The Section Tankard is so named because at the time when it was introduced in 1996, most trophies were being paid for by one of more of the existing members and named in their honour, but this tankard was bought and paid for by the croquet club itself.  What are now Interest Groups within Phyllis Court were then known as "Sections".

When introduced in 1996, it was for the 'Open Singles C class', the third level of AC singles competition within the club behind the A level (Boucher Trophy) and B level (Bucknall Tankard).

By 2011, however, the Bucknall Tankard was being awarded to the runner-up in the unrestricted Open competition, and the Section Tankard awarded to the winner of the second-string competition, then open to those of handicap 14 and above.  That handicap qualification was reduced to 9+ in 2013 and to its current 5+ in 2015, although as with a number of the AC competitions and tournaments, there have been years when it has not been awarded due to a shortage of entrants.