TALKING CROQUET Issue 005 | January 2026
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WELCOME
The 2026 playing season is yet to begin for us here in England, but don’t forget to keep an eye on what’s happening around the world. Croquet England have announced their 2026 MacRobertson Shield team and it won’t be long before the other countries will follow with their own announcements. Let us first congratulate Samir Patel, who will captain the England team which comprises of Mark Avery, Jamie Burch, James Death, Robert Fulford, and Jack Good. Our American croquet family have recently announced their Croquet Network Power List for 2026; let’s congratulate our very own Dave Trimmer, whose mallet company appears right at the top of the list. I often have the pleasure of catching up with our mallet makers and croquet producers, and speaking with Dave himself, just into the new year in his workshop, reminded me that the work behind the scenes for croquet never stops; it’s year-round for those who help our sport continue to develop, with equipment and technology. A little further down the list shows the Welsh Croquet Association coming in at number 15, quoting a ‘small but strong association’ which is ranked #7 for AC and #8 for GC in the World Croquet Federation international team croquet rankings. My final thanks are to Croquet Network for producing their power list, the full list can be viewed on their website (https://www. croquetnetwork.com/croquet-network-home/2025/12/30/croquet- network-power-list-2025). Online there has been some live croquet to view, coming from Croquet New Zealand; have a look at their YouTube channel and subscribe to be notified when they’re live (https://www.youtube.com/@CroquetNZlive). Looking ahead to the 2026 season the fixtures list will be open for all in February, but one date we can confirm is National Croquet Day, to be celebrated on Sunday 3rd May 2026. A little later in this magazine please find a poster which can be downloaded and printed for use at your clubs and around your communities. If you would like a customised poster, these are also available, please just contact communications@croquetengland. org.uk for access to your own Canva template. Wishing you a wonderful new year. Alison
Talking Croquet Issue 005 | January 2026
TALKING CROQUET Issue 005 | January 2026
Front Cover: What to wear? (Page 12)
Tudor Jenkins playing Association Croquet at Surbiton Croquet Club, wearing smart casual clothing CONTENTS 4 Chief Executive's Column 6 What’s in a name? - Croquet 9 Letters to the Editor 12 What to wear? 13 2026 Euro GC Club League 14 Mallets and you 15 World Team Championship News 16 Kenilworth Croquet Club 18 The Swing Doctor 20 Croquet Lawn Matters
Alison Maugham Editor editor@croquetengland.org.uk
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S COLUMN
nature of conversation. Discussions become more grounded, more honest and often more ambitious. What struck me during these conversations was not that everyone agreed — they didn’t — but that people cared deeply enough to challenge, to question and to push us to evolve. Ideas were shared freely, assumptions were tested, and priorities were examined. That kind of constructive challenge is not something to be managed or softened; it is something to be welcomed. These discussions are far from finished. Over the coming weeks, we will be holding further sessions with our Committee Chairs and Federation representatives, ensuring that voices from every part of our sport help to shape our priorities for the future. fortunate enough to visit clubs. One recent visit to Hove Beach Croquet Club was particularly special. Located on a former bowls lawn that I once competed on as a teenager, it was a joy to see a thriving croquet club with a waiting list for members. Not every club can boast a beachside backdrop, Alongside these strategic conversations, I have also been but the real learning was about people, culture and commitment. Passionate individuals had seized the initiative to set up and develop a club which is now offering recreational and competitive opportunities for its members. I also had the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the lawns at
Roehampton, another beautiful setting with a warm welcome from committee member Jenny. There was sadness on this trip as I was informed of the passing of the club captain Mike Patterson, a gentleman who had made me feel so welcome when I dropped into Southwick to watch the European Open on one of my first Croquet outings. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate those named to represent England in the MacRobertson Shield later this year. It took me back to being selected to represent my country and the pride it brought to not only me, but my friends and my family. I’m sure Samir, Rob, James, Mark, Jack and Jamie are both proud of their achievements and excited for the competition to come! As we reflect on this past month, I am filled with a sense of optimism. There is creativity, passion and a shared desire to see croquet flourish. Our task now is to harness that energy, to be clear about our priorities, and to turn conversation into action. The direction of travel for Croquet England will not be set by any single voice. It will be shaped collectively, through continued dialogue, collaborative leadership and a shared belief in the potential and power of our sport. I look forward to continuing these conversations as we work together to secure a strong and vibrant future for croquet.
Andy Dalby-Welsh Chief Executive Officer Croquet England
One of the great privileges of stepping into the role of Chief Executive is the opportunity to listen and learn. Over the past month, I have done a great deal of that, listening carefully, as we have reviewed Croquet England’s priorities and ambitions for the future.
This has not been a desk-based exercise. Instead, it has been a genuinely collaborative process
involving our Trustees, our Executive Committee, our staff team, and a wide range of members from across the country. The generosity shown by so many people with their time, experience and ideas has been both inspiring and energising. Croquet is a sport built on volunteer commitment, and this month has been a powerful reminder of just how deep that commitment runs. One of several valuable sessions took place in the Midlands, hosted at the beautiful Nottingham Croquet Club. It was a pleasure to spend time there with volunteers representing clubs and players from across the region. There is something about stepping away from formal meeting rooms and into a club environment that changes the
NATIONAL CROQUET DAY SUNDAY 3 MAY 2026
The date of our National Croquet Day has now been confirmed as Sunday 3 May 2026. This is an opportunity for our community to welcome the rest of the world to our beautiful sport. Whether we play for fun, for friendship, to win or to exercise, we come together on our lawns and celebrate the sport we love. The Marketing Committee have organised some posters which can be downloaded, adapted and printed. Please contact marketing@croquetengland.org.uk and let us help with your special day. Find the downloadable poster on page 5.
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National CROQUET DAY Sunday 3 May 2026
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www.croquetengland.org.uk | 5
WHAT’S IN A NAME? - CROQUET
ROGER BRAY
Croquet journalist
Have you ever wondered how Croquet got its name? Look up any reference source for word origins and you will probably find that it is derived from crook or hook (e.g. a shepherd’s or crochet) and from Northern French or Brittany dialects. However, close inspection reveals this to be highly speculative, and a recent discovery offers an alternative explanation which gives an intriguing fresh insight into how the game probably developed before it burst on to the English social scene in the 1850s. THE ESTABLISHED VIEW The notion that Croquet is derived from crook dates to the 1870s. Most modern references rely on the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) entry for Croquet. The current online version is essentially the same as the 1893 first edition which in turn relied heavily on an 1872 book Notes on Croquet and Some Ancient Bat and Ball Games Related to It by R C A Prior. Richard Prior was one of the early pioneers of “scientific” croquet. An expert player, but very nervous, he never entered tournaments and is chiefly known for publishing a key letter in The Field which eventually led to the establishment of the All-England Croquet Club at Wimbledon. His Notes on Croquet is a long, rather rambling but scholarly essay attempting to trace the origins of the game, and the words used to describe it. About two-thirds of the book discusses possible precursors of Croquet, in particular Chicane and Pall-Mall. Chicane, the earlier of the two, appeared to be more like Hockey than Croquet, but it was still played in Brittany. Interest in Pall-Mall (literally “ball-mallet”) had been rekindled quite recently by the discovery of mallets and balls in a house in Pall Mall, London (the original royal site of the game before a new and improved ground was constructed in what is now The Mall). Little was known about Pall-Mall, but Prior had recently found a 1717 French book Le Jeu de Mail by Joseph Lauthier and translates a substantial part of it, including a version of the game “like Billiards” with a small arch at each end of a prepared smooth ground and a post in the middle. Although this made Pall-Mall a possible precursor of Croquet, Prior dismisses the idea on the grounds that he believed it had died out early in the eighteenth century. Having argued himself into a corner, Prior then discusses on linguistic grounds the derivation of the word croquet and
(Image above) The established view Pall-Mall “like billiards” played in the ducal palace parterre in Nancy, France, 1624 Players are grouped around a hoop at each end of the central avenue.
other terms used in the game. He argues that croquet means a little croc, or crook. “In Brittany to the present day they play hockey with crook-sticks, which they call croquets.” (Prior had noted that “crook” and “hook” are closely related linguistically – viz. “by hook or by crook” – so croquet and hockey had similar roots.) “This leaves no
Detail of the left end.
reasonable doubt that [Croquet], in some form or other, was brought from France, and that the mallet is an improvement upon a hockey stick.” I suggest that requires a leap of imagination on Prior’s part. Moreover, no evidence has since emerged for his theory. Prior is also inconsistent since his similar analysis for the word roquet leads him to conclude that it is derived from a form of ladies’ undergarment which he dismisses out of hand! Picking and choosing like that weakens his argument further. Detail of the right end.
Continued on page 7
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WHAT’S IN A NAME? (CONTINUED) THE IRISH DIMENSION
(Image below) Sudre’s Le Noble Jeu de Mail de la Ville de Montpellier, 1844
Even before Prior wrote his book there was evidence that Croquet was introduced into England from Ireland. Prior cites just one instance, that of a Miss Macnaghten, a young Anglo-Irish lady, who took the game to Isaac Spratt, the first commercial maker and retailer of croquet equipment, having “been lately introduced into Ireland, but which she had first seen on the continent in its primitive state - in the South of France, or in Italy, for he forgets which she said - and described as of the simplest and most rustic character.” There are now 17 known independent references to the game being played in Ireland in the three decades before 1858 when it really took off in this country. In 1965 A S C Ross, a professor of linguistics and keen tournament player, and R L Thomson, a specialist in Celtic languages, rejected Prior’s arguments on the grounds that his evidence was so thin. They proposed that the words croquet and roquet had Irish roots, namely that they are derived from the Irish word cluiche (“play”). (A summary of their findings was published in the Croquet Gazette, June 1966, page 2.) Their theory supposes that croquet emerged from the indigenous population. Alas, 16 of the 17 references to the early game in Ireland are from English or Anglo-Irish sources and are biased against such origins. Ross and Thomson could only find one reference to an obscure ball game in Irish folklore in which each player appears to have his own ball, like Croquet, and which was played on a cluiche-mag (“playing field”). So, as with Prior, their evidence is perilously thin. However, the Irish dimension does seem crucial, and it is very likely that other Anglo-Irish travellers beside the Macnaghtens had similarly introduced early forms of the game (some calling it Crooky or Crokey) into Ireland from the continent. The earliest recorded use of Croquet as the name of the game is dated 2 August 1853 when Spratt is registered as having published his Rules for the New Game of Croquet which he inserted into his croquet sets. (See Croquet Gazette, October 1973, page 3.) A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE The Victorians knew relatively little about the game of Pall- Mall. It was played by the aristocracy in the seventeenth century and thought to have long died out both here and abroad. The situation in France, however, was very different. Cities throughout the country had their mail, the name of the ground where le jeu de mail (“mallet game”) was played. It became a, if not the most, popular national outdoor pastime. Hence the compendium Académie des Jeux , the
recognised authority on games in France, included Lauthier’s 1717 description of the game in editions published throughout the eighteenth century. Le jeu de mail was particularly popular in the Languedoc and Provence. In Montpellier, Mail was played by a cross-section of its population and became highly organised. It even established a reputation across Europe. Significantly for us, they developed the rules of play. Lauthier’s text gave a basic description of the game but did not deal with problematic situations. In 1772 Monsieur J Sudre published Le Noble Jeu de Mail de la Ville de Montpellier with the express intention of filling this gap. Later (virtually identical) editions of the work appeared in 1822 and 1844. At first aristocrats played in chateau parterres or specially designed grounds. When the game was taken up by the more general populace, players used either dedicated mails (probably based on parterres), cobbled streets or open fields. Playing in public spaces sometimes caused friction. In the 1830s, local newspapers reported lawcourt proceedings
Continued on page 8
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WHAT’S IN A NAME? (CONTINUED)
(in one case, in nearby Nimes, involving 40 players) resulting from damage, e.g. to vineyards, caused by mis- hit balls. Le Jeu de Mail was thus very much alive just when families like the
in and around Montpellier in the first half of the nineteenth century. A rustic form, possibly with more than two hoops, must have evolved in rural areas in the region and there witnessed by Anglo-Irish travellers who nurtured the game back home into a form more readily recognised by us today. NOT CROQUET What about the word roquet? We have seen that neither Prior nor Ross and Thomson (R&T) provided a satisfactory derivation of the word. (N.B: the OED entry for Roquet is more up-to-date and based on R&T.) Interestingly R&T suggested an alternative: that croquet lost its “c” in, say, the phrase “to take croquet”, thus becoming “to take roquet”. Ross, however, dismissed this immediately, as it “will at once be rejected by all Croquet players, the two fundamental strokes, the croquet and roquet, are so entirely different in kind that they could not possibly be confused.” But some early rules did precisely that, which may have been a confusion of Spratt’s Rules where, rather oddly, the croquet stroke is not given a name, but roquet is mentioned (with its modern meaning) thus: Players strike their balls alternately; but when a player sends his ball through an arch he is entitled to another stroke, and also when he "roquets" his adversary he gets another stroke. “Roquet" is produced when a player strikes his opponent's ball with his own; he should then put his own ball quite close to his opponent’s, placing his foot firmly on his own ball, strike his opponent’s ball, and send it as far as possible in an unfavourable direction; his opponent has to play from that point, and his own ball remains steady, then he also gets another stroke. The inverted commas around roquet most probably indicate that roquet was a newly created word. It is therefore very likely that Miss Macnaghten's teenage brother, Fergus, who is credited with drafting Spratt’s Rules, simply invented it.
Macnaghtens were travelling around the continent.
Sudre’s book contains an elaborate set of 77 rules. The verb croquer and noun croque appear numerous times. They are associated with an extra stroke which the player can take during a turn. The close similarity with the croquet stroke, unfortunately, ends there. It can only be taken if there is
The stance advised for addressing the ball.
some sort of obstacle which prevents the player from making a clean shot. The purpose of the stroke was to get rid of the obstacle whilst not moving the player’s ball, seemingly by hitting the obstacle directly. Perhaps the best meaning of croquer here is “to smash or break” – a common usage of the word at that time. (We even use it nowadays in e.g. croquette potatoes.) But it could naturally be extended to mean “get rid of”. Thus, if the obstacle was another (opponent’s) ball it would chime closely with getting rid of it. This is what Spratt advocates in his Rules, and it became a favourite manoeuvre in the early days of “tight croquet”, where the player put his foot on the striker’s ball to prevent it from moving.
The popular forms of Mail were more like golf, and involved distances of a kilometre or more, so interaction between balls would have been a relatively rare event. However, in the village where Miss Macnaghten witnessed a “primitive rustic game”, the ground
(Image right) Le jeu de mail was played well into the 20th century
Negotiating a corner
would be just a small patch, like boules, and a version of the game “like Billiards” could easily have developed where interplay between balls came to the fore. It therefore seems most likely that Croquet, the name of the game, is derived from the croquet stroke which, in turn, stems from the “croque” stroke in le Jeu du Mail as practised
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Readers are reminded that the views expressed in the letters pages of the Gazette are those of the authors only, and not those of their clubs, unless specifically indicated. CHRISTMAS CROQUET TV chat show’s Russell Harty Was hosting his annual Christmas party Guests arrived in a festive mood SURE FIRE LOSER With the exuberance of youth, I once briefly tried my hand at selling fire extinguishers. I was an abject failure. I know this because I even failed at the local chip shop - the same chip shop where I saw a brand new extinguisher hanging on the wall the very next time I went in for chips.
Drinks washed down the glorious food Music played, some said ‘ Let’s dance’ But one said ‘ Russell is there a chance? That instead of doing the Hokey Cokey We go outside and play some croquet? Partygoers admired their cheek But thought the chance of croquet bleak "After all", a lady cried ‘How can we play it’s dark outside’. But Russell said ‘ Oh never fear’ Pulled back the curtains to a mighty cheer The view was like a bright new dawn Only a floodlit croquet lawn And Russell had gone and decked his halls With croquet mallets and shiny balls So on that cold December night Russell’s garden was a wonderful sight
Having abandoned the project, I happily gave one of my leftover stock to the croquet club and as a result received an immediate enquiry from a fellow member. Well, I did still have another in my car and should ‘Madam’ be genuinely interested... The response was not at all what I had expected. ”Bring it into the clubhouse and we’ll see if I’m going to have a fire,” announced the good lady, before adding, in light of my obvious bewilderment, “You do know that I’m a witch?”
As a matter of fact I didn’t. I knew very little about the lives of the older members once they had crossed the boundary into that other world which lies just beyond the realm of croquet. True enough, I’d witnessed a few of this kind- hearted individual’s better spells on court but had never quite put two and two together. “Stand it in the middle of the table while I find my pendulum,” instructed my prospective customer, who rummaged in her bag to extract a weird-looking object, which she proceeded to suspend by a cord above the extinguisher. Soon the pendulum began to revolve widdershins – or perhaps it was deasil (I can never remember). Whichever it was, the distinct movement led to a confident declaration that, since no domestic inferno was in the offing, the proposed transaction would be unnecessary. Moreover, I doubt even the very best sales manual would have included a section on overcoming the objections of clairvoyants. True enough, there never was any conflagration at my fellow member’s residence, although the extinguisher did eventually prove extremely useful on that fateful day when my own car burst into flames. Laurence Latham
Of people playing shots galore No one bothered keeping score. John Clarke Angmering Croquet Club
07929 940893 mlstuchfield@gmail.com Marie Stuchfield
ROGER'S TYPO UPFATE This month's genuine snippet from history (not made up): Croquet, Edition 5 fules Comment: The Editions can be a bit controversial, I agree. Roger G, Phyllis Court Genuine croquet-related typos to make you smile
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
WHAT CROQUET IS NOT This is gonna be another of those rants you must frequently endure, so grab a brew, take a seat and enjoy... As Cotter insightfully indicated in the very first sentence of his seminal 1960 work "Tackle Croquet This Way"... "Croquet is not Golf Croquet". They are in fact two very different games played on the same court with similar equipment. Both games have their own merits, supporters and detractors. Despite all the advanced warning of Cotter not to mix the two games and his entreaty to rename GC so it could be more easily distinguished, we have gotten to a point where GC events are advertised simply as “Croquet” across all of our media streams (which they are not). In the latest newsletter I found myself drawn to a link to "Croquet Away". I travel regularly to compete in Europe and hope to play further away in the future (Ireland, Switzerland, Austria and Czechia in the last few years). I put in my search criteria, which does at least separate GC and AC, for one calendar year in advance and got zero returns. Out of interest I opened up the search to include GC and events started appearing. Turns out that all the competitive tournaments that are on the site are GC. This is not croquet but the 'other game'. Similarly I attended the Welsh CA AGM yesterday and had to ask for clarification when I was informed about the European Croquet Inter-Club Championship. Turns out it wasn't croquet at all, it was the 'other game'. Some people have accused me of being a detractor of 'the other game'. Not only is this not true, I have
incomprehensible stigma that croquet still retains. Thanks for reading, if you've got this far, and I do hope you enjoyed a decent brew and will ponder the contents of this rant. Rick Harding
occasion to indulge in it and find it very enjoyable. But it is not the game I know as croquet, I would offer a rationale but don't believe I could offer more than the bleeding obvious and what has been immortalised in print from at least 1960. Not only is the lack of distinction confusing but I have also noticed, in many clubs around the country, that GC is being used as an apology for the complexity and time- consuming nature of croquet and as something suitable as an introduction to the game. Doing either of these is highly detrimental to both games, as croquet is a game which should be applauded for its complexities and depth of gameplay and the commitment that that requires. At the same time, it is also hugely disrespectful to GC which, as we all know, is an excellent game in its own right, rather than an inferior feeder regime. GC is not a simpler, quicker version of croquet. Rather, it is a completely different game, played on the same court, that just happens to be simpler to learn and quicker to play than croquet is. If we are to promote a quicker version that is easier to learn then we should be focussing on 'short croquet' and 'one ball' which are everything that GC is being incorrectly marketed as. In the continued interests of both games I beseech the powers that be to recognise that GC is a game in its own right, not a form of croquet, and contemplate a shift to a more appropriate name and supporting structures to prevent the confusion and damage to both games from spreading any further. Many names have been suggested in the past. I would suggest 'Hoopzz' or something equally as snappy such as 'Hoop Attack'. The game of GC is very different to croquet and should be marketed to different segments and demographics. The current name holds it back as it marks GC with the same
RESPONSE TO WHAT CROQUET IS NOT
Croquet Away is a free and easy to use website to find croquet competitions, clubs and croquet holidays all over the world. Players can browse interactive world maps or use the Explore page to add date and region filters to find events happening in different parts of the world during specific dates. Each event has a direct contact form to put you in touch with the event organisers, so you can easily enter with one click. The site already has 70 listings from all over the world. Players can make an account on the site and save events they are interested in. Clubs and organisers of croquet events can list their competitions and club details on the site. Just make an organisers user account and then click "Add a Listing" and the easy to fill out form handles all the rest. Your event will then be visible to the approximately 50 daily users that visit the site from around the world. The site is a free to use resource for players and organisers and has been created to make it easier for players to find croquet events around the world and make it easier for organisers to advertise their events. Duncan Catterall, Croquet & Cocktails
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FIGURINES EVERYWHERE
THE EDITOR'S FRIEND
A few years ago a friend gave me a Royal Doulton croquet playing figurine. Strictly speaking we have too much stuff but this was a kind gesture, so she went to live on the cast-iron mantelshelf in the lounge and I found a ball in the correct scale (most probably an early stone bullet) and since then she faded into the territory.
Well, this has been a fun story to run. Not only am I able to show off another couple of little gems from Chris’s collection, missed from the original photo, but now this picture from Ray shows us all these little characters are popping up everywhere. That includes here, on my very own desk. to my indoor croquet project. They also gave me my little croquet friend, who now keeps me company whilst I enjoy delivering our favourite magazines to our community. Thank you to Ray, to Chris, and all our contributors, for continuing to share your croquet stories. Alison Maugham, Editor
My little chap came from a wonderful couple called Nigel and Myra, who kindly donated some mallets and equipment
Imagine my surprise when I flicked to page 10 of the online Gazette. There was Chris Donovan's lovely collection which had me checking our figurine. Yes, Royal Doulton, but made in 1987 for the Collectors Club. Basically white with blue trim at the bottom of the dress and little round sleeves and neck. The mallet is wood colour, but what appears to distinguish her from at least the front row is that it is held only in the right hand, and the left hand is down at that side. I do not think this will lead to a collection, but the small differences are interesting and you never know, one of our 8 or 10 charity shops may have one some time. Ray Hall
Image from Chris: Nut Cracker Figures
At 86 my croquet days are pretty well over but I still have my memories of this wonderful game. During my croquet career I have gathered some 14 books on croquet, several of which are quite rare. I would like to pass these on to someone who likes to collect croquet book memorabilia. I do not want any money for them just that they go to someone who will appreciate them. I only ask that whoever takes them arranges for their collection. I live near Ipswich. My email is don.gaunt709@btinternet. com Don Gaunt CROQUET BOOKS
Here is a list of the books that I have. Rare Books Croquet Handbook by Arthur G F Ross Expert Croquet tactics by K F Wylie (First Edition signed) Shortening the odds by Bill Arliss (Golf, signed)
Croquet by John Solomon (First edition hardback {signed but not sure by whom} Tackle croquet this way by E P Cotter (Pat Cotter in pencil on inside cover) Croquet in Jersey by Richard Sowerby (signed) Townsends Croquet Almanack 1989 (edited by John Walters) Croquet Association Centenary year book and History of the CA by Colin Prichard Croquet. The art and elegance of the game by Donald Charles Richardson (American garden croquet 1989 – bought in America. Probably the only copy in UK) Other books History of Croquet by DMC Prichard Croquet The skills of the game by Bill Lamb The world of croquet bt John McCullogh and Stephen Mulliner Help II The Humorous Guide to Lost Croquet players by Manor House Croquet mallets 1997 Centenary Fixture book and Handbook (in Gold)
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WHAT TO WEAR?
Editor's pick for the smartest casual clothing wearer; Tudor Jenkins playing in Surbiton at the Easter Open 2021
By Samir Patel Croquet England Tournament Regulations
The question of what to wear when playing croquet has been a topic of discussion for as long as the game has been played. However, for a long time there were no specific regulations. It is clear from old photographs that custom and practice changed over time. The call to wear whites on the court appears to trace to 1951 when John Solomon and Humphrey Hicks reported on the “excellent effect produced” by such a dress code in New Zealand. However, that was not codified in our Regulations for Tournaments until the 1980s. That “whites” dress code for tournaments has evolved slowly since then, with the most significant change in 2009 to permit wearing non-white team kit in team events. In recent years, there have been calls for a more relaxed approach, but also others for more formality. Others have noted that what might be appropriate for a major championship in the middle of summer might not be so appropriate for an early season event in what is likely to be significantly cooler and wetter conditions. As a consequence, the 2026 tournament regulations will define three dress codes. The aim is to provide more flexibility for tournament organisers to adopt a dress code appropriate for each tournament, but without players being faced with a myriad of options defined by each club/tournament. The default dress code will remain similar to the current “whites” dress code. There will be an option for a more casual dress code which will remove the white expectation, and a third option for those clubs that want more formality, for example including wet weather gear in expectations for white. The regulations are still being reviewed and edited, so keep an eye out for further communications.
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2026 EUROPEAN GC CLUB LEAGUE
Roberts Stafeckis, Chairman of the ERC
The 2026 European GC Club League has a new expanded format. Teams will now be split between Championship and Qualifying Heats, keeping the highest and lowest ranked teams apart. The winners of the Championship Heats will contest the Finals Weekend at Carrickmines (Ireland) on 9-11th October. The winners of the Qualifying Heats gain entry into the 2027 Championship Heats. The event is targeted at club players across Europe, giving everyone the opportunity to travel abroad and play competitive croquet. A team of four players is needed to take part, the only commitment is to participate in a single weekend Heat, except for the winners of the Championship Heats who will also contest the Grand Final. Full details, the dates and venues of the Heats and the competition rules can be found on the website - https://www.croqueteurope.com/ competitions/gc-clubs-league. In 2025, 45 teams participated. Whilst there were many players with a DGrade over 2000, 6 of the teams had an average DGrade of less than 1600. The competition provides the opportunity for tams of all standards to travel and play in other countries and against players of other nationalities. This year heats will be held in Czechia, England, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Spain and for the first time in Greece and Scotland. Entries must be received by February 6th 2026. No payment is required at this time. If you are successful in gaining a place in the event you will be contacted regarding how to submit your payment.
As in the years before, the ECL Organiser for 2026 is Ian Burridge. Please note the new event specific email address ECLOrganiser2026@gmail.com which should be used for all correspondence relating to the event.
Aluminium head mallets made from high grade aluminium & fitted with long lasting Tufnol end caps which can be easily replaced if damaged. available in natural and black. They have been thoroughly tested and provided an accurate, reliable, peripherally weighted mallet. The heads are anodised (hardened) and will be
These heads can be fitted with any of the
carbon fibre shafts and are available in 10" and 11" head lengths and a base weight of 2lbs 15ozs (1332g) adjustable from (1280g to 1370g)
CONTACT US
07935 588879 croquetmallets.co.uk
MICHAEL@CROQUETMALLETS.CO.UK
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MALLETS AND YOU By Chris Alvey, dbmallets@gmail.com, Sponsors of the Townsend Club Award
One of the downsides to being a small business in what some would consider a niche sport is that there is no distribution in shops or locations across the country. Getting out to clubs and having players visit us has helped people make decisions regarding the purchase of mallets and in many cases allowed us to help provide coaching advice. Coaching isn’t a dark art; in most cases it’s small adjustments on a person-by- person basis. One of the main ones we see is hand placement and how far a player is bent over. Most players start with an open or spaced grip and (assuming you’re right-handed) when the bottom or dominant hand is placed on the middle or lower section of the shaft that arm is becoming straight in the swing before the top arm does, pulling the stroke to the right. If you push with the bottom
hand during the stroke, the likelihood is that your shot will go to the left. The small adjustment of moving that bottom hand up and not pushing with your dominant hand, coupled with swinging from your shoulders as opposed to your wrists, helps alleviate the hook or slice that you are finding in your game. As we move our hands up the shaft we automatically become more upright, and this can alter the required shaft length; from what you are using currently to what will be more appropriate as you are less bent over. Cleverer people than I say that there should be an inch of clearance above your top hand when you grip the mallet comfortably. In the last year we have sold several mallets to existing customers where the mallet height has been 2” taller than their previous model, and in all cases this has helped
improve their game (at least so I’m told). In theory I should be playing with a 36” mallet but play with a 38”, Anne should be playing with a 35” but again uses a 38”. This is more about personal choice as opposed to what the numbers tell us is correct. The same can be said about mallet weight, head length, etc. It’s about what you feel comfortable with and what works for you. That said, sometimes just asking a player to watch your swing and give you suggestions can make all the difference to your play with an existing mallet; and sometimes trying a lighter one will suddenly make all those things that your coaches said would work, actually work. Buy the mallet for you, for your swing, your style of play and what feels right. That may not be one of ours, but at least you have given several a go before making that decision and parting with your hard-earned money.
Funday Coaching
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WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
2026 England Team: Robert Fulford, Jack Good, Samir Patel (Captain), James Death, Jamie Burch and Mark Avery
SAMIR PATEL WILL CONTINUE AS ENGLAND TEAM CAPTAIN FOR THE 2026 WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP The six player England Team have already begun preparations for the upcoming tournament which will be played in England from 24th July 2026. Team decisions have been made to not only select Samir Patel as the Captain, but also to determine the doubles pairings. It has been traditionally accepted that doubles pairings would remain a well kept secret until the event has been played. But with a break from tradition, England have announced early, their plans to train and compete in the following pairings; Jack Good & Robert Fulford, Jamie Burch & Mark Avery, James Death & Samir Patel. There is no surprise that the Burch and Avery duo will once again join forces, considering their 100% win record from the 2022 MacRobertson Shield which was hosted in Australia. Death and Patel are tried and tested partners, the current holders of the Open Doubles Championship having won the event five times. This leaves new pairing Good and Fulford, where Jack Good’s youth will be matched with Robert Fulford’s experience with 13 Open Doubles, 12 Open Singles and 6 World Singles titles. Over the next six months the team will spend two weekends dedicated to high-level motivational and strategic training, including individual performance coaching, mindset awareness training and mentoring from past World Champions and world renowned coaches. The team’s progress will be followed closely by their team sponsor Alliance Witan, as well as the Croquet England CEO and his team. England World Team (Sponsored by Alliance Witan): Mark Avery (Croquet England) Jamie Burch (Reigate Croquet Club) James Death (Cheltenham Croquet Club) Robert Fulford (Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club) Jack Good (Bowdon Croquet Club) Samir Patel (Captain) (Surbiton Croquet Club) Event dates and locations: Series 1: 24-28 July Roehampton & Hurlingham Series 2: 30 July -3 August Sussex County CC Series 3: 5-9 August Surbiton
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KENILWORTH CROQUET CLUB 2025 SEASON REVIEW & CELEBRATION
Kenilworth Croquet Club concludes the 2025 season on an exceptional high,
marked by national recognition, competitive success, growing
participation and deeper engagement with the wider community. Together, these achievements confirm the club’s position as one of the most forward- thinking and vibrant croquet clubs in the country. The year began with the opening of the lawns on 10 March, in excellent condition after a restful winter and thorough autumn maintenance. Thanks to the irrigation system installed in 2024 and consistent care throughout the hot summer, the lawns remained resilient, green, and admired by visiting clubs.
This attention to detail allowed members to enjoy playing on top- quality surfaces, even during unusually dry spells.
the WMF 6+ League team, captained by Tony Watmore, claiming the Eastern Section title. The Association Croquet league team finished an impressive second overall after a season of strong performances. One of the standout achievements in competitive play was Kenilworth B winning the Robertshaw Cup at their first attempt, narrowly defeating last year’s winners, Kenilworth A. Despite having a higher combined handicap, Kenilworth B impressed early with victories over Broadwas and Himley, including an impressive win by Ian Robertson over a minus-1 opponent, setting up a dramatic final between the two unbeaten Kenilworth teams. Strong singles performances— most notably from Pauline Harvey, the only unbeaten player, and Nick Hegan—secured a 4–2 victory for Kenilworth B. The final showcased the club’s depth and highlighted the benefits of wider participation in competitive play. Community engagement has remained a
A defining milestone of 2025 was Kenilworth becoming the first club in England to receive Croquet England’s Silver Clubmark Accreditation, reflecting excellence in governance, coaching, safeguarding, and community engagement. Alongside this, the club received the Chris and Gail Barley Award, further highlighting its model approach to growth, development, and community involvement. Coaching and development have been central to the club’s success. Thursday morning Association Croquet sessions, led by Adrian Morris and supported by Mervyn Harvey, have been particularly popular, combining competitive play with group and one-to-one coaching. These sessions have significantly improved members’ understanding of tactics, strategy and shot execution. Newer players now regularly challenge established players, adding excitement to the club’s competitive atmosphere. Coaching for younger players has also been successful, with Judith and Elizabeth Thomson guiding children through their first experiences on the lawns. Competition results this year reflected the club’s growing strength across both codes of the game. Golf Croquet and Association Croquet tournaments, organised by Philip Wood, Pauline Harvey, Jon Hodge, and Adrian Morris, produced thrilling matches and new names on trophies. Highlights included the Kenilworth Festival, run by Philip Wood and Phil Blake, where Kenilworth’s team won the competition, and
cornerstone of the club’s ethos. Demonstrations and coaching events, organised by Mervyn
Harvey and team, have introduced croquet to the local community, including U3A groups and families. Open days,
Continued on page 17
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KENILWORTH CROQUET CLUB CONTINUED
friendly matches and festival activities have made the sport accessible and appealing, encouraging participation across all ages. Croquet at Kenilworth is truly a game for everyone, offering mental stimulation, strategic challenge, and social interaction. As 2025 draws to a close, Kenilworth Croquet Club reflects on a year of achievement and growth with pride. With excellent facilities, skilled coaching and a welcoming community, the club looks forward to 2026 with confidence, ensuring Kenilworth will continue to flourish on and off the lawns for many years to come. If you should be interested in trying this sport or finding out more about it email us: croquet@ktscc.co.uk or visit our website: https://ktscc.co.uk/croquet/
Phil Blake & Lynne Breedon The season-end Kenilworth Festival winners show off their trophy and wine
& expertise passion. with Croquet lawns maintained
Discover
Pedestrian Spreader
Aerators
Scarifiers
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For more information or a no obligation demonstration call 01332 824777 or visit www.sisis.com
www.croquetengland.org.uk | 17
Proudly part of
EVERYONE HAS A CROQUET SWING
RAOUF ALLIM The Swing Doctor
end up with split hands, because the right arm action is ‘straight arm’ and the position of the left hand at the top of the shaft seems pretty logical, as nothing has to move on the left side, so there’s little to go wrong. If you compare this to trying to learn a two shoulder swing, most of us don’t have the relevant program, so nothing ‘clicks’ in our brain, and we have to learn it from scratch – really tough. Happily, it turns out that everyone has a croquet swing, but sadly, not necessarily a CqE recommended one. QUICK STARTERS Over the years I have noted some sports which give people a bit of a lead on developing a two shoulder swing. Cricketers seem to have underarm bowling skills in both arms, and combined with their familiarity with holding a cricket bat, they often want to play a two shoulder Irish grip swing. There is a similar, but lesser tendency in hockey players. People who have done dancing or gymnastics can often move their non-dominant shoulder quite rhythmically, so they can take to a two shoulder swing quite quickly. BACK TO BEGINNERS So what does this all mean when coaching beginners? My routine is to demonstrate both a one shoulder and two shoulder swing, and I am happy with people to start with either. I point out that in the long run, those who want to become competitive strong players should at some stage make an attempt to learn the two shoulder swing (which I would help them with), but basically I’m happy if everyone gets going and playing the game. I demonstrate the additional power which the two shoulder technique offers, and leave it to people to draw their own conclusions. At my club (High Wycombe), the Golf Croquet roll-up is very social (and sociable) and most people use a one shoulder swing (75%). In the AC roll-up we have a lot of keen and competitive improvers (who do their socialising over the lunchtime wine), and the majority use a two shoulder technique. EVEN BEFORE YOU PICK UP A MALLET I think that there may even be some useful thoughts here for croquet parents who are incubating our future world champions. It would be worth helping them build two shoulder skills, not just when playing croquet. Learning underarm bowling and throwing with either hand is one
Grade 2 CqE Coach specialising in swing coaching
I recently enjoyed reading a letter to the Gazette, from a coach (John Sayce) who had been working with a group of beginners, and managed to get them happily playing the game – result! In the process he noted that despite demonstrating a swing with the hands together (which I would describe as a two shoulder swing), his students all opted for a split hands technique (which I would categorise as a one shoulder swing). It’s a pattern which I have observed many times, and I hope I can offer some insight into what’s happening, as it affects the route you might want The main thing to understand is that everyone has a library of movement patterns (motor programs is the term I usually use) which have been learnt from previous activities, and these programs are stored in your brain. There are programs for running, jumping, hopping, throwing things, as well as more specialised programs which might relate to various sports we have done. When you are faced with a new task your brain riffles through the various skills, to see if anything helps. In the case of playing croquet most people find a close match with a common program, and that is the underarm bowling or throwing technique. Most of us have learnt to do this, mainly with our dominant arm, and it is usually a straight arm technique with the brain using the relevant shoulder to provide control, rhythm, timing and power. Describing the technique for a right handed person, if you use your left wrist as a pivot at the top of your mallet, and put your right arm straight, so that you end up holding the mallet about halfway down the shaft, then you can use your right sided underarm bowling action to propel the mallet shaft, and thereby hit the ball. It’s actually a pretty good match of a learnt program enabling a new task, so you can see why people do it. They get a sense of control, rhythm and power almost immediately. You can also see why they to take when coaching beginners. WE’VE GOT IT IN US!
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