CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S COLUMN What a season it has been. It feels as though the croquet year has passed at By Andy Dalby-Welsh Chief Executive Officer, Croquet England
triumph in such a prestigious competition, on home soil and in front of so many supporters, was a moment of enormous pride. Samir captained a brilliant team that also included Mark Avery, Jamie Burch, James Death, Robert Fulford and Jack Good. Every one of them contributed to a campaign that demonstrated outstanding skill, composure and commitment, and reminded us all of the extraordinary standards being That achievement belongs not only to the players, important though their performances were, but also to the many people who made the event possible. I want to offer my sincere thanks to the volunteers from across the country who gave so much time, achieved by England’s leading Association Croquet players.
energy and care to putting the championship on. Whether preparing lawns, welcoming visitors, supporting teams, scoring, stewarding, organising, communicating, livestreaming or simply doing the practical jobs that often go unseen, your contribution was invaluable. Major events rely on that generosity of spirit, and this one showed Croquet England at its very best. For me, the season has also been a wonderful opportunity to meet people at clubs and to hear directly from members about their hopes for the future of the game. Our visits to clubs in the north were a particular highlight. Everywhere we went, we
remarkable speed, but when I look back over the last few months I am struck by just how much there has been to celebrate across our sport. From the very highest levels of international competition to friendly games at local clubs, this season has shown, time and again, the strength, warmth and ambition of the croquet community. It is therefore a real pleasure to welcome you to this edition of Talking Croquet as Chief Executive of Croquet England. The great headline, of course, is the fantastic success of England’s Association Croquet World Team Championship team, led superbly by Samir Patel, in winning the MacRobertson Shield. To see England
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