There is an annual calendar of tournaments. National events are organised by Croquet New Zealand (CNZ)and hosted at various clubs around the country. There are a number of regional events organised by the regional association, Croquet Nelson (CNN), and then our own  club (NHCC) has a number of events scheduled throughout the year. See  www.croquet.org.nz on the Link Page. 

Tournaments are organised for all levels of play so there will be an opportunity to compete in Level tournaments or those playing to handicaps. When  players are ready, their game can be assessed and they will be given a handicap. Generally, during normal club days, handicaps are not used. Only when playing in competitions are they used. 

Association and Golf Croquet have separate tournaments. Entries will normally include both men and women players, who compete on an equal basis. New Zealand has hosted a number of international events. The latest event the Under 21 GC Worlds at Mt Manganui in 2023. NHCC hosted the 2020 World Teams event with the New Zealand team winning back to back world titles.

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  Your NHCC GC COMPETITION GUIDE


General Information    Anchor


Primary Grade: 9 – 16

Intermediate Grade: 6 – 8

Senior Grade: 3 – 5

Premier Grade: 2 & under

Games are played as “block play” where you play everyone else in your block. (Exception – 2 life). Blocks can be made up of 4 – 8 people. If there are more than 8 entries, then there will usually be 2 blocks with a final played between the winners of each block.

All games are 13-point games.

Handicap cards are used in all competition games.

Championship play – Played within grades and without using handicaps. Handicap cards are still used to record the score & adjust the handicap (where necessary).

Handicap Play – Played using handicaps and using “Advantage Play.”

Games can be played in the 3rd round on club days or you and your opponent can play any other time when the lawns are free.


Club Competitions

  1. Grade Handicap Singles 

Played September – December.

Trophies - Primary – Sybil Bonnington Cup

  • Intermediate – Don Neilson Cup
  • Senior – Mike & Annie Trophy
  • Premier – Silver Cup

Played in block play in your grade.


  1. Handicap Doubles 

Played September – December

No Trophies

Junior Doubles - Primary & Intermediate Grades

Senior Doubles – Senior & Premier Grades

Put your name on the entry sheet. The captain determines the pairing based on handicaps.


  1. Grade Championship Singles

Played January – Early April.

Blue Trophy for each grade. The winner’s name goes on the Honours Board.

Played in block play within your grade.


  1. Championship Doubles

Played January – April

Junior - Trophy - Small pewter mug trophy (one for each winner)

Senior - Gold Diamond Shaped Trophy (one for each winner)


  1. 2 Life Open Handicap Singles

Played September - March

Worrall Trophy

This is open to all players of any grade. All entrants start off with their name entered into each of the 2 sections of the draw.

If you win your game, you progress to the next game.

Once you lose 2 games then you are out of the competition.



Regional Level: Croquet Nelson interclub competitions

(See Croquet Nelson Event book for more details)

  1. President’s Cup - This is played weekly on a Friday from Sept – November.

Teams of 4 for each club. (2 reserves may play in a team). Limited to 8 teams. It is played as Handicap doubles and players are expected to play 5 games each day.

  1. Terminator Championship

This is played in grades – weekly on a Friday, during February & March.

Teams of 2 from each club (one original player must play each time) with 3 matches played each day. Playing 1 doubles & 2 singles games.


  1. Claughton Cup – Championship Play

Played monthly October - December

Premier & Senior Grade play for the Senior Cup, with Intermediate & Primary grades playing for the Junior Cup.


Teams of 4 (one from each grade) from each club

Each player plays 2 singles games, and one doubles game on the day.


  1. Nelson Annual Advantage Open (Handicap)

Played over a weekend in October.

Play singles on Saturday, doubles on Sunday. Expect to play up the at least 4 games each day.


  1. Silver Badges – Championship Singles in grades. 2025 – will be awarded to regional winners in the CNN Grade Championship Tournament.
  2. CNN Grade Championship Tournament. Played the first weekend in February.

Singles in grades. Regional winners in each grade will receive a silver badge.

Expect to play at least 4 games each day.

Doubles in Senior & Junior pairings. Choose your own partner.


  1. Don Reyland Stars – This CNZ tournament has an entry fee. Open Handicap format is played at regional level with the winner playing in the National Event.


See the CNZ Yearbook, on the Captains Desk, to see what is played, where, and entry details.