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CROQUET BREAK

provided as a USCA member benefit.

March 25, 2026

EXPANDING THE GAME:

HOW THE VERO INTERCLUB LEAGUE IS

BROADENING ACCESS TO CROQUET

CELIE TAMONEY

John's Island playing at Oak Harbor

Background

Last spring, representatives from eight area clubs in Vero Beach came together to address a growing challenge familiar to many croquet communities: how to create additional interclub playing opportunities as participation and interest continue to grow.

As the Treasure Coast League (TCL) has evolved from friendly matches into a more structured and competitive series, participation and interest have grown accordingly—a positive indicator for the health of the game. At the same time, this growth has resulted in limited roster availability at some clubs, leaving many enthusiastic players without regular interclub opportunities.

The group explored several possible solutions, including the creation of a “Junior Varsity” league. Ultimately, it was decided to support a different approach: the formation of a non-competitive, purely social interclub league designed to prioritize inclusion, player development, and enjoyment of the game.

The original concept was brainstormed by Bo Prillaman, a local pro and long-time President of the USCA Treasure Coast District. Celie Tamoney of John’s Island and Les Williams of the Vero Beach Country Club volunteered to spearhead the initiative and bring the Vero InterClub League (VIL) to life.

League Concept and Objectives

The Vero InterClub League was established as a non-competitive, purely social interclub league intentionally structured to remove the pressures often associated with traditional league play.

VIL matches do not include standings, rankings, advancement, or championship implications. Instead, the emphasis is on participation, learning, and enjoyment. The league is intended for players who love croquet but may not be seeking, or may not yet qualify for, the intensity of higher-level competitive leagues.

Players are encouraged to practice and refine their skills, enjoy a variety of lawns, and build connections across clubs in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.

Importantly, the VIL was designed to complement, not replace, existing competitive leagues. It provides a parallel pathway that broadens participation while supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of interclub play.

John's Island playing at Indian River Estates playing on their new artificial turf lawn

Early Success and Momentum

The Vero InterClub League is already demonstrating strong early success. After just three weeks of play,participation has been consistently high, with players responding enthusiastically to the league’s relaxed, inclusive format. The opportunity to enjoy interclub play in a purely social setting—alongside new faces and on different courts—has proven to be a significant draw.

In a recent match, The Moorings and John’s Island each had 16 players participate, creating a full and engaging afternoon of play. Mark Kucharski, the head croquet professional from The Moorings, led all 32 players while keeping matches running efficiently and offering instruction, encouragement, and support throughout the session.

Other clubs in the area currently participating in one or both leagues are Vero Beach Country Club, Riomar, Oak Harbor, Quail Valley, and Indian River Estates.

These opening weeks reflect a strong foundation for the league, with growing momentum, meaningful player engagement, and a consistently positive atmosphere on the lawns.

A Framework Other Communities Can Adopt

The early success of the Vero InterClub League suggests a transferable framework that other croquet communities may wish to consider. By introducing a non-competitive, social interclub option, clubs can significantly increase access to play, support player development, and strengthen inter-club relationships without diminishing the role or prestige of established competitive leagues.

By expanding access to interclub play, the VIL is expected to increase the overall number of active croquet players in the Vero Beach area, strengthening the local player base and helping position Vero Beach as one of those areas where croquet is growing rapidly, thereby encouraging local country clubs to invest more heavily in croquet as a member development and retention tool.

Most importantly, the VIL reinforces the social foundation of croquet: shared learning, friendly competition, and the simple enjoyment of the game itself.

As the season continues, the Vero InterClub League is establishing itself as a valuable addition to croquet on the Treasure Coast—and a practical, replicable model for communities looking to expand participation through non-competitive, purely social interclub play.

Remember, croquet is the only sport where you can actually get better after you start losing your hair and your fastball.

For more information on both the Treasure Coast League and the Vero InterClub League, please visit verocroquet.org.

Celie Tamoney is Croquet Chair at the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida. She played a key role in initiating the Vero InterClub League, an initiative designed to expand playing opportunities and foster friendly, accessible interclub play among area clubs.

lhtamoney@aol.com

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The views and opinions expressed in the Weekly Croquet Break are those of the article authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Croquet Association (USCA)

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