Club was delighted to host Year 3 classes from Knavesmire Primary School on a sunny afternoon in September.
52 children enjoyed mallet sport activities on the lawns, and time in the clubhouse doing croquet-themed drawing, writing and sums, inspired by their study of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
No Cheshire cats, flamingos or hedgehogs, the Queen of Hearts was noticeable for her absence! But the provision of hoops, mallets and balls introduced the ‘queen of games’ to a new cohort of potential future players.
Next Generation at YCC June 2024
Club was delighted to welcome children from Y5 and Y6 at Scarcroft Primary for mallet sport activities in June. The lawns were set as you’ve never seen them before - bottles, cones, skittles and flags, and even a few hoops decorated the turf. The activities were fun and frenetic, resulting in approximately 100 children experiencing croquet. Feedback was positive: ‘It was a really valuable experience for the children and we’d love to do more with the club in the future.’
The future starts now…
Join us for ‘Croquet for kids’
Thursdays in August, 2-4pm
£5 per accompanied child
Drop-in or pre-book
Contact
07981 049174
York played host to the Yorkshire Federation heat of the Charity 1-ball, a national competition embraced by croquet clubs throughout the country. Players from Huddersfield, Ripon Spa, Beverley and York wore red for the chosen charity, the British Heart Foundation.
Radio York, inspired by Fiona and Cathie's visit to the studio for a live broadcast earlier in the month, gave croquet more air time on the day. Elly Fiorentini chatted live on air to David Young - mid game! (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hlxs05) - and Joanita Musisi interviewed our England player Callum Johnson - for broadcast in later weeks - while rounds of play continued through the day.
Congratulations to Cathie on her 6 wins from 6 games, and a place at the Nottingham regional Final. And well done to all who played and ate cake to raise £200 for BHF.
April 2024
Cathie and Fiona in Radio York studio, putting presenter Sarah Urwin through her paces with hoop and ball.
Herald and communities journalist Elly Fiorentini, live on air at YCC.
A TOP croquet game which was due to be held in Edinburgh is now to be played in York. The Home International croquet game, England versus Scotland, was originally planned to be played in Edinburgh but is now due to be held on the croquet lawns on Scarcroft Road after York Croquet Club offered their grounds.
The England and Scotland teams and the handsome trophy at YorkThe game is on Saturday, August 27 to Sunday, August 28, with spectators welcome free of charge between 10am and 4pm. John Harris, chair of York Croquet Club said: “This is a great opportunity to see some strong croquet players playing this engaging game. Last year Scotland managed to pull off a 7-6 win, so there is every prospect of a close result and a very interesting series of games. Croquet is an absorbing strategic game where the aim is to build breaks, like in snooker, which makes the game intriguing to watch.”
A guide will be available to anyone wanting to understand how the game is played. Croquet is a game of strategy rather than strength. It is one of the few games played on equal terms regardless of gender or age, and a close result is expected. Each day features three simultaneous games in both the morning and the afternoon, and each team consists of six players.
York Croquet Club is running one-day tasters on Saturday, August 27, and Monday, August 29, from 10am to 4pm. To book or find out more ring John Harris on 07980 799019.
York Press, August 2022
A new way of introducing newcomers to Association Croquet developed at York Croquet Club is now set to be adopted across the country. The focus of the programme is on enjoyment and participation, with plenty of time on the lawn playing the game.
“Interest in croquet is surging,” said John Harris, Club chair. “It’s a fully socially distanced outdoor game played on equal terms by people regardless of gender or age. It really comes into its own on warm summer days,” he added.
The new course offers a full experience of Association Croquet, covering technique, rules and tactics in six straightforward stages. The Club at Scarcroft Green, Scarcroft Road, is hosting several introductory courses during the season, all of them featuring the new approach.
York Press, May 2022
County player Callum at the Club grounds checks whether he can get both Red and Yellow through the hoop with a single shotA member of the Yorkshire croquet team will be offering free weekly coaching to York Croquet Club members throughout May. Callum Johnson, 21, joined the ranks of the county squad last year and is now keen to put something back into grassroots croquet.
Callum is also keen to see younger players taking up croquet and, as the youngest Yorkshire team member, is hoping other youngsters will follow his lead.
“If I can help players develop their game, it will be worth it,” he said. “If it encourages more competitive play, so much the better.”
“Croquet is engaging and very rewarding, he added. “It’s socially-distanced and is for everyone.”
York Press, May 2021