A few days ago we begun the advertising for come and try. First, thank you the Qld Government for the grant to promote our sport.

The advertising is covering most Brisbane clubs to begin with, while we find our feet. We are coming to your region very soon.

Our conservative start has seen 35 people sign up for comes and tries in the first 5 days.

This is only early in the campaign and for $120 dollars so far we have had 35 people book in who are keen to come and try croquet.

Usually a successful ad campaign results in sign ups which cost between $20-$50 per 'lead'. Our rate in getting people to sign up to comeandtrycroquet.com is $3.50.

This is due to both croquet being a very attractive offer for people and also the very specific and deliberate targeting of our marketing budget.

By combining census data, modelling of our current members and of our desired new members the advertising CroquetWade is conducting is currently sitting at 10x above performance experienced by similar sports and markets.

This is why I have been so keen to get moving on these projects.

Each new member is worth $500-$750 to croquet in membership fees. So if half of the people in the first 5 days sign up our clubs will gain $12,500 in revenue.

Wade has spent $120 to potentially make clubs $12,500 dollars. And that isn't accounting for volunteer effort helping out and other ancillary benefits. This is potentially an era defining opportunity. We must take advantage of the government funding and our own dedicated inhouse, croquet understanding marketing expert.

As more clubs join, I ask you for cooperation. There are 40+ clubs to advertise and thousands of bookings to be done by CroquetWade. He cannot service that many clubs along with thousands of people without complete co-operation.

The main thing we need from clubs is a come and try helper and their details. The person who checks someone will be at the club to meet the guest at the gate and show them croquet (definitely does not need to be a coach, just a welcoming personality).

Over the next few weeks we will see how well our different clubs' methods convert these people interested in croquet into paying members.

I am very impressed at the results of the advertising so far. It is up to us to take Wade's great work and make it benefit your club.

Every club tells me they want new members, CAQ are delivering them to your gate ready to enjoy croquet. Lets show them how great our clubs and sport is.

John van Barneveld

Croquet Association of Queensland President,

Wynnum Croquet Club Member