

MC 356:          Finance Regulation amendments

MC 357:          Election of Treasurer

MC 358:          Formal Q4 business.

MC Topics open, pending or under administration on 28 February 2017

MC 318:          2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC

MC 324:          2017 AC World Team Championship

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 353:          Golf Croquet Ranking Review Working Group

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 359:          UK Corporation Tax

MC 360:          AC Laws Committee and GC Rules Committee

Outlook for March and April

The ACLC and GCRC have begun working towards new editions of the AC Laws and GC Rules and the ACLC intends to meet in person during the MacRobertson Shield event in April.  The MC will focus on the completion of the 10-year World Championship schedule and the finalisation of arrangements for the 2017 AC World Team Championship in England in July.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

9 March 2017

WCF November 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.  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 new draft of the WCF Statutes was published to Members in October as a consultation, Topic 54.  Comments were received from Scotland and New Zealand and an amended version has just been published to Members for approval as Topic 57 with a Closing Date of Christmas Day, 25 December 2016, and a planned adoption date of 1 January 2017.

The new version will be Version 12.  In addition to improving the drafting and organisation of the various sections and removing text dealing with general meetings (because the Council takes all its decisions through e-mail voting), the terms of reference of the WCF Golf Croquet Rules Committee have been updated.  The only substantive change is the establishment of a WCF Association Croquet Laws Committee which, with the agreement of the ACA, CA, CNZ and USCA, will replace the International Laws Committee from 1 January 2017 with the same general terms of reference as the WCF GCRC.

The Ramsis Cup was presented in 2008 as a trophy for Test Matches between Egypt and the Rest of the World.  It has been held twice with the Rest of the World emerging as narrow victors on each occasion.  The establishment of the Golf Croquet World Team Championship has filled the space that the Ramsis Cup occupied and Members were consulted in Topic 55 about the future role of the event and whether it should be adopted as a WCF Event.  The responses were evenly balanced and the question will be re-addressed after the 2017 GCWC.

Martin French was co-opted to the office of WCF Treasurer with effect from 1 July 2016 following Gabrielle Higgins’ decision to retire because of work pressures.  The MC would like to pay tribute to Gabrielle for her very valuable contribution to the work of the MC since she took on the role in 2013.  Martin’s role is required to be confirmed by election and voting closed today on Topic 56 with 51 votes in favour and none against.  His term of office expires on 31 December 2020.

Christian Carter has offered to stand again as the WCF Independent Examiner and Members have been asked to vote on his election for 2017 under Topic 58 which also closes on Christmas Day.

What happened in October and November?

The focus was on completing the work on the new Statutes and Finance Regulations and on the fourth-quarter business of reporting formally to Members on the financial and operational activities of the MC.  The Statutes require the MC to publish the accounts for the previous year and an Annual Report, which is sent out in late December to capture as much of the current year’s activities as possible.  Members are also required to consider and, if thought fit, approve the Budget and Business Plan for the following year.

Forthcoming WCF championships

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 GCWC 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.

2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship

Tier 1, the MacRobertson Shield, will be held at Mission Hills Country Club, Palm Springs, California from Monday, 17 April 2017 to Friday, 4 May 2017.

Tiers 2.1, Tiers 2.2 and 3 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club in England from Monday, 17 to Saturday, 22 July 2017.  Entries close on Sunday, January 2017.

2018 Association Croquet World Championship

The event will be held in Wellington, New Zealand in early 2018, provisionally from Saturday, 27 January 2018 to Sunday, 4 February 2018.

Membership enquiries

None other than the proposed Greek Croquet Association.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

MC 346:          WCF Statutes revision project

MC 348:          WCF trophies – repairs and flight box

MC 357:          Election of Treasurer

MC Topics open, pending or under administration on 30 November 2016

MC 318:          2017 GCWC and Under 21 GCWC

MC 324:          2017 AC World Team Championship

MC 331:          International Laws Committee

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 353:          Golf Croquet Ranking Review Working Group

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 355:          New signatories for WCF accounts

MC 356:          Finance Regulation amendments

MC 358:          Formal Q4 business.

Outlook for December

The main issues will be the completion of the remaining Q4 formal business tasks and proposing updated Statutes and Finance Regulations to Members.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

4 December 2016

WCF September 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

There were none.

What happened in September?

The new draft of the WCF Statutes was finalised by the MC and has just been published to Members as WCF Topic 54 as a consultation with a Closing Date for comments of 6 November.  In addition to the deletion of provisions relating to general meetings, the opportunity has been taken to re-organise the Statutes to make them clearer and more accessible.  Assuming comments are received, a revised version will be published for formal approval by Council with the intention that Version 12 of the WCF Statutes will take effect on 1 January 2017.

The MC resolved to recommend to Council that the Ramsis Cup be formally adopted as a WCF GC team event.  The Ramsis Cup is a trophy which was presented in 2008 for a GC Test Match between Egypt and a Rest of the World team.  It has been held twice, in 2008 and 2016, and, on each occasion, the RoW team clinched a narrow 11-10 victory.  If adopted by the WCF, the plan would be to hold a Ramsis Cup Test Match immediately before each GCWC and GC WTC.  The recommendation has been put to Council as WCF Topic 55 with a Closing Date of 30 October 2016.

The Closing Date for the 2017 GCWC occurred on 25 September 2016.  A total of five Membership Places were returned with the result that the entry currently consists of the holders of 40 Ranking Places, two Wild Card Places, 27 Membership Places and five Replacement Ranking Places.  The Replacement Ranking List currently has 49 applicants.  Details may be found on the WCF website under World Championships.

Forthcoming WCF championships

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.

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 Corfu Club has confirmed its plan to establish a Greek Croquet Association and then apply to join the WCF as an Observer Member.

MC Topics recently completed or closed

There were none.

MC Topics open, pending or under administration on 30 September 2016

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

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

MC 324:          2017 AC World Team Championship, April 2017

MC 331:          International Laws Committee

MC 346:          WCF Statutes revision project

MC 348:          Wimbledon Cup – repairs and flight box

MC 352:          10-year World Championship schedule

MC 354:          2018 Association Croquet World Championship

MC 355:          Australian Perpetual (WCF Friends) account 

MC 356:          Finance Regulation amendments

MC 357:          Election of Treasurer

Outlook for October

Work will begin on the regular fourth quarter business of the WCF, such as presenting the 2015 Accounts, the 2016 Budget, the MC Report to Members and 2017 Business Plan.  The Formal Invitation for Tiers 2.1, 2.2 and 3 of the 2017 Association Croquet World Team Championship will be published this month.

Stephen Mulliner

Secretary-General

3 October 2016