Rugby Stars Embrace Motherhood: How Pregnancy Transforms Athletic Careers
As England prepares to defend their Women's Six Nations title against Ireland at Twickenham this Saturday, the team will be without key players Zoe Stratford, Lark Atkin-Davies, and Rosie Galligan, all of whom are expecting their first children. This absence highlights a growing trend in women's sports, where athletes are navigating the dual roles of elite competition and motherhood. The story of Kelsey Gentles, a rugby league player who returned to the sport after giving birth, offers a powerful testament to the resilience and transformation that comes with this journey.
The Metamorphosis of Kelsey Gentles
Kelsey Gentles, who left the Women's Super League as a dynamic outside back in 2023, made a remarkable comeback in 2024 as a prop for York Valkyrie, scoring the winning try in the Grand Final. Her return, however, was not without significant challenges. "There's no cookie-cutter template to follow when you come back," Gentles explains. "Pregnancy isn't easy. Every woman and her body reacts differently." She faced extreme morning sickness, pelvic issues, and the demands of breastfeeding, which forced her to adapt to a new position on the field due to her changed physique.
Mentally, the transition was equally daunting. "The person you are pre-baby and the person you are when you come back is very different," she notes. "You have a child you have to keep alive. That was a difficult pill to swallow, not just for me, but for a lot of people around me as well. My priorities had shifted." Gentles, now 26 and playing for Wigan, emphasizes that returning to rugby required balancing motherhood with her athletic identity, a struggle she managed with support from teammates like Georgie Dagger.
Charlotte Caslick's Perspective on Sevens Rugby
Charlotte Caslick, an Australian rugby star and Olympic champion, is also pregnant with her first child and anticipates the unique challenges of returning to elite sevens rugby. "Sevens is definitely a young person's game," says the 31-year-old, noting the younger average age in her team compared to the Wallaroos. She points to the logistical hurdles of touring as a mother, citing New Zealand player Dhys Faleafaga, who manages twins while both she and her partner compete internationally.
Caslick faced difficulties in concealing her pregnancy early on, having to sit out a tour in Perth before announcing it publicly. "It was hard making up reasons for why I'm not playing!" she admits. Despite these obstacles, she remains optimistic about her return, potentially blending sevens and 15s rugby to accommodate her new life. Her experience underscores the broader issue of how sports organizations support pregnant athletes, with England's rugby union players now benefiting from 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and travel funds for children.
Inspirational Comebacks Across Sports
The journey back to elite sports after childbirth is not unique to rugby. Tennis player Elina Svitolina reached grand slam quarter-finals and semi-finals post-pregnancy, while footballer Joy Fawcett won a World Cup and Olympic gold as a mother. Sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce claimed world and Olympic titles after having her son, and rugby league player Holly Speakman retired at 42 as a grandmother. These stories highlight the potential for athletes to not only return but excel after motherhood.
Gentles draws inspiration from such figures, including Speakman, whom she replaced at Wigan. She reflects on her own path, from a viral try-saving tackle in 2019 to her current role as a mother and athlete. "I love rugby. I don't want to lose my identity," she asserts. "I wanted to still be Kelsey. I just have a child." Her message to fellow athletes like Caslick and the pregnant England players is one of self-compassion: "Be kind to yourself, because there will probably be a lot of people that aren't kind to you, that will compare you to your pre-baby self."
The Future of Motherhood in Rugby
As more women in rugby embrace motherhood, the sport is evolving to provide better support systems. England's new maternity policies represent a step forward, though part-time players like Gentles in rugby league still lack similar benefits. Gentles, who juggles motherhood, playing for Wigan, and a job at the NSPCC, hopes her perseverance sets a positive example. "If I just give up, then anyone else that gets pregnant, the expectation will be that it's too hard to come back," she says. "I didn't want to send that message, that I was mentally weak."
Ultimately, the stories of Gentles, Caslick, and others illustrate that motherhood can be a transformative, yet rewarding, chapter in an athlete's career. With increased awareness and support, the rugby community is learning to celebrate these dual roles, paving the way for future generations of player-mothers to thrive both on and off the field.
