by Rena Sandou

Created on: June 01, 2009

The roots of croquet are thought to be traced in France around the 16th and 17th century. Pall Mall (in French, Paille-Maille), is thought to be an in-door adaptation of lawn-bowling that used to be played in times of stormy weather. In this game, the players had to strike a wooden ball with a mallet through wide hoops with minimum hits. However, some people claim that Pall Mall is in fact the precursor of golf.

In 1851, croquet travelled from France to England from some Irish travellers who had witnessed it in Brittany. At that time, women were deprived from playing outdoor games as this was a men's privilege. Hence, croquet soon became a favourite game to them. In addition, private clubs started to organize small tournaments, which made the game extremely popular, escalating also the club's statuses. Soon, many of them changed their names to 'Croquet Clubs'.

The game increased its popularity even further when John Jaques, owner of a sporting goods company in London, started to sell whole croquet sets. Croquet sets were available to anyone at affordable prices, a fact that boosted the game's reputation and established it among the primary social and entertaining activities of high class in Britain.

However, Walter Jones Whitmore is considered the father of croquet. In 1868, in the absence of official game tactics or rules, Whitmore introduced various types of croquet strokes publishing a volume with coloured graphics and establishing the 9-inch hoop width. In addition, Whitmore assembled the 'All England Croquet Club' to organize the game properly. One year later, the club got its own base by attaining four acres at Wimbledon and organizing official tournaments.

In 1874, the popularity of lawn tennis led to the decrease of croquet's reputation. Even women, who were the greatest fans until that time, were frustrated by the rules and the proper distance of the hoops that was stressful, leaving all the fun out. In contrast, lawn tennis attracted all the attention, forcing the board of Croquet Club to give up one of its courts for the new sport. Some years later, the association changed its name to 'The All England Croquet and Tennis Club'. Finally, in 1882, croquet was entirely removed from the name.

Of course, croquet was a fabulous game and could not be totally erased, neither from the main title of the Club, nor from the hearts of its fans. Thus, a new croquet has appeared with solid rules and certified equipment. The game developed within a more methodical context, requiring continuous practicing and dedication to master it. In 1899, the name of the Club changed once more to 'All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club'.

Croquet's recognition kept growing and the game soon became an addiction in many countries worldwide, with the USA on the lead. In a period of twenty years, croquet clubs in the U.S. were multiplied, while the game was launched as an Olympic sport in the Paris Olympic Games of 1900.

Croquet has a long and rich history and despite all the ups and downs in its popularity, it has managed to remain a high class sport. Croquet clubs and associations can be found all over the world where the game is favoured, maintaining fierce competition and high standards. Being a demanding, challenging and fully rewarding game, croquet is a game that can be played from amateurs and professionals of any age.

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