North Toronto Croquet Club (NT), originally established in 1912 as a lawn bowling club, transitioned to croquet 20 years ago and has experienced significant growth in recent years. While the club had a modest membership for its first 15 years as a croquet club the past five years have marked a transformative period. As of the 2024 season, the club had 67 total members, making NT the second-largest croquet club in Canada.
Founded
1912
Location
Toronto, Ontario
Address
200 Lytton Blvd, Toronto, ON M4R 1L4, Canada
Number of Members
67
Website
northtorontocroquet.ca
Social Channels
Youtube
Diversity
North Toronto Croquet Club (NT) takes pride not only in its growth in membership but also in its commitment to diversity. Currently, 48 percent of the club's members are women, reflecting a progressive approach to inclusivity in the sport. Additionally, NT’s membership mirrors the global croquet community, with members hailing from the UK, Europe, South America, Australia, Asia, Egypt and North America. (at least ten languages are spoken at the club). This diverse representation enriches the club’s culture and fosters a welcoming environment for all players, enhancing the overall experience for members and promoting a vibrant croquet community at NT.
Facility / Lawns
In the past 24 months, NT has had a significant investment in upgrading its facilities, enhancing both the playing experience and overall member satisfaction. These improvements have included significant lawn maintenance, positioning NT as having the best croquet lawns in the Greater Toronto Area.
The club has also upgraded other infrastructure to support its growing membership, which now includes some of the top players in North America. These investments have contributed to NT’s reputation as a premier destination for croquet in Canada.
Canadian GC Championship
In 2023, NT became the host of the Canadian Golf Croquet (GC) Championship, cementing its role as the championship's home in 2024 and for years to come.
The Canadian Championship has attracted top players not only from Canada but also from the UK, the US and Mexico. This international participation highlights the event’s growing prestige and NT’s status as a premier venue for competitive croquet. By bringing together elite players from multiple countries, the championship has further solidified NT’s reputation not only in Canada but on the global croquet stage, enhancing the club's profile as a hub for high-level competition.
Top Level Players
Almost 25 percent of the top golf croquet players in North America come from a single club in Canada: North Toronto Croquet Club. This impressive statistic reflects the club's significant role in shaping high-level croquet talent, especially in the golf croquet (GC) discipline.
By the end of 2024, six of the top 25 players across North America were NT members, underscoring its reputation as a hub for elite players. This concentration of talent, combined with the club's excellent facilities and vibrant competitive environment, has established North Toronto as a powerhouse in the North American croquet scene.
Additionally, four NT members qualified for the 2024 GC World Championship highlighting the club's status as the destination for mallet sports in the Greater Toronto Area.
North Toronto Croquet Club (NT) has also seen its members compete at prestigious events such as the Over 50 Golf Croquet World Championship as well as various tournaments in the US and Egypt. NT members also formed part of the Canadian team that won the Association Croquet World Team Championship (Tier 2.1). This international participation showcases the caliber of NT players and their dedication to the sport.
Mallet Sports
NT is also a recognized hub for American 6-Wicket (A6W) croquet, regularly drawing Ontario's best players for competitive play. The club is home to most of Canada’s best A6W and AC croquet players.
Three years ago, NT launched a youth membership initiative, which has become a growth area, and in 2024, Gateball was added to the club's weekly schedule, which includes Snake-in-the-Grass and Pirate Croquet, further expanding its range of mallet sports.
National Leadership
North Toronto Croquet Club (NT) is also a national leader within Canada. The club has played a key role in shaping croquet across the country, with the President of Croquet Canada hailing from NT and nearly half of the national Board comprising NT members. This involvement underscores the club's influence in guiding the development of croquet in Canada.
In 2024, NT further expanded its reach by joining the United States Croquet Association (USCA), making it the only Canadian club with membership in both countries. This dual affiliation highlights NT’s commitment to fostering international ties and elevating the sport across North America.