[<<] [>>] by Quiller Barrett
30th March 2001 (CqE Official News)

This report is based on unconfirmed minutes of the CA Council meeting held on 24th March 2001. Some decisions and news from recent committee meetings are also included. If you would like more information on any item, please contact the CA Secretary, Nigel Graves.

Coaching

New qualification levels ('Club Coach' and 'Golf Croquet Coach') are being introduced and new badges will be issued. The Club Coach qualification will apply to persons who coach beginners.

A new edition of the "Coaching Manual" is being prepared for publication in 2002 and it will include golf croquet.

Development

The Development Committee will continue to have Council's authority to make grants to member clubs up to £500. This Committee will consider applications for grants exceeding this amount and their recommendations will be made to the Management Committee for a decision.

Council authorised the use of the CA's Benefactor Fund (around £30k) to give development support to large clubs. Priority will be given to projects that benefit croquet generally, not just individual clubs. Lawn renovation (but not maintenance) at clubs that host CA tournaments will qualify for support.

The Management Committee is meeting representatives of large clubs and will then propose a support policy for all types of member clubs.

A working party is being set up to consider all aspects of introducing Gateball within the CA's domain.

Equipment

Championship Approval for Barlow GT balls expired in October 2000 and, at 24th March, had not been renewed. However, it is anticipated that formal Approval will again be given in the near future.

Jaques have notified Council that they are currently not proceeding any further with the development of their replacement Eclipse competition ball.

Golf Croquet

A new guide to the game has been produced and one copy will be distributed free of charge to all member clubs.

CA 'Law 15' (Alternative laws) tournaments are being held mid-week in 2001.

Handicap Co-Ordination

The Automatic Handicapping system will, in future, include 14-point games (not Short Croquet). The index change will be 5 points for handicap games and on a sliding scale for level play. Details will be circulated to member clubs.

International

The CA's proposals for changing the World Croquet Federation's constitution have been submitted to the WCF.

The WCF has agreed to consult the CA before it sanctions future croquet events in our domain.

The CA is bidding to hold the 2005 Association Croquet World Championships in England.

The CA has proposed to the WCF that one set of Rules for Golf Croquet, suitable for club and international play, should be adopted.

Plans are in hand to identify potential elite junior players so that they may be offered coaching support.

Laws

The International Laws Committee hopes to publish soon the first edition of the "Official Rulings on the Laws of Croquet" (ORLC) on the web.

Management

An 'Enterprise Fund' of £8,000 has been established by Council to encourage initiatives from members who are also willing to help the Association achieve its objects more quickly. New proposals that do not necessarily fit with the CA's committee structure, but are of clear potential benefit to the sport, will be welcomed.

Proposed changes to the Rules of the Association have been approved by Council and will be submitted to the AGM later this year. They concern discipline, electronic communication between the CA office and members, the way in which the Laws of the games may be amended, and the investment of CA funds.

New procedures have been agreed to ensure that members are informed annually about Council's objects, priorities and progress that has been made.

It is intended to continue to hold AGM's in London as, though this is not convenient to everyone, experience has shown that it is the only place reasonably accessible from all parts of the domain.

Marketing

A budget has been agreed for PR activities in 2001; these include a media day prior to the World Championships.

Membership

Subscription rates for 2002 will remain unchanged for Individual Associates and will be increased by the amount needed to match inflation for Member Clubs.

A working party will consider the long-term effects of external changes (such as the Internet) on the CA's revenue sources including members' subscriptions, commercial activities and the levy.

Tournaments

Overseas entrants to the 2001 World Championships will be granted honorary CA membership from 1st June 2001 until the end of the Championships to enable them to enter CA Calendar Fixtures to 'warm up'.