It’s great to see croquet, which is normally such an individual game, played as a team sport.

The Mac is the best opportunity to play with and against the best. I’m thrilled as well as my teammates I'm sure to represent our country in this beautiful game.

I was 10 when I started playing, I introduced myself to the game after dropping in one day, and Orm Cook later became my coach.

One of the best events I’ve played in was the Resort at the Mountain in Portland, Oregon — it had a fantastic atmosphere, was great fun, and every game brought strong competition.

It’s not my first time representing internationally, but I’m incredibly excited to be playing a MacRobertson Shield in England. The hosts always do the major events well, and being part of the centennial year makes it even more special.
Playing in a team is always special and representing your country in the top event makes it even more meaningful. The MacRobertson Shield only comes around every four years, and its 100-year history gives it a unique sense of occasion, pride, and atmosphere.

The Mac is the highest honour you can achieve in croquet. Nothing else needs to be said.

The most challenging events I’ve played in are the World Croquet Championships in 2019, 2023 and 2025. The best atmosphere is playing for Victoria in the Eire Cup, where representing the state makes every match feel special. The most fun for me is playing on Saturdays and in club events with my MCC Croquet Club members – it’s competitive but also very social and enjoyable.

This is my first time representing Australia in team event, and I feel incredibly proud and privileged to be playing in the MacRobertson Shield in England this year. It’s an honour to represent Australia in the MacRobertson Shield, which is one of the signature events in the croquet world. I’m excited, a little nervous, but mostly very grateful for the opportunity.

The Mac means a lot to me because it’s the biggest teams event in our sport and a rare chance to play against the very best in the world. Sharing that experience with my teammates makes it even more special – you really feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. It also means a huge amount because my club and community are so proud; I feel like I’m not just playing for myself, but for everyone who’s helped me along the way.

Now a member of Surbiton Croquet Club, he has won the Club Championship for both Association and Golf Croquet, and has won the Inter-Club Championship in both codes. He has been as high as fourth in the AC world rankings. Samir is Chair of the Croquet Association Council, and was a member of the WCF Management Committee from 2015 to 2024.

Tournament successes include the President's Cup (2013, 2022, 2024), Open Doubles Championship (2017, 2019, 2021, 2024) and Championship of Surrey (2010, 2014). He has also reached the final of the British Opens (2008, 2013, 2016, 2024) and Quarter Finals of the World Championship (2012, 2016, 2018).

He has regularly represented both England and Great Britain since 2007. He has captained the Solomon Trophy team since 2013, and the MacRobertson Shield team in 2014, 2017 and 2022, the latter his first MacRobertson-winning appearance.

He is the youngest winner of the Open Championship in 1987, world finalist in first World Championship and various regional championships. He was the Presidents Cup winner in 2021 and four times open doubles champion in both England and New Zealand.

He still finds enough time for croquet and darts - his winter sport.

James has previously won the prestigious Presidents Cup, twice been the UK Mens Champion, twice been Open doubles champion, and been a semi-finalist in the 2005 World Championships.

James lives in Cheltenham where he is Croquet England's office manager. James enjoys eating, drinking and computer games.

Other achievements include winning the British Open 11 times, the President's Cup 12 times, the British Open Doubles 10 times with Chris Clarke and twice with James Death. Robert loves tactics, employing a wider range than other top players.

Robert was born in 1969 and started playing aged 15 at the Colchester Club. Robert, his wife Susan and their two daughters live in Hawkhurst, Kent.

I first used a mallet when I was 8/9 while my Dad was playing. I first played for Bowdon in 2018 when I was 11 in the Short and Handicap golf leagues of the North West Fed. My first tournament was a GC C-level at Nottingham in 2019. First AC advanced game was 2023.

My favourite moment would be improving in 2021, culminating in the Ascot cup final. The best was watching Stephen Mulliner peg out at some god forsaken hour at the end of the Solomon. The worst, not being able to watch Manchester United comeback against Lyon as I was losing to Levi Franks in the U21 semi-finals at the time.

I'm honoured to play alongside and against some all-time great players and follow others in representing England. Particularly special with it being the centenary edition and in England.

I'm incredibly thankful for the support of our players and the acknowledgement of the commitment and work that goes on behind the scenes. Everyone in the team understands that success requires sacrifice and a significant personal investment in creating the strongest, most connected environment possible.

To be part of the MacRobertson Shield Centenary Series is a true honour, and I can't wait for it to get underway. Go the Kiwis!

Major titles won: 2014 MacRobertson Shield, 5x NZ Open, 6x AC Invitation, various others.

Representative appearances: 6x Mac, various World Championships, Sonoma Cutrer, Trans-tasman Tests, 1990 NZ Reps v Australia & England

Favourite/best/worst croquet moments: NZ win 2014 Mac

Top croquet hint or tip Always remember why you took up the game in the first place.

How and when you took up the game: An open day at the Brightwater Croquet Club in the late 1970s, to which I took my mother. She played for 2 weeks. I saw Brian Wislang playing a break, and here we are.

What the Mac means to you: My entire Mac-segmented life is about striving for and succeeding in this pinnacle world croquet event. Sharing that journey with my closest friends and being a part of the MacRobertsson Shield legacy is a richly rewarding experience.

Previous Mac appearances: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2017, 2022

Major titles won: MacRobertson Shield with NZ Team (2014). World Singles Championship (2018), NZ Open Singles (twice) / NZ Open Doubles (4 times), Top 8 Invitation Event - NZ (6 times) / UK (twice), UK Croquet Championship (2020) / Doubles Championship (UK 1.5 times)

Representative appearances: 5 times previous NZ MacRob rep (victorious in 2014),  3 times NZ Trans Tasman rep (winning twice), 7 times World Championship representative (once winner, once finalist)

Mybest croquet moment was being part of the winning 2014 NZ MacRob team on home soil

Top croquet hint or tip: The very best players master the simple stuff - turn the 99% shots into 100% shots and the game will become so much easier.

I started playing in 1999 at the Cashmere Croquet Club in Christchurch at the age of 11, and was fortunate to have 4 croquet clubs within 5km of my house.  I fell into the game almost by accident, since my mum wanted to learn and dragged me along too.

The Mac represents everything I love about this sport. My perspective has been shaped by the game's history - from reading classic chapters such as Tension in the Twilight (following NZ’s famous 1986 victory on English soil) to hearing my mentor, John Prince, and others such as Joe Hogan and Paul Skinley recount stories from across four decades in the MacRob. Those tales felt like mythology to me as a young player. Today, the opportunity to be part of that legacy is the single biggest reason I continue to play.

Previous Mac appearances: 2022

Major titles won: NZ Open Doubles x2, Paddy Chapman Peeling Prize

Top croquet hint or tip: Be patient for your opportunities

I took up croquet at the age of 8 after being introduced by my father. He would mow a ¾ size lawn in the backyard and taught me how to play.

The Mac is the epitome of croquet and is the most meaningful event to me in croquet, my first experience of which was the 2014 NZ winning team. Since then it has remained a lifelong goal of mine.

Representative appearances: 1x Openshaw. 3x AC World Championships

Croquet Tip: Hitting the ball straight makes the game infinitely easier.

I was homeschooled growing up, and when I was 10, my mother suggested I give the game a go as a way to do more activities out of the house, and I've never looked back.

Playing in the Mac means so much to me, as it has been a goal of mine for almost a decade. Over the years, I have heard many stories about successful NZ teams from the past, and my new goal is to add to that legacy.

Previous Mac appearances: 2022

Major titles won:  NZ Open Singles Champion,  NZ Open Doubles

Representative appearances: MacRobertson Shield, World Championship Representative Twice

Best croquet moments: Completing my first triple peel in competitive play against Jon Muir, who first taught me the game.

Winning the NZ AC Open in 2021, at the time becoming the 4th Player to have won the NZ AC Open title and the GC Nationals Title

Top croquet hint or tip:  Leave the lawn under control

I started playing in 2014 at West End Croquet Club in New Plymouth, initially aiming to compete in the NZ Secondary School Golf Croquet competition—motivated in no small part by the prospect of a few days off school. Soon after, I discovered the depth and variety of association croquet, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

The Mac is the pinnacle of croquet—a unique format that demands endurance, mental resilience, and mastery of every aspect of the game. The chance to be part of a team, to build lasting memories while striving toward the ultimate goal of victory, makes me more excited than ever to compete.

Previous Mac appearances:  2006, 2010, 2014 & 2022

Major titles won: MacRobertson Shield with NZ Team (2014), NZ Open Singles (once) / NZ Open Doubles (3 times), Top 8 Invitation Event - NZ (4 times), Sonoma-Cutrer World Championship

Representative appearances: 4 times previous NZ MacRob rep (victorious in 2014), 3 times NZ Trans Tasman rep (winning twice), 6 times World Championship rep (twice a semi-finalist)

My best croquet moments was captaining NZ's shield winning 2014 team

Top croquet hint or tip: The ability to run hoops with control under pressure differentiates the best from the very best.

I was introduced to the game by my grandmother in 1986.  We won the NZ mixed doubles together twice, in 1994 & 95.

What the Mac means to me: Being part of a team alongside players I’ve shared decades of friendship and croquet with, in an event that means so much to the game, while chasing what is arguably its highest honour.

His representative appearances have been for the World Championships, Solomon Team, Carter Team.
His favourite croquet moments are Jeff Soo pegging out to win the 2009 Solomon and Blake Fields securing the Openshaw Shield.

His Uncle, Larry Stettner taught him to play after watching him play the San Francisco Open in 1993. By 1995 I he was playing in the Claremont Classic, a 9-wicket tournament on a nice lawn in SW Harbor, Maine.

The MacRob is as close as we come to an Olympic tradition with the top countries competing every 4 years and a history of over 100 years. It is an honor to be included and it would be the pinnacle of achievement to win.

In his 3 Solomon Trophy events he is currently undefeated in team play. He has won multiple US National doubles titles and was runner up in 4 US National singles events. Balancing things out he has recently climbed in the GC ranks as well to #30 in the world. This will be his second MAC appearance.

He has won 2 time US national doubles titles, 4 x US National runner up, 2026 Steuber Classic representative, 3x Solomon Cup team, 2x world championships.

His favourite croquet moment was in 2019 when he played AC doubles with his father in the nationals who knew absolutely nothing about the game. They won the first round and had more fun together. A moment he will treasure forever.

This year I believe for the first time in history that all 4 teams have a chance of winning the event. I am so excited to once again participate along with my countrymen to try and bring home the shield.

Stephen is the Director of Croquet for the Hillsboro Club, completing his 10th season last winter. Stephen recently began his first summer working as the Croquet professional at the Quogue Field Club in New York.

His favorite Croquet Moment was winning the Openshaw Shield with the US Team last year.

He took up croquet 8 years ago in college, his school plays a backyard croquet match against the US Naval Academy, and he learned the basics there before seeking out tournaments.

The Mac has a special place in his croquet career, it was his first outing with the US team, and the first time ever playing internationally. It was admittedly a spectacular failure, but it drew the road map that he needed to develop to the next level as a player. He wouldn't be where he is now without that experience.

His major titles are: 2 x AC Worlds Runner Up, 6 x AC National Champion (3 doubles/3 singles).

He has appeared in the MacRobertson three time (once as captain).

The Mac is the pinnacle of croquet with a 3 week grind where you are playing a top 50 player in the world every single day. He thinks it is the ultimate test of a players ability to play well consistently over 21 days.