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

Club coaches Cathie and John check out the new national coaching syllabus being pioneered at York Croquet Club this yearYork Croquet Club is set to throw open its doors to celebrate National Croquet Day.

Croquet is proving a big hit with newcomers this season. The Club has experienced a surge of interest from those wanting to try the friendly and socially-distanced game, and is now putting on extra introductory courses to cater for the demand.

The free drop-in is at the Club lawns. All are welcome. There is no need to book – just turn up with flat-soled footwear to enjoy the game. “Croquet is very much the game of the moment,” said Club chairman John Harris. “It’s an absorbing outdoor game suitable for all ages and abilities.” A York versus East Riding game will be in progress on an adjacent lawn sop visitors will also be able to see regional croquet in action.

York Press, May 2021

The Government has designated croquet as one of only a handful of sports approved to resume play in May as lockdown restrictions start to ease. Croquet earns its place in this special group as an organised outdoor sport, co-ordinated by a national governing body, which is played with full social distancing.

A special Croquet Association task group has been working closely with Whitehall to hammer out safe conditions for returning to the lawns. Clubs need to ensure that all equipment is cleaned, that agreed limits on the numbers per lawn are strictly followed, and that all players are fully aware of the need to keep to the new rules at all times. Clubs are responding by planning to loan mallets, invite designated people to set up lawn equipment, and introduce on-line lawn booking.

Croquet is likely to prove a lifeline for Club members, benefiting as it does both physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing, and addressing social isolation. The game is enjoying a revival and the Government’s decision to allow it to be one of the very first sports to resume can only help to accelerate its further growth.

May 2020

A group of 50 enthusiastic croquet players drawn mostly from the Yorkshire Federation went to the new Countryfile Live at Castle Howard to give visitors to the four day event the opportunity to “give croquet a go”. Two small croquet lawns were set up on the Castle Howard front lawns with the magnificent house in the background, and 1500 people tried their hand at running hoops with some expert guidance. All the visitors seemed to enjoy it; any serious interest was captured and links are being made to clubs for follow up.

The BBC Countryfile Live team of presenters get in some hoop running practiceThe weather was variable and as the show lasted from 9 am to 6 pm on each day the volunteers worked hard, with some time off to enjoy the rest of the show themselves.

It is always difficult to assess the long term impact of this sort of activity, but 1500 is a “serious” number of players, and there is no doubt that the team of volunteers raised the public profile of croquet amongst the tens of thousands of visitors to the show. As a result of the relationships built up at Blenheim, the BBC Countryfile Live stars turned up en masse for an early morning publicity shoot and Matt Baker, Ellie Harrison and Adam Henson came back to hone their croquet skills, watched by many of their fans. Some activities were shot on camera: we shall have to wait to see what footage makes it to the Sunday night show.

From the Croquet Association website, August 2019

The third York Open Short Lawn Tournament was fully subscribed, with 24 entrants coming from all over the country, including the south coast and East Anglia as well as all parts of the north. The York Open remains the only short lawn tournament in the Croquet Association Fixtures Book.

Tina Kelly, 2018 winner, receives the trophy from Debbie James, 2017 winnerThe camaraderie was excellent, strongly aided and abetted by a large Southport contingent and by plentiful supplies of home-made cake.

York shared the cool weather affecting the rest of the country but enjoyed two days without rain, and the high quality York lawns played well. Runner-up Callum Johnson (playing off short lawn scratch) showed trademark mastery of the lawn throughout the weekend; on his second turn in game 6, with only three balls yet on the lawn, he completed a well-managed all-round break plus two peels on partner ball. But it was one of the Southport contingent, tournament newcomer Tina Kelly, who took home the trophy after two days of consistently calm and careful play with excellent bisque management.

Thanks to tournament manager Dave Hudson for organising 24 people smoothly and efficiently through 10 games, and so providing the ideal framework for an enjoyable two days of croquet, and to the many home bakers whose good works made such an important contribution to a successful weekend.

From the Croquet Association website, September 2018