Croquet Australia - Executive Circular (#2 2003)

Development Squad
MacRobertson Shield
President's Invitation Eights
2004 Australian Championships
N Z Scholarships
Future Program

New Development Squad

At a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the ACA it was agreed that the Selectors should set up a new National Development Squad 2003-4 consisting mostly of newer players with potential for development towards international standard.
At the Presentation Dinner at the Australian Championships in Maitland the names of the players selected in the new Development Squad were announced and these are as follows :-

NSW: Claire Gorton, Chloe Aberly, Chris Borlase
Queensland: Greg Whymark, Willi Silk, Margaret Melville, Jan Murdoch
South Australia: Charlotte & Miranda Morgan, David Wise
Victoria: Judy Wembridge, Anna Miller, Adrian Masterman-Smith
Tasmania: Rob McAdam, Sue Beattie
Western Australia: Ross Marshall

This squad will train in Melbourne on the weekend of 27/28 September 2003 and the Australia Day long weekend 24/26 January 2004. The Head Coach will be George Latham who will be assisted by other senior players and coaches.

MacRobertson Shield

The ACA is pleased to advise that the Australian Croquet Team to represent Australia at the forthcoming MacRobertson Shield competition in Palm Springs, Florida, USA, is as follows:-
Bruce Fleming, Qld (Captain)
Trevor Bassett, Vic
Martin Clarke, WA
Simon Hockey, SA
Stephen Meatheringham, ACT
Stephen Forster, Vic
Reserve, Helene Thurston,WA.

We advise that Jocelyn Sutton is not available.

The MacRobertson Shield competition will be between teams from Great Britain (current holders), USA, New Zealand and Australia.

The contest will run from 1st to 15th November 2003. The Australian Team will arrive on site 5 days before the start to allow time for practice and familiarisation with local conditions.

President's Invitation Eights

This year the President's Eights will be held on 3 - 6 October 2003, and each eight will be held where the majority of players in that eight reside. The first Eight and the Women's Eight will be in Brisbane and the second Eight will be in Perth.
There will be 2 sessions of play on Friday afternoon starting at 1-00pm and on the following 3 days there will be 4 playing sessions each day. Invitations are now being sent to players.

Australian Championships 2004

The next Australian Championships and the Interstate Cup will be held in Victoria from 20th March to 4th April 2004. The venues to be used are now being investigated. There is a discussion paper now in circulation with all States and responses from that will help determine any changes that may be made to the future running of the Championships. However, any changes that are decided upon will not have any major effect on the Championships in 2004

New Zealand Scholarships

We plan to make available up to four junior scholarships (under 25 years age) for players to take part in the New Zealand Championships (Open Singles and Open Doubles) in January 2004. The Scholarship provides for full airfare plus entry fee and also up to $200 assistance towards accommodation costs. Players interested should make application to the ACA Secretary before 30th August 2003. If there are insufficient junior applicants the Australian Selectors may consider awarding some senior scholarships.

Future Program

MacRobertson Squad, training to be announced.
National Development Squad, 27-28 Sept 2003 and 24-26 Jan 2004. Melbourne.
President's Eights, 3 - 6 October 2003 Brisbane and Perth.
National Handicap Tournament, Rich River, 18 - 24 October 2003
National Golf Croquet, Horsham, 26 - 28 October 2003.
National Gateball, Caloundra, Qld, 31 Oct - 2 November 2003
MacRobertson Shield, Florida, USA, 1 - 15 Nov 2003.
Trans Tasman, NZ, February 2004.
Australian Championships, Victoria, 20 March - 4 April 2004
AGM of the ACA, Sun 28th March 2004 at 6-00pm. (middle Sunday of tournament)
Easter, Good Friday 9 April 2004
WCF World Championships, possibly England in 2005.

Australian Rankings

The current World and Australian Rankings are available on Chris William's web site.

Terry Speers
ACA Secretary
14th May 2003