Canada

John Richardson

I am 43 years old and currently reside in a small town west of Toronto, Ontario, with my wife, Leanna, and our daughter, Scarlett. I began playing Golf Croquet in late 2011 and have been passionate about the sport ever since. Over the years, I have been fortunate to win five Canadian National titles and became the first Canadian to reach the Main Knockout stage of a Golf Croquet World Championship. I have also received multiple Player of the Year honours and have contributed to the sport’s development through my service on the Croquet Canada Board, where I have held the role of Selection Chair for approximately 10 years.
 

Adam Barr

I am very excited to participate in this event and represent Canada. This is my first trip outside of North America for croquet, and my first visit to England, where my father was born. In 2022, I accidentally discovered croquet at the North Toronto Croquet Club, home to the most competitive GC players in Canada. Being surrounded by such strong players pushed me, and with their encouragement and support, I found modest success quickly. I won the 2024 Canadian National GC Championship and earned a wild card to the 2024 GC World Championship. Although my main event was derailed by COVID, I recovered and advanced to the semi-final of the Plate. Thank you to Oakley Woods Croquet, Croquet Canada, and the membership of North Toronto for supporting our team.

Amr Hamdy

was born in Alexandria/Egypt, played Croquet as age of 18, then travelled away from Egypt and start again in Canada in 2018, won Croqcan 2019 in Canada, I am now 65 years old, tried to learn AC, but still prefer GC.

Hesham Elzoghby

Hesham was born in Cairo, Egypt. He is a chemical Engineer graduated. He started to play Croquet almost 25 years ago as a hobby and participated in most of the Egyptian tournaments (national league, national cup, ranking and team tournaments. Hesham has moved to Canada almost 15 years ago (North Toronto Croquet Club) and since then he started to play more competitive GC tournaments in United States and Canada. Hesham represented Canada in the GC World Team Championship “Tier 2” in Spain as Canadian Team Captain (2021) and Golf Croquet World Championship in England (2022), as well as GC +50 World Championship in Australia (2024).

Czechia

Otakar Stankus

I am 48 years old and I am a teacher and co-owner of a private primary school in Prague. My hobbies include croquet, basketball, movies and computer games. I am a member of the Métis Croquet Club, which focuses on educating young croquet players. Coaching children is a great hobby of mine. My greatest achievement is winning the Bowl at the 2025 European Championships.

Josef Rakosnik

My name is Josef Rákosník, I was born in Prague, Czech Republic. I am 19 years old and just graduated. I’ve been playing croquet since age 14. I love sports such as football and badminton. In my biggest croquet achievements I can mention representing Czechia 4 years earlier in Guildford, semifinals in Czech Open GC, winning a Czech club championship with my team Croquet club Metis, or winning against Reg Bamford in Seville. In future I’ll hopefully study international business in University and join back my team in Czech national radio.

Vojtech Dusek

I'm 17 years old, I was born in Prague, I live here with my family. Currently I have finished 2nd year of grammar school in Prague. I've been playing croquet since 2019 for Croquet Club Metis. I learned about croquet from my elementary school teacher, who is also my trainer. I won Czech Croquet Champion U21 in 2020 and 2024. I have been participating in many Czech and international croquet tournaments, including Latvia, Spain and Switzerland, I'm most proud on participating in GC World Championship 2025 U21 in Florida, where I came in 11th place. Except croquet I train rowing.

Jan Dolejs

My name is Jan Dolejš. I was born in December 2006 in Prague, where I was also raised. I have two amazing younger siblings who also love to play croquet, and a family that always supports me. I'm studying IT and will be graduating next year. A few years before discovering croquet, I was (and still am) playing basketball, which I consider one of the biggest pillars of my life. I'm also producing music for various artists — not only from my home country but also from other countries, such as the USA. I was introduced to croquet in the school backyard by my former teacher — now coach and good friend — Otakar Stankuš. I quickly fell in love with the sport, and within a year I won my first U21 tournament here in the Czech Republic. Another croquet achievement of mine is winning the European U21 Plate in Latvia. I also played in the U21 Croquet Tournament in the USA and the Teams Tournament in Ireland.

Germany

Wolfgang Usbeck

I started playing croquet at the 1st Southwest Croquet Club in 1999 and have been participating in national and international golf and association tournaments since 2007. Before becoming an active croquet player, I practiced martial arts for eight years, show jumping and dressage for ten years, and skydiving. I have been working as a freelance food photographer for over 30 years.

Alexander Kirsten

Alexander, born in 1974, works at a printing company in Leipzig. He is also a surfer and snowboarder, is interested in classic cars and likes travelling in his old camper van. He started to play croquet in 1999 on a small private back lawn, won 4 times the German national GC Championships and has played for Germany in 5 GC World Championships and several other international tournaments and team events since 2002.

Joern Vinnen

I am 58 years old and founding member and President of Deutscher Krocket Bund (German Croquet Federation). Beeing a member of Hamburg Croquet Club I play both Croquet codes. Micro diplomacy is part of my Croquet philosophy - I often wondered how beautiful it was to be somewhere with nice people where I'd never have been without playing the game.

Anne Lehmann

Born in 1976, Anne started playing croquet in 2011 and participated in tournaments in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Italy, as well as the last Women's GC World Championship. She won the 2024 Women's GC German National Championship and has also made it to the quarter-finals of the GC National German Singles Championships several times, as well as achieving top places in the GC National German Doubles. She lives and works as a self-employed print media designer in Leipzig, Saxony.

Hong Kong

Tom Ingram

Born and raised in Hong Kong, I was introduced to Croquet by George Lamplough, chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket club in 2018. In the years following, I founded the Hong Kong, China Croquet Association and was fortunate to represent Hong Kong in the World Championships in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. I have been lucky enough to win a few national championships and hope that the representatives we have are able to put up a good fight against some strong competition! My full time job is piloting the Boeing 777 for Cathay Pacific and through that I have enjoyed visiting many countries and cities around the world. I will only be able to play in one day of this tournament and look forward to seeing old croquet friends from around the world.

Jeremy Hobbins

I’m a 78 year old beginner and hope to learn a lot at this event.

David Lamb

Born in London. Lawyer with Conyers Dill & Pearman Worked in Bermuda, now in Hong Kong Sit on the HK Croquet Association Committee Enthusiastic amateur: HK National GC Doubles title 2025 with Tom Ingram Winner of Hong Kong Club Barrie Spears Cup (AC) Winner of Bombay Triple Crown (AC) played for fun at Hurlingham Club, Guffick House and Meadow House

Blake Ireland

Born and raised in the UK, I have lived in Hong Kong for the past 27 years. I have played casual croquet since I was 8 and then played GC and AC more formally since 2010. I was captain of the Hong Kong Club croquet team for 5 years until September 2024.

George Gladstone

48, born in Sydney, residing in Hong Kong for 9 years.

Milo Ruoff

Playing for HK and member of HK Cricket Club, where we play our croquet. Currently Vice Chairman of HK Croquet Association. Have been in HK since 2018, coming from London. Father to 3 year old and lover of all sports outside of Croquet.

Latvia

Normunds Zelcans

Normunds was born in 1963 in Riga, Latvia. Graduated from Latvian University, faculty of chemistry in 1986, then got MBA degree from Riga Business School in 2004, has more than 40 years of experience in managing pharmaceutical production. Normunds first introduced to croquet by his classmate, Roberts Stafeckis (current president of Latvian Croquet Federation) in 2010. Since that time participate in almost all tournaments in Latvia. Highest ranked Latvan GC croquet player, participated in 4 European GC Championships and in 2016 World GC Team Championship. Highest achievements – GC Champion of Latvia (9 times), winner of the plate in European GC Championship (3 times).

Janis Steins

Janis, 63, first met with croquet 15 years ago as a party game. A year later, he was one of the founders of the SIG-LIG croquet club and has been its president ever since. He is currently ranked 2nd in the national GC rankings. He has participated in three world team championships, as well as several European championships. In addition to croquet, Jānis is a big fan of hockey and basketball.

Roberts Stafeckis

Roberts, 61, had been playing croquet with friends for some years on his backyard lawn, before, back in 2009, he came up with the idea to start develop croquet as a competitive sport in Latvia. He has been the founder and President of Latvia Croquet Federation since its establishment 16 years ago, was a captain of Team Latvia at the GC WTC 2012 and 2021, played in GC WC 2019, and GC European Championships in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Roberts is currently number 3 in national GC rankings, and serves on the Management Committee of the World Croquet Federation since 2014. Outside croquet, Roberts is business consultant, husband, father, and grandfather of 7 girls and boys.

Silvija Freimane

Silvija, 36, started to play croquet 15 years ago, when her father Roberts founded the Latvian Croquet Federation. Silvija participated in the GC WTC 2012 / GC WTC 2021 and is currently ranked number 4 in national GC rankings. Since 5 years she is involved in developing the Ikskile Croquet Club with 3 lawns. Professionally Silvija started 15 years ago her own company Goal Events and is organizing corporate events and conferences in Riga and Tallinn for international companies.

Tomass Freimanis

Tomass began playing croquet in 2014, and the game soon became his passion. He has since participated in both the GC European Championships and the World Championship. Thomas understands that consistent training is essential and looks forward to the day when his work will lead to competing among the top players.

Sabine Martinsone

Sabine, 30, has been playing croquet since 2021, since the opening of the Ikskile Croquet Club. Learned about croquet from an open day at the club and liked it because it reminded golf but was different. In the second season participated in the first Women’s GC European Championship and won the 5th place. The previous experience in playing golf for 11 years might have helped to gain good skills and results in croquet. Also, have participated in the European Club GC Cup Final in 2023 and in the Women’s GC European Championship in 2024. Currently ranked number 14 in national GC rankings. In everyday works as a marketing specialist in the Riga Motor Museum and is interested in antique automobiles. Also, loves to play board games and to travel around the world. Has made her own board game “Lucky Race: Around the World” which is, of course, about traveling.

Mexico

Brian Lozano

Croquet México Co-Founder, Vice President, and Athletic Director. Top 10 North American GC player, and #1 in Mexico. A dedicated croquet professional, Brian leads the croquet program for Cullasaja Country Club in North Carolina. Beginning his croquet career in 2017, Brian has managed to compete against the best players in the world. He led the Croquet México National Team to a WCF Tier 3 World Championship at the Guildford & Godalming Croquet Club in England in 2022. Occupier of the 2022 & 2023 Moctezuma of Croquet Balcony, which is a ritual and title given to the Croquet México National Champion. A 7-time martial arts World Champion from Tijuana, México, Brian brings over two decades of high level competition experience to Croquet México.

Rick Zazueta

Rick Zazueta is Founder & CEO of Croquet México- a professional who is passionate about playing, teaching, coaching, and growing the game. He is a 2023 certified Golf Croquet referee by both Croquet England and the United States Croquet Association. In 2018 he created Croquet México and in 2019 they became a Recognized Croquet Organization by the World Croquet Federation, granting them the status of Mexico’s Croquet Governing body. In 2023, Rick Zazueta took Croquet México all the way up to Associate Membership. He runs croquet programs and experiences across North America, where he has taught hundreds of people how to play. He is a member of the Pasadena Croquet Club in Los Angeles and a member of Dulwich Croquet Club in London- he sits on the board of the Croquet Mexico club in his home town of Valle de Guadalupe. Rick Zazueta resides in Baja California, México, alongside his wife Geraldine and their three kids; Máximo, Larissa, and Nicolás. He is a successful novelist, host, and vintner - He's head of the Baja California Wine Library for the Secretariat of Culture.

Victor Abitia

I am a 37-year-old motorcycle racer who discovered croquet during recovery from a racing injury in 2020. What began as a way to stay active during rehabilitation quickly turned into a passion. I’ve been playing croquet for four years, primarily Golf Croquet (GC), and have also explored Association Croquet (AC). Since 2022, I’ve proudly represented Mexico on the national team, including a standout performance at the GC World Tier 3 Championship where we rose as underdogs to win the event. I currently play for Croquet Mexico and have competed internationally in the UK, Spain, the United States, and across Mexico. I'm looking forward to the upcoming championship and continuing to grow in the sport.

Giancarlo Ruiz

Croquet México Founding Member - 2022 USCA GC Western Regional Champion for 1st flight singles & doubles at Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Desert, California. Runner up at the 2022 USCA First Flight National GC Championship in singles at the Highlands - Cashiers North Carolina Plateau. Semifinalist at EL CERRADO at the Hope Harmon Croquet Club in San Miguel de Allende. Award winning artist, actor, and director with over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Originally from Tijuana, he splits his time between Los Angeles and México - An active member of both the Pasadena Croquet Club and the Croquet México Club.

Roberto Rivera

Croquet México CoFounder, President, and Treasurer He started playing croquet with his friends in the park, and has since won the Croquet México Open doubles on two occasions (2018, 2019). He has been a constant and tough player at most Croquet México tournaments and a member of the 2022 goldmedal winning Mexico National Squad. An authentic lover of the game and an active competitor. He is the life party and Croquet México’s fixer.He currently resides in Valle de Guadalupe, where he enjoys all that baja has to offer

Norway

Glenn Fauske

Born 7 mai in 1976 and are married and have 3 children, played golf Croquet sinse 2016, have won Norwegian Championships 3 times. Played twise in European Championship. Played Competitions in Norway, England, Latvia, Irland and Sweden.

Steinar Olsen

Hi, my name is Steinar Olsen, born in January 1953 and residing in Norway, playing for Hjumakerveien Crouquet Club. Have played Crouquet for 18 years, Love and travel to play Crouquet in different countries, have been 13, but mostly in England, the highlight was, participating in the World Championship over 50 in Australia 2023.

Trond Jansen

I have played GC for 8 years. 58 years old..i have a girlfriend and one son (26) Won the Norwegian Championship one time. Participated in the Europian Championship a couple of times. Playing GC for fun, but all too seldom I am sorry to say.

Viggo Olsen

I am 67, live in Fredrikstad, Norway,, Married , have 2 sons , played GC Croquet since 2012, have played in 10 countrys.

Lasse Holberg

I was born on December 16, 1955 in Fredrikstad. I have 4 children and 8 grandchildren with whom I spend a lot of time. In my free time I like to travel with Hurtigruten, go to Liverpool matches and go fishing in Lofoten. My international Croquet career began in 2012, I have played in 7 different European countries. I only play GC, and my principal club is Hjulmakerveien Croquet club.

Portugal

Dusan Turcer

Born in Slovakia on 13th July, 1983. Studied marketing/management, currently working in IT business. Previously played football and chess professionally. After moving to Portugal, this game was introduced to me by friend and I started to play croquet as hobby player in November 2017. After some time, I became more interested in improving and after some decent amount of practice I managed to win Portugal Championship in 2018. Currently playing both GC and AC.

Stephen Birrane

Stephen lives in Santa Catarina in the Algarve since retirement. My wife and I started playing croquet five years ago as an outdoor social activity. After joining Algarve Croquet Club I was eligible to play for Portugal in the 2022 oWorld Team tier 3 GC tourmament which was my first competition. Since then I have competed several times mainly in ECL and inter club matches. My proudest individual moment was winning the singles Portuguese Open.

Kevin Kostiuk

Retired from the USA to Portugal. Playing GC for about 4 years.

Trevor Morgan

I was born in North London, I have one sister, both parents now deceased. I served 22 years in the Royal Navy Submarine Service, since leaving had I a variety of professions and enjoyed every one. I love most sport and played Rugby at a high standard. I retired to the Algarve in 2015 from the UK and discovered Croquet in 2018. I have played GC mostly, winning Club competitions and having had successful European Club competitions. Mainly played in Portugal and Spain. This will be my first world croquet tournament and I look forward to it immensely. I am still interested in most sports, but alas just watching! I am involved in the RoyalBritish Legion here in Portugal supporting both serving and veterans of the Armed Forces. My home club is Algarve Croquet Club.

Margot Engstrom

My name is Margot Engström,l am swedish living in Portugal since more than 40 years.l started to play croquet around 2014 and have been part of several turnaments in Portugal and in Spain. My first international championship was in Egypt 2018 and another was the woman championship in Eastborne 2023. I am retired from working as a massage therapist for over 20 year. Now l have all the time to enjoy playing croquet and meeting people from all over the world.

Scotland

Stephen Wright

Stephen started playing in Scotland in the 1970s when the only form of croquet played was Association Croquet, winning the Scottish Championship 4 times, as well as the UK Open AC doubles with Michael Heap . He also played in the 2nd and 3rd eights, winning the Spencer Ell. Stephen first played for Scotland in 1974, playing against an emerging Bob Jackson of New Zealand( then the NZ number 6) in their warm up match for the MacRobertson Shield. Family commitments meant he had to reduce his playing in the 1980s and only played occasionally for many years, having a gap in ranking games between 1989 and 2018. On returning to croquet he found golf croquet had established itself as a serious sport, and he has enjoyed taking it up, enthusiastically playing both forms of the game. He has represented Scotland in both golf and association croquet since then. In 2022 Stephen won the Scottish Association Croquet Championship - 48 years after he first won it! Stephen lives in Yorkshire and is a member of the Ben Rhydding croquet club and committee member at Pendle and Craven Croquet Club.

Martin Murray

I have played croquet since 1961, having started as a student at Cambridge University. By 1974 I had played for Great Britain in the MacRobertson Shield and won the Men's Championship. I went on to play twice more in the MacRobertson Shield, and win the Men's Championship on three further occasions. Since 1980 I have been a regular member of the Scottish team, in AC till 2022, and since 2019 in GC. I worked at Bristol University from 1973 to 2007, and still live in Bristol with my wife Rose. I have one daughter, Hannah. Outside croquet my main interest is railways, particularly steam, narrow gauge, and foreign.

Mark Shanks

Mark found Golf Croquet in the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia at the end of 2021 at age 57. On moving to Scotland in May 2022 he was introduced to AC in June 2022 becoming very enthusiastic with his handicap dropping quickly. He won his first AC Level Tournament in April 2024 with the Glasgow Open retaining in 2025. In GC, in 2022 he won the Meadows C Level GC tournament. In 2023 his GC improved quickly winning the Meadows GC Open and the Edinburgh Tournament Open GC Handicap. In 2024 he was selected for Scotland in the GC Home Internationals. He played in the 2024 World GC Championship in USA and the 2024 European AC Championship in Ireland. At end of 2024 the Scottish Croquet Association awarded him the Kelvingrove and Gleneagles Trophies for most improved player in both GC and AC. In 2025 selected for Scotland in AC vs Ireland, GC for European Championships, the GC Home Internationals and the World GC Team Tier 2/3. His clubs include Maitland NSW, Meadows and Balgreen in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Surbiton in England.

Stefan Colling

An AC and GC player, Captain of Glasgow Croquet Club, member of Balgreen and Aberdeen & Crathes Croquet Clubs. New to this level of competition.

Thomas Halliday

Born in Edinburgh in 1989 and raised in both Edinburgh and Rannoch. I live in London with my wife and two children, where I am a writer of popular science books. This is my second World Teams, having first played for Scotland in Cadiz in 2021. Since then, he has represented Scotland in the GC Home Internationals and at the World Championship. On the lawn, I am known for a high-energy game and for wearing my heart upon my sleeve. Off the lawn, you'll find me designing puzzles and games, writing about science, and listening to, singing, or playing folk music.

Sweden

Joi Elebo

Joi Elebo, 37, is representing Sweden in the GC WTC for the fourth time, having competed in every GC and AC WTC to date. He has played in two GC Singles World Championships, reaching the knockout stage in both, as well as in several European Championships. On a national level Joi has won several titles and he is the current national champion in both AC and GC. Joi lives in a small town called Anderstorp in the countryside of south Sweden. His backyard, where he has set up a full-size lawn, is also the home venue of his croquet club, Carpe Croquetum. His regular practice partners are his partner, Daniel, and his father, Eje—both of whom are also on the team. To support his not-so-lucrative croquet career, Joi works as a product manager at a company that manufactures heating distribution equipment.

Daniel Larsson

My name is Daniel Larsson, a 36-year-old production planner based in southern Sweden. I work for a design furniture company located approximately 25 kilometers from my home. I currently live in the community of Anderstorp with my partner, Joi Elebo. Joi introduced me to croquet seven years ago. At first, I didn’t take the sport too seriously—perhaps because both Joi and his father are among the top-ranked players in Sweden, while I was a complete beginner who lost every match. Fortunately, Joi had recently built a croquet lawn in his garden, which provided an excellent environment for regular practice. Over time, my game improved significantly, and I now occasionally manage to win against them. Since then, I’ve competed in both national and international tournaments. In 2023, Joi, his father, and I secured third place in the European Teams Championship—an achievement I’m particularly proud of. The upcoming event will mark my first appearance at a World Championship, and I’m excited to be competing in this tournament.

Eje Elebo

I was born in Halmstad 1951, worked as teacher. I have played Croquet for 20 years and won a few Swedish Championships, mostly in double Swedish Croquet and GC. Our family championship is one of the biggest Tournaments in Sweden, with more than 20 players every year.

Lewis Palmer

Lewis grew up near Ipswich in the UK and started playing AC croquet at school taught by Martin French. After university he joined the croquet club in Ipswich in 1985 and has now been playing for 40 years. He won the Championship of Ireland in 1991 and (due to a welsh father) represented Wales on numerous occasions. In 2007 he moved to Sweden and gained swedish citizenship shortly after that. He now lives in the picturesque town of Trosa, about 1 hour south of Stockholm where he works as the financial manager for an insulation company. He has 2 grownup children of his own and another 4 bonus children from his swedish wife. He started playing GC in about 2010 and has represented his adopted country on numerous occasions including the 2020 tier 1 Championships in NZ where Sweden unfortunately were relegated after a 5-4 defeat to Ireland. He is very proud to be the captain of a swedish team looking for immediate promotion back to tier 1.

Switzerland

Ian Sexton

Ian Sexton is a retired engineer from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland. He spends his winters in the United Arab Emirates and summers in Geneva. Married with four children, Ian began playing croquet in 1990 at the CERN Croquet Club. Since then, he has represented Switzerland in numerous international matches and has competed in both the World and European Championships (Association Croquet and Golf Croquet). Currently ranked number one in Switzerland, he holds the national titles in both AC and GC. Outside of croquet, his passions include skiing, yoga, golf, travel, and fine food.

Daniel Studerus

Daniel Studerus born 8th July 1965 in Zürich, Switzerland wored as a Financial Consultant. I start playing Golf Croquet in 2011 and I am a Founder and Board Member of Croquet Club Zürich since 2016. My biggest success was winning the Swiss Single Championship in 2020. I have participated in several European Single Championships and was a member of the Swiss Team which represents Switzerland in the last two World Team Championships Teer 2, 2016 in Bath, England and 2022 in Cadiz, Spain. Biggest dream is to play Croquet on proper lawns in Zürich !

Peter Payne

Peter Payne worked his whole career in the Swiss financial sector and now, although officially retired, still runs his own financial and administrative service and advisory company, Helfides SA. He played croquet in the family garden as a youngster and joined CERN CC (Geneva) in the late 80s. For many years he was involved in the administrative side of the game, but also found the time to play both AC and GC in numerous national and international events, with moderate success. He reached the quarterfinals of the GC World Championship in Leamington Spa in 1998. After a 12-year extended sabbatical, he reappeared on the lawns in late 2018, and was elected treasurer of the WCF in late 2021. He is also secretary of the Swiss CA, treasurer of CERN CC in Geneva and a member of CroquetVS in Sion (Valais, Switzerland). Having recently moved south of the Alps to Ticino (the Italian speaking part of Switzerland), he is planning to start a new croquet club in the area. He plays for Switzerland and also, somewhat incongruously, Warwickshire. A widower, his other interests include travel, music (opera, classical, jazz), philately, and all things epicurean. He is fluent in French and English and his Italian is improving, although not as fast as he would like!

Neil Thomas

Born an original Liverpool Scouser and now living in Zurich Switzerland for the past 30 years. Worked in banking and Industry in the field of audit & consulting and now retired. I entered the croquet world 14 years ago when a friend found a basic set of croquet equipment and we set up in a local park in Zurich. The only game we had heard of was 9wicket backyard croquet and although the equipment and field were extremely basic, it became a weekly obsession for us. Through the years we progressed with buying professional equipment but the field is still the local park. We formed the Croquet Club Zurich (CCZ) with 22 members and pleasingly, the majority are those who started 10 years ago. A tribute to the fun and friendship that croquet brings.

KevinM Collins

It is nineteen years now since Kevin and his family arrived in Zürich from California. Albeit an American originally from Kansas, he often boasts of his diverse European family history coming from Ireland, England, Belgium, France and the Italian part of Switzerland. After an extensive career in the Silicon Valley, he spent his first years in Switzerland directing engineering projects gor ETH Zürich. Kevin was formally introduced to croquet roughly fourteen years ago while the club was still playing backyard (or 9-wicket) croquet in a local park. Shortly after the Zürich group found themselves competing in tournaments in CERN, and traveling to several neighboring countries for various GC competitions. Perhaps reminiscent of Kevin’s preference for a pint of Guinness, he can often be heard to say as the game commences: “It’s a lovely day for croquet."

Dave Underhill

Born in Bristol, 19/9/45 Married with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Moved to Switzerland in 1966 to work at CERN as a computer operator, and retired in 2010 as computer operations manager. Having overseen the phenomenal growth in computing. I first played croquet on the headmaster’s lawn at Bristol Grammar School, and took it up again many years later when seeing it played on the CERN restaurant's lawn. Since that time I have represented Switzerland in both AC & GC European and World Championships. Promoted the sport in Switzerland such that we now have three Clubs, and hope to have a fourth one very soon, so covering the four major regions. I am President of both the CERN Club and the Swiss Association. I am an average player, who loves the sport whether winning or losing. A sport which has given me the opportunity to play with some of the sport's top players, and play in 18 different countries around the world. My Major win … the Barlow Salvers at Cheltenham for Handicap Doubles, now knowing that my name is etched in gold on one of the many walls at the Cheltenham Club. Proudest moment… coaching at a Croquet Camp for young players in India, together with Klim Seabright, on behalf of the WCF….. a truly remarkable experience never to be forgotten.

Wales

Angharrad Walters

Born in Gorseinon, near Swansea in South Wales, Angharrad learnt to play Croquet at Bowdon Croquet Club, near Manchester, in NW England. She now regularly represents Wales at both AC & GC events. A carer since 2017, her opportunities to play are limited. Angharrad is currently the Hon. Secretary of her local club, the NW Federation of Croquet Clubs and a Committee member of the Welsh Croquet Association.

Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts is the former Editor of The Croquet Gazette. He is a past Chairman of both the Southern Croquet Federation and his club Phyllis Court at Henley-on-Thames. Chris has played for Wales in the GC Home Internationals and has represented his country at two GC World Championships and four European Championships. He is the current Welsh GC Open Champion. Chris is a keen advocate of competitive croquet and chairs the Croquet England Handicap Committee, is a member of the GC Selection Committee and GC Tournaments Committee, and for the latter is the director of the GC A, B, C and now new D-Level Series competitions (totalling 88 tournaments in 2025) He is a GC Championship Referee, AC Referee and is a Grade 2 coach at both GC and AC. Chris also manages many tournaments at all levels, quite often as a 'double act' with Frances Colman. Aside from representing Wales, in GC, Chris' highest personal croquet achievement so far, is third-place at the 2016 European Championships. Chris has won three English National Singles Championship (ENSC) tournaments, qualified for the ENSC Finals ('Ascot Cup') on seven occasions, and plays in the GC Open Championship most years. He is enjoying his best season so far in 2025, starting with three tournament wins in South Africa (two doubles with Frances Colman), the Welsh GC Open, and most recently the Woking Open Series tournament in June. Chris’ AC is still improving and he achieved a long awaited first triple peel last season.

Ian Burridge

Ian, 54, was born in Aberdare and began playing as a 17 year old at school in Colchester. He rapidly progressed becoming an AC International for Wales and Great Britain. For the past decade Ian has focussed on GC winning the English National Singles in 2016, the first Eight in 2017 and the Welsh GC Championship 3 times. He remains a regular representative of Wales in international events. Ian lives near Grantham and plays at the Nottingham croquet club with his son Euan.

Sarah Melvin

Born in Barry, South Wales in 1960. Worked in the Costume department in BBC Wales for 38 years. Represented Wales in GC in the 1st 4 Home Internationals.