THE CA NOTICEBOARD

                                               

December 2003

CIVIL LIABILITY INSURANCE

With effect from 1 March 2004 clubs which are full members of the Croquet Association will benefit from Civil Liability Insurance cover of £5 million per club. This scheme is being set up by Perkins Slade Limited, and clubs which already insure with them against  Civil Liability , and whose policies overlap with the new one, should discuss with them a possible partial refund of their premium. Those who insure with other brokers should similarly investigate whether any rebate can be claimed.

Please note that the insurance only covers Civil Liability, not buildings or equipment.

THE MACROBERTSON SHIELD

Great Britain’s dominance of Association Croquet at world level was demonstrated once again in Florida last month. Our team, consisting of Rob Fulford (Captain), Chris Clarke, David Maugham, Stephen Mulliner, Mark Avery and Matt Burrow, mounted a successful defence of the MacRobertson Shield, which has been held by Great Britain since 1990. After seeing off challenges from Australia and the United States, the team went into the last round against a New Zealand team which had already suffered defeat at the hands of Australia and, more surprisingly, the United States. With only their pride to play for New Zealand put up a strong fight, and once again, as in 2000, it was left to David Maugham to win his final game in order to ensure victory by the narrowest of margins.

CROQUET ASSOCIATION AWARDS

The Croquet Association loves to make awards recognising achievement or services to croquet, but clubs sometimes seem strangely reluctant to submit nominations.

Now is the time to consider nominations for the Apps and Steel Memorial Bowls, to be presented at the next AGM to the most improved male and female players of 2003.The nomination should detail information about the improvement and should include full details of handicap reductions and tournament achievements during the season (or, in respect of players who join the CA part way during the season the portion of the season after becoming a CA Associate).  Nominations should be accompanied by a photocopy of the player’s handicap card, and should reach the office by 31 March.

Remember too the Croquet Association Diploma, awarded for services to croquet generally, and designed to give recognition to those stalwarts, not necessarily players, who work so hard to keep clubs going and give them their character. Within reason there is no restriction on the number of diplomas which can be awarded; nominations by club committees, accompanied by a citation of up to ten lines, should be sent to the office by 31 July – but there is no need to wait that long.