Country music and camping: How Mackenzie Arnold is staying grounded

To say it’s been a big year for Mackenzie Arnold would be something of an understatement.

While she’s been working as a professional athlete since her early teens, the 29-year-old goalkeeper became a household name this year after attracting the monikers of “Australia’s defence minister” and the “brick wall” for her performance during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Mackenzie Arnold: “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself and I just take everything as it comes.”Credit: John Davis

But despite the rapid rise to fame, the Gold Coast-born Matilda remains nonchalant about it all. “I’ve always been myself through the whole process and I think that helps me in the field,” she says. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself and I just take everything as it comes.”

Returning to Australia for Christmas, Arnold has partnered with Amazon Flex, the company’s bespoke delivery service. Last week, she accompanied delivery driver Phil Rock in Brisbane to surprise unwitting fans with last-minute Christmas gifts. It was then, she says, she experienced one of her most memorable fan interactions to date.

“These four girls were standing at the door and when they opened it, they just let out these big screams, and it was honestly the most special thing and something that I’m not used to,” she says.

It’s been a few months since the fever of the World Cup, after which Arnold returned to London to play in the English football league for West Ham United. While she may be unable to walk down the street in Australia without drawing a little attention, she says life in England is still pretty quiet.

“You don’t really get the whole hype of it compared to what’s going on in Australia. When we come home, it reminds you of what you’ve achieved and what we’ve done for this generation. But back in London, life’s not too different, which is sort of nice at times.”

Arnold is decidedly blasé when asked how she steels herself against the pressure of being a goalkeeper, simply saying she tries to stay in the moment.

“A goalkeeper is definitely a different position on the field mindset wise. I think you’ve gotta be mentally stronger than a lot of other positions.” While some of her teammates hype themselves up with “pump up” style music before a game, Arnold says she prefers to ground herself with country music, citing Luke Coombs as a current favourite.

And when it comes to pre-game rituals, Arnold’s is simple: her left sock and left glove always go on first.

While goalkeepers haven’t typically attracted the same glory as a striker like Sam Kerr – Arnold herself was initially reluctant to take up the position – the success of this year’s tournament finally put goalies in the spotlight.

“I think the younger generation is edging towards trying it out a little bit earlier than they used to,” she says. “I guess it’s breaking the stigma that the bad players are going to be goalkeeper, which I think is what was surrounding it when I was younger.”

Arnold is incredibly close to her family – and credits their support from the grand stand with helping her stay focused.

“I definitely need all of them. I’ll say my brother is probably the most brutal for me. I know that he’s always going to be honest, which is something that I need,” she says. “He’s always there after a game telling me if I played good or bad.”

Mackenzie Arnold with Amazon Flex driver and soccer fan Phil Rock.

She is looking forward to spending Christmastime with her family, who will be going camping.

“I don’t really get to go on many holidays with them altogether. So that’s going to be special.”

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