The UK Croquet Association has been proactive in facing the COVID-19 pandemic and has provided an update on actions they've taken since the outbreak began intended to support members and clubs.

“As soon as the scale of the rapidly developing situation became apparent, it set up a task force to respond to it, which is continuing to review the situation on an on-going basis,” says Jonathan Isaacs, chairman of the council.

According to the statement, the task force includes Roger Staples (Chairman Executive Board), Jonathan Isaacs (Chairman of Council), Ian Vincent (Hon Secretary), Ian Burridge (Incoming Hon Treasurer)
and Mark Suter (CA Manager).

In addition, the CA Council will be meeting by teleconference on Saturday, March 28, to review its decisions and plan more strategically for the next few months and beyond.

Other actions include:

• The CA website has an on-going post that is updated with advice as official guidelines.

• National Croquet Week has been cancelled, but with the option to re-instate it later in the season is still open.

• The CA has introduced an Emergency Assistance Scheme for Clubs and a Tournament Entry Fee Donation scheme to help support financially-stressed clubs.

• The CA Tournament Entry System has been swiftly upgraded by Dave Kibble to better handle tournament cancellations, mass withdrawals and refunds.

• Remote access to the CA office has been established to all the staff to work from home.

“More generally, it (CA) is aware that clubs and their members will be affected in other ways. Please keep in touch with each other and to look out for your more vulnerable members,” says Isaacs. “For some people, social media and teleconferencing facilities are helpful in maintaining communications and also to conduct business where necessary.”

The statement notes Zoom as a teleconferencing service with video as a option to stay connected. The free Zoom accounts allow a meeting of up to 100 participants, but limits calls to 40 minutes. Google Hangouts is also free with similar functionality and no time limit, but offers limits conferences to 25 participants.