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.

Leadership Transition at Croquet Australia 

Croquet Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Chris Bannerman as our new General Manager, commencing Tuesday, 7 October 2025. Chris brings a wealth of experience in sport, particularly in Rugby League and through his work as a consultant with Endgame Sport Resourcing. His knowledge of sport administration and strategic insight will be invaluable as Croquet Australia continues to grow and evolve.

Chris shared his enthusiasm for the role:

"It's a privilege to be at the helm of a national sporting organisation like Croquet Australia, with the sport steeped in history yet enjoying strong participation in today's crowded sporting landscape. I look forward to working with the board of CA and major stakeholders to see the sport expand its appeal to new participants, and capitalise on its strong participation base to achieve success in the international arena."

We welcome Chris to the Croquet Australia family and look forward to the journey ahead under his leadership.  Contact Chris on GM@croquet-australia.com.au

The 2025 Golf Croquet Interstate Shield went right down to the wire, with New South Wales securing victory over Western Australia on the final day of competition.

In one of the closest finishes in recent years, both teams finished with four wins and one loss. The Shield was ultimately decided on matches won, with NSW edging WA 33–27.

Placings:  1st NSW, 2nd WA, 3rd QLD, 4th SA, 5th TAS, 6th VIC

Association Croquet President's 8s

The Presidents’ 8s concluded at Cairnlea with top-quality play across all divisions.

• 1st Eight: Dwayne McCormick (Norwood) defended his title, defeating Greg Hill (Brunswick) 26TP–0 for the Eddie Hunt Trophy.

• 2nd Eight: James Carlisle (Cammeray) went undefeated to win the Tom Howat Cup.

• 3rd Eight: Colin Clark (Maryborough) claimed the Major Tingey Tray over Joanne Brown (Cammeray) 19–17.

U21 Golf Croquet Championship Update

Further into the newsletter you will see an update on the Croquet Australia event calendar.  An adjustment has been made to the 2026 U21 Golf Croquet Championship.

The 2026 U21 Golf Croquet Event in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, will now be held 11–13 January 2026.

A one-day doubles event is proposed for 11 January, subject to EOIs received by 5 December 2025. If the doubles do not proceed, the singles will run across three full days with Best-of-3 matches, semi-finals, and finals.

For enquiries, contact events@croquet-australia.com.au.

Go Aussies! Nine Australians are heading to West Palm Beach, Florida for the 2025 WCF Association Croquet World Championship (18–26 Oct), competing for the Wimbledon Bowl.

Keep an eye on World #1 Robert Fletcher and fellow top players Dwayne McCormick, Greg Fletcher, Greg Hill, Stephen Forster, Lachlan Berryman, Michael Gidding, Callum Hyland, and Trevor Bassett as they take on the world!

Congratulations to Dwayne McCormick who has been selected to be the Australian flag bearer for the opening ceremony.

Best of luck to all🏆

Academy Committee adopts Plan on a Page

Croquet Australia’s Academy Committee is pleased to announce the adoption of its Plan on a Page , a clear and concise roadmap to guide the Committee’s work over the coming year.

The Plan on a Page provides a snapshot of the Committee’s strategic priorities, goals, and actions, ensuring alignment with Croquet Australia’s wider objectives. It sets out the direction for supporting coach, referee, and tournament manager development across all codes of croquet, while also identifying key focus areas to strengthen pathways and resources at every level of the sport.

This Plan builds on the Academy Committee’s Terms of Reference, which outline the Committee’s role in developing and delivering national programs, coordinating with state bodies, and providing leadership in education and training. Together, the Terms of Reference and the Plan on a Page provide both the structure and the strategy needed to ensure that the Academy continues to deliver meaningful outcomes for the croquet community.

The Academy Committee looks forward to working with members, clubs, and state associations to bring this plan to life.

Volunteer of the Month

We continue to Support and Empower our People

Volunteeer of the month:

August - John Doepel - Forrest Park Croquet Club

September - Dick Byres - Bribie Island Croquet Club

Nominations close at the end of each month. Use the QR code to nominate our Everyday Heroes.

Club News

Has your club reached a milestone, achieved a goal, or simply has some great news to share? We’d love to hear from you! Send your stories and updates to Croquet Australia so we can celebrate your success with the wider community.

Lakes Entrance Croquet Club

LECC took the opportunity to celebrate its 20th Birthday recently. Former Club members were invited to join current members along with friends in an afternoon tea. Julie Drummond made a beautiful cake decorated to depict a croquet court which was ably cut by our oldest member May Beveridge.

Changes to the National Calendar

The Events Advisory Group were tasked by the Board of Croquet Australia to review the annual National Events Calendar to ensure competitions remain relevant, sustainable, and provide the best opportunities for players, officials, and volunteers. Following consultation and review of entry numbers, costs, and player pathways, several changes were supported by the Board and are proposed for 2026 and beyond. 

These changes focus resources where participation is strongest, strengthen player pathways, reduce volunteer burden, and ensure financial sustainability.

Board Vacancies

We are currently seeking two dynamic and committed individuals from our membership to fill casual vacancies on our Board of Directors. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of croquet across Australia, contribute to sound financial and operational governance, and ensure we remain socially responsible and forward-thinking in all that we do

Croquet Australia has opened a new funding project with the Australian Sports Foundation:

Croquet Academy Learning and Development Project.

The project aims to establish a structured pathway for training and accrediting tournament managers and officials from grassroots to the national stage. This will ensure that croquet competitions are managed efficiently and professionally, leading to improved player experiences and growth of the sport.

More information is HERE

All donations are tax deductible.

Several members of the current WCF Management Committee will complete their term of office at the end of 2025..

WCF are therefore calling for nominations for the following positions, which will commence on 1 January 2026:

• Treasurer
• Management Committee (MC) – 4 positions

Nominations are now open and will close on Friday 31^st October 2025. If, by that date, there are more candidates than available positions, a Member vote will be held. 

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