COURSES OF INTRODUCTORY LESSONS IN CROQUET

The Canberra Croquet Club conducts introductory coaching lessons. The format is six 2-hour lessons, with one coach to 2-4 students. Before signing up for lessons interested people are generally expected to come along to a Come & Try afternoon to learn a little about the sport and see if it suits them. If you cannot come to a Come & Try afternoon, please contact the club to arrange an alternative introduction to the game.

The lessons focus on the version of croquet known as Association Croquet though instruction in Golf Croquet is also included.

The Game of Croquet can be described as a cross between Snooker and Chess, played on a Bowling green. It is a challenging and exciting sport for people of all ages, requiring tactical ability, judgement and skill rather than strength and fast reflexes. Croquet can be enjoyed as a social recreation, or as a competitive sport at Club, State, National and International levels.

The Association game is played between two sides, either as singles or doubles each with two balls on each side. The aim is to hit each of the two balls of your side through all of the twelve hoops in a specific order, scoring one point per hoop, and then hit the peg for another point. The first side to score all 26 points wins the game. A game takes from one to three hours to complete depending on the skill of the players in manoeuvring their own and the opponent’s balls to maximum effect. Games of Golf Croquet are usually very much shorter, but can be equally intriguing.

The course introduces the basic skills of the game (such as swinging the mallet; single ball shots; the croquet shots – two balls played in the one shot, to produce up to 12 different outcomes) and a rudimentary appreciation of the tactics to be employed in a game.

As with many sports, you will not be able to pick up all the rules, complexities, and subtleties in these introductory lessons. But you will be in a position to start enjoying the challenge of the game.

If you have problems with certain aspects we encourage you to seek help from your Coach, and to work on them through practice and reading between lessons. Conversely, if you breeze through and display exceptional skills, your coach can introduce you to more complex situations.

Participants in the course receive a collection of Coaching Notes and a copy of the booklet “Beginning Croquet” by Chambers and Hall.

On completion of the Introductory Lessons program, you are welcome to join the Club. CCC members continue to provide guidance and assistance to new members, including more advanced coaching modules, as mastery of the game requires application and practice over some time, depending on individual aptitudes.

Equipment: The CCC provides all the equipment, and has a range of mallets that can be borrowed. The only dress stipulation is that you wear flat-soled shoes. Shorts or slacks are preferred since the modern method is to play centre-style, swinging the mallet between the legs.

Application Form for Lessons: The application form can be downloaded (Word or PDF format) or obtained by contacting the club by phone (02) 6273 1030 or emailing the . It may be returned by post or email.

Cost: The cost of the six 2-hour Introductory Lessons (including booklets) is $50 (full-time students $25), payable in full at the first lesson. Payment may be made by bank transfer to Commonwealth Bank of Australia BSB 062 919 account 0090 8494 or cheque payable to “Canberra Croquet Club Inc” or cash to the coach. If using bank transfer please state your name and ‘coaching’ in the transaction description. The course is free if you subsequently join the club.  Your initial membership fee will be discounted by the amount you paid for the course.

Further Resources: Reading books on Croquet is an excellent way to gain insight into what you are learning, and to get extra knowledge. It is an unfortunate fact that to a new player (and many established players as well) the "Rule Book'' can appear incomprehensible. However, there are a number of very good publications that explain all aspects of the game. The ACT Library Service has a number of books at various branches. Better ones are: "The Australian Croquet Manual'' (Sloane), "Croquet: The Skills of the Game'' (Lamb), and "Croquet'' (Solomon). Club members have access to the Club's library, containing many books and videos.

Practice: While reading is useful, the best way to improve is to practice. We encourage you to practice between lessons. Your Coach may be able to arrange for a Club member to be present at suitable times to allow you to come along and practice.

Joining the Club: After completing the course you are invited to attend the Club at two of our regular social club sessions and then to join the club. Members can access the Club at any time. Mallets can be borrowed if you decide not to buy your own, so the only cost is the annual membership fee.

The Club: The Canberra Croquet Club has been a part of the Canberra scenery for a long time. The Club was formed in 1928, and our Clubhouse built in 1931. We have 3 full sized courts that are used for play all year round.

The Club has members across a wide range of ages and skill levels, including social players and NSW state team and National representatives, so you will find plenty of support no matter at what level you are playing the game.

Last updated: 2 July, 2010