TCL. Why did you stop playing croquet when you were younger? 

Mike. I first started playing croquet in a friend’s back garden when at junior school. He had a large garden and a croquet set. When I moved to grammar school and made different friends I stopped playing and started other sports. 

TCL. What inspired you to start croquet again? 

Mike. Whilst working in Newcastle in my 50’s a colleague who played croquet told me about an Open Day. I went along and never looked back. I had had a hip replacement in my 30’s following a car accident and was no longer able to play the sports I used to (such as badminton, squash, tennis and cricket). I was looking for something less strenuous and something I could do after work which would give me some gentle exercise and relieve the stress of teaching. I had found golf too time consuming and was not very good at it. 

 TCL. How is playing croquet changed for you over your life? 

Mike. Initially I took up the game again for some gentle exercise and fresh air but as I became more proficient I started playing in tournaments and representing my club in League matches. I have become very competitive and practised at home during Covid. I have become Club Secretary and am involved in the day to day running of the club. I have been on coaching courses and read many tactics books. There are 2 forms of Croquet. The one in the back garden is Golf Croquet and I played this until I retired. The other version Association takes much longer (similar to a round of golf) and involves different techniques and tactics. I have become more interested in this but still play Golf Croquet. Also I played with a garden set and now I have my own tailor made mallet. 

 TCL. In what ways is your experience with this hobby the same as when you were younger? 

Mike. The experience’s are very different, one was for fun in the back garden and now it is much more serious but you still need to run the hoops with the ball. 

TCL. How important do you think it is to keep learning and exploring new or old interests as we age? 

Mike. Now that I am retired it is very important to have activities which I can participate in. I like to be active and talking to different people. It is also the reason why I started having Bridge lessons in preparation for retirement. Lockdown interfered with that but I do belong to a Bridge club. It is important to keep the brain active and also to be physically active as you get older. Many of my fellow competitors are in their 80’s so I hope it is something I can do for many more years. 

TCL. How does having fun and enjoying activities impact overall well-being? 

Mike. It is very important for my well-being especially when I am winning!!  Once you are no longer working, it is important to focus on something. I look forward to the spring when the outdoor croquet season begins. I do play indoors in the winter but it is not the same. As your health deteriorates as you get older it is good to have something you enjoy to look forward to. 

Mike Solomon’s return to croquet offers valuable lessons for those looking to enhance well-being and longevity. His experience shows how reimagining simple, familiar activities can meet the changing needs of an aging population. By adapting croquet to fit his physical abilities, Mike found both joy and health benefits, highlighting the importance of creating activities that balance ease with mental engagement. For innovators, this suggests focusing on experiences that encourage community, lifelong learning, and adaptability, helping people stay active and fulfilled as they age.