Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to be a member of Toronto Croquet Club?

There are Membership Fees and Green Fees. Membership fees are based on a financial year (the yearly fees can be paid half yearly if reqd.).

• $160 per year (includes CNSW affiliation fee and Personal Accident Insurance)

• $110 per year for players that are already affiliated with another club.

• Members green fees are $7 per all day, OR a member can pay $390 per financial year and play as often as they like.

• Visitors pay $10 per all day green fees

Can I try croquet out to see if it suits me? And can I borrow a mallet?

Yes and Yes to both questions. But we do have a few limits:

• people are expected to join the club after they have been for 8 sessions

• a club mallet can be used for 6 months but only at Lake Mac Croquet Centre

• after that time if people do not have their own mallet they pay a hire fee of $5 a day

• mallets may not be borrowed to take home, they must be returned to the clubhouse at the end of each day

Can visitors play? And what cost?

Yes, visitors are most welcome to play and we have a supply of mallets they can use.  They do have to have enclosed shoes for safety and pay the above green fee. For 'rookies' there is always someone who will show them the basic Golf Croquet game and techniques.  Golf Croquet is the easiest to start with.

When is the Annual General Meeting?

The AGM is held in July.  We also hold quarterly General Meetings where all members get kept abreast of what is going on and can raise issues.

Do players get a handicap?  How is the handicap used?

Games can be played with or without using the handicap system.  When using the handicap then the player with the highest handicap is allowed extra shots so long as the shots do not score a hoop. Eg player A on handicap 12 is playing B on handicap 9 then player A is allowed 3 extra shots during the game.  There are some simple rules as to when these extra shots can be used.

Are there any illegal croquet shots?

There certainly are and they are fully discussed in the rules for each game.  Common ones are 'crush shots' where the mallet, ball and hoop are all in simultaneous contact and 'double taps' where your mallet strikes the ball more than once.

Are there any dress requirements?

The only essential one is that all players wear covered flat soled footwear when playing. Sandals are not allowed.  

The club colours are maroon trousers/shorts and white shirts with our club logo. Members are encouraged to wear them whilst playing croquet. One source of maroon clothing is Bowls at Belmont Bowls Shop at 12 Dodds St, Redhead; Ph 4947 0522 or mobile 0401 447 603. Another is Lowes at Glendale 

White shirts with the club logo are available from Mono Unique Embroidery at Shop 6, 163-165 Brighton Ave, Toronto, Ph 4959 3021; www.monounique.com.au/

Club name badges can be ordered from the Secretary and cloth and hat badges are also available.

Players are strongly encouraged to wear hats and suitable protective clothing in the summer months. Sun block and insect repellent are available in the clubhouse for members use.

What insurance does the club have?

Players are covered for personal accident under Policy SUA/004813 with Sports Underwriting Australia Pty Ltd.

Can I play at other clubs?

As a Toronto Croquet Club member you are entitled to and welcome to play socially or competitively at other affiliated croquet clubs within NSW/Australia. Many members are travellers and call into croquet clubs all over Australia for a game (Some are even suspected of being 'croquahollics'). A list of CNSW clubs and contacts is listed at Croquet NSW. Whilst visiting another affiliated club you are covered under the same insurance policy as if you were playing at Toronto Croquet Club.

Is there any coaching available?

Yes there is.  The club has many accredited coaches who are always available for coaching new and current members. The club also offers coaching clinics at various times throughout the year. Details will be placed on the notice board, the club calendar or in the club newsletter.

Are there any competitions to play in?

There certainly are.  All clubs hold regular competitions as well as inter-club, state, country and world contests. Details of tournaments and gala days within NSW are available on CNSW web site https://www.croquetnsw.org.au/ and on the clubs noticeboard.  Flyers and nomination forms are frequently emailed out as well as being available at the club room.

How long has Toronto Croquet Club been going?

Toronto Croquet Club has been going since 1992, originally adjacent to Toronto Workers Club (where the Elements over 50's village is). Then we moved to Ron Hill Oval at Toronto where we had 5 courts and shared the grounds and clubhouse with the Southern Lakes Cricket Club.  After 12 years of continuous lobbying by a sub-committee, we eventually got our own grounds and clubhouse at Glendale. On the 16th April 24 the new Lake Mac Croquet Centre at Glendale was officially opened and became our new home. See the NBN TV segment of the opening.