Contributed by “South Stake”.

True, the large majority of croquet players are – how can one put this delicately? – “generously-birthdayed”.

While younger players are certainly not precluded, and there are some big names and high-achievers in Australia with quite a few holding their own internationally, this is not a universal feature of the sport.

While croquet does not have the reach into the younger demographic that say, lawn bowls does, the sport is not without some clout.

This is especially so in New Zealand where “golf croquet” is promoted in secondary schools for students from Years 9–13. Local and regional competitions are held during the school year, and the national championship is conducted in September.

Seven schools qualified for last year’s competition with the final match beginning in glorious weather and ending in heavy rain for the last half hour.

Gus Buhler and Morghan Meldrum from the Francis Douglas Memorial College won 7-3 against siblings Max and Emma Philpott from Māruawai College.

New Zealand is considered to be the world leader in promoting croquet as a sport for younger players; although the Australian Croquet Association and the state affiliates now have youth croquet in their sights. Meanwhile, individual clubs and schools across Australia have been working separately to the same worthy aim.

The Sout Australian association, for instance, has materials and advisors available to promote “Aussie Croquet” in schools. Victoria has a similar approach, and the GVCA Interschool Croquet Challenge is held each November.

Closer to home, the Dubbo Croquet Club has run croquet for a local high school as a weekly sport offering for a term. Interest was high and the experience was rated as highly-successful and enjoyable by students, staff, and club members.

In 2024 the local Club developed a sub-unit on croquet to meet the Physical and Sports Studies curriculum for Years 9 and 10. A presentation was made to both year groups at their school, and follow-up materials for in-class use were prepared. Later in the term, all students had on-court experience to complete that component of their course.

With a team of accredited coaches, and several teachers as club members, Dubbo Croquet Club is ready and excited to be involved with local schools, and respond to enquiries.