Croquet is a precision lawn sport played across Australia with a dedicated and growing community. From Ricochet (a beginner-friendly format) to international-level Association and Golf Croquet, croquet clubs provide social sport for all ages. This guide covers the key funding sources for croquet in Australia.
Croquet Australia is the national governing body for croquet in Australia, affiliated with the World Croquet Federation.
Disciplines:
- Association Croquet (traditional, strategic)
- Golf Croquet (faster, more accessible)
- Ricochet (beginner-friendly variant)
- Garden Croquet
Contact Croquet Australia and your state association for guidance on Sport Australia investment and national programme access.
State croquet associations affiliated with Croquet Australia:
- Croquet NSW
- Croquet Victoria
- Croquet Queensland
- WA Croquet
- SA Croquet
State associations administer competitions and club development.
Sport Australia funds croquet through Croquet Australia as part of its national sport investment. State sport agencies fund community croquet:
- State sport and recreation agencies for community sport development
- Active ageing and participation funding
Croquet clubs affiliated with registered venues can access gaming grants:
- NSW ClubGRANTS: Community sport development
- State gaming trusts: Equipment and programme grants
Many croquet clubs are standalone volunteer clubs without gaming connections — community trust grants are their primary source.
Croquet requires well-maintained flat grass lawns:
- Local councils: Many croquet lawns are on council-managed parks — councils fund major maintenance
- State government: Sport facility grants for lawn upgrades
- Gaming trusts: Minor infrastructure, irrigation, mowing equipment
Common funded lawn work:
- Lawn levelling and resurfacing
- Irrigation system upgrades
- Shade structures for players
- Boundary fencing
- Storage and equipment sheds
Croquet equipment:
- Mallets (club-owned for beginners)
- Balls and hoops for training and competition
- Mallet bags and trolleys
Gaming trusts and state sport agencies fund equipment for community croquet clubs.
Croquet is an excellent active ageing sport:
- Low-impact physical activity suitable for older adults
- Strong strategic and cognitive engagement
- Social and community-building
- Accessible to players with reduced mobility
Health sector connections:
- Active ageing programme grants
- Falls prevention through balance and movement
- Cognitive engagement for older adults
Golf Croquet is the most accessible and fastest-growing format:
- Simpler rules than Association Croquet
- Faster games
- Ideal for come-and-try events and beginners
Clubs using Golf Croquet to attract new members have a strong participation growth story for funders.
Strong croquet applications demonstrate:
- Membership numbers: Total members, age breakdown, growth
- Active ageing: Health and social outcomes for older members
- New player programmes: Ricochet and Golf Croquet for beginners
- Lawn condition: Specific maintenance needs and costs
- Equipment needs: Justified lists for beginners and competition
- Club governance: Financial health, volunteer structure
- Competitions: Local, state, and national competition participation
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport organisations manage grant applications, track lawn and equipment funding, and demonstrate the active ageing and community outcomes that croquet funders value.