Association Croquet WTC Tournament History

World Croquet Federation

The World Croquet Federation is the international organising body for the sport of croquet. The WCF's main function is to act as the overall co-ordinating body for the sport. Its main responsibilities are to organise World Championships, facilitate development of the games and maintain effective liaison with its Members.

The WCF is a members' organisation, comprising national associations that are recognised by the WCF as having control of the sport in their own countries.  There are 31 members as of May 2026. Certain conditions are specified for membership and, provided that these are met, application for membership can be made at any time.

The WCF organises World Championships in Association Croquet (AC) and Golf Croquet (GC). These include individual championships, team championships, Women's AC and GC individual championships and Over-50 and Under-21 GC individual championships.

 

Tournament History

Although Croquet had been played in Victoria, Australia (at Kyneton) since at least 1866, the Victorian Croquet Association was not formed until 1914 and affiliated to the (English) Croquet Association in 1917. After this affiliation it acted as the governing body in Australia and was so recognised by the Croquet Association - at this time, and for some time after, Victoria was the strongest croquet state.

Immediate attempts were made to arrange a challenge match between the two countries, but World War 1 intervened and it wasn't until Australia issued a challenge in 1924, which was accepted by the Croquet Association, that a test series was arranged to take place in England in 1925.

Victoria contacted the other states, requesting nominees for the team, which were received from Queensland and New South Wales, although the NSW nominee later withdrew, and the Queensland representative, Mrs H Dinsdale accompanied the team as the Reserve.

In February 1925, Mr MacPherson Robertson's offer of a silver mounted shield for international competition was accepted by the Victorian Croquet Association and was despatched, following the team, which was already in England. That challenge match was won by England. The return challenge, held in Australia in 1927, was won by Australia.

New Zealand joined the competition in 1930, but England did not compete. All competed in 1935, but New Zealand did not compete in England in 1937. Since then, all nations have competed, with the United States of America joining in 1993.

England was replaced by Great Britain for a few years (mostly with English players), but the designation has reverted to England, thus allowing other GB countries to play in Tiers 2/3.

More information about Sir Macpherson Robertson can be found on Wikipedia

Historic Results