Ballarat Alexandra Croquet Club has been selected to host round robin qualifying events.

The championships will be based in Melbourne from February 25 to March 5.

Club president Cliff McCann said it was a massive thrill to have Ballarat selected as a venue.

“It’s also a wonderful opportunity for people to see the sport in action, at its best.

“We hope to inspire even more new players to give croquet a go,” he said.

Ballarat’s Brian Reither, who manages all national croquet tournaments in Victoria, will be tournament manager for the championships.

Victorian Croquet Centre at Cairnlea, Williamstown, Belmont (Geelong) and Essendon will be other venues.

About 80 players representing 14 countries will compete.

Croquet Victoria Jim Clement president said the sport was growing in popularity with 89 clubs and more than 2800 members in Victoria, and 265 clubs and more than 9000 players nationally.

“These championships will be an exciting opportunity to see the game played at its best by Australian and international players, including the renowned Egyptian players who famously hit the ball so hard that we have to erect special, protective fencing at some host locations.”

Clement said it was a much simpler and quicker version of the game than association croquet.

“It’s gaining popularity with younger generations because it’s easily learned by beginners and only takes about 50 minutes to complete a game.”

The World Croquet Federation’s world under-21 golf croquet championship will also take place in Victoria in the  lead-up  to  the open titles.

Twenty-eight players from Australia, Egypt, New Zealand and United States will compete at Cairnlea on February 18-23.

The top two players from this event will earn themselves a spot in the main open championship.