[<<] [>>] by Brian Storey
3rd June 2007 (World Championship)

The World Croquet Federation today released details of the allocations for nomination for each member for the forthcoming, "11th WCF World Association Croquet Championship" to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, 2nd to 10th February 2008.

WCF Allocation

England has 12 places, full details of the allocation can be found on the WCF Web Site www.wcfcroquet.org/Tournaments/acwc2008.html

The English Selectors will publish the selections on August 1st and some places are likely to be allocated by a qualifier event.

General

Nominations and proposals for Wild Cards will only be accepted for players in good standing with his or her member association. This means that the player shall not be under suspension or be disaffiliated by a member association or one of its affiliated members or, have been advised in writing that they are not eligible by a member association or one of its affiliated members.

If any member association is not going to take up their allocation then an early indication of this would be appreciated.

Nominations

Full and Associate member associations of the WCF are now asked to nominate the players of their choice up to the maximum allowed in the table above.

Should a nominated player withdraw prior to the closing date, the relevant member association may nominate another player in their place.

Conditions

Nominations will only be accepted if accompanied by:
Entry Fee of £60 (GBP);
A photograph and biography of the relevant player.

The photograph and biography are not required for players who previously played in the WCF World Championships of 2005 in Cheltenham or 2006 in Hawkes Bay.

Note

In due course, the entry fee can be paid electronically to the WCF via the WCF Championship web page.

Wild Cards

At this time a total of 6 wild card places have been identified.

ALL WCF member associations (Full, Associate and Observers) are invited to propose one or more players for wild cards to be allocated at WCF discretion.

Players nominated for a wild card shall NOT be stronger in playing strength than any player originally nominated by the relevant member association.

Conditions

The entry fee will be charged at a later date in the event they are successful.

Closing Date

The closing date for Nominations and Wild Card proposals by member associations is 20th August 2008.

Unallocated Nomination Places

All places not taken up via the nomination process shall be added to the Wild Card total and allocated at WCF discretion.

Tournament Details

The event will be played from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 10th February 2008 in Christchurch, centred at the United Croquet Club. Additional matches will be played at Elmwood Park, Fendalton Park, St.Martins, Barrington Park, Cashmere and St.James Park Croquet Clubs.

There will be an expected entry of 80 players from around the world in the main event. A flexible progressive swiss plate event will also be played.

Further details of the Championship will be released in due course.

• The current World Champion is Reginald Bamford, South Africa who beat Robert Fulford (England) at Cheltenham in August 2005.
• The 11th World Association Croquet Championship is the second to be held in New Zealand. The first was in 2002 in Wellington.
• New Zealand has previously hosted 5 MacRobertson Shield (World Team Championships), the first in 1950.
• The Chairman of the New Zealand Executive Committee for the event is former Croquet New Zealand President, Roger Murfitt, He was a player and subsequently manager of New Zealand MacRobertson Shield teams from 1974 to 1993.

Brian Storey
WCF Secretary General