Wellington Croquet Association History
The Wellington Croquet Association (WCA) was founded at a meeting in October 1919 of the representatives of six clubs, hosted and chaired by Wellington’s mayoress, Lady Luke. Other clubs soon joined, and the first tournament was held in February 1920.
There were 24 clubs by 1930; the depression caused some losses, but in June 1939 there were still 21 clubs and over 550 playing members. Like the rest of New Zealand, the 1950s and 1960s saw the closure of most of the small suburban clubs, to reach a low point in 1972 of eight clubs and 164 members.
Until 1928 the Wellington district included the Wairarapa, which had 5 clubs extending north to Eketahuna, and the boundary with Manawatu varied; at one stage Paraparaumu was in Manawatu, but at another time Otaki was (briefly) in Wellington.
Today the Association has 10 member clubs which between them have 500+ playing members.
There were 24 clubs by 1930; the depression caused some losses, but in June 1939 there were still 21 clubs and over 550 playing members. Like the rest of New Zealand, the 1950s and 1960s saw the closure of most of the small suburban clubs, to reach a low point in 1972 of eight clubs and 164 members.
Until 1928 the Wellington district included the Wairarapa, which had 5 clubs extending north to Eketahuna, and the boundary with Manawatu varied; at one stage Paraparaumu was in Manawatu, but at another time Otaki was (briefly) in Wellington.
Today the Association has 10 member clubs which between them have 500+ playing members.