Canterbury Association Life Members
Canterbury players who are world champions
Year | Venue | Event | Winner |
2008 | Christchurch | AC | Chris Clarke (United) |
2009 | Cairo | U21 GC | Duncan Dixon (United) |
2012 | Melbourne | Women’s AC | Jenny Clarke (United) |
2015 | United | U21 GC | Josh Freeth (United) |
Other recognised players
Mr and Mrs W H Kirk were members of the St James Park Club in the 1950’s when Mrs Kirk was on the NZ MacRobertson Shield team and Mr Kirk served as Manager. He was President of the NZCC from 1948-56. They started indoor croquet and have trophies named after them and were made Life Members of the NZCC.
In more recent times, Chris Clarke, twice World Champion has come to live in Christchurch bringing inestimable knowledge and skill to Canterbury. He is an outstanding player, administrator and coach and was inducted into the WCF Hall of Fame in 2010. Jenny Clarke has represented New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman tests, captained the team and was a member of the 2010 MacRobertson Shield team. In 2016 Chris captained the NZ team that won the World Golf Croquet Doubles Championship; Jenny was also a member of the team.
Croquet New Zealand Life Member, Gordon Smith, has been in Canterbury since 2009. Gordon is a Life Member of the Manawatu Croquet Association and has served as President there as well as in Canterbury. He has also been on the executive of Croquet New Zealand. He has been “Mr Golf Croquet” for many years, being largely responsible for the development and administration of the game here. This includes writing the exam for referees and preparing course material.
In 2004 Gordon was appointed as Convenor of the World Croquet Federation Golf Croquet Laws Committee and in 2009 was elected a member of the World Croquet Federation Management Committee.
Gordon has contributed in many other ways, including service as an AC Senior Referee, running courses for referees and umpires and administering their exams. Many tournament managers are profoundly thankful for his comprehensive and masterly document Managing a Croquet Tournament, produced in 2005.
Gordon played at a high level, winning the Arthur Ross Trophy in 1985 and the Heenan Plate in 2007. He has managed many tournaments, including the Trans-Tasman Test in 2009 and was the manager of the NZ Trans-Tasman team in 2007.