Croquet Australia:

This is the first issue of the Magazine produced by our new Editor, Carolyn Ribone. Well done Carolyn. We would like to encourage more readers to contribute articles and photographs for publication.

The period since the last issue has been relatively quiet due to the Christmas/New Year break.

11^th WCF World Association Croquet Championships

The Championships concluded on Sunday 10^th February in Christchurch, with the final being played between Chris Clarke (England) and Stephen Mulliner (England) Clarke defeated Mulliner in four games.The final of the Plate was won by James Death (England) who defeated Chris Patmore (England) in three games.

Australia nominated 9 players to compete in the event and 8 players accepted wildcards. The WCF offered Tony Hall a WCF wildcard place following the withdrawal of Mike Jenner and Margaret Melville secured a place by playing in the Qualifying Event.

The results by the Australians were mixed with Ian Dumergue achieving the best performance. A more detailed report is contained in the article about the event in this copy of the Magazine.

Congratulations to all Australians who competed, I’m sure it would have been a worthwhile experience to have played in a world championship.

8th WCF World Golf Croquet Championships March 2008

Since the announcement made in the last issue of the magazine, Ron Johnstone has accepted a wildcard. Congratulations Ron. The best of luck to Tony Hall, Owen Edwards, John Levick, Kevin Beard and Ron Johnstone in South Africa.

Brisbane 2008

Arrangements for the Gold Medal Event, Men’s and Women’s Singles and the Eire Cup are progressing well thanks to a very organised QLD Tournament Committee headed by Carmel Donley (Tournament Manager).

Entries closed on 9^th February for the Singles Events. 48 men and 31 women have entered. The draw will be completed by the last week in February by the ACA Tournament Committee: Tim Murphy, Trevor Bassett, Kevin Beard, Max Murray and myself. We wish all the players every success.

The ACA AGM will be held at Sports House in Brisbane on 4^th April 2008 at 1.30pm and will be preceded by a Plenary Session. The ACA will also be convening an Executive Meeting prior to the AGM.

Events Manager

As Executive Director, I agreed to take on the duties of the Events Manager as well as the administrative duties and those of Insurance Officer for croquet Australia, at the last AGM. The nominated hours for the position were set at 24 hours a week. As the year has progressed it has become patently clear that the duties of the position require a lot more than 24 hours a week (up to 40 hours a week in some instances). Events management is a large factor in the excess hours required to administer the sport. The Executive has decided to divide the Event Management duties and appoint Max Murray (ACA Vice-President) as Events Manager. I will continue to perform the administrative tasks and Max will attend to all other matters connected with events management. My sincere thanks to Max, for taking on the duties.

National Events

Following successful negotiations:

the Rich River Croquet Club has agreed to host the next National Association Croquet Handicap Events from 11^th – 17^th October 2007; and
Deniliquin Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has agreed to host the next National Golf Croquet Handicap Events from 20^th – 24^th October 2008.

We are looking forward to both events. Thank you to Rich River and Deniliquin Clubs who have very successfully hosted the events in the past.

Following feedback from States regarding the format of the Interstate Teams Event for Golf croquet, Croquet Australia has decided to preserve the format used at the event last year in the Hunter Valley (2 x 2). However, we have decided that all teams will consist of 3 men and 3 women. All players will be an integral part of the team and will participate fully in the event.

The Golf Croquet Championships will be hosted at the Sunshine Coast on 6 -14 September 2008. See you there!

Panel of Enquiry

The panel who were tasked with the enquiry and report arising out of the events at the Australian Open Doubles on 5 November 2007 has presented its findings. The report is available at the ACA website http://www.croquet-australia.com.au/

Croquet Australia would like to thank the members of the Panel for the time and expertise that went into producing a comprehensive report in this matter. Croquet Australia has taken the recommendations into account and is at present reviewing the Tournament regulations and Conditions of Play as suggested.

Amendments to Association Croquet Laws

The ACA Executive has accepted the recommendation of the ACA Laws Committee to adopt the amendments to the Association Croquet Laws proposed by the International Laws Committee. (Refer to the article by Max Murray in this issue of Croquet Australia)

The Executive has determined that the amendments will take effect from 1^st May 2008 and we have authorised Tony Hall (Treasurer) to proceed with the printing of 500 new booklets. Booklets may be purchased from your State Association.

We would like to thank Max Hooper; our representative on the International Laws Committee, for his expertise and time spent negotiating on our behalf with the ILC.

We support the continued revision of laws submitted but not addressed at this latest review.

The issues of “Impasse Procedures” and application of the changes will be discussed at our next executive meeting in Brisbane.

Coaching Accreditation

The Australian Sports Commission has suspended our coaching accreditation, pending review and re-registration of our coaching courses. John Riches (National Director Coaching) and I attended a meeting with a consultant from the Australian Sports Commission recently to discuss the amendments that are required to be made to the courses, in order that they meet ASC requirements and can be re-registered. John will undertake the work and it is expected that it may take a few months to complete. Thank you John.

Referee Accreditation

Our thanks to Stephen Meatheringham , Peter Tavender and Owen Edwards who are undertaking the job of reviewing Croquet Australia's Referee Accreditation. Stephen and Peter have already had a meeting with a consultant from the Australian Sports commission and will continue to work towards developing a suitable model for Referee Accreditation and maintenance of accreditation.

Maree Skinner
Executive Director Croquet Australia

	From the ACA

	This is the first issue of the Magazine produced by our new Editor, Carolyn Ribone. Well done Carolyn. We would like to encourage more readers to contribute articles and photographs for publication. The period since the last issue has been relatively quiet due to the Christmas/New Year break. 11^th WCF World Association Croquet Championships The Championships concluded on Sunday 10^th February in Christchurch, with the final being played between Chris Clarke (England) and Stephen Mulliner (England) Clarke defeated Mulliner in four games.The final of the Plate was won by James Death (England) who defeated Chris Patmore (England) in three games. Australia nominated 9 players to compete in the event and 8 players accepted wildcards. The WCF offered Tony Hall a WCF wildcard place following the withdrawal of Mike Jenner and Margaret Melville secured a place by playing in the Qualifying Event. The results by the Australians were mixed with Ian Dumergue achieving the best performance. A more detailed report is contained in the article about the event in this copy of the Magazine. Congratulations to all Australians who competed, I’m sure it would have been a worthwhile experience to have played in a world championship. 8th WCF World Golf Croquet Championships March 2008 Since the announcement made in the last issue of the magazine, Ron Johnstone has accepted a wildcard. Congratulations Ron. The best of luck to Tony Hall, Owen Edwards, John Levick, Kevin Beard and Ron Johnstone in South Africa. Brisbane 2008 Arrangements for the Gold Medal Event, Men’s and Women’s Singles and the Eire Cup are progressing well thanks to a very organised QLD Tournament Committee headed by Carmel Donley (Tournament Manager). Entries closed on 9^th February for the Singles Events. 48 men and 31 women have entered. The draw will be completed by the last week in February by the ACA Tournament Committee: Tim Murphy, Trevor Bassett, Kevin Beard, Max Murray and myself. We wish all the players every success. The ACA AGM will be held at Sports House in Brisbane on 4^th April 2008 at 1.30pm and will be preceded by a Plenary Session. The ACA will also be convening an Executive Meeting prior to the AGM. Events Manager As Executive Director, I agreed to take on the duties of the Events Manager as well as the administrative duties and those of Insurance Officer for croquet Australia, at the last AGM. The nominated hours for the position were set at 24 hours a week. As the year has progressed it has become patently clear that the duties of the position require a lot more than 24 hours a week (up to 40 hours a week in some instances). Events management is a large factor in the excess hours required to administer the sport. The Executive has decided to divide the Event Management duties and appoint Max Murray (ACA Vice-President) as Events Manager. I will continue to perform the administrative tasks and Max will attend to all other matters connected with events management. My sincere thanks to Max, for taking on the duties. National Events Following successful negotiations: the Rich River Croquet Club has agreed to host the next National Association Croquet Handicap Events from 11^th – 17^th October 2007; and Deniliquin Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has agreed to host the next National Golf Croquet Handicap Events from 20^th – 24^th October 2008. We are looking forward to both events. Thank you to Rich River and Deniliquin Clubs who have very successfully hosted the events in the past. Following feedback from States regarding the format of the Interstate Teams Event for Golf croquet, Croquet Australia has decided to preserve the format used at the event last year in the Hunter Valley (2 x 2). However, we have decided that all teams will consist of 3 men and 3 women. All players will be an integral part of the team and will participate fully in the event. The Golf Croquet Championships will be hosted at the Sunshine Coast on 6 -14 September 2008. See you there! Panel of Enquiry The panel who were tasked with the enquiry and report arising out of the events at the Australian Open Doubles on 5 November 2007 has presented its findings. The report is available at the ACA website http://www.croquet-australia.com.au/ Croquet Australia would like to thank the members of the Panel for the time and expertise that went into producing a comprehensive report in this matter. Croquet Australia has taken the recommendations into account and is at present reviewing the Tournament regulations and Conditions of Play as suggested. Amendments to Association Croquet Laws The ACA Executive has accepted the recommendation of the ACA Laws Committee to adopt the amendments to the Association Croquet Laws proposed by the International Laws Committee. (Refer to the article by Max Murray in this issue of Croquet Australia) The Executive has determined that the amendments will take effect from 1^st May 2008 and we have authorised Tony Hall (Treasurer) to proceed with the printing of 500 new booklets. Booklets may be purchased from your State Association. We would like to thank Max Hooper; our representative on the International Laws Committee, for his expertise and time spent negotiating on our behalf with the ILC. We support the continued revision of laws submitted but not addressed at this latest review. The issues of “Impasse Procedures” and application of the changes will be discussed at our next executive meeting in Brisbane. Coaching Accreditation The Australian Sports Commission has suspended our coaching accreditation, pending review and re-registration of our coaching courses. John Riches (National Director Coaching) and I attended a meeting with a consultant from the Australian Sports Commission recently to discuss the amendments that are required to be made to the courses, in order that they meet ASC requirements and can be re-registered. John will undertake the work and it is expected that it may take a few months to complete. Thank you John. Referee Accreditation Our thanks to Stephen Meatheringham , Peter Tavender and Owen Edwards who are undertaking the job of reviewing Croquet Australia's Referee Accreditation. Stephen and Peter have already had a meeting with a consultant from the Australian Sports commission and will continue to work towards developing a suitable model for Referee Accreditation and maintenance of accreditation. Maree Skinner Executive Director Croquet Australia

Email:	Last Modified: 16 July, 2008

From the ACA