Croquet Australia: Croquet in the Commonwealth Games

(from the December 2007edition of the ACA Magazine)

From time to time the question as to why Croquet is not played in the Commonwealth games is raised. I thought you might be interested in the answer below provided recently by Mr Brian Storey, Secretary - General of the World Croquet Federation (WCF). [Ed]

Mr Storey reported that:

There are a number of obstacles to overcome for Croquet to be played at any major multi-sport games like the Commonwealth Games.

In no particular order:

. The Commonwealth Games restricts the number of sports to a few;

. The host city can request a new sport to be considered for inclusion. In the current case it is Glasgow and they and Scotland in general do not have many Croquet players of a high International standard so that will stand against us;

. Ideally the International Sports Federation "governing" the sport must be seen to have control of International play and control the Laws of the game. Both of these elude the WCF at this time;

. The sport must adopt the WADA anti-doping code. This has not been done at this time;

. Ideally the first step for International recognition is to become a member of General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) which requires 40 members over four continents. We satisfy the latter but not the former;

. Lastly it is a requirement of the Commonwealth Games that they will only admit new sports on the basis of Marketability - The chosen sports/events shall be able to attract live and broadcast audiences, to attract sponsorship and to generate media interest. Media Interest we could do, especially if it was included in the Games, but the broadcasting side of things would need intensive work with no prospect of success.

. The WCF has made approaches to the Commonwealth Games Secretariat in the past but with no encouragement from them in return.

. Although optimistic in the longer term, my view is that it is impossible to join in the fun by 2014.

I am sure there will be some discussion on this subject at the next WCF Council Meeting of Members in February 2008 to see what support there is.

	Croquet in the Commonwealth Games

	(from the December 2007edition of the ACA Magazine) From time to time the question as to why Croquet is not played in the Commonwealth games is raised. I thought you might be interested in the answer below provided recently by Mr Brian Storey, Secretary - General of the World Croquet Federation (WCF). [Ed] Mr Storey reported that: There are a number of obstacles to overcome for Croquet to be played at any major multi-sport games like the Commonwealth Games. In no particular order: . The Commonwealth Games restricts the number of sports to a few; . The host city can request a new sport to be considered for inclusion. In the current case it is Glasgow and they and Scotland in general do not have many Croquet players of a high International standard so that will stand against us; . Ideally the International Sports Federation "governing" the sport must be seen to have control of International play and control the Laws of the game. Both of these elude the WCF at this time; . The sport must adopt the WADA anti-doping code. This has not been done at this time; . Ideally the first step for International recognition is to become a member of General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) which requires 40 members over four continents. We satisfy the latter but not the former; . Lastly it is a requirement of the Commonwealth Games that they will only admit new sports on the basis of Marketability - The chosen sports/events shall be able to attract live and broadcast audiences, to attract sponsorship and to generate media interest. Media Interest we could do, especially if it was included in the Games, but the broadcasting side of things would need intensive work with no prospect of success. . The WCF has made approaches to the Commonwealth Games Secretariat in the past but with no encouragement from them in return. . Although optimistic in the longer term, my view is that it is impossible to join in the fun by 2014. I am sure there will be some discussion on this subject at the next WCF Council Meeting of Members in February 2008 to see what support there is.

Email:	Last Modified: 16 July, 2008