More Than a Game - How to Welcome the “Tea and Cake Player”

Learn how to attract social players to your club using language that focuses on community, gentle health, and mental wellbeing. The final part of our series.

More Than a Game - How to Welcome the “Tea and Cake Player”
In this series, we have explored a new approach to club marketing. We began by establishing the need to speak to our two distinct worlds: the world of the "Competitive Player" and that of the "Tea and Cake Player." Our last article provided a guide for attracting the 'competitor’.
Now, we turn to the other vital half of any thriving club. This is a guide for welcoming the social player, the member for whom croquet is the enjoyable vehicle for something deeper: community, connection, and a gentle sense of wellbeing.

Understanding the Social Motivation

The Tea and Cake Player is not necessarily seeking a contest. They are often seeking a routine, a place of belonging, and a low-pressure way to stay active and engaged with others.
For them, the quality of the conversation can be as important as the quality of the play. They are the heart of a club's social life, the organisers of events, and the first to offer a welcoming smile to a new face.
To connect with them, we must look beyond the boundaries of the lawn and promote the entire club experience: the friendship, the gentle activity, and the simple pleasure of having a place to be.
 
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The Language of Holistic Wellbeing

To attract this persona, our language must evoke feelings of comfort, connection, and calm. Instead of focusing on victory or skill, we should highlight the holistic benefits that make a morning at the club so restorative. Here are three themes to build your message around.
1. The Social Connection
This is the promise of community. It assures a potential member that they will find friendship, not just a game.
  • "Our morning tea is legendary. The croquet is fun, too."
  • "Where the conversation is just as important as the game."
2. The Gentle Health Benefits
This speaks to the desire for low-impact activity. It offers a way to stay healthy without the intimidation of a high-intensity workout.
  • "An enjoyable way to get your steps in under the blue sky."
  • "Gentle on the joints, good for the soul."
3. The Mental Calm
This highlights the restorative power of focused, gentle activity. It positions the club as a welcome escape from the noise of daily life.
  • "A chance to switch off and focus on the simple pleasure of the game."
  • "The perfect antidote to a busy week."
 
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Which Ad Works Best?

You've seen the options. Now, we want your honest opinion. What's your favourite? What's your least favourite? And most importantly, why?

Visuals That Radiate Warmth

When posting to Facebook your imagery should feel like a warm invitation. Focus on capturing candid moments of connection and happiness. Use photos of members laughing together on the veranda, chatting between turns, or enjoying the club's social spaces. The goal is to create a visual atmosphere that is relaxed, safe, and friendly.

Share your Club’s Welcome

A successful club is a balanced ecosystem. The focused drive of the Competitive Player gives it purpose and pushes for excellence. The warm presence of the Tea and Cake Player gives it a soul and makes it a community.
By understanding how to speak to both, you are not just recruiting members. You are building a more resilient, more vibrant, and more welcoming club for everyone.

Your club is not only a place to play a great game, but also a wonderful place to be.

Join the Conversation

What’s the secret to making members feel at home? Your club’s knowledge could help another club become a better club.
Head to Club Hub. We need your help and experience. Tell us your reasons why croquet is a great social interaction.
Head to Club Hub. We need your help and experience. Tell us your reasons why croquet is a great social interaction.
 
Every great social club has its own unique recipe for creating a welcoming atmosphere at makes people enjoy being there.
Go to the ClubHub forum to share what makes your club a great place to be, and help us gather the best strategies for bringing people together to enjoy croquet.