Our main press contact is Linda Gavigan - telephone number: 07890 027385 email address: lindagav23@gmail.com.
For basic press information see the bottom of this page.
National Treasure is Guest of Honour at World ChampionshipSussex County Croquet Club (SCCC) will host the World Croquet Federation (WCF) 2023 Women’s Golf Croquet (GC) World Championship from 6th to 14th August at its grounds in Kingston Lane, Southwick. Dame Mary Berry will be guest of honour at the Opening Ceremony for the 2023 tournament on Sunday, 6th August. The traditional flag parade for the 56 competitors from 16 countries will be followed by Dame Mary cutting a very special cake - what else?! Play commences on the club’s 11 world class lawns on Monday 7th August, culminating with finals on Monday 14th August. Spectators are welcome to watch the very best women exponents of the sport compete for the title of GC Women’s World Champion. Egypt’s Soha Mostafa will defend her title won in 2019 at Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Home contenders include European GC Champion Rachel Gee, AC (Association Croquet) World Champion Debbie Lines and SCCC members Gabrielle Higgins and Liz Farrow. Club Chairman Clive Hayton says, ‘After successfully hosting the 2019 and 2023 WCF GC World Championships, we’re proud to welcome the very best women players who we know will keep spectators gripped over a week of highly competitive play. At a time when women’s sport is attracting record numbers of spectators across all sports, we’re delighted to showcase Women’s Croquet at Southwick”. Pay at the gate. Light refreshments. Licensed Bar. Bring a chair! Prices and further details at www.gcwomensworld2023.org |
Basic press information
About Golf Croquet:
It’s an international sport:
It’s an international sport:
Many people will have played croquet informally in their own gardens or at hotels, but the top-level of croquet is an international sport with a growing cohort of under 30’s competing at international level.
It’s skilful:
Although the basics of Golf Croquet can be taught in 10 minutes and it is a fast-paced game, both it and Association Croquet are games of skill and tactics, with men and women competing on equal terms. At Club level there are there are tournaments throughout the UK from April to October to suit all abilities, from friendly social games to club and inter-club competitions and a busy calendar of national and international tournaments.
About the Golf Croquet World Championship
Sussex County Croquet Club at Southwick will be the major venue for the 2023 Women's World Golf Croquet Championships, supported by another venue in Eastbourne. The Championships will be held between 7th and 14th August with 56 competitors from up to 30 countries eligible to compete.
The current Women’s World Champion is Egyptian Soha Mustafa, who won the title in 2019 in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. This is the first time the WCF Golf Croquet Women's World Championship has been held in England.
The last Englsih winner was Rachel Rowe in 2011.
About the hosting venues:
- Sussex County Croquet Club
Sussex County Croquet Club, which is one of the world’s oldest and largest croquet clubs, has been selected as the host for the event.
Sussex County Croquet was founded in 1869 by Henry Jones and John Hinde Hale. (These two gentlemen were subsequently involved in the formation of The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.) Originally based outside The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, the club moved to its present location in 1901. Its first annual tournament was held in the presence of The Duke of Cambridge.
The club has a long history of hosting major croquet events. In 2012 the club took the decision to completely refurbish their 11 lawns. This improvement was a major factor in the 2019 and 2022 Golf Croquet Championships being awarded to Sussex.
- Compton Croquet Club
Compton Croquet Club in Eastbourne is proud to be hosting the Qualifying event from 3rd to 5th August. The Club was founded in 1898 on its present site at The Saffrons Sports Ground and is the host for the Qualifying event. Compton maintains five of the original laid lawns to the first class standard they are today and cater for both Association Croquet and Golf Croquet at all levels.
