CROQUET NEWS: International-Class Croquet on Ashburton's Greens

3 October 2007
Ashburton, New Zealand
story by Matt Markham in Ashburton Guardian, Ashburton, New Zealand
photo by Johnnie McKenzie in Ashburton Guardian, Ashburton, New Zealand

Chris Clarke.

Croquet players from around Ashburton were given a treat yesterday, when given the opportunity to be coached by world number two player Chris Clarke.

Clarke, who is originally from Lancashire in England, moved over to New Zealand two years ago, to be with his soon to be wife Jenny Williams, who is also a top croquet player and is ranked as the number one female croquet player in the world.

Clarke’s coaching sessions vary depending on the skill level of people that he is coaching.

“I try to focus on the main things like technique and striking the ball, we pretty much just go back to the basics,” he said.

Playing croquet for over 20 years at the top level makes Clarke a valuable asset to croquet in New Zealand, and he is currently coaching the New Zealand youth squad.

Next year marks a big year for New Zealand Croquet when the World Championships will be held in Christchurch. Clarke however won’t be wearing the silver fern, but will still play for Great Britain.

Clarke already has one world championship title under his belt as he won the event in 1995, and was runner up in 1994.

As well as the world champs, Clarke has won the British open doubles ten times and is a five-time President’s Cup winner.

He has also captained the Great Britain MacRobertson Shield side that plays against Australia, USA and New Zealand teams.

And since moving to New Zealand Clarke has won the South Island doubles with Williams, and was runner up to her in the South Island singles.

Clarke said that at an elite level croquet in New Zealand isn’t as good as it could be compared to the main countries such as England, Ireland and Wales, but is on the up.

“There is a great number of clubs and players here in New Zealand, and there are some really promising players coming through the ranks,” he said.