Technology for Croquet Clubs | CAQ Column

!Hand tools on a workshop bench. The right tool makes any job considerably simpler.

My name's Wade Hart. You might know me from the lawns. I also run a technology company called automatebrisbane.ai.

I'm starting a column for the CAQ website about technology. The goal is practical: less time on admin, more time playing croquet.

I know "technology" makes some people nervous. It can feel like something being forced on us, demanding we change how we do things. But that's not what this column is about.

Think about mallets. We've gone from basic wooden implements to precisely weighted, scientifically balanced instruments. We adopted that technology because it helped us play better. It served a purpose. It gave us something useful.

The same logic applies to digital tools. They're meant to handle tedious tasks so we can focus on what we actually enjoy.

Most of us already do this in daily life. We watch what we want on streaming services instead of waiting for scheduled TV. We order online instead of searching through shops. We adopted these because they made things simpler and gave us more choice.

What This Means for Croquet

Some clubs are already doing this well. At Southport, members can check lawn availability and book a time from home, no phone calls or trips to the club required.

Picture being able to watch a video of a world-class player demonstrating a jump shot, or learning tactics from top coaches, all available on demand. Or finding out about competition days at other clubs without having to track down flyers or make calls.

This is where customised software and AI come in. Don't let the term put you off. In this context, AI means smarter systems that handle repetitive work. Think of it as a club assistant that never forgets, never gets tired, and handles the paperwork so volunteers don't have to.