Contributed by David Kerr
APRIL 21 this week is recognised by the UN as World Creativity and Innovation Day and it could be argued that croquet is one of the few sports that allows for creativity and innovation, especially while doing a split shot to set up at “the hoop after next”.
This is grist for the mill in the world of elite croquet players and over the past week players from across Australia have competed at Forrest Park Croquet Club in Mount Lawley, WA in the 2026 Eire Cup and AC Women’s National Championship.
Of course, Queensland was represented and performed well in both teams and individual competitions. One of those athletes was Sarah Widin of the Range Club, Maleny.
At this stage it is looking like Sarah achieved a very credible tie for third in the Women’s Single Plate, while the Qld team in the Eire Cup won 55 games to the outright winner NSW (66).
The Eire Cup is the annual interstate association croquet team’s competition for Australian States.
Teams of 8 compete in singles and mixed doubles games.
But wait, there is another croquet connection with the 21st of April, which is Queen Elizabeth’s birthday in 1926.
Barely a dozen years later in 1939 the then Princess Elizabeth played croquet with Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.
Want to extend your creativity, innovation and connection with royalty?
Then give croquet a go and call 0417640704.