While Commonwealth Games gold medallist Gretel Bueta is the poster athlete for mums returning to elite sport post pregnancy, her Australian Diamonds teammate Kiera Austin has called on Netball Australia and Suncorp Super Netball teams to better educate female athletes about fertility.
Goal shooter Austin is an immediate beneficiary of Bueta’s withdrawal from the four-Test Constellation Cup series, which starts Wednesday in Auckland, following Bueta’s recent announcement she was pregnant with her second child.
But 25-year-old Austin – who is studying medical science – said it was time the “taboo” subject of fertility was formally addressed.
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“As the professionalism of netball grows, there is even more at play for elite athletes returning to work after becoming mothers,” Austin said.
“Gretel’s journey has been amazing and since she has come back, she has completely dominated – we saw that in Birmingham – she is a very special athlete. But not all of us are going to be able to do that … we can’t take for granted that we will fall pregnant, let alone come back and play.
“People are pushing their careers out now, well into their 30s, and I think education around fertility, and options such as freezing your eggs, is essential before it becomes too late.
“We take for granted that we will fall pregnant … and I don’t think it’s good enough anymore for there to be an expectation, or norm, to just not fall pregnant during your career. There’s needs to be education around this.
“And by this, I mean formal discussions. It may be touched on at times but by and large – fertility is largely ignored.”
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Former Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett revealed earlier this year that players in the past were urged to be “smart” with contraception and not risk losing their place on the team.
While the likes of Bueta is a standout example that a female athlete can come back and perform at the top level, the pressure to return to previous standard of play is immense and Austin said there is always a group of younger, fitter players vying for limited positions.
“My passion is female health and this is the area I’d like to work in once I finish my degree but I think an immediate fix is to start this conversation in the pre-season,” Austin said.
“The players also shouldn’t be concerned about having an open conversation with their clubs about pregnancy … I still do wonder if some players haven’t got a contract because clubs anticipate them falling pregnant, particularly if a player has made it public their desire to do so.”
Australia is still favourite to win the four-Test series and Austin is expecting a physical encounter after the Silver Ferns finished with a bronze at the Commonwealth Games.
Two matches will be played in New Zealand before the remaining two Tests are played in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast.
The Silver Ferns will be boosted by the return of popular skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who missed the Commonwealth Games, but has since proven her fitness after giving birth to her second child.
WATCH the Constellation Cup between Diamonds and the Silver Ferns on Kayo, first Test: Wednesday October 12, 5.30pm AEDT.
