Welcome to Canterbury Croquet Club

Membership fee £80pa. To Join call Yvonne Hill 01227 738219.

The good news is that membership is growing steadily and is now nearing 50.

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: Tuesdays 5pm (summer) 2pm (winter) and Fridays 2pm. Association croquet: Wednesdays 10am; Saturdays 2pm. High handicappers’ training sessions 2pm Thursdays with Brenda Vinton.

Other key dates: Monday April 26, summer club sessions start. Thursday May 6, annual meeting; Monday May 10, monthly medal, golf; Sunday May 23, Ramsgate friendly, assn; Monday May 24, m medal assn; Monday June 7, m medal golf; Monday June 14, m medal assn; June 18-22 Dublin tournament assn and golf; Monday July 5, m medal golf; Monday July 19, m medal assn; Sunday July 25, fun day; Monday August 9, m medal golf; Monday August 23, m medal assn; Sunday September 12, Finals of Alf Moat golf and association knockout trophies and annual barbecue; Sunday September 19, Maurice Copus Cup association mixed doubles final; Saturday September 25, end of summer club sessions; Friday November 12, annual dinner.

Note: In addition to the above dates there will be at least six occasions when 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
Canterbury have qualified for the national association croquet Secretary’s Shield for the fourth time. They did so by defeating Caterham 4-3 in a play-off to win the South East Federation Unlimited Handicap League 2009 title. Canterbury have a bye in the first round and will play the winners of a first-round match between East Midlands side Ashby and Hunstanton, Norfolk.

Canterbury won the shield in 2008 and have twice reached the semi-finals.
The club has again entered the South East Federation association croquet ‘U’ (Unlimited Handicap) and ‘B’ Leagues and the golf handicap league. In addition it has internal golf and association croquet knockout competitions and leagues. This year, for the first time there is an association half-game league.

THE LAWNS
The club has two competition lawns and two winter lawns. The latter can be used in summer, provided that cricket is not being played on the adjacent pitch. Players must wear flat-soled footwear. They must not damage the lawns or play on them when they are waterlogged.

LEADERSHIP
The club’s executive committee meets regularly. Its members are: Jean Byers, chairman; John Ruddock, vice-chairman; Yvonne Hill, secretary; Peter Jones, treasurer; Brenda Porrer, golf captain; Frank Hughes, association captain. Judy Sturrock, co-opted.

Non-committee appointments: high handicappers’ trainer, Brenda Vinton; catering organiser, Yvonne Hill; clothing supplier, Jean Byers.

SOCIAL EVENTS
The club organises several social events, including a finals day barbecue, an open day, an annual dinner and a fun croquet day. Dates of these events are listed in the Club Sessions section.

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) £3 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 Canterbury's local paper The Kentish Gazette.

INFORMATION
Further information can be obtained from the Club Secretary on 01227 738219 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.

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