Development

The Development Programme

The World Croquet Federation ("WCF") is committed by its Principles and Objectives as set out in WCF Statute 103 to a Vision of making "Croquet a well-known, well-understood, well-respected and well-supported sport in countries throughout the world".

The WCF seeks to realise its Vision by assisting its Members to develop Croquet in their respective countries. The WCF Development Programme is intended to implement the WCF objective of "employing the funds of the WCF as may be deemed appropriate to develop and realise the Vision" (see WCF Statute 103.7).To this end, WCF Members are entitled to apply for loans or grants from the WCF for the purpose of developing croquet in their domain.

The WCF Development Programme is managed by the WCF Management Committee (MC) and the WCF Development Committee (DC), depending on the type of activity involved. The WCF Development Committee reports to the WCF Management Committee.

Provision of coaching, training and capital investments
Some development activities are dealt with by the MC as a whole and as such do not need a separate committee. These include supporting our existing members with grants and loans that strengthen croquet within their domain (in accordance with Finance Regulations clause 7.5). The MC may also support through arranging and/or funding the provision of training courses, such as coaching courses or referee training.

If you have suitable skills and wish to be considered to help run coaching or training courses, please get in touch with the Secretary-General.

Typical skills required are Coaches and Examining Referees of Association and Golf Croquet,  suitably qualified by your own WCF Member Association. Ideally fluent in one or more language other than their own native tongue. The purpose is to facilitate visits to other member nations to coach, train and examine their nationals to a suitable standard to become coaches and referees operating in the developing nation. Any person with the skills, qualifications, time and inclination should forward a CV or Resume to the WCF Secretary-General. All posts will be unpaid and will involve a commitment of providing their time free. However, where necessary, all transport costs will be paid via the WCF Development Programme. Other costs may be payable subject to local agreement with the relevant WCF Member Association although it is envisaged that no costs will be incurred by the volunteer.

Development Projects
The main role of the DC will be to oversee the Working Groups set up to deliver the projects in our Business Plan.

Business Planning works on a 4 year cycle and responsibility for this stays within the MC as a whole, not the DC. However, six months before the end of a business plan, the DC will submit recommendations to the MC for consideration, based on the activities and progress of the Working Groups.

The MC should  annually review progress versus the 4-year Business Plan.

Development Committee - Terms of Reference
The DC will meet every four months to:

    • Review the operation and progress of existing Working Groups
    • Review requests for assistance or new resources and if appropriate ensure these are passed onto the MC for consideration
    • Consider whether any new Working Groups should be set up
    • Consider whether to close any Working Groups
    • Any other business

The DC will comprise of 2 standing Members of the MC – a Chair (currently Begoña Elzaburu) and one other (currently Debbie Lines), plus the MC representative from each existing Working Group.

The invitees to the 4-monthly meeting will be the two standing DC Members, the WCF President, the WCF Secretary-General, the WG MC reps, the WG Leaders and any other experts or deputies called in as needed.

The dates for the meetings will be pre-set a year in advance. The Chair will send out Agenda’s and Invitations at least 2 weeks in advance. One of the MC attendees will be delegated to take the Minutes and to circulate these within 1 week of the meeting. The MC Chair will ensure actions that need agreement by the MC are formally notified to the S-G who will then raise as MC topics in the usual way.

Working Groups and Volunteers
If you have a project you wish the WCF to pursue through the establishment of a Working Group, please contact the Secretary-General to discuss. Similarly, if you have spare time and wish to stand on any of our existing or future Working Groups, please get in touch.

The current Working Groups are:

Global Handicap System
Global Player and Games Database
AC Regeneration