The Divisive Decision Splitting the WSL: “I Couldn’t Share My Thoughts”
The decision to become a mother while pursuing a professional football career has divided the Women’s Super League (WSL). Many female footballers have faced challenges and obstacles in balancing their roles as athletes and mothers. However, there is a growing number of mothers in the WSL who are determined to prove that it is possible to excel in both areas.
One such player is Katrina Gorry, who made the difficult decision to give up her lifelong dream of playing football in order to become a mother. “For as long as I can remember, I thought I would have to hang up the boots to start a family,” Gorry admitted. However, after becoming pregnant through IVF, Gorry’s love for the game was reignited, and she made a triumphant return to football just three months after giving birth to her daughter Harper.
Gorry’s journey as a single mother while playing for Brisbane Roar in 2021 was not without its challenges. She faced the logistical difficulties of traveling with a young child and had to navigate unfamiliar territory when it came to finding the right baby food. Despite these obstacles, Gorry persevered and achieved her football dreams by helping Australia reach the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2023.
Gorry’s story is not unique in the WSL. Other players, such as Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Toni Duggan, have also become mothers while continuing their football careers. The WSL has made strides in supporting these players by improving maternity pay and providing resources for returning mothers. However, there is still work to be done in terms of changing societal expectations and providing more comprehensive support.
The physical challenges of returning to elite sport after childbirth are immense, but the emotional toll should not be overlooked. Coaches, including Emma Hayes and Carla Ward, who are both mothers themselves, have spoken about the difficulties of balancing their roles in the WSL with their responsibilities as parents. Ward, in particular, expressed the constant struggle of missing out on important moments with her daughter due to the demands of her job.
Despite the challenges, these women are determined to be role models for their children and inspire others to pursue their dreams. They want to show that it is possible to be both a top professional and a mother, and that women should not have to choose between the two. The WSL is slowly but surely breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for mothers in football.
The decision to become a mother while pursuing a football career may be divisive, but these women are proving that it is possible to excel in both areas. They are breaking down barriers and inspiring future generations to follow their dreams, both on and off the pitch. The WSL is evolving, and with each new mother who takes the field, the league becomes more inclusive and representative of the diverse experiences of its players.