Following the Association Croquet World Championship

Reg Bamford: 2025 AC World Champion

by Alison Maugham
10th October (World Championship)

27 October 2025

Reg Bamford is the 2025 Association Croquet World Champion

Defeating England's Mark Avery, Reg Bamford, Representing South Africa, Took the Title with a Quick Three Wins in the Final Best of Five Match

Bamford finished the event with an impressive 14 triple peel turns in the knockout, showing a clean display of precision croquet which was clearly a step above the rest of the field. Without dropping a single game, Bamford sailed through the championship knockout beating Spain, New Zealand and England favourites along the way.

Reg is a member of Surbiton Croquet Club where he is often seen practising before major events. He started playing croquet as a young child in South Africa, where he was born, and in his winning interview he referenced to having played for over 50 years, indicating croquet to be the sport which has no limitations or discriminations.

The next Association Croquet World Championship will be held in Wellington, New Zealand, where Reg will be back to defend his World Championship title. Only he and England's Robert Fulford have won the tournament six times, all eyes will be on whether he can make it to seven first.

25 October 2025

Mark Avery is a 2025 World Championship Finalist

In his Third Straight Five Game Match in a Row, Mark Has Secured his Place in the Association Croquet World Championship 2025 Final

Mark said in his post-match interview, following his Semi-Final against World number one ranked Robert Fletcher, that he knew he needed to re-hydrate and re-focus. We saw his impressive tactics and accurate break play, and the interview highlighted his focus and determination which led to his triumphant success.

Mark will face Reg Bamford (South Africa) who won his semi-final in three straight games. Keith Aiton, the England's Team Coach commented "I've known Mark since 1981. He's had many great performances in that time. That's one of his best. His many friends and fans in croquet will be delighted for him. He's a top bloke."

The livestream will show the final of the Association Croquet World Team Championship tomorrow (Sunday 26 October 2025).

25 October 2025

England's Mark Avery is a World Championship Semi-Finalist

Mark Avery Progresses Through the Croquet World Championship by Winning Against USA Number 1 Player, Matthew Essick, in a Gripping Five Game Quarter-Final Battle

The four players remaining in the tournament are Robert Fletcher (Australia), who will now play Mark Avery (England) in one semi-final, whilst Reg Bamford (South Africa) will play Logan McCorkindale (New Zealand) in the other semi-final. The four players are all ranked in the top five in the world and have shown the viewers exactly what they are made of.

Mark is supported by his friends and family at home in England, alongside the Croquet England team who are looking forward to watching the livestream of the semi-finals.

Croquet England's CEO, Andy Dalby-Welsh, says "It's not just me that's been gripped by the drama of the World Championship, my two daughters have been watching alongside me, and we are all wishing Mark the best of luck for his next match. I must also congratulate the US Croquet Association for what is clearly an immaculately run tournament with spectacular livestream for the croquet community, and the public, to enjoy."

Mark is a loyal member of the Suffolk County Team, having played for the team since 1993, his fellow teammate Paul Hetherington is looking forward to playing alongside a World Champion next year. He confidently says "Mark's got this, everyone knows he is the most natural born Croquet player to have lived, this is his year!"

23 October 2025

2025 World Association Croquet Championship - The Last 16

16 Players Remain in the World Championship being Played in Florida. The Event Started with 72 Hopeful Players From 15 Different Countries

We are all watching the WCF Association Croquet World Championship and supporting our favourites, our friends, club mates and family members. Messages of support for the players are coming from far and wide to encourage all the players in the tournament.

A special message of encouragement comes from Mark Atkinson, Investor Relations Manager for Alliance Witan, who has been following the progress of some of the England players, having met them at the recent MacRobertson Squad Training event.

Mark says "It has been enlightening to see the players in action at a World Championship. Their expert precision and tactics are clear to see and of course helped by the welcome commentary from the livestream team. Good luck to the England players, especially those who are hoping their performances will secure their places in the England MacRobertson Shield Team 2026."

The World Championship is their last opportunity to show the selectors their skills and determination ahead of the team selection, set to be announced in November 2025.

England players in the last 16 of the knockout stages are:

Alain Giraud (Croquet England)
Robert Fulford (Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club)
Mark Avery (Croquet England)
James Death (Cheltenham Croquet Club)

21 October 2025

27 Players Have Secured their Places in the Association Croquet World Championship Knockout, Whilst Playoffs are Required to Determine the Final Five

From the qualifying event right through to the final stages of the blocks, the AC World Championship has already proved to be an exciting ride for many players.

We now reach the 'pointy end' of the block stages. 2019 Golf Croquet World Champion, Ben Rothman (USA) will be competing in a playoff match against Lachlan Berryman (AUS) to qualify for a place from Block C. The Block E playoff will see Edmund Fordyce (NZ) and Gabrielle Higgins (ENG) competing, whilst in Block G, Debbie Lines (ENG), Jordan Waters (ENG) and Callum Hyland (AUS) have a three-way battle to progress. Finally in blocks B and D there are still results to be confirmed and additional playoffs may be required here too.

The entire event is being livestreamed and accompanied by expert commentators from around the world. With viewing figures now in the thousands, croquet is proving to be an exciting spectator sport.

The contenders safely through to the knock-out stages are:

Robert Fletcher AUS
Samir Patel ENG
Alain Giraud ENG
Kyle Maloof USA
Robert Fulford ENG
Jenny Clarke NZL
Stephen Mulliner ENG
Reg Bamford ZAF
Jack Good ENG
Euan Burridge ENG
Logan McCorkindale NZL
Andrew Johnston IRL
Greg Hill AUS
Matthew Essick USA
Greg Fletcher AUS
Ian Lines ENG
Mark Avery ENG
Stephen Morgan USA
Brian Cumming CAN
Jarrod Coutts NZL
Zack Watson USA
Jose Riva ESP
Reece McCorkindale NZL
James Death ENG
Thomas Balding USA
Marcus Evans ENG
Stephen Forster AUS

17 October 2025

News From the Qualifier

By Stephen Allen

The Qualifier tournament for the 2025 AC World Championship was mainly a US affair with 14 out of the 16 players representing the United States. However, the two players from New Zealand and England were keen to make sure their journey was worthwhile, hoping to take one of the 5 places available to progress into the main event. Sincere thanks to Jeff Soo (TD) and Elaine Smith (Asst TD) who managed the event superbly well, patiently guiding us through the criteria and milestones that determine when places would be awarded. With 6 rounds completed at the end of Day 2, there were indeed 5 players whose number of wins was high enough to earn each of them a place.

Whilst Steve Scalpone and Reece McCorkindale lead the group with 5 wins, Reece was the outstanding player, with one TP in a game and rarely missing an opportunity to attempt a TP in a match. Reece also created a distraction having blasted his ball into Corner 2, which leapt over the piping boundary into the pond and was deemed lost (netting has since been installed!). Stephen Allen squeaked a win over Reece +1t to secure his place in the main event with 4 wins along with Americans Jack Rush and Curtis Drake, the latter making a comeback having previously played on the 2002 Solomon and 2003 MacRobertson Shield teams.

Day 3 saw a knockout featuring 5 other players contesting for reserve places in case of any further withdrawals from the main Championship, with Randy Reid (USA) gaining the first reserve spot.

Many thanks to the USCA organisers, local members and staff at the National Croquet Center for their warm welcome in their magnificent setting in West Palm Beach. Best wishes to everyone playing in the Championship in the week to come.

16 October 2025

Stephen Allen Qualifies for the Association Croquet World Championship 2025

Croquet England's newly appointed CEO, Andy Dalby-Welsh, has been following the action closely. He says "I have always been a sports fan, but this is my first time following a Croquet World Championship. I congratulate Stephen on qualifying for his first World Championship and send best wishes for a fantastic tournament to him and all his fellow players. I look forward to enjoying the livestream alongside the Croquet community from around the world."

Link to article >> https://www.croquetengland.org.uk/news_and_media/stephen-allen-qualifies-for-the-association-croquet-world-championship-2025/

14 October 2025

Wishing Stephen Allen a successful and enjoyable tournament as he competes in the qualifying event for the 2025 Association Croquet World Championship.

We are so proud to be supporting Stephen in his bid to qualify for the World Championship. His dedication to the sport is not just as a player, but as a volunteer who has been running the Croquet England livestreams for the past few years.

Good luck Stephen, we hope to see you in the main event on the other side of the camera.

Qualifying event 14-16 October
Follow the results >> https://croquetscores.com/2025/ac/usca-world-championship-qualifier/competition/quallifier

Useful links:
Full Programme
Livestream 18-26 October