Now that Matilda mania has subsided a little, it’s time to acknowledge Canberra’s (and Australia’s) new world champion – 23-year-old Jamie Gumbrell, who won the Golf Croquet Women’s World Championship in England earlier this month.
While the entire country was infatuated with the Soccer World Cup, 17 countries were battling it out in Sussex County, including Jamie representing Australia, who defeated the European champion to take the trophy.
The game has come a long way from when the Canberra Croquet Club, near the Hyatt Hotel, was a women’s only croquet club in 1928. It’s no longer a retiree’s game; it’s an all-ages competitive sport held at an elite global level every four years.
It’s a test of endurance – mental and physical – and in the semi-finals, Jamie had to play best of five games, which can last up to six or seven hours.
“You need to be accurate in your shots but also mentally strong,” Jamie told CW from Sussex. “During the last match, I was completely oblivious to anything else going on other than the game. Even during the lunchbreak that we had, I just sat there on my own just focusing. It requires an immense amount of concentration.”
In the finals, Jamie played against New Zealand, England and Egypt. (Golf croquet uses the same greens and equipment as croquet but has different rules). Golf croquet originated in Egypt and the country has been a world leader for a few years – until now.
To prove it, Jamie has a trophy, medal and plate. Prize money is a little way off for the emerging world-class sport.
“There’s almost no money in it. It’s completely self-funded,” Jamie said. “Some events have prize money but that really only covers your entry fee.”
Jamie’s achievement is impressive given that Canberra has only one croquet club and therefore, a lack of competition. She has to join NSW state competitions in order to compete. She has been professionally coached in an under 21s development squad organised by the Australian Croquet Association.
Jamie reckons the lawns in West Sussex, compared to Canberra, are a lot slower and greener, thanks to England’s damp climes.
“It was an amazing experience just to be part of, but to come out from the competition having just won feels surreal,” Jamie said. “It was also really nice to have so many people watching me [on livestreaming] and supporting me through it.”
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