Croquet in the North West

North West Federation of Croquet Clubs - for everything Croquet in the north west

You are here: Home / Archives for Tony Thomas

Great Optimism for Croquet 2021 at Spring Meeting

by Leave a Comment

Executive Summary: NWFCC Spring Club Meeting by Zoom – Saturday 6th March 2021

Chairman, Paul Rigge welcomed 19 delegates on Zoom to the Meeting in addition to 17 members on You Tube. He thanked Eugene Chang of the CA for facilitating the Meeting on the CA Account.  Minutes of the last Meetings (An SGM and an AGM) on the 14th November were confirmed and there were no matters arising.  

League Manager, Ivan Wheatley has received entries from 49 teams for the 2021 League Season and scheduled a full programme of matches, unfortunately, these must now be re-scheduled in the light of current Covid restrictions.  He recommended the season should now start on 17 May and end in September with a revised fixture calender – this will involve playing matches more frequently in the Level Play GC, Level Play AC and Midweek AC leagues but necessitate splitting the other leagues.  Consequently the Handicap AC, Handicap GC and Short Leagues will each be split into a North and South division of 4 or 5 teams each with an ‘all play all’ format.  The annual Festival of Croquet was discussed at length and a new date of 14/15 August agreed for this year.  

Sarah Andrews, Development Officer, explained the Development Committee will have a new focus to identify future funding sources.  She has been instrumental in securing grants for Fylde and Crake Valley and is in discussions with a possible new group in the West Pennines.  David Cornes was elected as the Federation Development Officer to replace Sarah.  Jean Hargreaves, Safeguarding Officer, reminded the meeting of new documents on the website about safeguarding children and the meeting formally adopted the new Child Safeguarding Policy.  A further set of documents is in preparation relating to vulnerable adults.  Don Williamson reminded the meetingof the new rules regarding GC handicapping.  Tony Thomas, Webmaster, described some new security measures regarding email addresses on the website and only Mobile telephone numbers are now listed in contact lists.  We are looking forward to the start of the season on 29 March and appealed for photographs from clubs on the theme “Happy to be Back”,

The League Manager, Ivan Wheatley described changes to the League Rules for 2021.  His original draft last November has been amended to incorporate changes required by the recent publication of the 7thEdition of AC Laws and changes to Tournament Regulations.  These allow for Alternate Doubles in AC matches, new procedures at the end of time limited games.  When playing Level Play GC, games must be recorded in the order of play.  

The Federation reqires a Logo and 37 designs have been submitted by members.  These are being considered by the Federation committee.

There were various Club announcements.  Several Bowdon members have won national tournaments and several of their younger players are in the National Training Programme.  Bury are expanding their Internal Tournament programme and have attracted two national tournaments in 2021.  Chester are running social events for their local hospital and hope to attract new members.  The national Apps Healey award has been awarded to Crake Valley for their recent improvents and these have been continued with improved drainage and landscaping.  Craig-y-Don have a new Mower and Lining Equipment in addition to new toilet facilities.  Culcheth have secured a further year to play at Datem Sports Club.  Fylde have been awarded a CA Grant to improve lawns and drainage.  LLanfairfechan have doubled their membership in the last year and will be hosting the national North and Mid Wales GC tournament this year.  Pendle managed to hold five ‘Covid Safe’ tournaments in 2020 and have improved their North Gate access and installed  more hard standing.  Southport hosted two prestigious national tournaments in 2020, they have 200m of plastic drainpipe for sale, ideal for use as Ball Guards.  Westmorland have re-seeded their lawns and have recruited ten new members.

The next Club Meeting will be the Federation AGM on 13th November 2021

Start to Play again on 29th March

by Leave a Comment

CA Guidance – Ian Vincent – 24th February (CA Official News)

The Croquet Association’s task force has reviewed the COVID-19 response for England published by HM Government on 22nd February and has kept in touch with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the Sport & Recreation Alliance. It appears that national governing bodies of sports are being allowed greater latitude to set guidelines appropriate for their individual sports, within the overall framework of the national restrictions.

In broad outline, our guidance is that, subject to the four tests mentioned in that document and confirmation of the actual dates:

Step 1a, before 29th March:

  • Clubs must not open for play, but maintenance can continue.

Step 1b, from 29th March:

  • Clubs may open for outdoor play.
  • Clubhouses or pavilions may only be used for access to toilets and equipment.
  • Social distancing requirements must be met.
  • Except for organised events as described below, no more than six people (or people from no more than two households, if greater) may occupy a full-sized court. Guidance for smaller courts will follow.
  • The limit on the number of people does not apply to formally organised play or coaching. An event is regarded as organised activity if it has been publicised in advance and is run under the direction of a manager/organiser who is present and responsible for ensuring that it is conducted in a COVID-19 secure manner.
  • Overnight stays are not permitted and travel will still be limited. Any tournaments or other organised events will therefore have to be for local players only. No catering or bar facilities are permitted.
  • Within these guidelines, outdoor (and Zoom), but not indoor, coaching, and local tournaments can take place.

Guidance for later steps will be added in due course. Changes which are expected to come into place at these times include:

Step 2, from no earlier than 12th April. As Step 1b, except that:

  • Self-contained accommodation will be available, but only for single households.
  • Travel restrictions are eased, but travel should still be minimised.
  • Outdoor catering and drinks are permitted, but only with table service.

Step 3, from no earlier than 17th May:

  • Most restrictions affecting playing, coaching and tournaments are expected to be lifted.

More detailed guidance, for players, clubs and tournament organisers, will be issued in the coming days. A meeting specifically to discuss the effect on the fixtures calendar has been scheduled.

Please address any queries to the Hon. Secretary, Ian Vincent.

Find a Category

Webmaster – Tony Thomas (tony@croquetnw.co.uk)