Category: Latest News

Congratulations Euan Burridge – 2025 European GC Singles Champion

Congratulations to Euan Burridge, the 2025 European GC Singles Champion. 

Euan Burridge – Champion, presented with the Salver and medal by Alan Looney and Begoña Elzaburu representing the WCF European Committee.

Euan beat previous champion Aston Wade 7:5, 7:3 in the final. Congratulations also to bronze medallists Stephen Mulliner and Jack Good.

The Shield was won by Richard Bilton, the Bowl by Otakar Stankus and the Plate by Juan Ojeda.

Well done to everyone.

The ERC would like to thank Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club and all the many volunteers who helped to organise and run this championship. Your work is really appreciated.

May 2025 Newsletter

Download as a pdf: Newsletter May 2025

Congratulations to the new World Team Champions – USCA

The USA team played superbly throughout and had a well deserved win in the recent World Team Championships. Their squad of five players included the last 3 Singles GC World Championships, Ben Rothman (captain), Matthew Essick and Blake Fields, AC semi-finalist Tom Balding and  rising star Stephen Morgan.

For full details, visit: 2025 GC PFC Mallets World Team Championship Report

Our Under 21 rising stars competed this April in Florida

Congratulations to new Under 21 World Champion, Levi Franks from New Zealand.

Levi's play improved day on day and the final, against Fawzy Helmy from Egypt, showcased some excellent croquet.

Well done to all the young players, the stars of the future.

For full details, visit: 2025 GC Under 21 Championship Report

 

The WCF intends to become an Incorporated organisation

Ever since it started in the late 1980’s the WCF has been run as an unincorporated organisation.

It has no separate legal personality of its own.  The WCF Statutes control how we are organised and managed on a day-to-day basis. The Management Committee (MC) in accordance with the Statutes and the various other WCF Regulations and Policies, run the WCF and ask the WCF Council, made up of individuals from each Member Country, to vote on any topics that involve change or spend which is not budgeted.

Incorporation was included as a key objective in the WCF 2024-2027 WCF Business Plan.

Why does the WCF need to Incorporate?

The main advantage of incorporation is that the incorporated entity has its own separate legal personality and acts in its own name. An incorporated entity will benefit from limited liability for its members, perpetual succession, the ability to enter into contractual obligations, and enter into and execute documents in the name of the incorporated entity.

An incorporated structure typically benefits from stronger global recognition, making it more visible and credible to external stakeholders than an unincorporated model.

Specifically, there are various reasons why the MC are proposing incorporation:

      • To facilitate easier banking
      • To provide easier access to funding, such as sponsorship deals and potential grants
      • To facilitate getting insurance cover
      • To remove personal liability from the MC

We will become a Company Limited by Guarantee
After reviewing the options, the Management Committee have recommended to the WCF Council that we become a Company Limited by Guarantee.

The MC are in the process of asking Members to approve a spend of approximately £8,000 for the appointment of legal consultants to help us with the required company set-up.

We need help to write the Articles of Association and the Memorandum of Association for the new company. The aim is that these will reflect as closely as is possible the existing WCF Statutes and Administration Regulations, so that the WCF may continue to operate, on a day-to-day basis, as it does today.

Can you help with the legal work required?

Do you have the expertise to be our Legal Consultant for the new company set-up? If you are willing to help us pro-bono we would very much like to hear from you. The WCF is not a wealthy organisation, and the spend required to make this change, will eat into our reserves. These reserves can be better spent on developing our sport.

Please get in touch by Sunday 11th May at the latest if you can help. After that date if the spend is approved we will go ahead and engage consultants.

Spotlight on ....  Action for AC

The recent growth in Golf Croquet has not always been reflected with matching growth in Association Croquet. We know that many clubs around the world are increasingly introducing new players only to GC. Over the past 5 years, the number of AC players in the rankings has declined by 11%. This decline amongst top players is likely to be reflected in an even larger drop at grassroots level amongst beginners and high handicaps. There is a risk that some clubs may soon not have enough players and coaches able to pass on their AC skills.

Do you have best practice to share?
Has your club found a way to retain or introduce both codes effectively?

If you have success stories to share, please email us with your stories. Using the WCF Facebook page, we'll share your thoughts with others, who can hopefully make use of your great work in their own clubs.

Send your stories to the WCF at: secretary@worldcroquet.org

WCF Appointments for 2026

Something to start thinking about….
Would you like to help run the WCF from January 2026 onward?

The Management Committee serve 4-year terms ending on 31st December. At the end of this year 5 of the committee reach the end of their terms. Some may choose to stand again, but even if they do, there will be elections to select from those who wish to stand.

Debbie Lines, the current Secretary-General, also reaches the end of her term at the end of this year. Debbie has indicated she will not be available to serve a second term, so we will need a new S-G.

The MC will be formally requesting nominations in due course, but for now, if you’d like to know more about what is involved, please ask.

Upcoming Events

European Championship 2025 GC Championship 15-18 May Budleigh, England
World Championship 2025 GC World Team Championships – Tiers 2 & 3 5 to 10 August Sussex, England
European Championship 2025 U21 Championship 17-20 August Telč, Czech Republic
World
Championship		 2025 AC World Championship 18 to 26 October National Croquet Centre, Florida, USA

There will be a qualifier starting on 14 October.

AC Country Rankings as at 31st March 2025

The latest AC Team Rankings (as at 31 March 2025) are:

Position

Country

Average Grade

Players

1

England

2,572

6

2

Australia

2,557

6

3

New Zealand

2,497

6

4

USA

2,463

6

5

Scotland

2,238

6

6

Ireland

2,135

6

7

Wales

2,088

6

8

South Africa

1,900

6

9

Canada

1,879

6

10

Austria

1,656

6

11

Sweden

1,573

6

12

Germany

1,458

6

13

Czech Republic

1,633

4

14

Switzerland

1,532

2

15

Norway

1,278

2

16

Spain

2,505

1

17

Iran

2,223

1

18

Jersey

2,042

1

19

Latvia

1,331

1

20

Portugal

1,186

1

GC Country Rankings as at 31st March 2025

The GC Team Rankings (as at 31 March 2025) change again this quarter.

In the last quarter of 2024 USA moved up from fourth place into third. This quarter they've overtaken England to take second place.

Given their recent successes in both the 2024 GC World Championship and more recently their historic win in the Openshaw Shield, this is an expected move up the country listings.

Position

Country

Average

Players

1

Egypt

2,582

6

2

USA

2,529

6

3

England

2,496

6

4

New Zealand

2,476

6

5

Australia

2,476

6

6

Spain

2,387

6

7

South Africa

2,208

6

8

Wales

2,162

6

9

Canada

2,145

6

10

Ireland

2,134

6

11

Sweden

2,097

6

12

Germany

2,069

6

13

Czech Republic

2,022

6

14

Latvia

2,000

6

15

Austria

1,971

6

16

Switzerland

1,968

6

17

Scotland

1,963

6

18

Norway

1,928

6

19

Mexico

1,872

6

20

Portugal

1,827

6

21

Finland

1,809

5

22

Belgium

1,936

2

 

2025 U21 GC Championship – Updated Player List

Please find below an updated player list.

Alexandre Denizot from Spain withdrew on 7th January 2025. He has been replaced by Krystof Dusek of the Czech Republic.

Alfonso Morales from Spain withdraw on 24th January 2025. He has been replaced by Nehemiah McFrederick of the USA.

Saif Hatem and Mohsen Elyamany, both from Egypt, withdrew on 24th March. They have been replaced by Evan Rogers (USA) and Trevor Louw (USA).

Player List as at 31st March 2025 (and replacement list)

Age Restriction! Members and Players are reminded that all entrants must comply with the age restriction.
Sports Regulations - Clause 5.1.5.  A player may compete in an Event subject to a maximum age limit if their age does not exceed the limit on the preceding 31st December.

So, anybody who is 20 or younger on 31st December 2024 may compete. Anyone who turns 21 prior to that date, may not.

2025 GC World Championship Tier 1- Champions USA

Results

Congratulations Team USA

The USA team played superbly throughout and had a well deserved win in the recent World Team Championships. Their squad of five players included the last 3 Singles GC World Championships, Ben Rothman (captain), Matthew Essick and Blake Fields. They were ably supported by Tom Balding  and Stephen Morgan.

The Egyptian team had a great run through to the final. They also sent a squad of five players, featuring Mohamed Nasr, the 2026 Singles Champion as their captain, and top ranked and experienced players: Khaled Kamel, Mohamed Taha, Mohamed Walid and Yasser Sayed. In Cairo, Egypt play with different equipment and hoops, and normally later in the day, so it was great to see them playing closer to their best when dealing with overseas conditions.

Bronze medal went to the home nation, Australia. The three Fletcher brothers were supported by Ed Wilson. They all played superbly but were outclassed by Egypt in the semi-final. New Zealand fought hard in the 3rd/4th place play-off but narrowly lost, Australia taking home the medal with a 5 to 4 win.

The relegation match was between Ireland and Spain. Spain had been unable to send their top players and were keen not to go back into Division 2 which they won in 2021. Unfortunately unable to send their top players, due to work and family responsibities, the spaniards had to work hard.

Nicolas Denizot (Captain), was supported by his mother, Begoña Elzaburu (is this the first time a mother and son have played in the World Teams?), Juan Ojeda and Julian Gutierrez.

It came down to the final hoop, of the final game, in the final match. Begoña vs Rob O’Donoghue were 1 game all, 4 matches all, and it went to a thrilling 13th hoop. Well done Begoña for holding her nerve, playing some good positional shots, and winning for the spaniards.

The event was filmed every day by 'You Tube Live Sports' and the videos can be watched in full on their site. Links to all the footage can be found in the WCF YouTube channel - go to Playlist GC World Teams Championships.

Full Results can be found on CroquetScores

A huge thank you to PFC Mallets for sponsoring the championship, and also to the many other companies that supported the event.

We couldn't hold these events without the many hard-working volunteers. Your efforts help make WCF Championships successful. Thank you so much.

 

Photos

Some photos from the week.

Congratulations Team USA - 2025 Openshaw Shield Champions
Livestream Link

The link for the livestream HAS MOVED

To access it go to YouTube and search for The Openshaw Shield 2025.

It's being aired by YouTube Live Sports.  https://www.youtube.com/@Youtubelivesports

Each day is split into 3 separate live feeds.

 

Team Seeding & Match Draw

Croquet Scores

Croquet Scores commentary will be being used for updates: Croquet Scores 2025 WTC Tier 1

Event Details

The WCF PFC Mallets GC World Teams Championship, competing for the Openshaw Shield is the fourth occurrence of this contest. It will be held between Monday, 17th to Sunday 23rd February 2025 at the Northern Tasmanian Croquet Centre, St Leonards, Tasmania.

The team entry fee for this event is £588 per team (based on 7 days, teams of 4, @ £21 per player per day).

8 full-sized courts will be available, to host the 8 teams of 4 players who will compete. The competing teams, all of whom have confirmed their attendance, are:

🇳🇿 New Zealand (Holders)
🇦🇺 Australia
🇪🇬 Egypt
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇿🇦 South Africa
 Spain
🇺🇸 USA

Event Conditions and Information:

Rules: the latest editions of the Rules at the time of the event (currently Edition 6, 2022) and any Official Rulings on the Rules of Golf Croquet that may be issued prior to the commencement of the event, will be used.

Lawns: these are anticipated to be 11-12 Plummers in speed. The courts do not have lighting, however, at this time of year there is thirteen (13) hours of daylight.

Balls: WCF approved balls – type to be confirmed at least six months
prior to the event start date.

Hoops: Quadway, set to WCF Tournament standards

Format

Format:
The format will be block play followed by a knock-out Championship.

Full details of the format are available in the specific Event
Regulations:

2025 GC WTC Playing RegulationsTier 1 -Ver7Final

Schedule
Block Play: Monday 17th to Wednesday 19th February 2025.
Championship Knockout and Plate: Thursday 20th February to Sunday 23rd February.

Useful Information

Key Personnel

Event Lead: Graeme Roberts
Tournament Director: Elaine Hazell
Tournament Manager: Peter Freer
DTM/Plate Manager: Sylvia Wing
Tournament Referee: Liz Fleming
Secretary: Ruth McKean
Treasurer: Graham Keating

Transport and Accommodation
Travel: Players, or their Member countries, will be responsible for the costs of and arranging travel to and from Launceston and within Launceston to the Northern Tasmania Croquet Centre at St Leonards.

Accommodation: There is a variety of accommodation available in Launceston, ranging from the very basic to the higher end of the market. Options will be listed on the event specific website.

Meals: Snacks and lunches will be available for purchase at the venue.

Publicity
Scores: will be reported online via Croquet Scores. A team will be put in
place to ensure Croquet Scores is updated regularly.

Website: There will be a dedicated website for the championship. Until this is created, please keep an eye on this webpage for further updates and news items.

Livestreaming: It is anticipated that live streaming will be provided for the
event. This will be confirmed closer to the event.

Social Media: Facebook and Twitter accounts will be established in the lead-up to the championship.

Functions
Opening Reception with the Mayor: Friday 14th February 2025.  This will be held at Launceston City Council between 5-6pm.

Welcome Ceremony and BBQ: Sunday 16th February 2025, between 12 and 2pm at the Club.

Tournament Dinner and Award Ceremony: Sunday 23rd, February 2025 from 19:00. Players to purchase tickets

Venue layout map

Website and Facebook
Click the image to access the dedicated Event Website
Click the image to access the dedicated Event Facebook page
News Items
Key Event Dates

Main Event Dates

Invitation Date

18 May 2024

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

Response Date

18 July 2024

This is the date by which Members must formally accept the invitation.

Team Announcement Date

17 December 2024

Players to be announced. 
Team Entry Fees are due by this date.

Team Seeding Date

10 February 2025

The teams will be seeded based on average grade of the top four players in the squad who are expected to play.

Note revised date.


Opening Ceremony

16 February

Practice and Opening Ceremony, before it starts on 17th.

Previous Winners
2020 Golf Croquet World Team Championship: the New Zealand winning team being presented with the Openshaw Shield, by David Openshaw.

To see all the previous winners, visit the Championship archives and Roll of Honour:

WCF Roll of Honour

Championship History

 

 

 

 

2025 GC World Team Championships – Team Seeding and Match Draw

Starting Monday 17th February

Find out more about the event here: Event webpage.  Includes livestream links, match draws, event layout, and links to the event website and FB pages.

The team seeding and the draw has now been completed.

 

Croquet Scores commentary will be being used for updates: Croquet Scores 2025 WTC Tier 1

2025 U21 GC Championship – Updated Player List

Please find below an updated player list.

Alexandre Denizot from Spain withdrew on 7th January 2025. He has been replaced by Krystof Dusek of the Czech Republic.

Alfonso Morales from Spain withdraw on 24th January 2025. He has been replaced by Nehemiah McFrederick of the USA.

Player List as at 3rd February 2025 (and replacement list)

Age Restriction! Members and Players are reminded that all entrants must comply with the age restriction.
Sports Regulations - Clause 5.1.5.  A player may compete in an Event subject to a maximum age limit if their age does not exceed the limit on the preceding 31st December.

So, anybody who is 20 or younger on 31st December 2024 may compete. Anyone who turns 21 prior to that date, may not.