ACWTC 2026 Programme

Official Event Programme

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WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT OF CROQUET ENGLAND

Croquet England is very proud to host the 2026 AC World Team Championship Tier 1, competing for the MacRobertson Shield. Croquet England would like to join the WCF in welcoming everyone – the players, their families,

supporters and of course the spectators. We are hosting the Championship at four venues: Hurlingham, Roehampton, Sussex County & Surbiton and we would like to thank those clubs for agreeing to act as hosts for what is the Premier World Championship for Association Croquet. We would like to thank the Organising Committee as well as all the officials and the many volunteers who have helped to prepare and organise this Championship. It is very apt that the Roehampton Club are celebrating their 125th year and Sussex County Croquet Club have completed the 1st phase of their clubhouse modernisation programme. The original building at Southwick was also completed 125 years ago and opened by the Duke of Cambridge in 1901.

We would like especially to thank the members of the four clubs, for not only sacrificing the use of lawns during the Championship but also being understanding during the period of extra work that is required to meet the exacting standards of this prestigious Championship. We sincerely hope that all the players enjoy the four venues, and the English weather will be kind to us, enabling the matches to be played in excellent conditions for both players and spectators.

Jonathan Isaacs

The World Croquet Federation is honoured to mark the Centenary of the MacRobertson Shield, the foremost international teams event in Association Croquet. Since 1925, this distinguished Test series between New Zealand, England, Australia and the United States of America has exemplified the highest standards of sportsmanship, international fellowship, and respect for a shared sporting tradition. Few global sporting contests can claim such continuity or such enduring ties between nations. The centenary provides an important opportunity to reflect on croquet’s long and valued place within international sport. It also highlights the evolution of our global community. Today, the World Croquet Federation proudly administers the Association Croquet World Team Championships, now comprising Tiers 2, 3 and 4 with an additional nine countries competing at world-class level. Across our member nations, croquet contributes positively to the lives of more than 31,000 players, engaging participants of all ages and backgrounds and strengthening the social and cultural fabric of our sporting communities. This historic series pays tribute to Macpherson "Mac" Robertson—croquet player, philanthropist, inventor and explorer— whose vision and generosity established a legacy that continues to inspire excellence, integrity and goodwill among competing nations. WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD CROQUET FEDERATION

On behalf of the Management Committee of the World Croquet Federation, I extend our sincere appreciation to Croquet England, the organising committees, host clubs and the many volunteers whose dedication has made this centenary event possible. To the players representing their nations in this milestone year: we wish you every success, exemplary sportsmanship, and performances befitting the proud traditions of the MacRobertson Shield. May the 2026 Centenary Series stand as a memorable celebration of international cooperation and the enduring spirit of our sport. Jose Alvarez-Sala

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EVENT OFFICIALS

Phil Cordingley Event Director

Mike Town Event Manager Mike's managing career started in the early 1990s. Since then he has run tournaments at Guildford Roehampton, East Dorset, Budleigh Salterton and his home club, Woking. He was Tournament Manager for the AC World Championships centred at Surbiton in 2013 and Hurlingham in 2023.

Ian Vincent Referee of the tournament Ian Vincent has refereed

Phil Cordingley has over 40 years of accomplishment both on the lawn and in the committee room. This will be the fifth time he has Directed a WCF World Championship. On lawn time spent mostly at Hampstead Heath CC, he is now more likely to be found touring the cycleways of Europe.

MacRobertson Shield matches in all four of the competing countries, having first done so in 1996. He was Tournament Referee when it was last held in England in 2010, and was a member of the WCF Committee that prepared the 7th edition of the AC Laws.

Catriona Peterson Tiers 2 & 3 Tournament Director

Peter Death Tiers 2 & 3 Tournament Manager

Alison Maugham Communications & Partnerships Alison is passionate about the development of Croquet, from Grass Roots through to International Championships. Alison enjoys supporting players, clubs, volunteers and officials in her role within Croquet England. Since spectating at the MacRobertson Shield in Australia in 2017, she has been looking forward to the Mac returning to England.

Although my family have been playing croquet for nearly 50 years I resisted the temptation until joining Nottingham Croquet Club in 2022. I am a committee member at Nottingham and this is my first year organising tournaments, having recently been tournament director for the European GC Championships. I wish all the players good luck and happy times during your stay in England.

Peter has been playing croquet at Nottingham since 1975, and started managing tournaments in the 1980s. Previous international events include the England - New Zealand Mac and the AC Women's World Championship.

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EVENT SCHEDULE World Team Championships Tiers 2 & 3: 22nd-27th July (Nottingham Croquet Club) Visitors are welcome to spectate at the croquet club and enjoy the world-class Association Croquet that will be played. MacRobertson Shield Opening Ceremony: 23rd July 6pm (Roehampton Club) Those attending the Opening Ceremony for the MacRobertson Shield will be warmly welcomed to the gardens of Roehampton for a drinks reception, where the players will proudly parade their country flags and the team captains will introduce their players. MacRobertson Shield Round 1: 24th-28th July (Hurlingham Club & Roehampton Club) Visitors to Hurlingham and Roehampton are very welcome; more details can be found in this programme. The matches will also be livestreamed from the Croquet England YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/croquetengland) MacRobertson Shield Centenary Celebration Dinner: 28th July 7pm (Roehampton Club) Sponsored by Roehampton Club, a celebration dinner will be enjoyed by those who have purchased tickets. The foregathering will be on the first floor of the clubhouse from 7pm, with dinner being served at 8pm. Following the meal, there will be some presentations and speeches which will also be livestreamed. MacRobertson Shield Round 2: 30th July-3rd August (Sussex County Croquet Club) Visitors to Sussex County Croquet Club are welcome; more information about the club is found further on in the programme. MacRobertson Shield Round 3: 5th-9th August (Surbiton Croquet Club) Visitors to Surbiton Croquet Club are welcome; more information about the club is found further on in the programme. MacRobertson Shield Closing Ceremony: 9th August after close of play (Surbiton Croquet Club) Following the completion of the matches on the final day of play, the closing ceremony will begin and the winning team will be presented with the prestigious MacRobertson Shield. This event is free to attend for any visitors. A final supper will be available for those who have already purchased tickets. MORE INFORMATION Livestreaming There will be livestream coverage for the MacRobertson Shield, to be broadcast on the Croquet England YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/croquetengland Website A dedicated website for the World Team Championships provides more information about the event, the players and officials. www.croquetworldteamchampionships.co.uk Merchandise A limited selection of merchandise for the MacRobertson Shield will be availible to purchase throughout the event at the Roehampton Club, Sussex County Croquet Club and Surbiton Croquet Club. Polo Shirts: £15.00 Caps: £15.00 Coin Pouches: £10.00

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THE MACROBERTSON SHIELD IN PROSPECT

It may be a year late because of the impact of Covid on the world championship schedule, but the Centenary MacRobertson Shield is just around the corner. The event dates back to 1925 when MacPherson Robertson, a confectionery millionaire and an enthusiastic croquet player, donated the MacRobertson Shield for competition between Australia and England to raise media interest. Popularly referred to as “The Mac” or “The MacRob”, it has been held 23 times so far and was expanded by the addition of New Zealand and USA in 1930 and 1993 respectively. England/ Great Britain have won 15 times and Australia and New Zealand have each won four times. So, what are the prospects this time, especially given that the last three holdings have been won by New Zealand, Australia and England respectively? On paper at least, England look distinct favourites. They are the current holders, have the benefit of home advantage and can boast an average grade (in mid-May) of 2563 compared to USA (2484), New Zealand (2459) and Australia (2379). Furthermore, four of the England team (Mark Avery, Jamie Burch, James Death and Samir Patel) were members of the victorious 2022 team while Robert Fulford returns for his ninth appearance (and will thereby draw level with John Prince as the two most frequent Mac players) and 19-year old Jack Good makes his debut after an impressive series of wins in GC events and excellent progress in AC including an unbeaten run in the 2025 Solomon Trophy against USA. The American team of Tom Balding, Matthew Essick, Kyle Maloof, Stephen Morgan, Ben Rothman and Zack Watson has been together since the 2023 Solomon Trophy and five (all bar Maloof) played in the 2022 MacRobertson. Given their GC by Stephen Mulliner Eight Times MacRobertson Shield Team Member

2017 England MacRobertson Shield Team Jamie Burch, James Hopgood, James Death, David Maugham, Samir Patel & Stephen Mulliner

expertise and their extraordinary shooting at the 2025 Solomon Trophy, their long roqueting is likely to be the strongest of all four teams and much will depend on the consistency of their break play. If they achieve a high level in that department, they have an excellent chance of claiming their first Mac victory. New Zealand will field five of the 2022 team, namely Greg Bryant, Paddy Chapman, Edmund Fordyce, Felix Webby and Aaron Westerby. Bryant, Chapman and Westerby bring significant experience with 15 Mac appearances between them. The newcomer is Logan McCorkindale who is a strong player and winner of the NZ Open Championship in both 2024 and 2026. New Zealand can never be ruled out, but the odds suggest that they will have a tough battle with USA for second place. Australia will be represented by Trevor Bassett (who made his Mac debut in 2000), Stephen Forster, Greg Hill, Dwayne McCormick, Stephen Pearce and Edward Wilson. The absence of the three Fletcher brothers is obviously a significant change from their 2022 team and suggests that Australia will do well to avoid the wooden spoon.

Forecasting team performance is not only about data and experience. One of the factors to be kept in mind is team age and potential for development. While both codes of croquet contain many examples of older players who remain formidable competitors and winners long after their half-century, there is no doubt that younger players have an edge in relation to long roqueting success, especially when the courts are of high quality, and have generally greater scope for improving break play. The courts at Hurlingham, Roehampton, Sussex County and Surbiton should be in superb condition and ideal for accurate shooting. The American team will be the youngest team in this year’s Mac and the only one that is effectively unchanged. If they have been able to absorb the lessons of their narrow loss to Great Britain in the 2025 Solomon Trophy, they have the greatest potential to spring a surprise. As mentioned earlier, the last three Macs have been won by three different countries. It would be quite something if the Centenary MacRob completed the sequence so that it could be said that the last four Macs had been won by four different countries!

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ENGLAND TEAM 2026

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Samir Patel Samir has regularly represented both England and Great Britain since 2007. He has captained the Solomon Trophy team since 2013 and the MacRobertson Shield team in 2014, 2017 and 2022, the last being his first MacRobertson-winning appearance.

Robert Fulford Robert is one of the most successful players in the history of the game. He has won the World Championship a record six times and has been part of a winning MacRobertson Shield team seven times. Top tip: Try to master a new croquet stroke

Mark Avery Mark’s proudest moment is winning the AC Open Championship a second time, 36 years after his first victory. His top tip is to stay focused, and for improvers to watch the top players to learn where they place their rushes to make the croquet strokes easier.

James Death He is one of the most talented players in the world. His fluent style and unusual grip make him a "must-see" for spectators. James has previously won the prestigious President's Cup, twice been the UK Men's Champion, twice been Open doubles champion and been a semi- finalist in the 2005 World Championships.

Keith Aiton England Team Coach

Jamie Burch Jamie is from Reigate Croquet Club in Surrey, England. A painter and

Jack Good Jack is 20 and this is his first MacRobertson, but he has played in the Home Internationals, Solomon Trophy and the 2025 World Championship, as well as the 2024 European Championship. Jack's top tip: I try to keep still when playing.

Keith took up croquet while at Cambridge University in

1980. As a player his highlights have been

decorator by trade, he is a busy family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children. Jamie's top tip: “Enjoy the game, it’s why we play it!!”

winning the President’s Cup in 2005 and playing in the MacRobertson Shield in 2006 and 2010. He now spends more time on coaching and livestream commentary.

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AUSTRALIA TEAM 2026

Stephen Forster I remember getting my first Croquet Set when l was 5. I think l was using the rubber mallet at the club to hit the ball beforehand. My Mum played up to two days before I was born. So, I was taken to the Tournaments as a baby and she played in them. You could say I’ve played all my life.

Greg Hill Florida 2025 World's was fantastic, but this is my first international team event

Stephen Pearce The Centenary celebration this year highlights the importance of the Mac as the premier event for a large part of the game’s history. It’s an honour to know that we are just the latest part of a long chain of Australian teams competing for the title stretching back to 1925.

and I feel excited! The Mac is the best

opportunity to play with and against the best. I’m thrilled, as well as my teammates I'm sure, to represent our country in this beautiful game.

Trevor Bassett This will be my 4th

James Carlisle Team Manager It's great to be returning to my first home, England, where I originally learnt to play croquet, to represent my new home, Australia, which has helped rekindle my love for the game. It’s great to see croquet, which is normally such an individual game, played as a team sport.

Dwayne McCormick This is my second international test team appearance. The Mac is the highest

Lachlan Berryman Although I have represented Australia in three AC World Championships I have yet to play in an international representative test team. I am excited that the centenary of the MacRobertson Shield will be my first experience at this level.

MacRobertson Shield and I represented Australia in 3 Trans-Tasman events. I was 10 when I started playing, I introduced myself to the game after dropping in one day, and Orm Cook later became my coach.

honour you can achieve in croquet. Nothing else needs to be said.

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NEW ZEALAND TEAM 2026

Greg Bryant 6 time Mac player, various World Championships, Sonoma Cutrer, Trans- Tasman Tests, 1990 NZ Reps v Australia & England Top croquet hint or tip: Always remember why you took up the game in the first place.

Paddy Champman 5 times previous NZ MacRob rep (victorious in 2014), 3 times NZ Trans Tasman rep (winning twice), played in 7 World Championships (World Champion 2018). Top croquet hint or tip: The very best players master the simple stuff - turn the 99% shots into 100% shots and the game will become so much easier.

Edmund Fordyce Previous Mac appearances: 2022 Major titles won: NZ Open Doubles x2, Paddy Chapman Peeling Prize Top croquet hint or tip: Be patient for your opportunities

Logan McCorkindale Major Titles Won: 3x NZ Open Singles. 2x NZ Open Doubles. 1x NZ Top 8 Invitation. Representative appearances: 1x Openshaw. 3x AC World Championships Top croquet hint or tip: Hitting the ball straight makes the game infinitely easier.

Jarrod Coutts Manager and Non-playing Captain While I aspire to play in the MacRobertson Shield one Zealand team is still a huge privilege. To be part of the MacRobertson Shield Centenary Series is a true honour, and I can't wait for it to get underway. Go the Kiwis! day, being involved as Manager of the New

Felix Webby Previous Mac appearances: 2022 Major titles won: NZ Open Singles Champion, NZ Open Doubles

Aaron Westerby Previous Mac appearances: 2006, 2010, 2014 & 2022 My best croquet moment was captaining NZ's shield winning 2014 team Top croquet hint or tip: The ability to run hoops with control under pressure differentiates the best from the very best.

Top croquet hint or tip: Leave the lawn under control

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USA TEAM 2026

Ben Rothman Ben has won the British

Kyle Maloof Favourite Croquet moment: winning the National Championships partnering my father, and being part of the winning Solomon team. In 2020 I had already taken over teaching tennis from my father and he decided to retire from the croquet program so I started playing to take over that program as well at our club.

Zack Watson This year I believe, for the first time in history, that all 4 teams have a chance of winning the event. I am so excited to once again participate along with my countrymen to try and bring the Shield home.

Open (Singles 2016; Doubles 2x), USCA Nationals (Singles 2x, Doubles 5x), Irish Championships, US Open, North American Open, North Carolina Open. His representative appearances have been for the World Championships, Solomon Team and Carter Team.

Thomas Balding He has appeared in one

Matthew Essick He has appeared in the MacRobertson three times (once as captain). The Mac is the pinnacle of croquet with a 3 week grind where you are playing a top 50 player in the world every single day. He thinks it is the ultimate test of a player's ability to play well consistently over 21 days.

Stephen Morgan Representing the United States in the MacRobertson Shield for the 3rd time, Stephen is from Washington D.C. and began playing croquet with the Capitol Croquet Club. He is the Director of Croquet for the Hillsboro Club, completing his 10th season last winter. He recently began his first summer working as the Croquet professional at the Quogue Field Club in New York.

MacRobertson Shield prior to this: the 2022 event in Melbourne. He has been the WCF AC World Champion Bronze Medalist, 3 x AC National Champion, 1 in

singles, 2 in doubles. His favorite Croquet

Moment was winning the Openshaw Shield with the US Team last year.

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AC WORLD TEAMS TIERS 2 & 3

Peter Payne

Ian Sexton

Will Howell

Dave Underhill

Brian Cumming

Chris Percival-Smith

Mike Sully

David Druiett

Kevin Ferguson

Bruno Hess (Captain)

Ulf Säwert

Wolfgang Usbeck

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AC WORLD TEAMS TIERS 2 & 3

Sandy Greig

Tim O’Donnell

Russell Harris

Jane Morrison

Brian Havill

Roberts Stafeckis (Captain)

Normunds Zelcans

Janis Steins

Andrejs Savinovs

Duncan Reeve (Captain)

Lorna Dewar

Andrew Symons

David Warhurst

Martin Murray

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AC WORLD TEAMS TIERS 2 & 3

Joi Elebo

Lewis Palmer

Daniel Larsson

Eje Elebo

Joakim Norbäck

David Hajn

Miroslav Havlík

Otakar Stankuš

Stanislav Vorel

Rick Harding

Chris Williams

Rich Waterman

Angharrad Walters

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THE MAN BEHIND CROQUET’S MOST FAMOUS TROPHY: MACPHERSON ROBERTSON Since around 2000 it has officially become the World Team Association By David Openshaw Six Times MacRobertson Shield Team Member

a further major modification was made to bring the total number of shields for engraving to 29 which should take us up to 2040. The first event in 1925 consisted of three test matches with teams of four players. The inaugural match was held at the Roehampton Club and played over two days 26/27 June. England won 6-0. There were 4 singles and 2 doubles matches which were best of three format. Below are the players from that very first match. The Gazette of the time records that

Croquet Championship and other member countries of the World Croquet Federation are eligible to apply to compete in the event.

The most famous trophy in croquet is the MacRobertson Shield, now the trophy for the World Croquet Federation’s World Team Championship (AC). However it predates the formation of the WCF by many years having first been competed for in 1925. Which teams play in this event and who was the man behind this trophy?

The trophy itself has undergone four changes to reflect the length of time this competition has been played. Now approaching its Centenary it has been played for on 22 occasions. The original trophy carried nine small round silver shields on which the individual names of the players in the winning team are inscribed. After the tenth version of the competition was played in England in 1974 it must have been realised that there was nowhere left to inscribe the winner’s names!! The arrangement of the round shields was changed. The modified trophy now with fifteen round shields is shown in this photo of Bernard Neal and John Prince, Captains of Great Britain and New Zealand during the 1979 series. Later two more shields were added to bring the total to 17. As the event has continued to be held more frequently

An Australian team played in England in 1925 when three test matches were organised and an Australian by name of Macpherson Robertson presented a trophy for international competition. The trophy inscribed with the words MacRobertson International Trophy has become known as the MacRobertson Shield as has the name of the competition, though it is now popularly and fondly referred to as the ‘Mac’. The idea of the trophy was to encourage international play and for many years competing for this trophy was the only form of play internationally. After the initial 1925 event in England a return test series was organised in 1927 which Australia won. In 1930 a challenge from New Zealand was accepted by the Australians and a match for the Shield between those two countries was played in Melbourne. Nowadays four countries Australia, England, New Zealand, and USA compete for the Shield. The USA first played in 1993. (see the wonderful drawing by John Prince!!)

"Lawns 10 and 7 had turned out in super excellent condition and on the former (the ‘Centre Court’ for the occasion) Miss D D Steele appeared in opposition to Mr W T McCleery". Around 200 spectators watched the match. Further matches were played at Cheltenham in July and Southwick in September which England also won 6- 0 and 5-1. These matches had provided great interest indeed. The Gazette reports that at Cheltenham ‘the gallery was considerably larger’ than for the first test. Adding that ‘it would be difficult to imagine a more delightful setting than the famous Cheltenham club in the beauty of its surroundings perhaps second to none in the Kingdom’. So it was not surprising that this interest translated into a tour to Australia being organised for the winter of 1927/28. Three tests were played, all in Melbourne. England won the first 4-2, Australia the second 4-2 and the third was drawn 3-3. Australia won the Shield by tie break. One of

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MACPHERSON ROBERTSON CONTINUED

our players Mr W Windsor Richards wrote a diary of the trip which makes good reading in the early 1928 Gazettes. Here is one short excerpt (Image right). So who was Macpherson Robertson?

His business was a great success taking business from the traditional British importers. MacRobertson's invented and produced famous chocolate products such as the Cherry Ripe (1924), Crunchie (1929) and Freddo Frog (1930). He expanded into related businesses such as glucose production, manufacturing of plant and machinery, timber casks, printing and production of condensed and powdered milk. He was the majority owner and driving force behind Maize Products Pty Ltd, which pioneered glucose production in Australia. He was interested in aviation and set up a joint venture company in that industry. He was reputed to be the largest taxpayer in Australia. His factories in Fitzroy Melbourne were all painted white and the area was known as White City. According to a biographer John Lack ‘he lived unpretentiously and his tastes were simple: croquet, films and boxing at the Melbourne Stadium were abiding interests. He rarely holidayed, but was an ardent motorist from 1902 and owned a fleet of Packard cars’. He was keen to keep fit and took regular morning exercise with a punching ball. He was an impressive looking man known as Mac or Mr Mac and very often seen in a white suit. I could find no photographs of him playing croquet but he does have a Crowther Smith caricature. He was also a great philanthropist and supporter of workers’ rights. In 1928

he supported a Round Australia Expedition to show the potential for motor travel in the outback. An Oldsmobile and two Karrier trucks made the 5-month journey circumnavigating Australia. The trucks contained cinematic equipment to provide entertainment in remote areas and also a supply of MacRobertsons' products! He contributed to the British, NZ and Australian Antarctic expedition of 1929/1930. Part of Antarctica is named after him - MacRobertson Land. He donated the prize money and trophy for the London to Melbourne Air Race 1934. The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race was won in 71 hours but this MacRobertson Trophy did not survive as it was presented in 1941 to the Red Cross to be melted down to help the war effort. For the Centenary of Victoria in 1934 he supported a number of projects in Melbourne. This included the building of a school the Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School (now promoted as the Mac.Rob or sometimes the mac.rob), a new bridge, the MacRobertson Bridge, over the river Yarra from Burnley to Tooruk and the development of the Botanic Gardens. He always combined his philanthropy with promotion of his businesses. He was described in The Brisbane Courier (January 1928) as “an athletic young man of 68 – white of hair, erect, kindly and brimful of energy. He is a democrat to the finger tips and takes a personal interest in his staff that is good to see.”

The man who presented this wonderful trophy. He was an

Australian entrepreneur who built up one of the most successful companies in Australia. He was born in Victoria Australia in 1859 to parents of Scottish descent. He lived in Scotland for four years from age 9 while his father worked in Fiji. He was from a humble background and his schooling was interrupted by the need to support the family. His mother returned to Australia when he was 14. He was apprenticed in the confectionery industry and in 1880 he started his own business. He went on to build a very large chocolate and sweet company, MacRobertson’s; a name he promoted with exceptional passion. He spent time in the USA in 1893 investigating the newest trends in confectionery and learning new production and marketing ideas there. He was regarded as particularly good at marketing and promoting his products. Notice that the rather ornately written MacRobertson is the same as on the Shield. It’s the way he wrote his signature and promoted his company.

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MACPHERSON ROBERTSON CONTINUED

He developed Pension Schemes for employees and encouraged unions; in particular the Female Confectioners’ Union, and during the most depressed years around 1928 preferred using additional labour and not his machines. abilities. These varied : he had a ‘flair for product innovation, eye-catching packaging and skilful promotion’. ‘Robertson was an innovative businessman and a shameless self- promoter’. He had an ‘unparalleled flair for marketing and self promotion’. ‘Never a shrinking violet, Macpherson Robertson named his business for himself but combined his two names into the catchier ‘MacRobertson’’. This is clearly a very impressive "rags to riches" story. I would have liked to find out more about his croquet playing but that will have to await more research! It is interesting to see various descriptions of his promotional

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MACROBERTSON SHIELD EDITIONS MACROBERTSON SHIELD FACTOIDS John Prince (NZ) has played in the most MacRobertson Series (9) and MacRobertson Test Matches (39) Three players (all Eng/GB/GB&I) have played in eight Series: Robert Fulford, Stephen Mulliner and David Maugham Robert Fulford is the only player to have played in seven MacRobertson Series winning teams David Maugham and Chris Clarke (both Eng/GB/GB&I) have each played in six MacRobertson Series winning teams Two players, Damen Bidencope (Aus. & USA) and Chris Clarke (Eng/GB/GB&I & NZ) have represented two different countries

2022 TEAMS

CURRENT STANDINGS

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ROEHAMPTON CLUB HOST CLUB SPOTLIGHT The Roehampton Club, a private members’ sports and social club, has been one of the great centres of

England won 6–0, inaugurating what would become the world’s premier AC team competition. Roehampton later hosted further Mac Tests in 1937, 1956, 1974 and 2010, and returns once again as a host venue for the 2026 Championship and centenary celebrations. Limited guest parking is available at the Club and there is no on-street parking nearby. Spectators are advised to use public transport. The Club is a 10-minute walk from Barnes train

croquet since the sport was introduced to the Club in 1902. Founded only a year earlier, as a polo club, the Club quickly developed a national reputation for the quality of its lawns and for the standard of play it attracted. During the first half of the twentieth century, Roehampton became closely associated with the administration and development of the game; for many years the headquarters of the Croquet Association were based at the Club, and many of the sport’s major championships were played there. It continues to host leading national and international fixtures on its four excellent lawns. Roehampton occupies a special place in international croquet history as the venue for the first ever MacRobertson Shield Test match, held in 1925 between England and Australia.

station and the 337 bus runs regularly from East Putney underground station (on the District Line). The 265 bus runs to the Club from nearby to the Hurlingham Club.

Spectators should register at the Gate House on arrival.

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HURLINGHAM CLUB HOST CLUB SPOTLIGHT

We are delighted to welcome you to The Hurlingham Club for Round 1 of the 2026 MacRobertson Shield, this being the 5th time Hurlingham has hosted this prestigious event. Founded in 1869, originally as a pigeon-shooting Club, Hurlingham became renowned as the historic birthplace of modern Polo, having formalised the first rules of the sport in 1875. Croquet was introduced in 1898 and has ever since been the spiritual home of Croquet. This year, we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of The Hurlingham Cup (part of the August Week tournament), an open event first played in 1901. In 1959 Hurlingham became the home of the Croquet Association (CA), where it was based until 2001. In 1989, Hurlingham hosted the inaugural Association Croquet Singles World Championship and has since hosted a further four editions of this event, most recently in 2023. Next year,

Hurlingham will host the AC Opens for the sixth time since 2000. The Club is set in 42 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, featuring the magnificent club house overlooking the four front championship lawns, with two further lawns close to the Cricket pitch which itself is converted into four additional lawns when required for major tournaments. We look forward to welcoming you to Hurlingham and thank you in advance for following these regulations. We hope you enjoy your visit to the Club. Club Access: entry to Hurlingham is free of charge to all visitors during the period 24 July to 28 July. Please carefully note these conditions of entry: Players, Managers & Officials: will be pre-registered for all days including practice.

Croquet England (CqE) members: entry on presentation of their Membership Card (available on the member’s entry in the Subscribers’ Area of the CqE website). Members of WCF organisations: entry on presentation of evidence of membership of an equivalent WCF organisation. All other visitors: all other visitors must be pre-registered prior to entry, at least 24hrs ahead of a weekday visit, and by Friday 3pm ahead of a weekend visit. To register, visit https:// buytickets.at/ thehurlinghamclub2/2257658.

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SUSSEX COUNTY CROQUET CLUB HOST CLUB SPOTLIGHT Sussex County Croquet Club (SCCC), generally referred to as simply “Southwick”, was founded in 1847

With 11 immaculate lawns it has been felt, for some years, that the club’s other facilities - housed in early 20th century wooden sheds - were not suitable for current needs, so we are delighted to have completed Phase 1 of a major renovation project, to which we welcome our many visitors and competitors. Our small car park is shared with the adjoining tennis club so can be quite busy but free parking is easily available in the surrounding streets. Catering, including a lunchtime BBQ or a salad buffet in the clubhouse, is provided by our enthusiastic volunteers, who also man our licensed bar. Getting here: The club is well served by trains from Brighton, with Southwick station nearby and buses running along the coast from Brighton.

near the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and has been at the present five acre site since 1901. The founders of SCCC, Mr Henry Jones and Mr John Hinde Hale, were part of a larger group who went on to found Wimbledon Croquet and Tennis club, better known today as the All England Lawn Tennis Club. In recent years SCCC has hosted the GC World Championships in 2019 and 2022, the Women’s GC World Championships in 2023 and the European Teams GC Championship Tiers 2 and 3 in 2025. We are very much looking forward to hosting the MacRobertson this summer. The club has worked hard over the past few years to encourage more members to take up AC and has made great progress with increasing numbers learning Association year on year.

London Gatwick airport is 40 minutes away by car. Accommodation Brighton and Worthing are the two largest towns nearby and offer a good range of hotels and airbnb’s. Accommodation can get busy in the summer months, so early booking is advisable.

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HOST CLUB SPOTLIGHT SURBITON CROQUET CLUB

Surbiton Croquet Club was initially founded in 1896, near its current site in Berrylands, but did not reopen after the end of World War Two. It was re- established on its present site in 1985 by Derek Capron, Lionel Wharrad and others, with play restarting in 1986, meaning it is celebrating its 40th reopening anniversary this year. Some of the club's founder members are still active. Surbiton prides itself on a relaxed atmosphere, excellent lawns, a warm welcome with great food and drink, and offering croquet of all standards - from world class to entirely social. We have hosted World Championships in both AC and GC before, and are very much looking forward to hosting the Mac again this year. The club has seven excellent lawns and a clubhouse. Limited parking is available onsite (players only during the Mac), with free and plentiful

onstreet parking in adjacent roads for spectators and officials. Local traffic wardens can be officious - make sure you obey parking restrictions and do not let any part of your car protrude beyond the white lines. Getting there. From Gatwick, train to Clapham Junction, then change for trains to Surbiton. From Heathrow, it's difficult - best bet is the SL7 bus to New Malden, then the train to Surbiton. Trains run frequently from Waterloo, Clapham Junction and Wimbledon to Surbiton, which is a 15 minute walk away, or a short Uber. By car, the club is close to the A3. Many croquet players stay at the Chessington Tolworth Travelodge, or the Premier Inn Tolworth, both of which are relatively inexpensive, and within a 15-20 minute walk. Other options are avilable - see airbnb or TripAdvisor.

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HOST CLUB SPOTLIGHT NOTTINGHAM CROQUET CLUB

Location The club is about two miles west of the city centre, just outside the ring road. For navigation purposes, our address is Nottingham Croquet Club, University Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 2PS (but please address any post to individual officers, as deliveries are unreliable). If using Google Maps or satnav, be aware that NG7 2PS is a sprawling postcode area; try to navigate to the club itself, not the postcode. We are about half-way along University Boulevard, on the right hand side of the road, heading away from the city and ring road. There is a lay-by (with bollards to prevent casual parking) with a bust of Lord Trent (Jesse Boot, of Boots the Chemists) outside. From the lay-by, walk through the large formal iron gates and then through either of the smaller iron gates immediately on your right or left. Please take care when using the pelican crossing to cross the dual carriageway; motorists do not always behave legally or predictably.

We have been playing in the elegant surroundings of Highfields Park since 1929, with a vista to the University of Nottingham's magnificent Trent Building (Morley Horder, 1928) as depicted on our club logo (see opposite). Catering and Bar: The Nottingham Croquet Club has a long-established tradition of providing good quality home cooked lunches with kitchen facilities in the club house and a team of volunteers who cater throughout the season. Lunches and teas will be provided for players and officials at their own expense at £16 per cover per day. Lunches to be available from 12 noon to 2pm, tea from 4pm. A pay-as-you-go bar will be available on playing days. Social Events: It is expected that a social event will be arranged for the players one evening during the event.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A world class event such as the World Team Championships can only happen with assistance from volunteers and supporters, dedicating time and resources to ensure the event is a spectacle of success. We extend our thanks to those mentioned below who have provided significant support.

Stephen Allen Hurlingham Host Club Contact and Livestream Director Lynn Pearcey Roehampton Host Club Contact Clive Hayton Sussex County Host Club Contact Nick Parish Surbiton Host Club Contact Roehampton Club Sponsor of the Centenary Celebration Dinner Chris and Gail Barley Livestream Operation Sponsor Mike Sandler Programme Sponsor Louise and Michael Nelligan Programme Sponsor Alliance Witan England Team Sponsor Martin Burden, Audiohire Celebration Dinner Livestreaming provider Duncan Catterall, Croquet & Cocktails Event support

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