Newsletter – January 2022

Register your Club for 2022

As from the 1st February the form will be available on the Federation website to register your club and make entry into our Leagues and Tournaments for 2022. Follow this link https://southeastcroquetfederation.org.uk/annual-registration/ . Payment for annual membership and entry fees should be made immediately via bank transfer to the our bank account at 77-63-04 Account number 74029768 for the South East Croquet Federation.
With the problems of the last two years now hopefully starting to ease we are particularly keen for as many clubs as possible to enter the competitions. So if you club has not entered a league or tournament before then this could be the time to put your toe in the water and give it a go.  If you want help or advice email info@southeastcroquet.org.uk

Please submit your registration form by 31st March 2022.

New Development Officer

We are pleased to announce that Mike Akester has taken over as the Development Officer for the South East Federation.  Mike will now be Clubs point of contact for any funding issues they may have particularly if they are looking to bid for funding from the CA or the Federation. Also any advice they need about developing their club.  The email address is development@southeastcroquet.org.uk

We should also remind Clubs about Croquet Matters the framework that the CA has devised to help committees manage their clubs better.  Visit the CA website by following this link https://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=games/clubs/info/croquetMatters

The Croquet Association is running a competition with a prize pot of £3000 to encourage Clubs to come up with initiatives to make them more welcoming to new members particularly those from diverse backgrounds.  Please see attached letterfor full details as to how to enter.

The Federation’s Publicity Officer, Jonathan Isaacs, is more than happy to help Clubs with ideas as to how to market themselves better particularly with a view to attracting new members.  Please email him at publicity@southeastcroquet.org.uk

The 2022 coaching programme is now available for entries via its website www.thecroquetacademy.com

This year, the Academy celebrates its 15th year. It was created as a joint initiative between the Croquet Association, The South East Croquet Federation and Sussex County Croquet Club to provide a centre of excellence for croquet coaching.

Since its formation it has organised numerous courses for players of all abilities from complete beginners to bespoke courses for member countries of the World Croquet Federation.

This year the Academy are introducing some new innovations, including the establishment of two new “Hub” clubs at Guildford and Tunbridge Wells in addition to the main facility at Southwick.

All three clubs are offering four GC Coaching opportunities aimed at medium and high handicappers. The plan is to make the most popular academy courses more accessible to players throughout the Federation. All these courses will be lead by Croquet Academy coaches.

In addition there will be a full range of Croquet Courses at Southwick including the use of Short Croquet as a successful way of introducing players to Association Croquet.

For the first time the Academy is running a modular course (on line) “Developing your mindset”. This course will enable you to complete a structured programme at your own pace and will include interactive on line sessions with our mindset practitioner.

Outline details of the 2022 programme can be seen on the Coaching page of the SECF website: www.southeastcroquetfederation.org.uk

Full details of the courses and entries should be made via the Academy website and bookings will be taken in order of receipt:
www.thecroquetacademy.com

Handicapping

The Federation has appointed two handicappers. Roger Sutton for Golf Croquet and Martin Peacock for Association Croquet.  Their aim will be to help Clubs to achieve a consistent approach to handicapping across the region and in particular assist Club that are struggling   setting handicaps for their members.
It would be appreciated if you will complete the section on the registration form confirming your present handicappers. Details of the Club handicappers the Federation hold at present can be found by following this web link https://southeastcroquetfederation.org.uk/club-handicappers/ 
There is a lot of information about handicapping on the Croquet Accociation website https://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=games/golf/handicapping/ClubHandicappers