World Croquet Federation:
Political Structure

Croquet World: Mr. Hudson, could you tell us how the World Croquet Federation came into being?

Chris Hudson: The decision to form the World Croquet Federation was taken at a meeting held at the Hurlingham Club, London, England, on Thursday, 17th July, 1986, at which representatives from nine croquet-playing countries were present. Many national croquet Associations had felt for some time that a world body to coordinate international affairs would be useful. The initiative was finally taken by the English Croquet Association's International Committee, who called a meeting of interested parties in England during the 1986 MacRobertson Shield series. The ECA's International Committee was empowered to draft a final WCF constitution and to prepare the way for the formal setting up of the world body.

CW: What are the classes of membership in the WCF?

Hudson: For "Full" membership, a national organization must have a constitution and an independent national jurisdiction; it must produce clear evidence of a national structure, and its authority must be recognized by at least 5 subsidiary organizations (federations, clubs, or other specific groups); it must be able to produce a copy of its own audited accounts, demonstrating the payment of membership subscriptions to it; there must be clear evidence that the Association is involved in promoting croquet, and that an effective coaching scheme is in place; the Association must play a version of croquet recognized by the WCF, have ultimate responsibility for the tournament calendar within its area of jurisdiction, and have staged at least two national championships; and the number of individual participants acknowledging the authority of the Association must exceed 50.

An "Observer" member is a national croquet Association that has an independent national jurisdiction, but does not fully meet the other requirements of "Full" membership.

CW: What is the primary difference between "full" and "observer" status?

Hudson: Only "Full" members have voting rights, and their voting entitlement depends on the number of individual Associates affiliated to them. "Full" members with more than 1000 Associates have 3 votes, those with 500 to 1000 Associates have 2 votes, and those with fewer than 500 Associates have 1 vote. CW: What nations belong to the WCF?

"Full" members are Australia, England, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and the USA. "Observer" members are Canada, Egypt, France, Guernsey, Italy, Jersey, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and Wales.

CW: How would you describe the role and mission of the WCF?

Hudson: The best way to do that is to reproduce the "Principles and Objectives" of the WCF constitution.

CW: What is the management structure of the WCF?

Hudson: The WCF is managed by delegates of its Associations. They assemble in General Meetings as the "Council". Each "Full" member is entitled to be represented at General Meetings by a number of delegates equal to their number of votes, and by a maximum of three representatives who may speak but not vote. Each "Observer" member is entitled to be represented at General Meetings by one delegate who may speak but not vote.

The Council elects a President for a 2-year term, who may be re-elected for one more term. In addition to the President, the Council also elects six other members to serve on the WCF Management Committee, which is empowered to settle all urgent questions subject to the Council's confirmation. The Committee also carries on the work of the Federation and governs its financial affairs between General Meetings.

CW: How often are elections held?

Hudson: Elections take place at the first General Meeting to be held after a period of at least two years has elapsed sine the previous election. At such meetings, the President retires, together with 3 members of the Committee, who retire in rotation. The retiring President remains an ex-officio member of the Committee until the next General Meeting. After each election the Management Committee appoints a Secretary-General and a Treasurer from among their number. Candidates must be over 21 and may be nominated by "Full" or "Observer" members. The Committee may not contain more than two members from one Association.

CW: Who are the current members of the Management Committee?

Hudson: Fred Rogerson of Ireland is the president; Bill Berne (USA) is the treasurer and is currently assuming the presidency; I'm the secretary-general; and the committee members are Quentin Macarthur-Stanham (Australia), Antoine Ravez (France), and Masaru Ikeda (Japan).