Croquet: U21 champs come to Taranaki

Croquet New Zealand has chosen Croquet Taranaki to host the prestigious Under-21 Golf Croquet Championships, sponsored by Terminator Mallets.

The five-day event kicks off at 8.30am on Friday, December 12, at the New Plymouth Croquet Club, wrapping up with trophy presentations the following Tuesday afternoon. New Plymouth Club Captain Peter Batchelor is managing the tournament on behalf of Croquet NZ and Croquet Taranaki.

The competition draws top young talent from across New Zealand and beyond, with 12 singles entrants and eight doubles teams from regions including Southland, Canterbury, Central Districts, Wellington, Taranaki, Northland, Counties Manukau and Australia.

Players range in experience, but consistent accuracy and tactical precision typically decide the winners.

Standout singles contenders include Jessica Bullen, Luke Francis, and Mattie Clarkson, who competed at the World U21 GC Championships in Florida earlier this year.

Katie Zentveld, the youngest-ever winner of the CNZ Don Reyland Stars national final in March 2025, also earned Most Improved GC Player at the recent Croquet NZ AGM.

Top seed Ethan Gumbrell from Australia reached the quarter-finals at the world event and ranks No. 10 in his country.

Local hopes rest on Taranaki's Jayda Sharp and Charlie Ainsworth from Hawera's Park Croquet Club, fresh off a CNZ Secondary Schools GC win, plus Fynn Byers and Cohen Jones, who took third in that tournament and are competing in both singles and doubles.

The doubles round-robin runs Friday and Saturday, ranking teams over multiple rounds with potential for upsets in the final showdown.

Four sibling pairs add family rivalry: sisters Katie and Emily Zentveld (Rose Gardens, Palmerston North); Max and Emma Philpott (Gore); Patrick and Isaac Connolly (Cashmere, Christchurch); and Skye and Isla Robinson (Kerikeri).

Jessica Bullen pairs with Luke Francis after her 2024 U-21 doubles triumph.

Singles block play starts Sunday morning over 11 rounds, with the top eight advancing to best-of-three knockouts for the title and minor placings.

The other four contest the Plate, where last year's winner Patrick Connolly returns. Three-time champion Levi Franks from Christchurch, now over 21 and the current World U-21 titleholder, sits out but will assist with live streaming.

Live coverage begins Saturday on the Croquet New Zealand YouTube channel, focusing on one of the four lawns.

Visit croquet.org.nz for more on the sport.