Mum’s the word
In Bristol Bears’ season opener this year, Abbie Ward made a triumphant return to playing after having her baby daughter, Hallie, in July.
The grassroots game is also seeing many new mums getting back to playing each season, just like Abbie.
At Broughton Park FC in Manchester, their women’s 1st XV has three mums who have returned to playing this season. One of those is fly half, Daryl Hanby who has made a great return to the pitch.
The team sits at the top of their league with five wins from six games. Daryl, who has played rugby since she was six years old, set up the team alongside her now husband in 2016.
“I came to university at Manchester Met and met my other half who was playing for Broughton Park. I knew I wanted to settle in Manchester when I got back from travelling, so my partner Dave and teammate Louise set up women’s team. I came back to play, and Dave was the coach!” said Daryl.
“I fell pregnant last year after getting married and had my daughter Tess on the 30 April 2023.”
Daryl stayed involved with the team as team manager throughout her pregnancy and this season, started playing fly half for the team again.
“There are three of us on the team who have come back after having children. Bex gave birth in March and Laura gave birth last September and we’re all back the season. I feel like I’m still getting back to my old fitness level but I’m working on it!
“Tess is always on the sideline when I’m playing. We had a full circle moment recently when we played Vagabond Ladies in the Isle of Man. I went to watch Broughton Park play them when I was seven months pregnant, and then I went back again to play when Tess was seven months old!
“I love playing again as it means I get to keep this part of myself and have some normality back. When you’re a mum, life is so different but when I play or go to training, I get a little bit of time to be the old me.”
If you’re inspired to play rugby, find your local rugby club.
For more stories like this, sign up to our monthly newsletter Touchline.
