Every four years, the World Croquet Federation organises the Golf Croquet World Team Championships. From 15th to 21st May, England will be hosting twenty countries competing in this prestigious event.
Tier 1 includes Egypt, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, USA and Wales – they will play at Surbiton Croquet Club in south-west London from Sunday, 15th May to Saturday, 21st May.
Tier 2 will compete from Sunday, 15th May until Friday, 20th May at both Bath Croquet Club and Camerton and Peasedown Croquet Club. Playing will be Australia, Belgium, Czech-Moravian Republic, Germany, Latvia, Scotland, Spain and Switzerland.
Tier 3 will include Georgia, Norway, Portugal and Russia and will be held in Surrey at Guildford and Godalming Croquet Club from Wednesday, 18th May to Friday, 20th May.
There will be many opportunities to see top class Croquet at its best – and you will be sure of a warm welcome at all the venues.
Croquet is a game where you use a long handled mallet to hit coloured balls through a series of hoops. Every year more people are playing croquet – it’s a game of skills and tactics not brute strength – it’s a sport for all ages and abilities.
So, who will win the coveted World Team Championship in Tier 1? In 2012, Egypt defeated New Zealand, so will the Kiwis turn the tables? Wales were promoted to Tier 1 in 2012, so they will want to show off their skills and tactics. England is always in the top four, so it will want to win through on its home ground! But you cannot rule out any of the other teams.
To find out more about this prestigious competition, visit www.gcwtc2016.org.uk
Brian Wilson