Welcome to Canterbury Croquet Club

The good news is that membership is growing steadily and is now approaching 40.

Most people imagine croquet to be a simple game involving hitting a ball through a hoop in the garden. There is, however, another side to it. Played to Association Rules, it is transformed into a highly competitive sport which not only requires excellent eye-to-hand co-ordination but also a strong sense of tactical awareness.

There are now over 150 clubs in the Croquet Association which organises national and regional competitions. 18 countries are represented in The World Croquet Federation.

THE CLUB
The Club was founded in a garden in the village of Chartham Hatch in 1991. It moved to the Polo Farm site in 1996 where it now has two full-sized lawns and its own pavilion. Most of the activity is during the summer months but play is possible throughout the year.

THE GAME
There are two types of croquet, association and golf, both of which are played at Polo Farm. Golf croquet, the simpler form of the game, is proving very popular, particularly with newcomers to the sport. Association croquet can be loosely described as snooker on grass. Tactics play an important part. Games can take up to three hours to complete and good breakmaking requires sustained concentration. Golf croquet requires quick thinking and concentration but over a much shorter period. Handicap systems allow players of differing ability to enjoy games together in golf or association.

THE SEASON
The main croquet season is from April to the end of September. At Canterbury we are fortunate to be able to play all year.

CLUB SESSIONS
Golf croquet: Thursdays from 6pm; Fridays from 2pm. Association croquet: Wednesdays 10am; Saturdays 2pm.

Golf and association monthly medal competitons will be played on eight Mondays throughout the summer and start at 2pm. Dates are: May 12, association; June 2 golf; June 16 assn; July 7 golf; July 21 assn; August 4 golf; August 18 assn; Sept 1 golf.

Out of season start times vary so potential new members should check with the secretary. (See details on this page) At other times members can arrange to play games with each other.

Other key dates: Thursday May 1 Annual General Meeting Polo Farm Clubhouse 8pm. Monday May 5 Open Day. 2pm for visitors. June 27-July 1 Dublin tournament. Sunday September 7 Alf Moat association and golf croquet knockout competion finals and barbecue. Sunday September 14 Maurice Copus Cup mixed doubles final. September 27, end of summer club sessions. Saturday November 15 annual dinner.

Note: There will be at least six dates when our three teams in the South Eastern League will be playing home so the club's lawns will not then be available. However the winter lawns may be available if cricket is not being played. These match dates will be posted on the clubhouse noticeboards as and when they become available..

COMPETITIONS
The club enters teams in the South East Croquet Federations association and golf croquet leagues.In the senior, U (Unlimited Handicap) League, Canterbury finished top in 2007 out of 13 sides in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and south London. This was the second time in three years that the club won the title.

Winning this league in 2005 entitled the club to enter the 2006 national Secretarys Shield, along with other regional league winners. Canterbury defeated Newcastle, away, and Fylde, Lancashire, at Polo Farm, before losing to Yorkshire side Beverley in a semi-final, also at home.

In 2007 Canterbury was the only SE U League club to win all its matches and is now again eligible to compete for the Secretarys Shield this year.
The senior side also entered two other senior tournaments last year.
The B League team finished 13th out of 19 clubs, winning half of its games.
The golf team finished fifth out of 18 teams.
The club also has internal league and knockout competitions. Details of all events are posted on the noticeboards in the croquet clubhouse.

THE LAWNS
The clubs two lawns are tended by the clubs groundsman, Tim Smith. Mr Smith provides the club with two other, adjacent, lawns for winter use so that play can continue throughout the year. Players must wear flat footwear to avoid damaging the surface.

LEADERSHIP
The club committee meets regularly to administer the club. Its members are: Ken Dawes, chairman; Albert Sidebottom, secretary; Elaine Salisbury, treasurer; Frank Hughes, captain of association; Brenda Porrer, captain of golf. The clubs handicap committee is headed by Roger Loram.

All members are eligible to attend the annual meeting at the beginning of the summer season when subscriptions are payable.

SOCIAL EVENTS
Croquet at Polo Farm is competitive but there is a social side to the sport. Events for members during the season include barbecues and an annual dinner.

MEMBERSHIP
The current membership fee is £80, which includes the right to use the extensive facilities provided in the main Polo Farm clubhouse. The club has some spare mallets which potential new members can use on a trial basis but players are expected to buy their own mallets once they decide to join the club. Green fees (for a limited period) £2 a session.

There is a reduced rate of £30 for members under 17. Coaching sessions are arranged when possible.

PUBLICITY
The clubs external, and key internal, league matches, as well as other major events, are featured in Canterburys local paper The Kentish Gazette.

INFORMATION
Further information can be obtained from the Club Secretary on 01303 241573 or by email.

THE CROQUET ASSOCIATION:
The Croquet Association is the official body for the sport in this country which also operates a shop selling mallets, clothing, books and other items on its website shop at http://www.croquet.org.uk/shop.

Recent Articles No articles found.