Launching the Revitalising AC Action Group

[<<] [>>]

Revitalising AC Action Group

Croquet England is pleased to announce the launch of a new Action Group aimed at Revitalising Association Croquet.

Growth in Golf Croquet is not reflected in matching growth in AC, with many clubs increasingly introducing new players only to GC. Over the past 5 years, the number of AC players in the rankings has declined by 11%. This decline amongst top players is likely to be reflected in an even larger drop at grass roots level amongst beginners and high handicaps. Coaching courses held at our Academies are struggling to fill AC courses and some are ceasing to run them, whilst clubs are increasingly reporting a lack of AC coaches capable of introducing the game to new players.

The growth of GC means that croquet as a sport is vibrant and healthy, with many of our clubs reporting full membership and busy lawns. However, most clubs still have empty lawns a lot of the time. We have the capacity to grow AC alongside GC to provide an offering to our members that includes both variants. This richer and fuller experience can only be a benefit in the long-term, attracting a broader range of people to our clubs and our sport.

Is your club open and used in the evenings? Do you have mornings or afternoons when the club is closed and largely empty? Do you sometimes hear new recruits express a wish for something closer to what they've played in the garden? Are your existing AC players beginning to feel isolated and unloved? Would your GC players like to 'give AC a go'? If so, then we hope this initiative will be of interest.

The aim is to encourage everyone who loves AC to spend just a bit more time next summer encouraging its growth. This could range from as little as offering one or two hours of hands-on coaching to active and on-going support with a trial of some type - we have a few being planned, more on these in the December E-Newsletter. The success will depend on volunteers to be active at club level to help us try different approaches, understand what works and share experiences.

The group is being run by Stephen Wright, supported by Debbie Lines. Stephen is the current Chair of Croquet England's Sports Development Committee, under which this initiative sits. Debbie joins the Development team and is also leading the WCFs Regeneration Workgroup, which is looking at this problem from a global perspective.

If you wish to know more about this group, or wish to offer assistance, please contact Debbie Lines at debbie.lines#croquetengland.org.uk