Coaching by Spectators and Receiving Advice

The ACA received a formal complaint regarding allegations that a spectator had given advice to two players during the Australian Open Doubles Championships in Adelaide in November 2009.  The ACA arranged an independent investigation into the complaint. As a result of the findings of that investigation, the ACA has amended the Tournament Regulations.  

The investigation found: 

Ø       That although the spectator did not specifically contravene any set playing criteria, the spectator had breached what is generally accepted as ‘normal practice for croquet’;   

The spectator was advised by the ACA that he should not place future competitors in such a compromising situation.

Ø       That the players concerned while not deliberately seeking advice from the spectator should have realised that their opponents may have thought they were. 

 The players concerned were advised by the ACA to avoid this situation arising in the future.

The findings also included a recommendation that ACA further define what constitutes coaching by a spectator.

The ACA decided to provide further clarification in relation to ‘coaching by spectators’ and ‘receiving advice’ by including reference to these matters in new Tournament Regulation 25.

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Last Modified: 21 January, 2010