When you're a member of the United States Croquet Association, you've joined a national organization, founded in 1977, dedicated to developing and promoting croquet as a serious sport in the United States, US territories, Canada, and Bermuda, and that represents the US in other international croquet associations. The USCA is your resource — just as it is for clubs, educational institutions, sports clubs, resorts, and other organizations, as well as the media — for learning about croquet: how it's played, where it's played, the equipment used, and how to participate, for fun or glory.
First and foremost, the USCA is a great group of fun-loving and competitive people, like you — men and women, of all ages and skill levels, who share a passion for and enjoyment of croquet in its many forms — Golf Croquet, American Croquet, Association Croquet, Nine-Wicket Croquet, and other versions of the game, serious and otherwise.
There are many tangible member benefits:
- Membership card, and window decal
- Official USCA Rule Book, updated periodically (Rules for many versions of croquet are available on-line.)
- The opportunity to play under codified sets of rules, whether in your backyard, or at hundreds of croquet venues throughout the United States and the world
- Able to compete in USCA sanctioned tournaments at the state, regional, and national level
- Eligibility for US National Team
- Assignment & tracking of handicap & Grand Prix ranking
- USCA Croquet News, a thrice-yearly magazine which includes: reports and results for national, international, and local croquet events; schedules for major tournaments and croquet schools; player and croquet venue profiles; articles on tactics, strategy, and rules; and much more
- Monthly e-newsletter, with the latest news and information
- Group discounts on USCA instructional schools held at the National Croquet Center
- USCA Merchandise & Program discounts
- Full time staff to answer questions & help new players find clubs
- Coordination of international events
- National network of croquet clubs
- Website including Club Directory, tournament schedules, valuable information of how to start a club, handicap information, links to instructions, back-issues of periodicals
- USCA website Members Only access to membership directory, announcements, official forms, and rankings
- Support of the national association that:
- Oversees through national, regional & district representatives
- Promotes the sport nationally
- Represents members within the World Croquet Federation
- Regulates equipment specifications
- Offers dispute resolution
- Development of alternate mallet sports (for example, Gateball and Toequet)
- Rules development, maintenance and enforcement
- Referee & Instructor training & certification
- Alamo Car Rental Discounts
- Annual Awards: USCA Support, Financial Support, Appreciation Volunteer
There are also many benefits to croquet clubs that join the USCA:
- Official membership certificate
- Official USCA rulebook (for new members)
- Able to host USCA sanctioned tournaments
- Free club & event listing
- Access to traveling instructors
- National network of croquet clubs
- USCA Merchandise & Program discounts
- Full time staff to answer questions, help new players find clubs, & new club support
- The support of a national organization that
- Oversees through national, regional & district representatives
- Promotes the sport nationally
- Represents members within the World Croquet Federation
- Regulates equipment specifications
- Offers dispute resolution
- Development of alternate mallet sports (for example, Gateball and Toequet)
- Maintenance, development and enforcement of rules
- Referee certification
- Access to the USCA Development Fund for Youth programs & croquet instruction
- Equipment Rent-To-Own program for new clubs
- Suggest and Promote and assist with local club events
- Club of the Year competition