Welcome to Croquet Connect, your source for the latest news, events, and insights from Croquet Australia, keeping you informed and connected with the croquet community across the country.

The 2026 Association Croquet World Team Championships - Tier 1, competing for the MacRobertson Shield - is being held in England between 24th July and 9th August 2026.

Tier 1 is a multi-venue, multi-phase event, each phase consisting of two tests. Phase 1 will be held at the Hurlingham (4 lawns) and Roehampton (4 lawns) Clubs, Phase 2 will be held at Sussex County Croquet Club (seven lawns) and Phase 3 at Surbiton Croquet Club (seven lawns).

For all the updated team scores, team photo album and event information, go to the event page on the CA website via the link.

Entries Closing Soon.....

The 2026 Women’s and Men’s GC Singles will be held concurrently in Victoria from Saturday 5th to Tuesday 8th September. They will be preceded by the 2026 Gold Medal (2-4 Sep), and will immediately precede the Interstate Shield (ISS: 9-13 Sep). Tournament Headquarters will be at the Victorian Croquet Centre (VCC) in Cairnlea.

Entries close on Wednesday 5 August... click the link to REGISTER TODAY and enjoy being part of a wonderful GC Carnival of events at Cairnlea in September!

Expressions of interest are now open for the Association Croquet President's 8s to be held at Cairnlea from 2-5 October 2026.

Closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 28, August 2026.

Click the link to find all the event information on the tournament page located on the Croquet Australia website. 

Croquet Australia is pleased to confirm the National Event Calendar for 2027.  

Please click on the link to view all the information regarding National Events in 2027!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KYNETON CROQUET CLUB

150 YEARS…

The game of croquet was played in Kyneton as early as 1866. A Croquet Club was listed in

Steven’s Kyneton, Malmsbury and Taradale Directory of 1866, which gave information about all services, listed under the "Miscellaneous" heading: "Mechanics' Institute, Cricket Club, Quoit Club, Croquet Club…"

In 1876, thirty people met to form a Bowling and Croquet Club on the present Bowling Club site, next to the Mechanics Institute. Due to World War 1 the club had to be closed down in 1914. The Croquet Club reformed in 1920 but because of limited accommodation in 1929 land was purchased for £210 pounds on the corner of Ebden and Donnithorne Streets, Kyneton, on which lawns were laid and a pavilion erected.

The club opened on November 2, 1929 and became incorporated in 1984. There has been fluctuating membership over the years, however a constant of approximately 30 members has been maintained.

We have had many enduring members over the years, the longest playing is Gweneth Byrne, who has been playing at the Kyneton Croquet Club for over 50 years. Gwen was an extremely competent Association croquet player, competed successfully for many years and has been a patron of the club.

Our club enjoys a robust in-house competition; The John Teed Cup and also competes in local pennant with NDCA and Goldfields Association. We have many successful players competing in tournaments around the country and also representing the state.

The beautiful historical setting of the clubhouse and grounds is in keeping with the heritage status of the area. The members are very proud of the club and that it is the oldest croquet club in Australia and could quite possibly be the second oldest in the world after Wimbledon.

Croquet Australia are pleased to provide an update on a recent refresh of the CA website and some exciting news regarding the Pathways Academy.

Click the link to find out more!

The Board of Croquet Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Damon Selwyn as General Manager, effective immediately.

Damon joined Croquet Australia in April as National Operations Manager. In that time, he has built strong relationships across the membership and applied his broad experience in sporting administration to good effect.

The Board is confident this appointment provides continuity and strong operational leadership as Croquet Australia continues to grow the sport in step with our Strategic Plan.

Damon succeeds Chris Bannerman, who has recently departed the organisation for unexpected personal reasons. 

Please join the Board in welcoming Damon to his new role.

The Board of Directors
Croquet Australia

In January 2026, the CA Board endorsed the establishment of a Gateball Australia Management Committee (GAMC) to guide and grow the operations of Gateball Australia.  

We welcome the GAMC officers, who were appointed by the Board in March as:

• Chair GA - Geoff Crook (SA) 
• Communications Manager GA - Cheryl O'Dwyer (VIC) 
• Events Manager GA - Emma Mauceri (QLD)
• Coaching HPM Manager GA - Philip Brown (VIC)

The GAMC assumes responsibility for work undertaken by the Gateball National Coordinator (NCGB) role and several Gateball committees (GAMC TOR). 

We thank Ros Crowe for her work over the past 4 years in the NCGB role, particularly growing the sport, increasing the professionalism and governance processes of Gateball, and raising Australia’s profile on the international stage.

The 2027 AC World Championship will be held in Wellington, New Zealand from 30 Jan - 7 Feb 2027.

The Australian Association Croquet Selection Committee invites Australian players who wish to be considered for selection and/or wild card places. 

Click THE LINK to register an expression of interest (EOIs close on Tue 11 Aug 2026 17:00)

Croquet Australia regret to advise the impending departure of Katrina Stopinski in her role of Pathways and Administration Co-Ordinator. 

Katrina brought significant value to not only her core role, but has provided fantastic support across the organisation during the past 4 months. Katrina leaves us to take up an exciting opportunity in the AFLW umpire coaching team in a full-time role and leading the development of female pathway umpires nationally. This is an exciting opportunity for Katrina in a field she is passionate about and well placed to make a positive impact in going forward. On behalf of the entire Croquet community, we thanks Katrina for her contribution to CA and wish her well in her new role. 

Croquet Australia are also pleased to confirm the following appointments and roles:

Karen Bisley - CA Medical Officer

John van der Touw - National Coordinator of GC Referees

Kate McLoughlin - National Coaching Coordinator

On behalf of the Croquet Australia board, we acknowledge and thank Karen, John and Kate for nominating for these important roles to support Croquet Australia.

Croquet Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community.