Geelong’s Cassie Sweetten, Perth’s Blake Houston to represent Australia in disc golf at 2025 World Games

Geelong’s Cassie Sweetten thought she had no chance of making this year’s World Games after an 1-in-100,000 bone break, as her growing sport gears up for its two-decade-long return.

Cassie Sweetten will represent Australia in disc golf at the 2025 World Games. Picture: supplied

Geelong disc golfer Cassie Sweetten thought a “heartbreaking” and rare injury last November would be a hammer blow to her hopes of representing Australia on the world stage.

But backed by the Australian Disc Golf selection committee, the experienced talent will usher the sport’s return to the World Games, intent on bringing home a medal.

It’s the first time in 24 years, and second overall, disc golf will be a medal sport when the 12th edition of the World Games kicks off on August 7 in Chenghu, China.

The Games – held every four years and featuring sporting disciplines not contested at the Olympic Games – boasts 35 sports this year, including squash, softball, lacrosse, karate and archery, and an expected 5000 athletes.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in – I don’t think until I’m there I’ll understand how huge it is,” Sweetten, 41, said.

“The nerves will kick in a little, but I’m just going to ride the wave and do what I can and hopefully we bring home a gold, silver or bronze medal.”

The opportunity to don the green and gold came after months of rehabs, when in November, Sweetten - Australia’s captain for Team Worlds in Western Australia - broke her ankle during a practice in the days leading up to the tournament following a jump and landing gone wrong.

Sweetten later learnt it was a rare break – with only 1-in-100,000 people breaking the bone she did.

“It was heartbreaking … I broke one of the bones, tore one of the major ligaments and when I got home they found another fracture,” she said.

Cassie Sweetten will represent Australia at the World Games in disc golf - where athletes attempt to land small discs into raised targets in as few throws as possible. Picture: supplied

Despite her own disappointment, Sweetten made sure to support her Aussie Sugar Gliders team as captain, as they went on to secure silver - the feat securing Australia’s World Games’ invitation.

“I put on that moon boot and still walked the course for four days, and caddied for my team and did what I needed to do for my team,” she said.

In a moon boot for eight weeks, Sweetten – a global stocktake co-ordinator for Cotton On – thought the injury could hinder her chances of selection for the World Games, as she intensely rehabbed her injury with the support of her podiatrist and personal trainer.

But in a nod to her stellar resume as a multiple Australian champion, Sweetten ultimately received the call-up in March.

“There has been a lot of work (to be fit to return), and I’m very grateful to the selection committee,” she said.

Cassie Sweetten (second from right) will head to China for the World Games alongside (L-R) caddy Ken Summers, player Blake Houston, manager Aaron Moreton and caddy Jarrath Sweetten. Picture: supplied

Sweetten will travel to China as Australia’s female representative, alongside Perth teen Blake Houston – the pair to battle Lithuania, Norway and Canada in their opening games - made up of single and double match-play -in a bid to make the final eight knockouts.

Sweetten and Houston will be joined by Sweetten’s husband Jarrath, one of two caddies alongside Ken Summers, as well as manager Aaron Moreton.

Taking up the sport nearly two decades ago after her husband played the Queenstown Gardens Disc Golf course in New Zealand, Sweetten has seen first hand the growth of the sport in Geelong and Australia, and around the world.

“I think there was a handful of us when we first started and the Australian championships are now selling out – we’re getting 200-plus players,” she said.

“Having the World Teams event here (in Australia) last November brought international players across.

“I think Australia is starting to be put on the map with the sport.”