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From: Bruce Mitchell
Subject: Policy/Manifesto questions
Subject: Policy/Manifesto questions
One of the issues that is often raised in Australian croquet is the loss of funding from the Australian Sports Commission. Whenever it is mentioned the ACA response is, broadly, "The ASC has been cutting funding for minority and non-Olympic sports and there isn't much that we can do about it." Such a response doesn't reveal the full picture. There is much that can be done to put Croquet Australia in a better position to compete for funds if they do become available (and nobody knows what will happen under the new Federal Government). In the days leading up to my resignation from the position of ACA Secretary, I had a two hour meeting with a senior official from the ASC who was visiting Brisbane and wanted to know what was going on. He understood my decision to resign, but encouraged me to consider staying on and trying to reform the ACA culture. (Unfortunately, at the time I saw little prospect of success.) His comments on funding were quite clear. If money becomes available and a choice has to be made between croquet, with it's old-style closed culture, and another sport that has reformed it's administrative culture, then the chances of the funding coming our way would be very slim.
Thanks Bruce!
I think discussion is positive and essential. I mentioned your email briefly to a couple of people at our club today, and was surprised at the sort of hush hush response. Then I asked ... where is the HQ of Croquet Australia? It was as if they didn't know ... or didn't care.
I took early retirement on 31 January this year. Four days later was "Try Croquet Day" in Vic. I went along sadly wondering what it would be like. So far it's been the highlight of my retirement! It's a wonderful game (in all its forms) and particularly suitable for people with some otherwise prohibitive injuries. There is no reason that any government (local, state, or federal) wouldn't throw money at it - as it is a sport that should reduce health costs elsewhere.
My attitude is that we have a fantastic game. And a reasonably good infrastructure of clubs. We desperately need publicity and promotion. There are heaps of people out there who would play croquet if they knew it existed ... in all its forms ... and how nice most of us are!
There seems to be a feeling south of the Yarra (maybe only my perception) that Cairnlea should never have happened. Can I say to any of you reading this message ... well it did happen! And the facilities at Cairnlea are exceptional. For God's sake, get over it! We all only live once.
If Cairnlea is successful, hopefully all Victorian clubs can share in its success.
Maybe I'd feel differently if I'd been there when it happened ... but I wasn't. I have accepted the realities as they are today, even if it's hard to even be told about the realities. Administration is very frustrating.
After a happy 10 months playing croquet, can I appeal to the greater majority? We obviously have a wonderful game. To me several people seem to only want to keep things the way they are in their small club environment until they go to God. I'm sorry to have to put it this way. But (political speech) - for the good of your children and grandchildren - isn't it important that croquet survives and prospers?
This needs talking about ...
Ian Davidson
SECRETARY
ELWOOD CROQUET CLUB
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