Transgender Australian croquet player Jamie Gumbrell the first biological male to become a world champion in a women’s sport
A transgender Australian croquet player has become the first biological male to become a world champion in a women’s sport – and once unaware rival competitors are speaking out.
A transgender Australian croquet player has become the first biological male to become a world champion in a women’s sport.
Canberra’s Jamie Gumbrell won this year’s Women’s Golf Croquet Championship in August.
But it has only emerged now that 23-year-old Gumbrell, who identified as a man up until 2019, is a transgender competitor after rival members spoke out against her.
The World Croquet Federation changed its rules two years ago, allowing competitors to nominate their own gender.
The UK’s Telegraph reported that several competitors were unaware they’d be competing against a biological male until they arrived at the tournament in Sussex, and that they feel Gumbrell has advantages in strength because she was born a male.
“There was a huge amount of disquiet,” Sue Lightbody, a member of England’s team at the World Championship, told the publication.
“But nobody was prepared to say or do anything. I was quite sick about the situation. We thought it would go against us, that we wouldn’t be picked for another team.
“Everything was hush-hush, everyone was worried about being called transphobic.
“People told me not to get involved, saying, ‘Don’t do anything, you’ll make yourself very unpopular.’
“But this just shouldn’t happen. It fundamentally isn’t fair.”
Ian Burridge, president of the WCF, told the outlet: “The fact that Jamie was assigned male at birth is not disputed by anyone. Jamie now identifies as female as her entry into the world championship was determined in accordance with our policy, approved by our members in April 2021.
“We welcome feedback, given the concerns that exist.”
Gumbrell’s biography on the Golf Croquet Women’s world championship 2023 website says she was introduced to the sport by her Grandparents at age 15. “They took Jamie to the Canberra Croquet Club where she has been a member since. Peter Freer mentored and taught her how to play.”
The Telegraph reported that since identifying as female, Gumbrell has won every tournament she has competed in.
Gumbrell defeated England’s Rachel Gee 7-2 in the final of the world championship on August 14, and it was reported that Gee was crying behind her sunglasses during the trophy presentation.
It was her first appearance at the world championship, and she was one of 56 competitors in the women’s field.
Lightbody told the Telegraph that Gumbrell’s strength advantage was unfair.
“A key shot in golf croquet is the jump shot,” she said.
“If you’re on the boundary, you can jump over a couple of balls and get through a hoop. I can only do mid-jumps, I can’t do one from the baseline.
“But Jamie can. That is a huge advantage over a woman.”
Croquet Australia has been contacted for comment.
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