This week CAQ began the largest single marketing effort for croquet in living memory. With the support of the Queensland Government, we will be inviting thousands of members of the public to come and try our sport at clubs across Queensland.

I want every player to understand what we are doing and why.

The aim is simple. Our clubs need more members. Members bring the money that keep our lawns in good order, and they bring the life that makes a club enjoyable to be at. For years, CAQ have spoken about growth without a dependable way to achieve it.

We now have one. We just need co-operation to help croquet.

The method has already been tested. East Brisbane Croquet Club ran Come and Try first. They fixed their mallets and gathered a small set of helpers happy to show new people the game.

People lived nearby saw our ad inviting them to come to East Brisbane. We asked people if they would like to escape their apartments (lot around East Brisbane) and play a competitive sport in retirement.

The responses were encouraging. Without boring with all the numbers the advertising was very successful and East Brisbane have a big chunk of new members and the place is a fantastically positive place. We want this for all our clubs.

A player taking a shot at Coolum Croquet Club.

Its begun in Brisbane North and South, but we will be off to the other regions as soon as we can. The joy of croquet needs to spread far and wide.

What happens is simple. CAQ invites guests through ads to their local club. They get told the club's day and time for come and try.

They visit once, for about an hour, and a club member shows them how to do the basics, get an idea of both croquet and the club. If they enjoy it, they are asked back to an ordinary club day. After a few of those, they are invited to join.

CroquetWade has developed a complete system where no club has to chase anyone. CAQ is offering to manage the thousands of people coming to our clubs. Clubs will know who to expect and guests will be able to be reminded and communicate with us via SMS.

We are beginning carefully. We expect good results, but we are still learning, so the first round will bring a calm number of visitors rather than a flood.

That is deliberate. It lets clubs (and us!) find their feet before the campaign widens.

This does ask something of clubs. It asks for cooperation, and for a welcome when a visitor arrives. In return, I give my word that CAQ will do the work of bringing people to your gate. If we act together, as neighbours rather than as separate clubs and regions, we will have a healthier sport than any of us could build alone.

You will hear more from me as the campaign develops. For now, I want every member to know that this is under way, and I encourage you to begin conversations about how you will show visitors how enjoyable playing croquet is at your club.