Are You Playing or Practising? A Top Player Explains the Difference
Learn the critical difference between playing and deliberate practice. This expert guide provides a blueprint to structure your training and unlock your true potential on the lawn
For anyone who has ever lived for sport, there eventually comes a time when the court, the field, or the track is left behind.
Life moves on, but the competitive fire never truly goes out. It lies dormant, waiting for a new spark.
For Mary McMahon, a lifelong squash player who had competed at the highest level, that spark was unexpectedly found in croquet.
After retiring, Mary found herself at a loose end. Like many who are used to a life of activity and purpose, she was looking for something to fill the space. Then, a friend made a suggestion.
"A friend said to me, 'Look, come down to the local courts. There's this new game'," Mary recalls.
"I hesitated, but I went. From day one, I was hooked."
What Mary discovered was a fast paced game of surprising tactical intensity. Croquet was a new competitive buzz for an old sporting passion. For anyone who has dedicated years of their youth to a sport, finding that same intensity again later in life is magical. Mary found that the core elements of what she loved about sport and competition was all there in croquet.
"Being a sporting person all my life, competition has been a part of my life," she explains. "And I just feel so fortunate that now I can continue to have that same thrill, the adrenaline of competition."
Former athletes might wonder how their skills from when they were young could possibly translate to a game like croquet years later. It’s a misconception that croquet is a gentle, slow-paced game. But the reality Mary found was something else entirely. She discovered a sport that demands the same mental fortitude and strategic thinking that defines all high-level competition. The physical demands are different, certainly, but the competitive mindset is identical.
"When I was younger, I played squash to a high level," Mary says. "Squash was very physical, where aerobic fitness was extremely important. In croquet, it's a different sort of fitness. It's a mental fitness."
And for those with that competitive drive, croquet offers a genuine pathway to the very highest levels, regardless of age. Mary's journey is a powerful testament to this. Her dedication has seen her travel the country and the world, representing not just her state, but her nation.
"I'm Mary McMahon," she says with quiet pride, "and I've had the opportunity to play croquet all around Australia... I have played at state level, I've played at national level, and I also had the privilege of representing Australia at the over 50s Worlds."
Of course, a journey like that doesn't just happen. Reaching an elite level requires the same dedication that any top sport demands which is a concept that is familiar and a challenge to former athletes. The reward is found in the practice itself.
"You might see some of the good players out there playing and think that it all just comes naturally. It doesn't," Mary admits. "I put in a lot of time. I practice shots. I need to know when I'm in a competition, I've practiced that. I can do that and I will do that."
Mary McMahon's story is a powerful reminder that the end of one sporting chapter doesn't have to be the end of the story. For those who miss the challenge, the strategy, and the unique satisfaction of competition, croquet is the community and sport for you.
If you're a person who understands what it means to train, to focus, & to compete and you're looking for a way to reignite that fire then it’s time to look at croquet for your competitive sporting challenge.
People like you are rediscovering their competitive spirit with croquet. To find a club near you and learn about 'Come and Try' days, visit [Link to Croquet QLD 'Find a Club' page].
Related Articles
Queensland’s Top Lady Practices For Success
Feeling stuck in your croquet game? Learn champion Mary McMahon's secrets to purposeful practice and find your 'flow'. Improve your play with expert coaching.
Forget Retirement Trips, I Joined Croquet and Played Around the World
Think croquet is just a game played on a local park lawn? Read how Beryl went from beginner to representing Australia in China in just one year. Discover the competitive side of croquet.